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Mercedes Fast-Charging Network is Cleared for TakeoffMercedes Fast-Charging Network is Cleared for Takeoff

Mercedes aims to satisfy its customers’ charging needs with its own sophisticated network.

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

August 28, 2023

3 Min Read
Mercedes-Benz charging network
The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Network will feature weather protection and security cameras.Mercedes-Benz

To address continuing dissatisfaction with public charging stations that aren’t Tesla’s Supercharger network, Mercedes aims to build a network of its own that provides similar performance to Tesla’s with better customer amenities.

The company is making the first steps toward making the Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Network a reality, with the imminent opening of the first charging stations near its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. Similar networks in other countries are starting with stations in Chengdu, China, and Mannheim, Germany, which are also slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2023.

"Our goal is to create an infrastructure that offers electric vehicles reliable and easy charging options,” said Franz Reiner, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG. “In this way, we are actively supporting the transformation to electric mobility With the Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Network, we are expanding global charging options and setting new standards in electric vehicle charging.”

The company’s stated goal is to have 2,000 fast charging points worldwide by the end of 2024 and more than 10,000 high-power chargers by 2030. Mercedes is a member of the coalition of seven carmakers that have pledged to collectively build 30,000 public fast-charging stations. The other members of the coalition are BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Chrysler parent Stellantis.

For comparison, Tesla’s Supercharger network has more than 2,000 locations in the U.S., each with multiple charging points. Mercedes is among the companies that have pledged to switch their cars to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) specification, and its charging network will support both the SAE Combined Charging System and NACS at least initially.

As the companies involved in the charging coalition promised, Mercedes says that its charging network will improve the amenities available to customers, as would be expected from a brand like Mercedes-Benz. That means a pleasant and safe customer experience.  In addition to refreshments, snacks, and restroom facilities, Mercedes plans to equip the charging stations with surveillance cameras for security.

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A Mercedes-Benz EQ EV charges at the company's high-speed charging network.

Customers are antsy about the notion of being stuck somewhere for extended periods of time because it could make them vulnerable to criminals, so Mercedes seeks to allay that concern with security cameras.

At some locations, there will be intelligent light poles with functional LED elements that provide information on the availability of the charging point and the charging status of the vehicle. Significantly, Mercedes will install canopies at some charging hubs for weather protection. The company hasn’t said why it won’t cover all its chargers as is customary for gas pumps.

While the charging network is open to drivers of all brands, as you’d expect as a member of a charging coalition, Mercedes-Benz customers will get some special benefits. One is the ability to reserve a charging point via the Mercedes-Benz me Charge service to reduce waiting times. And the Plug & Charge feature will let Mercedes-Benz customers automatically charge and pay as soon as the charging connector is plugged into the car’s port.

 

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

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He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

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