EV charging community ChargePoint and Mercedes-Benz have shared plans to construct out a collection of charging hubs throughout the US and Canada. Along with renewable vitality supplier MN8 Vitality, the businesses will start constructing the EV quick charging hubs in main cities and freeway corridors this 12 months.

Since 2007, ChargePoint ($CHPT) has been growing and increasing into one of many largest EV charging networks throughout North America and Europe. Along with offering dwelling charging tools for EV drivers, the corporate affords a full suite of economic charging options which have lately begun being bought by EV automaker Nikola Company.

Moreover, ChargePoint has established a number of charging low cost packages for EV drivers by partnering with automakers like Polestar and Toyota for its bZ4X EV. The charging community has now expanded its earlier relationship with legacy automaker Mercedes-Benz and, by a brand new partnership, will take entry to quick charging to the following stage within the type of unique hubs for drivers.

Nevertheless, you don’t essentially should drive a Mercedes EV to expertise one of many tons of of deliberate charging hubs.

Mercedes drivers to realize charging perks at upcoming hubs

Mercedes-Benz introduced plans for the brand new community of quick charging hubs in a press launch this morning, which might be adopted by a press convention from ChargePoint at CES this afternoon. MN8 Vitality and Mercedes-Benz will finance and collectively function the community of over 400 deliberate charging hubs, which is able to grow to be dwelling to over 2,500 ChargePoint DC quick charging stations throughout North America.

The hubs are anticipated to be erected in populated areas the place an increasing number of EVs wish to recharge, providing an area for drivers to plug in close to retail and different service facilities along with fashionable freeway corridors. ChargePoint CEO Pasquale Romano spoke to the brand new partnership:

Automotive leaders like Mercedes-Benz proceed to steer the transition to electrical mobility by bringing new EVs to market, and ChargePoint stays dedicated to enabling the simplicity that drivers count on and the charging pace they want for all autos at any time when and wherever drivers need. With this partnership, we’re increasing upon our current relationships with Mercedes- Benz and MN8 to ship a seamless charging expertise for drivers, and turnkey charging options at no upfront price to web site hosts. We consider the enlargement of charging hubs like these will allow the emergence of a brand new 30 minute retail financial system, on the intersection of innovation and accessibility that mixes charging and commerce, giving drivers a superior expertise to cost rapidly and simply.

After they start opening later this 12 months, Mercedes-Benz’s community of charging hubs might be open to all EV makes and fashions, however in the event you occur to be driving an EQS or EQE SUV as an example, you will notice some advantages not out there to Audi or Tesla drivers. Mercedes drivers will be capable to acquire most well-liked charging entry through reservation and may benefit from Plug & Cost at their chosen hub, providing extra time to loosen up or do some purchasing close by.

The hubs will primarily characteristic ChargePoint’s Categorical Plus DC quick chargers, which may ship as much as 500 kW of energy per port. Mercedes Group AG chair of the Board of Administration Ola Källenius additionally shared pleasure concerning the new charging hubs:

Mercedes-Benz clients deserve a compelling charging expertise that makes electrical car possession and long-distance journey easy and that’s why we’re launching a world high-end charging community that can supply a charging expertise to match the extraordinary Mercedes driving expertise. We’re excited to start out proper right here in North America with two robust and skilled companions, ChargePoint and MN8 Vitality.

The place and after we will see the primary Mercedes-Benz charging hub is unknown presently, however we’re certain to be taught extra because the community of ChargePoint chargers expands by North America in 2023.