dealer won't debadge because forbidden to take off "hybrid" sign
 

I've never heard of this law myself, does anyone (in Europe) know if this is true ?
To debage myself i just use a hairdryer and dental floss right ?

Haven't de-badged recently, but have used fishing line rather than dental floss in the past. Good luck.

https://spirecar.com/troubleshooting...m-Step-by-Step

I call BS, they are probably just too lazy to remove them for you. Is it the “EQ” badges on the front fenders you want to remove? Noticed that when you order a hybrid you can’t choose to remove the emblem in the configurator though.

they did it on previous cars so that's not the problem
want to remove them from the rear (didn't know they are elsewhere as well)
the option to debage is no longer on the French website for any model/engine

Very odd! Yeah there are some “EQ Power” badges on each front fender as well. Here’s a pic:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...3c2719fe5.jpeg

Not sure if it applies to all European countries but our MY 2017 350e was not de-badged even if I asked it when ordering the car. I don't think I ever asked the dealer why it came badged. Now recently I ordered a W223 plug-in hybrid and learned the factory does not allow removing model identification at the trunk. The price list used to be vague on the topic but I just checked the latest price list and it says 260 is not allowed for the hybrid.

I prefer no badges mainly because washing and cleaning the car is easier.

I have not heard of such a law, but it kinda makes sense. Probably for ease of parking enforcement at chargers etc. I know Germany has E license plates for PHEVs and BEVs to help with that, but not sure if France has separate license plates for EVs.

Please excuse my ignorance but, may I ask, what is the main (personal) reason for de-badging? For easier cleaning or for aesthetics?

There are several reasons. Yes, easier cleaning is one. Not wanting to advertise for the manufacturer is another one, or to just make it look cleaner. But in Europe it's very popular to disguise a lower-spec model. They don't want others to know that they bought the cheap low end model and therefore remove the badges. It's also done at the higher end to not flaunt one's wealth. Showing off in many parts of Europe is not socially acceptable.

Sounds like BS to me. Anyway, 2 mins with a hair dryer and panel wipe and you can do it yourself. Option to factory de-badge was removed from the UK market a few years back so i had to debadge my own cars myself.

I can understad why they should not be allowed to remove it. Probably same reason as it is mandatory by law to have visible sign thay you have a solar power system in your house. If there is a fire or accident then it is very important for fore fighters etc to know that there is high voltage present, not only 12 volt, that needs to be handled accordingly. In a house with solar power there is always a main switch that can be accessed from outside.

reasonable question :-) aesthetics

i definitely do not do it to "hide" my small little diesel engine, nor will i fake badge it with an AMG logo ;-)

Don’t emergency workers need to know if a car is electric or a hybrid to know that there are high voltage lines in the car?

Indeed, I looked up this topic a little and firefighters and emergency workers really depend on logo/badge on the car to formally identify it being a hybrid/electric vehicle. Strategies to deal with such category is different from dealing with a regular gasoline car.
Eg
2:00-3:00 https://www.fireengineering.com/tech...-firefighting/
4:00-5:00

I would have thought a solar panel on the roof would be obvious enough not to require a sign :) Even Germany (the home of pointless rules) hasn't gone that far!

The sign has to be adjacent to the main switch to ensure quick process. Ordnung muss sein 😀

Ridiculous !

Cannot understand this.

In Switzerland many people debadge their car to hide their high end equipped car in order to make less show off !

In many European countries you have to get a sticker that you put on your windscreen to make proof that you car is allowed to circulate in zones with pollution limitations. In Belgium, if you are a foreigner, your car must be registered and no sticker is needed, by reading the number plate, authorities can check your status.

With regard to intervention by emergency workers, most MB have got a QR in the refuelling tap where they can appraise all details of the vehicle.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...c6fff4cb6.jpeg
Germany + France stickers

Mercedes has the rescue assist as well, no?
https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/en/owners/rescue-assist

If that’s the case there should be some regulated marking of all hybrids. Adding an “e” or “EQ” would probably not be clear enough for a non Mercedes person to distinguish an hybrid from a petrol model or from an EV. All manufacturers have different denominations for there lineup.

Another thought on de-badging: having had a look at a number of Mercedes test drives and marketing material, all of the S580e cars are de-badged. I certainly do not know the legislation but this in my opinion proves that de-badging EVs and hybrids is fully under the factory control, not restricted by any law. Seems they want to show the public how green the brand is or something like that.

Back in the day I re-badged my US-spec BMW 320i to 316 to mess with people.

Have you tried to scan the Rescue sticker QR code of your car with your phone?
If yes, did you get anything?
I wonder, if all the rescue and emergency information data stored behind the code is not available to the general public or the owner but rather to emergency workers only?

The QR codes work for the cars in our family at least, no access restrictions.

Well it's done; took off the "E300De" and the 2 "EQ power" signs on the side. Very easy
If anyone asks: they fell off.....