Mercedes-Benz inaugurated its first EV charging hub in North America as we speak. It is situated on the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz USA in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
With the official begin of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Community, established by Mercedes-Benz HPC North America – a three way partnership between Mercedes-Benz and MN8 Vitality – the corporate goals to ship a quick, dependable, premium charging expertise for drivers of all EV manufacturers.
By way of charging pace, Mercedes-Benz says that the primary chargers, offered by ChargePoint, are all able to charging charges of as much as 400 kilowatts, which is greater than the present technology of electrical automobiles can settle for. ChargePoint says that it could possibly even provide chargers with an output of 500 kW.
Based on the press launch, the corporate expects that not less than sure EVs will have the ability to cost from 10 to 80 p.c state-of-charge (SOC) in lower than 20 minutes.
By way of the charging customary, it is the Mixed Charging System (CCS1), however we all know from the earlier studies that there may even be a North American Charging Commonplace (NACS) choice sooner or later. Mercedes-Benz itself is making ready for a change to NACS in 2025.
Places and Facilities
Earlier than the top of this yr, a number of charging hubs to be open at Buc-ee’s journey facilities in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia (round 30 websites by the top of 2024). Charging hubs at Simon Mall places (not less than 55) are deliberate to launch within the first half of 2024.
The principle level of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Community is the premium charging expertise. The corporate even says that the community will set a brand new benchmark for high quality and buyer expertise.
The important thing to elevating the charging expertise is places and facilities. By way of places, Mercedes-Benz explains: “Key to Mercedes-Benz HPC NA’s driver worth community technique is retail integration, and lately introduced agreements with Simon and Buc-ees exhibit this technique in motion. Simon stores are locations for meals, purchasing and socializing situated in key areas of EV saturation – the place clients are – and Buc-ee’s places are the world’s most-loved journey facilities situated strategically alongside key journey corridors and EV charging deserts – the place clients are going.”
The Mercedes-Benz charging hubs will embrace particular options (at any time when attainable). The automaker outlines the options as follows:
Charging lounge: Charging hub clients can get pleasure from a premium, clear and cozy setting whereas their automobile costs, full with couches and lounge chairs, merchandising machines, refreshments, and restroom services. Photo voltaic Cover: Offers climate cowl for patrons, overhead LED lighting for security and photo voltaic panels on prime to generate passive clear electrical energy. Clever Indicators: A pylon constructed to a top of 15 ft, seen from the road, signifies the standing of the charging stall: in use, free or reserved. Accessibility: The charging hub contains one charging spot, closest to the charging lounge, designed particularly for handicap accessible automobiles, in addition to one uncovered, drive-through charging spot that’s designed for electrical vans or EVs with trailers as much as 26 ft in size. Powered by clear power: By each direct and oblique means, the charging hub makes use of renewable power and is carbon impartial.
Right here is how the lounge on the first station appears:
Mercedes-Benz Unique Advantages
Whereas the brand new charging community is open to all EVs, the Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs will provide unique advantages for Mercedes-Benz EV drivers. The corporate says that the primary privilege is computerized charger reservations enabled by the native Navigation with Electrical Intelligence characteristic on Mercedes-EQ fashions and the ‘Plug & Cost’ characteristic for customers of the Mercedes me Cost app. This one factor will assist you to merely reserve a stall, pull up, plug in (the charging session is promised to start out routinely), and stroll away. Fee shall be processed routinely within the background as effectively.
Mercedes-Benz has ready additionally a complimentary charging bundle:
2024 mannequin yr Mercedes-EQ fashions: two years of limitless complimentary charging present drivers of Mercedes-EQ fashions: six months of free charging
We’re wanting to see the pricing for different, non-Mercedes-Benz EVs, however it’s not but launched.
Rollout Plan
In North America, Mercedes-Benz and MN8 Vitality intend to take a position greater than $1 billion to increase the Mercedes-Benz Charging Community to 400 websites (2,500 particular person chargers) by the top of the last decade.
Globally (North America, Europe, China, and several other different markets), the community is anticipated to incorporate greater than 2,000 stations (over 10,000 charging factors) by 2030.