Mercedes-Benz will develop its own global high-power electric vehicle charging network in the coming years, with the plan to offer more than 10,000 individual chargers worldwide by the end of the decade.
Company boss Markus Schäfer announced the plans for the network at the CES tech show in Las Vegas, and said it would be a key part of the firm’s commitment to “making the charging of our battery electric vehicles easier and more accessible”.
While the charging hubs will carry Mercedes-Benz branding, they will be open to drivers of all electric vehicles. But Mercedes drivers will have some advantages: they will be able to use a 'Plug and Charge' function to reserve a charger before they arrive.
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While the network of charging hubs will be global and cover Europe and China, the firm has so far only revealed plans for the North American network, which will feature more than 400 hubs with more than 2500 chargers by the end of 2027.
Mercedes-Benz will partner with leading North American charging network Chargepoint and energy firm MN8 Energy on the hubs. MN8 will offer ‘green’ electricity where possible, and each hub will feature roof-mounted solar panels that will provide the electricity for lighting and other facilities.
The firm says that the hubs will be located at regular intervals near motorways and metropolitan areas. Each hub will offer between four and 12 charging points – and potentially up to 30 – with charging speeds of up to 350kW. The hubs will all be covered, and will feature surveillance cameras to offer extra security. The firm says that they will also come complete with food outlets and toilets “nearby”.
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