German automaker Mercedes-Benz has officially opened its inaugural charging hub in Mannheim, Germany, marking the commencement of its own European High-Performance Computing (HPC) network. This facility is the first of 30 planned fast-charging parks across Europe, expected to offer over 200 charging points by the conclusion of 2024. In a strategic collaboration, Mercedes-Benz has enlisted the support of E.ON for the Europe-wide construction and operation of these charging hubs.
Situated at the Mercedes-Benz branch in Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße, Mannheim, the charging park is equipped with six Hyperchargers from Alpitronic, each featuring a CCS connection capable of delivering up to 300 kW of charging power. The location incorporates photovoltaic solar panels for sustainable energy generation, and its design includes barrier-free access and a drive-through option.
This Mannheim charging park is the fourth of its kind globally, following installations in Atlanta (USA), Chengdu (China), and Foshan (China). Additional charging parks are slated for launch in the USA and China by year-end, with plans for further European deployments in Italy, Spain, and France starting in 2024, along with additional locations in Germany.
Mercedes-Benz’s charging parks are seamlessly integrated into the Mercedes me Charge digital charging network, offering customers enhanced convenience. The network enables Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle owners to access real-time information about the location and availability of charging points via their vehicles’ navigation systems. The charging parks also feature a reservation function for Mercedes customers, allowing seamless authentication via various methods, including the Mercedes me app and the MBUX multimedia system.
In collaboration with E.ON, Mercedes-Benz aims to expand its fast-charging network to over 2,000 charging points globally by the end of 2024, with more than 200 of these situated in Europe. The automaker envisions over 2,000 Mercedes-Benz charging parks with more than 10,000 fast-charging points worldwide by the end of the decade. E.ON’s role encompasses location scouting, planning, construction, operation, and related services, leveraging its expertise in smart solutions and energy management, including predictive maintenance based on artificial intelligence.
