Mercedes-Benz has launched its billion-dollar devoted EV charging community in a pure location: the corporate’s Atlanta, Georgia U.S. headquarters. Technically, it’s in Sandy Springs, close to Atlanta, and the corporate is shortly following it with extra charging hubs in Texas and throughout the Southeast within the coming weeks.
Whereas it’s Mercedes’ personal community, drivers of different EVs have entry to one hundred pc renewable electrical energy on the charging stations. The acknowledged aim is to ship 2,500 chargers inside at the least 400 charging hubs throughout North America by the tip of the last decade.
“With the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Community in North America, we intention to set a brand new normal for a top quality charging expertise for your complete business,” stated Andrew Cornelia, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz HPC North America LLC. “Our driver-first community will ship among the quickest charging speeds and will likely be brazenly accessible to all EV drivers from day one.”
Whereas Mercedes touts the chargers as delivering 400 kilowatts, ChargePoint provides that these new Categorical Plus Energy Hyperlink 2000 DC quick chargers are able to delivering charging speeds as much as 500kW.
“With the deployment of Categorical Plus Energy Hyperlink 2000, ChargePoint is setting a brand new normal by providing sustained, ultra-high-speed charging for all EV drivers,” stated Rick Wilmer, COO of ChargePoint. “We congratulate Mercedes-Benz on the launch of their HPC NA community, and we look ahead to boosting the supply of quick, dependable public DC charging on North American roads.”
The lounge on the Mercedes-Benz charging station.
ChargePoint’s Categorical Plus is a modular DC quick charging platform that’s primarily based on Energy Blocks, which in flip home as much as 5 Energy Modules every to attain a desired charging specification. The Energy Blocks ship energy that may be dynamically shared amongst Energy Hyperlink charging stations, that are the precise models that plug right into a car.
The Energy Hyperlink cost stations characteristic liquid-cooled connector cables, so these stations can concurrently cost two autos at one time, at sustained excessive speeds of as much as 500kW. The Energy Blocks dynamically allocate energy primarily based on what degree every car can accommodate as they cost. It’s value noting that 500kW is quicker than present EVs are able to charging, so this community is designed to fulfill the charging wants of each present and future EVs.
The Mercedes charging community goals to supply an expertise that has been lacking from cost stations up to now, with a cover offering climate safety, pull-though charging stalls, and on-site facilities to assist drivers go the time whereas ready for the recharge. Meaning a clear and comfy setting, full with couches and lounge chairs, merchandising machines, refreshments, and restroom services. The overhead cover not solely gives climate cowl for patrons, it has overhead LED lighting for security and photo voltaic panels on high to generate clear electrical energy.
There’s additionally accessibility for drivers with particular wants. Every charging hub consists of one charging spot, closest to the charging lounge, that’s designed particularly for handicap-accessible autos. There’s one other uncovered drive-through charging spot that’s designed for electrical vans or EVs with trailers as much as 26 ft in size.
