Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to invest $1 billion in building its own electric vehicle charging network in major markets around the world.
During a presentation at the CES 2023 show in Las Vegas, the automaker stated that it has plans to install more than 10,000 chargers by the end of the decade when its entire lineup will be comprised of EVs only.
Construction will begin this year in the United States and Canada and will gradually spread to other countries. By 2027, more than 400 new charging stations will be operational in North America, totaling more than 2,500 chargers. The chargers will be rated at up to 350 kw.
In the North American region, Mercedes-Benz will partner with charging network technology company ChargePoint and solar energy and battery storage company MN8 Energy. MN8 Energy’s involvement will help to ensure that users have access to renewable energy.
Over the next six to seven years, Mercedes and MN8 Energy will invest approximately $1.05 billion in the construction of the North American stations.
The stations will be located in major cities, near major highways and popular retail plus restaurant establishments. Chargers will also be installed at select Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Most sites will have 4 to 12 chargers, with some having up to 30.
While other brands’ EVs will be able to use the charging stations, Mercedes customers will be able to reserve charging slots from their vehicles.
The Mercedes-Benz Electric Intelligence navigation system will be able to adjust route planning based on a vehicle’s destination and take them to one of these chargers, including reserving a space in advance and providing immediate access to the reserved charger at the required time. As an extra convenience the charger will communicate with the vehicle hence no authentication will be required.