Mercedes will launch its own network of charging stations
This page is translated from the original post "Mercedes va lancer son propre réseau de bornes de recharge" in French.
- 09/01/2023 7:00
Like Tesla and its Superchargers, Mercedes-Benz announces its own charging stations for electric vehicles starting in the United States before Europe.
The CES 2023 was an opportunity for Mercedes-Benz to unveil its latest technologies, but also a big news for electric cars. The manufacturer indeed has the ambition to convert its entire catalog to 100% electric by 2030. To support this goal, the star marque will launch its own charging network.
A Mercedes network first in the US
Mercedes-Benz electric cars already have high-power ultra-fast charging capabilities. They reach 200 kW on a Mercedes EQS for example, but still below Tesla or a Porsche Taycan. While the range exceeds 700 km on the German sedan and over 600 km on an EQE SUV, long-distance travel requires a network of fast charging stations.
Mercedes will therefore launch its own network, starting in the land of Uncle Sam and Canada. German cars, as well as other brands, will be able to recharge there, up to a power of 350 kW. The only advantage for Mercedes: the ability to reserve a station in advance (like Electra in France). 400 stations and 2,500 chargers are planned in North America, with the support of MN8 Energy and Chargepoint, for a network to be completed by 2027.
If the locations will be “carefully selected based on customer needs”, with dining areas, restrooms, and security cameras, not all will be sheltered.
Europe and China to reach 10,000 charging points
This announcement is surprising, because Mercedes-Benz is already engaged in another charging network: Ionity. But it is part of a consortium, including its rivals BMW, Ford, Renault, Hyundai, and Volkswagen. However, the latter also has its own local network, Electrify America!, a project driven by the Dieselgate scandal of 2015.
After starting operations across the Atlantic, Mercedes will expand to Europe and China. However, the German company has not specified the size of the network on the Old Continent. If it develops quickly, it can contribute to the European effort, the EU aiming for a charging station every 60 km on highways crossing the continent. In any case, the big promise is: 10,000 ultra-fast charging stations by 2030 worldwide! Do you think they will meet this goal?
Also read: 550 charging points for Les Mousquetaires brands in 2023
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