To celebrate the launch of its first line of electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz USA has developed an activation at the 2021 US Open to educate fans about its electrification efforts. The automotive brand will engage tournament attendees to create and harvest clean energy that will be used to help power an upcoming exclusive event with global partner Alicia Keys. The Mercedes-EQ family of vehicles will combine sophistication, sustainability, high-end technology and style for an unprecedented fully electric experience. The first vehicle from the line, the all-new 2022 EQS Sedan, will launch later this year.
Mercedes-Benz will host fans in their Brand Center at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from August 30 through September 12. Mercedes-Benz will invite fans to walk over a pathway of kinetic tech floor tiles, created in partnership with Pavegen, that will generate reusable clean energy with each footstep. As guests walk over the Pavegen floor tiles, the weight from their footsteps will compress an electromagnetic generator, which in turn will transform each individual footstep into a small amount of energy that is converted into clean electricity.
For each consumer who walks the pathway, Mercedes-Benz will make a $1 donation per footstep to The National Energy Education Development Project (NEED) to help bring sustainability resources to schools through curriculum and customizable programs. NEED will expand its upcoming pilot curriculum around electric vehicles and create additional training for students and teachers across the country around electrification and the future of transportation. Monique Harrison, Head of Brand at Mercedes-Benz USA, said:
“Mercedes-Benz is committed to an electric future, and with the Mercedes-EQ family of vehicles, we’ve set our sights on the intelligent evolution of transportation that will help create a smarter way of living. We are excited to engage consumers to help us create clean energy and support NEED’s efforts to train and empower the next generation of the STEM workforce, and hope that with this initiative we will spark excitement from kids to take part in the future of electric transportation.”
Mercedes-Benz will officially reveal the EQS, the first all-electric luxury sedan from Mercedes-EQ, to New York consumers with two vehicle displays at the Mercedes-Benz Brand Center. Fusing technology, design, functionality and connectivity, the EQS is the pinnacle of electric luxury, bridging the gap between elegance and sustainability. The first models being introduced to the U.S. market include the EQS 450+ and the EQS 580 4MATIC and will launch later this fall.
Fans will also have the chance to play a new visually virtual reality tennis game which will feature an LED wall to display energetic movement as the match is played. Taking place on the iconic blue courts of the US Open, guests can use rackets with sensors to serve and hit a virtual ball back and forth in the Mercedes-Benz Brand Center.
