Mercedes-Benz is partnering with ChargePoint and MN8 Vitality to supply EQ prospects a “tremendous” EV charging community of their very own. The plan will see some 400 charging hubs constructed throughout the US and Canada, positioned in key M-B markets and inhabitants facilities, in addition to alongside main freeway corridors and near handy (and, presumably, upscale) retail and repair locations.
Initially introduced final week, the information was considerably misplaced within the shuffle of big-time EV idea automobile bulletins from the likes of RAM and Honda/Sony at CES2023 — and that’s unhealthy, as a result of this can be a main announcement from critical gamers within the EV charging area, and a great indicator that Mercedes (like Audi) is a minimum of starting to know that the “secret sauce” to Tesla’s success has been in making certain that the client expertise with recharging stays inside their management.
These 400 charging hubs can be “stocked” with greater than 2,500 ChargePoint DC quick charging ports — with “as much as” 500kW charging obtainable per port (!), enabling what the official launch calls, “a premium, sustainable and dependable charging expertise for EV drivers.” MN8 and Mercedes-Benz will collectively finance and function (learn: preserve) the ChargePoint-built charging ports.
“Automotive leaders like Mercedes-Benz proceed to guide the transition to electrical mobility by bringing new EVs to market, and ChargePoint stays dedicated to enabling the simplicity that drivers count on and the charging velocity they want for all automobiles each time and wherever drivers need,” mentioned Pasquale Romano, CEO, ChargePoint. “With this partnership, we’re increasing upon our current relationships with Mercedes-Benz and MN8 to ship a seamless charging expertise for drivers, and turnkey charging options at no upfront price to web site hosts. We imagine the enlargement of charging hubs like these will allow the emergence of a brand new 30 minute retail financial system, on the intersection of innovation and accessibility that mixes charging and commerce, giving drivers a superior expertise to cost shortly and simply.”
The corporate says the branded charging hubs can be obtainable to all EV drivers, however will provide Mercedes-Benz drivers extra advantages that embrace preferential entry, a reservation system, and the comfort of automated authentication (“Plug & Cost”) for “seamless and safe communications between the automobile and the charging infrastructure.”
“Mercedes-Benz prospects deserve a compelling charging expertise that makes electrical automobile possession and long-distance journey easy and that’s why we’re launching a worldwide high-end charging community that can provide a charging expertise to match the extraordinary Mercedes driving expertise. We’re excited to begin proper right here in North America with two robust and skilled companions, ChargePoint and MN8 Vitality,“ mentioned Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Administration of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
Anticipate the primary of those EV charging hubs to go surfing later this yr.
Supply | Photos: Mercedes-Benz, ChargePoint.
Recognize CleanTechnica’s originality and cleantech information protection? Contemplate changing into a CleanTechnica Member, Supporter, Technician, or Ambassador — or a patron on Patreon.
Do not need to miss a cleantech story? Join each day information updates from CleanTechnica on e mail. Or observe us on Google Information!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica, need to promote, or need to counsel a visitor for our CleanTech Speak podcast? Contact us right here.
