ChargePoint and Mercedes-Benz team up to bring hundreds of fast charging hubs to EV drivers
EV charging network ChargePoint and Mercedes-Benz have shared plans to build out a series of charging hubs across the US and Canada. Together with renewable energy provider MN8 Energy, the companies will begin building the EV fast charging hubs in major cities and highway corridors this year.
Since 2007, ChargePoint ($CHPT) has been developing and expanding into one of the largest EV charging networks across North America and Europe. In addition to providing home charging equipment for EV drivers, the company offers a full suite of commercial charging solutions that have recently begun being sold by EV automaker Nikola Corporation.
Furthermore, ChargePoint has established several charging discount programs for EV drivers by partnering with automakers like Polestar and Toyota for its bZ4X EV. The charging network has now expanded its previous relationship with legacy automaker Mercedes-Benz and, through a new partnership, will take access to fast charging to the next level in the form of exclusive hubs for drivers.
However, you don’t necessarily have to drive a Mercedes EV to experience one of the hundreds of planned charging hubs.
Mercedes drivers to gain charging perks at upcoming hubs
Mercedes-Benz announced plans for the new network of fast charging hubs in a press release this morning, which will be followed by a press conference from ChargePoint at CES this afternoon. MN8 Energy and Mercedes-Benz will finance and jointly operate the network of over 400 planned charging hubs, which will become home to over 2,500 ChargePoint DC fast charging stations across North America.
The hubs are expected to be erected in populated areas where more and more EVs are looking to recharge, offering a space for drivers to plug in near retail and other service centers in addition to popular highway corridors. ChargePoint CEO Pasquale Romano spoke to the new partnership:
Automotive leaders like Mercedes-Benz continue to lead the transition to electric mobility by bringing new EVs to market, and ChargePoint remains committed to enabling the simplicity that drivers expect and the charging speed they need for all vehicles whenever and wherever drivers want. With this partnership, we are expanding upon our existing relationships with Mercedes- Benz and MN8 to deliver a seamless charging experience for drivers, and turnkey charging solutions at no upfront cost to site hosts. We believe the expansion of charging hubs like these will enable the emergence of a new 30 minute retail economy, at the intersection of innovation and accessibility that combines charging and commerce, giving drivers a superior experience to charge quickly and easily.
When they begin opening later this year, Mercedes-Benz’s network of charging hubs will be open to all EV makes and models, but if you happen to be driving an EQS or EQE SUV for instance, you will see some benefits not available to Audi or Tesla drivers. Mercedes drivers will be able to gain preferred charging access via reservation and can also take advantage of Plug & Charge at their chosen hub, offering more time to relax or do some shopping nearby.
The hubs will primarily feature ChargePoint’s Express Plus DC fast chargers, which can deliver up to 500 kW of power per port. Mercedes Group AG chair of the Board of Management Ola Källenius also shared excitement about the new charging hubs:
Mercedes-Benz customers deserve a compelling charging experience that makes electric vehicle ownership and long-distance travel effortless and that’s why we are launching a global high-end charging network that will offer a charging experience to match the extraordinary Mercedes driving experience. We are excited to start right here in North America with two strong and experienced partners, ChargePoint and MN8 Energy.
Where and when we will see the first Mercedes-Benz charging hub is unknown at this time, but we are sure to learn more as the network of ChargePoint chargers expands through North America in 2023.
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The State of California is moving to ban the sale of Tesla cars amid claims that the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, have misled buyers about the self-driving capabilities of their cars. We’ve also got market-leading news out of Vietnam and a pricey, pricey lesson for one VW ID.Buzz buyer on today’s lesson-learning episode of Quick Charge!
We also ask what this might mean for the recent Uber/Lucid autonomous taxi tie-up and go through a full rundown of the fastest depreciating EVs on the market (and yes, there are four Tesla models in the top 10 … because the Cybertruck was too new to qualify).
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Sunrun is putting tens of thousands of home batteries to work in Puerto Rico as the island’s electric grid faces a summer of high temperatures and energy shortfalls.
The company says it’s now dispatching energy from over 37,000 residential batteries to help grid operator LUMA keep the lights on. That stored power is being used to prevent rolling blackouts when demand spikes and centralized power plants can’t keep up.
Sunrun’s emergency power contribution has grown more than tenfold since last summer. LUMA expects more than 75 energy shortfall events between now and October, with each dispatch sending electricity to the grid for four consecutive hours. During several recent evenings, Sunrun and other virtual power plant (VPP) operators provided enough energy to offset a 50-megawatt generation gap, LUMA said.
Sunrun CEO Mary Powell said Puerto Rico’s aging infrastructure and intense weather patterns make home battery support increasingly critical:
It’s going to be a very difficult summer, which is why Sunrun has ramped up our dispatch capabilities, using tens of thousands of home batteries to support the grid and people of Puerto Rico.
She added that distributed power plants like Sunrun’s serve the same role as natural gas peaker plants – offering fast, reliable power during high-demand moments – but with clean energy.
Sunrun customers enrolled in the VPP will get paid too. Each participating battery earns about $200 minimum for the season, and customers who allow more of their stored energy to go to the grid earn even more. Sunrun also earns revenue for operating the VPP.
Read more: The US’s largest virtual power plant now runs on 75,000 home batteries
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Volkswagen is advertising ID.4 leases starting at just $99 a month. It’s hard to find any car lease these days for under $100 a month, but for $45,000 electric SUV, it’s almost unheard of.
Volkswagen offers ID.4 leases as low as $99 a month
The Volkswagen ID.4 was the third top-selling EV in the US in January after the 2025 model year went back on sale.
Volkswagen’s electric SUV starts at $45,095 with an EPA-estimated driving range of 291 miles. It’s available in five different trims: Pro, AWD Pro, Pro S, AWD Pro S, and AWD Pro S Plus.
The base 2025 VW ID.4 Pro RWD is equipped with 282 hp from a single rear electric motor. Inside, it features a 12.9″ infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and Volkswagen’s new ID.Cockpit digital instrument display.
Upgrading to the AWD version will gain a tow hitch and an additional 53 hp, for a combined maximum of 335 hp. The added power comes at the cost of some range, with an EPA-estimated range of 263 miles.
Volkswagen was already offering 2025 ID.4 leases as low as $129 a month, but some dealers are listing it for even less this month.
A California dealership, Volkswagen of Garden Grove, has the 2025 ID.4 Pro RWD listed for lease at just $99 per month. The offer is for 24 months with $2,995 down. According to the dealer, the offer includes a $5,000 cash back bonus, good on a new ID.4 purchase or lease.
We thought the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was a good deal with leases starting at just $179 per month, but for $99, now that’s a steal.
Looking for deals on the Volkswagen ID.4 near you? You can use our link to find and view offers on the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 in your area (via a trusted affiliate link)
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