Mercedes-Benz is starting to build its own global high-power charging network in North America. The charging network is to be open to all vehicle brands.
High-power charging network: Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs are to be located in major cities and metropolitan areas near main traffic arteries and convenient retail and service locations.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz has announced far-reaching plans for the development of a global Mercedes-Benz high-power charging network at CES 2023. For example, the construction of the first charging parks is to begin this year in North America. Cooperation partners are MN8 Energy, a U.S. provider of solar power, stationary power and renewable energy, and ChargePoint, a provider of charging solutions for electric vehicles. By 2027, the network is expected to cover the North American continent with a total of more than 400 charging parks and over 2,500 high-power chargers (HPCs). Europe, China and other core markets are to follow.
Depending on the region and location, the charging stations will offer four to twelve – and a maximum of up to 30 – high-power chargers with up to 350 kW charging capacity. With the help of an intelligent charging management system, each vehicle can be charged at its maximum capacity. In principle, the charging network will be open to all vehicle brands, but Mercedes-Benz customers would enjoy special benefits such as a reservation function or the convenience of an automatic authentication function.
Fast-charging parks with food outlets
According to Mercedes-Benz, the fast-charging parks will be located at even intervals in major cities and metropolitan areas near highways and major transportation hubs. The brand's car dealerships are also to serve as locations. To ensure a safe charging environment, the stations will be equipped with surveillance cameras and other measures. Nearby food and beverage outlets and restrooms are also planned. Selected charging points would be covered to protect them from the weather and have photovoltaic systems.
By the end of the decade, the Mercedes-Benz high-power charging network is to be expanded worldwide to include more than 10,000 high-power chargers that go beyond the existing charging offering. This is because Mercedes-Benz then wants to be fully electric wherever market conditions permit. In addition to the ongoing support of joint networks such as Ionity, the establishment of the company's own charging network also aims to drive the global spread of electromobility.
The total investment cost for the North American network is expected to be just over one billion euros, to be implemented over the next six to seven years. The capital for this will be provided roughly equally by Mercedes-Benz and MN8.