Mercedes-Benz says it will build its worldwide charging network for electric vehicles, starting in North America, to compete with Tesla, the leader in EV sales, on January 5 (AP).
At the CES gadget show in Las Vegas recently, the German luxury automaker said that it will start building the North American network this year for just over 1 billion euros (USD 1.05 billion).
According to the company, the network will have 400 charging stations and more than 2,500 high-power plugs when it is finished in six or seven years.
The company plans to complete the entire network by the end of the decade, when it plans to sell all electric vehicles, depending on market conditions. Networks in Europe, China, and other markets will follow. Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz’s management board, told reporters that the global network will contain over 10,000 plugs and more than 2,000 charging stations.
The company said that owners of all electric vehicles can use the Mercedes-branded network, but Mercedes owners will be able to reserve charging ports and get priority over owners of other brands. The move will help the business compete with Tesla, which claims to have 40,000 charging stations worldwide on its website.
The majority of Tesla owners can only use the company’s network, but CEO Elon Musk has stated that other brands may also use it. Tesla has a competitive advantage over other EV brands that must rely on a patchwork of privately owned charging stations thanks to the network.
Each Mercedes station will have four to twelve charging ports that can provide charging power of up to 350 kilowatts. Mercedes will split the cost of the North American network equally with MN8 Energy. A significant US provider of solar energy and battery storage. ChargePoint is also a partner.
According to Markus Schäfer, Mercedes’ chief technology officer, the network will address customer concerns about not having the sufficient range to reach their destination and finding a functioning charging station.
Schäfer stated, “We thought we had to go further and take the initiative here and create our branded global Mercedes-Benz network” while developing other charging networks.
The charging stations will be constructed in major cities and population centers. Moreover, close to major roads and restaurants, and retail establishments.
Lastly, the company said that some will be at Mercedes dealerships that are participating. Schäfer stated, “We know where we’re selling electric vehicles and where our customers are in North America.”