Mercedes-Benz kicks off ambitious $1B decarbonization effort with first of 400 EV charging hubs in North America

December 4, 2023

North America's inaugural Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub located at the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz USA in Sandy Springs, Georgia, U.S. Image: Mercedes-Benz

By Luxury Marketer Intelligence

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has kicked off its $1 billion effort to promote clean, electric mobility with the debut of its first charging station in North America.

The Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub in Sandy Springs, Georgia, at its U.S. headquarters is the first among 2,500 chargers within at least 400 premium electric vehicle charging stations planned for the United State and Canada by 2030. This electrification initiative for standalone EV charging hubs is a joint venture with MN8 Energy.

"The Mercedes-Benz Charging Network expands global charging options for customers of all EV brands to promote clean, electric mobility,” said Franz Reiner, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG, in a statement.

“In North America, our strategy is clear: focusing on where EV drivers are and where they are going to enhance the North American EV charging map while setting new standards for quality and customer experience,” he said. “These efforts will pave the way for greater EV adoption here in North America and around the world.”

The North American effort is planned on lines similar to Mercedes-Benz’s deal with Europe-wide fast-charging joint venture Ionity comprising nearly 3,000 charging points. It has also partnered with six other automotive OEMs to grow its North American high-power charging network.

The company's own Mercedes-Benz Charging Network consisting of branded charging hubs is the next important step in the company's electrification strategy.

Globally, the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network aims to build more than 2,000 charging hubs with 10,000-plus charging points by the end of the decade in the United States, Europe, China and several other markets.

All these initiatives are part of Ambition 2039, Mercedes-Benz Group’s international commitment to create a carbon-neutral value chain by the end of the next decade.

Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub in Sandy Springs, Georgia, U.S. Image: Mercedes-Benz

Model turn
The inaugural charging station at the Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters serves as a role model for standalone charging hubs. Special features include:

400kW chargers: The first chargers installed are provided by ChargePoint and are all capable of charging rates of up to 400kW, offering customers some of the fastest charging speeds in the industry. Intelligent charging management ensures swift charge times, enabling certain EVs to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes

Open to all from day one: Drivers of EVs from any brand can charge their vehicle and enjoy a Mercedes-Benz brand commensurate experience, the company claims

Charging lounge: Charging hub customers can enjoy a premium, clean and comfortable environment while their vehicle charges, complete with couches and lounge chairs, vending machines, refreshments, and restroom facilities

Solar Canopy: Provides weather cover for customers, overhead LED lighting for safety and solar panels on top to generate passive clean electricity

Intelligent Indicators: A pylon built to a height of 15 feet, visible from the street, indicates the status of the charging stall: in use, free or reserved

Accessibility: The charging hub includes one charging spot, closest to the charging lounge, designed especially for handicap accessible vehicles, as well as one uncovered, drive-through charging spot that is designed for electric vans or EVs with trailers up to 26 feet in length

Powered by clean energy: Through both direct and indirect means, the charging hub uses renewable energy and is carbon neutral

Exclusive driver perks for Mercedes-Benz EV drivers: Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs will offer exclusive benefits for Mercedes-Benz EV drivers. These privileges include automatic charger reservations enabled by the native Navigation with Electric Intelligence feature on Mercedes-EQ models, and the 'Plug & Charge' feature for users of the Mercedes me Charge app. This allows Mercedes-EQ drivers to pull up, plug in and walk away as their charging session starts, ends and processes payment without drivers having to worry about a thing. Furthermore, drivers of model year 2024 Mercedes-EQ cars and SUVs will receive two years of unlimited complimentary charging at Mercedes-Benz charging hubs, while current drivers of Mercedes-EQ vehicles will receive six months of free charging

Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub lounge. Image: Mercedes-Benz

Retail detail
Key to the automaker’s North American driver value network strategy is retail integration.

Most recently, Mercedes-Benz announced agreements with U.S. shopping center giant Simon and Buc-ees put this plan into action.

Simon retail outlets are destinations for food, shopping and socializing, located in key areas of EV saturation – where customers are.

Buc-ee’s locations are along some of the most-frequented travel centers located strategically along key travel corridors and EV charging deserts – where customers are going.

In addition to the first charging station’s inauguration, Mercedes-Benz plans to open several hubs by month’s end at Buc-ee's travel centers in Texas, Florida, Alabama and Georgia, with further expansion in 2024.

Charging hubs at Simon Mall locations are planned to launch in the first half of 2024.

"With the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network in North America, we aim to set a new standard for a quality charging experience for the entire industry," said Andrew Cornelia, president/CEO of Mercedes-Benz HPC North America LLC, in a statement.

"Our driver-first network will deliver some of the fastest charging speeds and will be openly accessible to all EV drivers from day one," he said.

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Mercedes-Benz kicks off ambitious $1B decarbonization effort with first of 400 EV charging hubs in North America

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