America, Mercedes-Benz wants you to indulge in retail therapy while you’re DC fast charging
Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Network (MB HPC) North America just announced that it’s partnering with the largest owner of shopping malls in the US.
Mercedes-Benz DC fast charging at the mall
In January, Mercedes-Benz, along with EV charging network ChargePoint and clean energy provider MN8 Energy, announced plans to deploy 400 charging stations and over 2,500 DC fast chargers across North America by 2030.
Now Mercedes has announced that it’s going to install 55 charging hubs at retail properties owned by Simon, a US real estate investment trust that owns a lot of shopping malls. Even if you haven’t heard of Simon, chances are pretty good that you’ve shopped at one or more of its properties. Perhaps the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania, Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, the Galleria in Houston, or the Miami International Mall ring a bell. (If you’re curious about which shopping centers Simon owns, here’s the whole list.)
Each Mercedes-branded charging hub will feature around 8-10 DC fast chargers with dual CCS and NACS plugs, but the number of chargers will be tailored to the needs of each location. Each turnkey hub will be 100% powered by clean energy.
When I spoke with Andrew Cornelia, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz HPC North America, he asserted that the hubs would be “one of the fastest charging systems in North America.” MB HPC’s website says that its DC fast chargers will have up to 350kW of power.
He also said retail integration into the EV charging experience is becoming increasingly vital. Or, as he put it, “Charging done well is in the background – it becomes an experience.”
Then Cornelia and I mostly talked about why Mercedes chose to partner with Simon, and he explained that it’s because of “dwell time consideration.” I noted that a DC fast charge takes around a half hour give or take, but when folks go to the mall, they could be there for two or more hours. (I know how long I spend in premium outlet malls.) He pointed out that the chargers will be strategically placed near amenities that travelers need, such as cafes and restaurants, and that the malls chosen will be near highway corridors. Plus, as the number of EV drivers grows, malls have the space to make the EV charging hubs bigger.
Electrek’s Take
I agree with Cornelia about retail integration, because I don’t enjoy sitting in my VW ID.4 in empty, dark parking garages with no amenities or facilities. Or to put it more bluntly, I want to get a drink and go to the restroom.
We at Electrek always talk about the charging experience and what would work best in which location. Levels 1 and 2 are great for at-home charging. (We also think all airports should make 120v outlets available to travelers.) DC fast charging is needed for road trips, or if you just don’t have the time to charge more slowly.
But we talk even more about how critical excellent amenities are. It’s time for EV charging hubs to move out from the literal back of the building into a more convenient, well-lit location, near offerings that make traveling an enjoyable experience.
I look forward to seeing which of Simon’s malls Mercedes’ hubs are situated, and which amenities they’re positioned next to. I vote for great coffee, healthy food, and clean bathrooms. And if I accidentally on purpose buy a new pair of shoes, so be it.
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Ford is cutting prices on the electric pickup by up to $4,000 to offset the loss of the federal EV tax credit. The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning now offers more driving range at a lower price.
2026 Ford F-150 Lightning prices and range by trim
After the Tesla Cybertruck took the title as America’s best-selling electric pickup last year, the Ford F-150 Lightning is back on top in 2025.
Ford sold over 10,000 Lightnings in the third quarter, nearly double the roughly 5,400 Tesla Cybertrucks sold. Through September, Ford has sold over 23,000 electric pickups. According to Cox Automotive, Tesla has only sold 16,097 Cybertrucks this year, 38% fewer than it did during the same period in 2024.
After the $7,500 federal EV tax credit expired at the end of September, many automakers, including Ford, are bracing for less demand.
To keep the momentum going, Ford is reducing prices for the 2026 F-150 Lightning by up to $4,000. Company spokesperson Martin Günsberg confirmed with Electrek that Ford is cutting prices on the flash trim by $4,000 and the Lariat by $2,000.
Ford introduced a new base STX model that replaces the XLT for 2026. The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX starts at $63,345, the same as the 2025 STX, but it delivers an extra 50 miles of driving range.
A 123 kW extended range battery powers the STX, providing an EPA estimated 290 miles of range. In comparison, the XLT delivered 240 miles of range from a 98 kWh battery.
Ford also raided the F-150 parts bin to add a few off-road goodies like running boards from the Tremor, new wheels, and more.
The 2026 F-150 Lightning Flash will start at $65,995, down from $69,995. Meanwhile, the 2026 Lariat and Platinum trims will be priced from $74,995 and $84,995.
| Ford F-150 Lightning trim | 2025 Starting Price | 2026 Starting Price | Range (EPA-est miles) |
| XLT | $63,345 | N/A | 240 |
| STX | N/A | $63,345 | 290 |
| Flash | $69,995 | $65,995 | 320 |
| Lariat | $76,995 | $74,995 | 320 |
| Platinum | $84,995 | $84,995 | 300 |
Although Ford decided not to move forward with plans for a program to extend the $7,500 EV tax credit, the company is still offering significant incentives to compensate for the loss of it.
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lighting STX is eligible for up to $11,500 in savings in California and other ZEV states. Ford is offering a $9,000 lease cash bonus and an additional $2,000 Ford Power Promise cash bonus. Alternatively, Ford is offering 0% APR financing for 72 months plus an extra $2,000 Power Promise bonus nationwide.
With the 2026 Lightning arriving, Ford is offering big savings on 2025 models. The 2025 F-150 Lightning XLT is currently listed for lease as low as $279 per month in California. You can use our link to find offers on the Ford F-150 Lightning near you (trusted affiliate link).
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Global EV sales passed the 2 million mark for the first time in September 2025, according to new data from EV research house Rho Motion – here’s how it breaks down.
A record-breaking September
Rho Motion’s data shows that 2.1 million EVs were sold worldwide in September, the highest monthly total ever recorded. The US, UK, South Korea, and China all hit major milestones, with tax credit deadlines, new registration cycles, and local incentives fueling the global boom.
“Global EV sales topped 2 million units in a single month for the first time, driven by record-breaking demand across major markets,” said Rho Motion’s data manager Charles Lester. “The US surged ahead as buyers raced to claim expiring tax credits, the UK hit new highs on the back of fresh registration plates and the Electric Car Grant, and South Korea set records thanks to Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, and rising BYD imports. Year to date, EV sales have reached 14.7 million – up 26%.”
EV sales by the numbers YTD (Jan–Sept 2025)
- Global: 14.7 million (+26%)
- China: 9.0 million (+24%)
- Europe: 3.0 million (+32%)
- North America: 1.5 million (+11%)
- Rest of World: 1.2 million (+48%)
Europe surges on incentives
Europe had a record-breaking month with 427,000 EVs sold, up 36% year-over-year and 55% from August. The UK led the charge with record demand tied to the launch of new license plates and the government’s Electric Car Grant, introduced in July. BEV sales rose 30% year-over-year, while PHEVs jumped nearly 60%.
Germany’s EV market is expected to get another boost in 2026 after the government approved a new €3 billion ($3.5 billion) incentive package targeting low- and middle-income households. It replaces the subsidy scheme that expired in December 2023. Italy and Spain also continue to see strong growth, with sales up two-thirds and more than double, respectively, compared to 2024.
US buyers rushed to beat tax credit deadlines
In North America, EV sales soared 66% year-over-year in September as US consumers scrambled to take advantage of federal incentives before they expired on September 30. The tax credits supported both purchases and leases.
But Rho Motion expects Q4 2025 demand to dip sharply as those credits disappear. Some automakers are already taking defensive steps: Hyundai has cut prices, while Mercedes-Benz has paused production of four EV models. GM has suspended a production shift at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant, and Volkswagen is stopping ID.4 production in Tennessee in October. Nissan has gone further, scrapping its plans to manufacture EVs in the US altogether.
China is the world’s EV powerhouse
China still dominates the global EV market, selling 1.3 million EVs in September, a record-breaking month powered by strong BEV demand. Pure-electric sales rose 28% year-over-year to 800,000 units, while PHEVs and range-extended EVs dipped by 2% to 470,000.
China has sold nearly 9 million EVs YTD, up 24% from 2024, cementing its position as the world’s largest and most mature EV market.
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On today’s hyped up hybrid episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the first extended range electric Jeep in North America – the 500-mile new Grand Wagoneer PLUS news that Mazda is getting into the plug-in price war, and a whole lot more.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. The nonprofit just kicked off its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.
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