Starting in October, the first Mercedes-Benz charging hubs will go into operation in Atlanta (USA), Chengdu (China) and Mannheim (Germany). By the end of 2024, the company aims to further expand its global charging network to over 2,000 high-power charging points. The long-term goal is to create more than 2,000 charging hubs with over 10,000 charging points by the end of the decade.
With this charging network, Mercedes-Benz intends to set new standards for fast, convenient, and sustainable charging of electric vehicles. Depending on the region, the charging stations offer a charging rate of currently up to 400 kW, provided via the respective standard charging systems CCS1, CCS2, NACS and GB/T. Thanks to intelligent charging management, each vehicle can be charged at its maximum power rating. This reduces the charging time for customers to an absolute minimum.
When selecting the location of the charging hubs, Mercedes-Benz attaches great importance to a pleasant and safe customer experience. The charging stations will be located at main traffic areas and select Mercedes-Benz dealerships, and offer other nearby amenities, such as refreshments, snacks, and restroom facilities. To ensure safety, it is planned to equip the charging stations with surveillance cameras. At selected locations, intelligent light poles offer not only appropriate lighting but also functional LED elements that provide information on the availability of the charging point and the charging status of the vehicle. Canopies at selected Charging Hubs will offer protection against weather.
The charging network will be open to drivers of all brands but Mercedes-Benz customers will enjoy special benefits. For example the ability to reserve a charging point via the Mercedes-Benz ‘me charge service’ to reduce waiting times. The charging network will be seamlessly integrated and will complement the more than 1.3 million charging points to which users already have access worldwide. With the help of Mercedes-Benz's Navigation with Electric Intelligence, the charging stations will be integrated directly into route planning to show the best way to charge. To make the charging experience even more convenient, the stations will offer additional convenience features, such as Plug & Charge. This service enables Mercedes-Benz customers to automate the charging and payment process as soon as the charging cable is plugged in.
"We firmly believe that electric mobility is the key to a sustainable, zero-emission future,” said Franz Reiner, CEO Mercedes-Benz Mobility. “Our goal is to create an infrastructure that offers electric vehicles reliable and easy charging options. In this way, we are actively supporting the transformation to electric mobility.”
