Mercedes-Benz has inaugurated its first German charging hub in Mannheim. The new Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub is located in the Rhine-Main-Neckar region.
In Mannheim, electric drivers can charge their cars and vans at six charging points, each with an output of 300 kW. Each charger has only one port to ensure that the maximum energy reaches the charging vehicle. Each vehicle can be charged with the maximum energy available. With that, certain electric vehicle models are already able to charge from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of making the charging stop particularly pleasant for drivers. For the development and operation of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network in Europe, Mercedes-Benz will rely on the energy and mobility expert E.ON as a partner in the future.
Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs are openly accessible to vehicles of all sizes, from small cars to vans from any vehicle brands. Mercedes-Benz customers also benefit from attractive conditions, such as a welcome introductory rate. This includes complimentary charging via the Mercedes me Charge charging service at all new Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs during the initial months.
“The opening of the first Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub in Germany is an important step on our way to emission-free driving. By expanding the fast-charging infrastructure, we are making it easier for our customers to switch to electric mobility and at the same time setting new standards in electric vehicle charging,” said Franz Reiner, CEO Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG.
On the occasion of the opening ceremony in Mannheim, Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digitaland Transport, paid tribute to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment and welcomed the close cooperation between business and politics to support the ramp-up of electric mobility in Germany:
“Charging has to be as easy as refueling. This is the only way we can increase the willingness to switch to climate-friendly electric cars. It is the common goal of politics and business to make electric mobility attractive for citizens. We need a committed automotive industry that stands together with us and, in addition to delivering electric vehicles, also contributes to the forward-looking expansion of the charging infrastructure. We have already successfully achieved this year’s goal of 100,000 public charging points. This is an incentive for us to continue to work hard to close gaps. The Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub in Mannheim is an important step towards densifying the charging infrastructure. I am particularly pleased that it is open to all users,”
Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport.
Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Transport, Winfried Hermann, expressed a clear commitment to promoting electric mobility in Mannheim as well:
“For the ramp-up of electric mobility, we need a nationwide and demand-oriented charging infrastructure. Therefore, the willingness to invest in a high-power charging network is a positive sign for the future of electric mobility in our country. This commitment to further expansion represents a positive and necessary move for the automotive industry,” Winfried Hermann, Minister of Transport of Baden-Württemberg.
Strategic partnership with E.ON to build Mercedes-Benz Charging Network in Europe
To ensure a first-class charging experience, Mercedes-Benz relies on E.ON as a strategic partner in Europe. In the future, E.ON will provide support in the site search and planning, construction, operation and accompanying services of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs planned in Europe. This also includes smart solutions such as predictive maintenance of the charging infrastructure based on artificial intelligence and, in the future, other convenient functions for customers, from advance reservations to Plug & Charge. In addition, E.ON, as one of Europe’s largest energy suppliers, will contribute its expertise and extensive market knowledge in the field of intelligent energy management and provide support in the area of energy supply.
“E.ON has set itself the task of driving the energy transition and making the transition to electric mobility as convenient and uncomplicated as possible. The partnership with Mercedes-Benz is a milestone on this path: By setting up high-power charging stations in Europe, we are jointly making an important contribution to decarbonisation,” Patrick Lammers, Member of the Board of Management of E.ON responsible for Customer Solutions Business.