Mercedes-Benz is in Las Vegas for CES 2023 to showcase “Tech to Desire†with several developments that will enrich the lives of its customers.
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Most notably, the automaker announced plans to launch a global high-power Mercedes-Benz-branded charging network.
Rollout starts this year in North America in partnership with MN8 Energy and ChargePoint.
Mercedes-Benz also revealed a number of other innovations and collaborations that give back time, make life easier and generate excitement for customers in the car and beyond.
In his remarks during the Mercedes-Benz tech talks at CES 2023, Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer revealed plans for a Mercedes-Benz branded high-power charging network starting this year in North America.
Rollout in Europe, China and other main markets will follow. The North American network is scheduled for completion by 2027, by which time a total of more than 400 hubs with more than 2,500 high-power chargers will cover the continent.
Spaced conveniently at regular intervals close to motorways, major intersections and metropolitan areas, the hubs will offer a premium, sustainable and reliable charging experience.
The locations and surroundings of the Mercedes-Benz charging hubs will be carefully selected with wider customer needs in mind.
The best possible charging experience will therefore come complete with food outlets and restrooms situated nearby.
Facilities will also be equipped with surveillance cameras and other measures to provide a safe and secure charging environment at all times. Selected charging points are covered for protection from the weather.
Depending on region and location, the hubs offer four to 12 – and ultimately as many as 30 – high-power chargers (HPC) with up to 350 kW charging power.
Intelligent charge-load management allows each vehicle to charge at its maximum capacity, keeping waiting times to an absolute minimum. The network will be open to all electric vehicle brands, but Mercedes-Benz customers will enjoy special benefits, such as the ability to reserve a charging spot.
In line with its sustainable business strategy “Ambition 2039â€, Mercedes-Benz enables its customers to charge green at its own charging network.
This is preferably ensured via green electricity supply contracts or through renewable energy certificates from an accredited supplier.
Furthermore, all Mercedes-Benz charging hubs able to accommodate a roof will be equipped with photovoltaic systems to provide electricity for lighting, video surveillance etc.
MN8 Energy is one of the largest solar energy and battery storage owners and operators in the US. The partnership with MN8 Energy supports Mercedes-Benz’s aim to maximize access to green charging for its customers throughout the U.S.
ChargePoint has established one of the world’s leading EV charging networks in the US and Europe that has so far powered approximately five billion electric miles. The international company already serves as the Mercedes-Benz backend provider in the U.S. for Mercedes me Charge.
By the end of the decade, the Mercedes-Benz high-power charging network will have expanded worldwide with more than 10,000 high-power chargers over and above its existing charging offers.
Those in town for CES – as well as the lucky general public – might have caught a glimpse of the VISION EQXX research vehicle on the streets of Las Vegas during the show days.
The most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever proved its capabilities last year with multiple drives of more than 1,200 km (745 miles) on a single battery charge.
It made headlines last summer with an average energy consumption of 8.3 kilowatt hours per 100 kilometers (or 7.5 miles per kilowatt hour) on a drive from Stuttgart, Germany to Silverstone, U.K.
During the opening days of CES the VISION EQXX was in service providing demonstration drives to the media along the Las Vegas Strip and in other areas of the city. Visitors to the Mercedes-Benz booth could also take in a life-size model.
Mercedes-Benz also announced the company’s new Automatic Lane Change (ALC) feature, which will come to the North American market this year. ALC enables the car to automatically initiate a lane change and overtake slower vehicles with the cruise control engaged.
The system is a further expansion stage of the Mercedes Benz SAE Level 2 partially automated driving feature, so the driver remains responsible at all times. To use ALC, the driver sets the speed of the adaptive distance cruise control function (Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC).
The Active Steering Assist (activated by default) does the rest.
The car continuously monitors its surroundings via its array of radar sensors and cameras to overtake slower cars while on the motorway.
Having overtaken, the vehicle can assist moving back to the original lane. ALC can also initiate an automatic lane change to help follow the active route guidance when approaching exit ramps or freeway junctions.
Mercedes-Benz customers will soon be able to benefit from SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving in the U.S. states of California and Nevada.
In May 2022, Mercedes-Benz became the first car manufacturer in the world with an internationally valid certification for conditionally automated driving to offer such a system as an option ex-works for vehicles from series production to customers in Germany.
On suitable motorway sections and where traffic density is high, DRIVE PILOT can offer to take over the driving, initially up to the legally permitted speed of 60 km/h.
This gives customers back time so they can focus on certain secondary activities such as communicating with colleagues via In-Car Office, browsing the web or relaxing while watching a movie.
Mercedes-Benz has applied for certification in the states of California and Nevada.
DMV Nevada has approved our application and they are now preparing the certificate of compliance that will be issued within the next two weeks.
With that, Mercedes-Benz will be the first OEM to have a Level 3 system to offer in the U.S. and is optimistic that California will follow soon. ■