The launch of Mercedes’ high-power charging network will start in North America this year.
1. All-electric strategy
Mercedes is investing in an “all-electric strategy”, which foresees the establishment of more than 10,000 high-power charges worldwide, across the US and Canada, Europe, China and other key markets by 2030. Depending on region and location, the hubs will offer 4 to 12, and ultimately as many as 30, high-power chargers with up to 350 kW of charging power.
#MercedesBenz is announcing the rollout of a global high-power charging network across North America, Europe, China and other key markets.
— Mercedes-Benz (@MercedesBenz) January 7, 2023
More: https://t.co/62wbeOAaBy#ambition2039 #MBCES2023 #CES2023 pic.twitter.com/ww8afRYQNt
The automotive company said its customers can pre-book a charging station from their car, but the network will be open and accessible to all brands in order to encourage rapid uptake of electric vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz already offers what we believe to be the finest EVs in the market. But to accelerate the electric transformation, we need to ensure that the charging experience keeps pace as well.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group
In Europe, Mercedes is already part of Ionity — a charging joint venture with Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, and Hyundai. Infrastructure is further along in the old continent, with around 375,000 charging points available at the end of 2021, according to a McKinsey Study. Nonetheless, the region requires at least 3.4 million additional charging points by 2030 to meet an expected rise in demand.
2. MN8 Energy and ChargePoint
Recently during the CES car show in Las Vegas, Mercedes announced it will start construction in North America this year, targeting 2,500 charging points at 400 locations across most US states and Canada by 2027. The German carmaker is counting with the collaboration from MN8 Energy, one of the largest solar energy and battery storage owners and operators in the US, and ChargePoint, a leading EV charging network technology company.
Supporting the development of this exceptional charging experience helps address one of the most significant barriers to EV adoption — range anxiety.
Jon Yoder, President & CEO at MN8 Energy
Mercedes believes this joint partnership will “significantly enhance the usability and convenience of its new generation of electric vehicles” and “differentiate the Mercedes-Benz ownership experience” while accelerating the EV transformation.
The total investment cost for the North American network will be just over 1 billion euros provided by Mercedes and MN8 in a roughly 50:50 split, the company said, and to be deployed over the coming 6-7 years.
3. Green charging
In line with its sustainable “Ambition 2039” business strategy, Mercedes pledged to enable its customers to charge with green energy at its own charging network. For that, the carmaker hopes to rely on green electricity supply contracts or by using renewable energy certificates from accredited suppliers.
