Summary
- Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles can now charge at 20,000 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S.
- Supercharger enabled through software update from dealerships, maintaining plug-and-charge capability.
- Adapters for Tesla Supercharger access cost $185 and will be available in the U.S. this quarter.
- Mercedes plans to integrate Tesla NACS ports into new vehicles for North American markets.
- Mercedes is also part of the Ionna charging network joint venture working towards 30,000 chargers across North America.
Article
In January, Mercedes-Benz announced that their electric vehicles would be able to charge at 20,000 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S. market. While the switch had not been flipped yet, Tesla updated their list of automakers with access to the Supercharger network to include Mercedes-Benz, shifting them from “coming soon” to “supported.” The Supercharger access will be enabled via a software update installed by dealerships, with Mercedes contacting customers to schedule this update. This update will allow for plug-and-charge capabilities and will enable Superchargers to show up on the Mercedes app and infotainment systems.
Mercedes-Benz announced that adapters for the Supercharger will cost $185 and will be distributed through dealerships. They will be available in the U.S. in the current quarter, while Canadian drivers will have to wait until Q2. Mercedes expects drivers in the U.S. and Canada to have access to approximately 20,000 Supercharger stations. Additionally, Mercedes plans to integrate Tesla NACS ports into new vehicles for the North American market starting this year. Currently, the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the only non-Tesla EV on sale with a NACS port, although it charges slower with it due to differences in voltage.
Mercedes-Benz made the switch to NACS in July 2023 while also working on developing their own fast-charging network. The first location with 400-kw DC fast chargers provided by ChargePoint opened in Georgia in November 2023. This initiative is part of the Ionna charging network joint venture, which includes seven other automakers. Ionna aims to have 30,000 chargers across North America, with the first site scheduled to open later this year.
Overall, Mercedes-Benz’s access to Tesla Superchargers will provide more convenience for electric vehicle drivers, allowing them to utilize a widespread network of charging stations. The adapters and software updates needed for this access will be available through dealerships in both the U.S. and Canada. In addition to utilizing the Tesla Supercharger network, Mercedes-Benz is also working on developing their own fast-charging network as part of the Ionna charging network joint venture. This will provide additional charging options for electric vehicle drivers in North America and help to further support the growth of the electric vehicle market.
Read the full article here
