At the 2023 Consumers Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Mercedes-Benz announced that it will construct its own global high-power charging network that will eventually include over 10,000 stalls worldwide. This network will be separate from the Ionity network, which is operated by Mercedes and other automakers.
In partnership with MN8 and ChargePoint, Mercedes-Benz will begin building the first stations in the United States and Canada this year, with the aim of having over 400 hubs with more than 2,500 fast charging stations in North America by 2027.
The company intends to have the entire network operational by the end of the decade, with stations located in Europe, China, and other major markets, in line with its commitment to become an all-electric brand by 2030, selling only zero-emission vehicles where feasible.
Mercedes’ chargers will be located in key cities and urban centers, near major roads, and convenient retail and service destinations, including participating Mercedes-Benz dealerships. The hubs will have between 4 and 30 chargers, each capable of delivering up to 350 kW of power, depending on the location.
In addition to building its global high-power charging network, Mercedes-Benz plans to use as much green energy as possible for its stations. This will be achieved by contracting green electricity suppliers or by purchasing renewable energy certificates from accredited suppliers.
Some hubs will also be equipped with photovoltaic systems to provide power for lighting and video surveillance. While the network will be open to all car brands, Mercedes-Benz vehicles will have priority when it comes to pre-booking a charging station.
The company has stated that compatible electric vehicles will be able to automatically book an available charger through the navigation system, requiring no action from the driver beyond plugging in the car.
“Mercedes-Benz already offers what we believe to be the finest EVs in the market. But to accelerate the electric transformation, we need to ensure that the charging experience keeps pace as well. Our customers deserve a compelling charging experience that makes electric vehicle ownership and long-distance travel effortless. We won’t take a wait-and-see approach for this to be built. That’s why we are launching a global high-end charging network. It’s designed to become another differentiator of Mercedes-Benz ownership for our customers and an asset with value creation potential for our company. We are excited to start right here in North America with strong and experienced partners like MN8 Energy and ChargePoint,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
The cost of investment for the North American network will be just over $1 Billion, split roughly 50:50 between Mercedes-Benz and MN8.
