Like Tesla, Mercedes also announces its 350kW global charging network, open to all and 100% green and with Plug&Charge.
The three-pointed star points on the electric with the aim of achieving theentire network before the end of the decade starting from North America, Europe, China and other markets.
Construction work will begin as early as 2023 in the United States and Canada for a total investment cost of around 1 billion euros. The capital, 50:50, will be provided by Mercedes and MN8 Energy, a US energy supplier, specialized in EV charging network technology.
The project includes the construction of over 10 Mercedes-Benz branded charging stations in the next 6-7 years, when the company will go electric wherever possible. Charging points will be located in major cities and urban centers, near major roads, busy shops, service centers and Mercedes dealerships.
The global initiative aims to promote the global adoption of electric mobility. "Mercedes-Benz already offers what we believe to be the best electric vehicles on the market – said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG – But to accelerate the electric transformation, we need to ensure that the charging experience also keeps pace".
"Our customers deserve a compelling charging experience that makes using an electric vehicle and long-distance travel easy. We won't wait for this to happen. That's why we're launching a world-class global charging network. It's designed to be another Mercedes-Benz differentiator for our customers and an asset with strong value creation potential for our company. We're excited to get started right here in North America – concluded Källenius – with strong and experienced partners such as MN8 Energy and ChargePoint".
In each hub there will be 4 to 12 HPC charging points, up to 350 kW and will guarantee maximum safety for motorists thanks to cameras and monitoring systems.
The charging signed by Mercedes will be 100% sustainable, in line with the strategy Ambition 2039 from the German manufacturer, and equipped with a photovoltaic canopy.
The network will be open to all electric vehicle brands, but Mercedes customers will enjoy benefits such as the ability to reserve a charging point.
The charging experience will significantly enhance and accelerate the path to an electric future and create the foundation for a highly valuable global asset.
News also in the infotainment sector
Mercedes, in addition to the creation of the branded columns, has announced important news.
In the multimedia system, it improves the sound experience thanks to collaborations with Apple Music, Universal Music Group (UMG) and Dolby Laboratories.
Another novelty from the Stuttgart company is the new operating system MB.OS, which aims to digitize all on-board systems relating to autonomous driving, engines, infotainment and comfort.
Automatic Lane Change (ALC)
Mercedes-Benz also announced the new function Automatic Lane Change (ALC), which will be coming to the North American market this year. ALC enables the car to autonomously initiate a lane change and overtake slower vehicles with cruise control engaged. The system is a further expansion stage of the Mercedes-Benz partially autonomous driving function SAE Level 2, for which the driver always remains responsible.
To use ALC, the driver sets the speed of the adaptive cruise control function (Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC). Active Steering Assist (activated by default) does the rest. The car continuously monitors the surrounding environment through a series of radar sensors and cameras to overtake slower cars on the motorway. Once overtaken, the vehicle can help you return to your original lane. ALC can also initiate a automatic lane change to help follow the active route guidance when approaching exit ramps or motorway interchanges.
The autonomous driving of SAE Level 3 coming to Nevada and California in 2023.
