Mercedes’ US fast-charging network hits 100 sites in three years

Mercedes-Benz’s US fast-charging network has reached 100 sites and nearly 1,000 ports in three years, with more than 550,000 sessions. The milestone comes a week after Mercedes sold its 47 European charging hubs to France’s Electra.

Mercedes-Benz’s fast-charging network in North America has reached 100 sites three years after opening its first station, InsideEVs reported. The milestone comes a week after the carmaker sold its European network.

The network now has nearly 1,000 charging points across 28 US states and British Columbia, all able to deliver up to 400 kW. Mercedes says they have handled more than 550,000 sessions for over 245,000 drivers since November 2023. Almost every site has both the older CCS plug and Tesla’s NACS plug, now standard on most new EVs.

Mercedes says its chargers are almost never down. It now focuses on how often a session starts at the first try, which rose from about 84% in 2023 to more than 90%.

Charging costs $0.35 to $0.60 per kWh, depending on the site, which are often near upmarket shopping centres. The largest, in Orlando, Florida, has 20 stalls.

Europe has gone the other way. Last week, Mercedes handed its 47 European charging hubs to French operator Electra, calling the business outside its core, Electrive reported. The US network stays “for the time being.”

Mercedes is also one of eight carmakers behind IONNA, a separate US charging network that has passed 180 sites. The US now has more than 80,000 fast-charging ports in total. US EV sales, meanwhile, remain about 40% below last year’s levels.