Mercedes to build its own charging network starting with North America

Mercedes-Benz is planning to roll out a worldwide network of over 10,000 charging stations for electric vehicles, starting with North America before expanding to China, Europe and other regions. The first stations are expected to be built in the US and Canada by the end of 2023, with the goal of having the entire network up and running by 2030.

As part of its strategy to fully transition to electric vehicles "wherever market circumstances allow," Mercedes-Benz is investing billions of dollars in electric vehicle production factories and charging infrastructure. The company aims to accelerate the transition to an all-electric future by providing reliable charging options for electric vehicle owners.

The charging hubs will be located in major cities and metropolitan areas, with a focus on placing them near shopping malls, Mercedes dealerships, and major roads. This is being done in an effort to address people's concerns about purchasing electric vehicles without a reliable charging network in place.

The Mercedes charging network will not be exclusive to Mercedes EQ vehicles and will be open to drivers of all electric vehicle brands. Yet Mercedes-EQ vehicle owners may have access to exclusive perks such as priority access and the ability to make reservations through the Mercedes Me mobile app.

In the United States, Mercedes-Benz will partner with MN8 Energy, a leading solar energy and battery storage company, and ChargePoint, in which Mercedes is already an investor, to build a network of charging stations. The goal is to have 400 stations in operation by 2027, each with more than 2,500 individual chargers. Mercedes-Benz and MN8 Energy plan to invest approximately $1 billion over the next six to seven years with the cost split evenly between the two companies.

These charging hubs will typically have between four and twelve chargers, but high-traffic areas may have as many as thirty chargers. The chargers will be high-power chargers (HPCs) with a charging speed of up to 350kW.

Mercedes-Benz also wants to ensure that the amenities at its charging stations make the experience of waiting for a charge comfortable for electric vehicle drivers. The company plans to provide food outlets and restrooms at the stations and will install surveillance cameras for safety.

Mercedes-Benz is also committed to making its charging stations as environmentally friendly as possible. To this end, the company plans to use green energy at the stations and install solar panels at certain locations to power lights and security cameras. This demonstrates the company's dedication to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint.

According to Ola Kallenius, chairman of the board of directors at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, his company already offers the best electric vehicles on the market. However, in order to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz believes it is important to also improve the charging experience.

The company aims to provide a seamless charging experience for electric vehicle owners that makes it easy to own and drive an electric vehicle, including on long trips. Mercedes-Benz aims to make the charging process as easy as possible for its electric vehicle customers by using Plug & Charge technology on Mercedes EQ models. This technology allows the car to automatically initiate charging and handle payment without the need for the driver to input payment information or confirm the charge at the station.

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