First Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub opened in USA

Mercedes-Benz HPC North America, a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and MN8 Energy, has opened the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the USA, and it is called Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub. This EV charging station, which is part of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network, is located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, the same city where the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz USA is located.

Fastest charging speed

This Charging Hub features eight chargers. Each charger has two plugs, allowing the station to charge 16 vehicles at once. These chargers are provided by ChargePoint and have an output of 400kW. Currently, the highest charging wattage you will find on electric cars is 350kW, which is offered by only a couple of vehicles in the market, including Lucid Air, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Inoniq 5. This means that these chargers can charge any electric car currently on sale at its highest charging speed.

According to The Verge, ChargePoint claims that these chargers are rated for speeds up to 500kW, which means that these chargers can also charge upcoming vehicles at their highest charging speed. In the press release, Mercedes Benz says that it is “committed to maintaining a future-proof network that moves with the speed of change – no matter the car, hubs are built to work hand in glove with the best-in-industry charging hardware and software, featuring CCS1 and NACS connectors.”

Abundant amenities

The Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub has a canopy that provides weather cover and lighting for safety. The canopy also has solar panels to “generate passive clean electricity.” There’s one “uncovered, drive-through charging spot that is designed for electric vans or EVs with trailers up to 26 feet in length.” Plus, there’s a pylon that is 15 feet high, which, according to the company, is “visible from the street,” and “indicates the status of the charging stall: in use, free or reserved.” That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The charging station has a lounge with chairs, vending machines, refreshments, and a restroom, which according to the company allows customers to “enjoy a premium, clean and comfortable environment while their vehicle charges.” The charging spot that’s closest to the lounge is designed for handicap-accessible vehicles.

Exclusive benefits for Mercedes-EQ owners

The Charging Hub is open for electric vehicles from any brand. However, Mercedes-Benz owners have exclusive benefits here, including “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,” which 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.”

More importantly, the company will be offering free unlimited charging to all the Mercedes-EQ cars and SUVs that carry the 2024 model year at this Charging Hub. The current electric vehicles from the brand are eligible for six months of free charging at the charging station.