Mercedes-Benz aims to establish its own EV fast-charging network by the end of the decade, initially focusing on North America and expanding to other key markets like Europe and China.
Construction will begin this year in the U.S. and Canada, as announced by Mercedes at CES in Las Vegas last week. The automaker aims to have over 400 charging sites in North America, with a total of 2,500 350 kW DC fast-charging connectors by 2027. Globally, it aims to deploy over 10,000 individual chargers by the end of the decade.
Charging points will be spaced at regular intervals along highways, near major intersections, and metropolitan areas, with an emphasis on sites near stores or restaurants, as well as Mercedes dealerships. Services such as restrooms and some form of weather shelter, along with video surveillance, will also be included.
The network will be open to electric vehicles from all automakers, but Mercedes customers will enjoy benefits such as the ability to pre-book charging.
In North America, Mercedes is working with charging technology company ChargePoint and energy storage and solar company MN8 Energy on the construction. MN8 will supply solar panels to power site lighting as part of a sustainability plan that also involves purchasing energy from renewable sources. MN8 and Mercedes are also splitting a $1.05 billion investment in the network over the next six or seven years to cover construction costs.
If it moves forward with these plans, Mercedes will take a leap to become one of the largest charging network operators in the U.S., though still behind more established players.
Tesla remains in the lead, claiming over 40,000 Superchargers worldwide. Electrify America currently boasts 3,435 fast-charging connectors in its North America-focused network, funded by Volkswagen as part of the automaker’s diesel emissions cheating settlement. Reportedly, VW has been seeking other companies to partner with in an attempt to scale up.
ChargePoint and Electrify America have a roaming agreement between their networks dating back to 2019, allowing drivers to access both networks with a single account. Such agreements are likely to be as crucial in the growing adoption of electric vehicles as the construction of new networks, making use of existing stations more convenient.
Mercedes previously participated in the Ionity fast-charging network in Europe, but this marks the automaker’s first major standalone charging project. It comes as Mercedes rapidly expands its EV lineup.
Starting with the EQS hatchback, which kicked off a new generation of Mercedes EVs, the brand has taken a new direction with its EVs emphasizing range and efficiency. The first of these U.S.-built models, the EQS SUV, is now arriving.
Mercedes has been eager to showcase the need for innovation, with the Vision EQXX seeking potential ideas like bringing back air cooling. Will the same creativity be applied to charging infrastructure?
