Mercedes-Benz wants to take on Tesla and launch its own electric vehicle charging network around the world. The automaker recently demonstrated an EV charging hub at CES 2023. The Mercedes EV Charger will challenge the Tesla Supercharger with its own network, starting in North America and then doing it in as many countries as its competitors. The German auto giant announced plans to invest more than €1 billion in the network over the next few years. When completed, it will have about 400 charging stations and more than 2,500 high-power plugs.
In addition to Tesla’s stronghold in North America, Mercedes will also expand its electric vehicle charging network to European and Asian countries, especially China. More countries are expected to join the network soon. Tesla claims it currently has 40,000 charging ports around the world.
The Mercedes EV charging network will have more than 2,000 charging stations and more than 10,000 plugs around the world within the next six to seven years. The Mercedes EV charging network will be open to all types of electric vehicles. However, owners of Mercedes EVs will be able to reserve charging ports and receive preferential treatment over others. This is different from Tesla Superchargers, which are mostly exclusive to Tesla EV owners. Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk has said the electric carmaker plans to soon offer charging networks to other electric car brands.
According to the German auto giant, the Mercedes EV charging station will have as many as 12 ports with a maximum charging power of 350 kilowatts. Mercedes will share the cost of the North American network equally with MN8 Energy and network provider ChargePoint. Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer Markus Schafer said: “We felt we had to go further and take the initiative here and create our branded global Mercedes-Benz network.”
Charging centers will be located in major cities, close to major roads and retail businesses, Schafer added. “We know where our customers are in North America, and we know where we’re selling EVs,” he said, adding that the charging stations won’t be “near a dumpster somewhere in the backyard of a mall.”
First published date: Jan 6, 2023, 11:04am CST
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