Mercedes Teams with Buc-ee's, Opens First Premium EV Charging Experience

Partnerships with Simon commercial properties and convenience store giant Buc-ee's are set to quickly expand the footprint of the new Mercedes-Benz destination electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the U.S. These destinations are in addition to the installation of Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs, and part of a larger EV charging network investment by the German automaker.

The first Mercedes-Buc-ee's chargers will be installed in Texas, Florida, Alabama and Georgia by the end of 2023. Further expansion is expected in 2024. Buc-ee's currently has 46 locations in seven states. Twenty-four of those locations are already home to Tesla Superchargers.

Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia by the end of 2023, with further expansion in 2024. Charging hubs at Simon Mall locations are planned to launch in the first half of 2024.

Simon owns nearly 200 commercial properties in North America, including businesses in the top 25 markets in the U.S. by population. Mercedes will partner with the company to open charging stations at 55 locations initially.

"Charging infrastructure is an issue that causes consumers to hesitate in shifting to EVs. They are comfortable with fuel stations and uncomfortable with change. But automakers aren't typically in the business of providing amenities for fueling stations, either," Stephanie Brinley, associate director of research and analysis at S&P Global, told Newsweek.

"The EV charging infrastructure needs to improve, but customers are still working through understanding what the change means on a practical level. Other than not wanting to be rained on and appreciation for clear signage, what else they 'need' they don't know, really.

For Mercedes-Benz to step in and help facilitate creation of part of the necessary infrastructure will help move the process forward. As a luxury brand, using all the leverage they have to help make sure their customers have an experience commensurate with its owner expectations creates opportunity for a better experience and loyalty."

The automaker today opened its first Charging Hub in North America, at its USA headquarters in Sandy Springs, Georgia, outside Atlanta. The Hub is part of the company's over $1 billion financial commitment, in partnership with MN8 Energy, to build out 2,500 chargers at least 400 charging hubs across North America by the end of the decade.

The automaker aims to have hubs where customers go, not for when they are on the way their destination. This is opposite the approach Tesla took while they were building their Supercharger network.

Mercedes has already opened Charging Hub locations in Chengdu, China, and Mannheim, Germany.

The company plans to built more than 2,000 charging hubs with over 10,000 charging points by the end of the decade globally, including the aforementioned U.S. destinations.

This Hub opening is the first in a series of Mercedes-Benz destinations to open offering charging to drivers of all brands of EVs. Drivers will be able to use charging cables with either a North American Charging Standard (NACS) or Combined Charging System (CCS) connection.

"Keeping it open to all automaker vehicles ensures better chance these projects might be eligible for US government funding, but giving non-Mercedes owners an excellent experience creates potential for conquest, too," Brinley said.

Each destination is powered by 100-percent clean energy using carbon neutral renewable energy sources.

The Charging Hub's initial chargers were provided by ChargePoint and can charge at a rate of up to 400 kilowatts. A vehicle's electric power architecture, environmental conditions, battery condition, and grid capability dictate how quickly a battery-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle can charge.

While the electrified vehicles charge, they are covered by a canopy that features LED lighting and solar panels. The charging stations do not rely solely on the solar panels for power.

Charging stalls have 15-foot tall pylons that are visible from the street and indicate the status of the charging stall (in use, free, or reserved).

Hub customers have access to the chargers and a lounge. The premium environment features couches and lounge chairs, vending machines, refreshments and restroom facilities. It's a modern take on the American highway rest area, and similar to charging stations that are already established in Europe.

The charging spot located closest to the lounge is dedicated for handicap accessible vehicles. One charging spot is designed for electric vans or vehicles with trailers up to 26 feet long.

Mercedes vehicle drivers who utilize the electron loading points can reserve their charger ahead of arrival using their in-vehicle navigation system and the 'Plug & Charge' feature on the Mercedes Me app. Utilizing this perk allows Mercedes-EQ drivers to pull up, plug in and walk away without the hassle of juggling payment methods and accounts.

"The feedback we get is mostly coming from charging stations which are not operating, or they're not delivering the nominal power that they promised to deliver," Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, told Newsweek.

"I would say looking backwards to two years ago, when we started our EV marathon … we had much more complaints. But I think this has to be taken seriously by the charging companies, and this is getting better."

Mercedes-Benz is targeting "industry-leading uptime" for the Charging Hubs. Uptime is traditionally one of the biggest obstacles for charging service providers.