Mercedes-Benz is deploying 400 kW US-made EV fast chargers with CCS and NACS cables
Mercedes-Benz has announced a new agreement to deploy technology from European EV charger developer Alpitronic as the latter expands its presence in North America. Mercedes plans to install its new partner’s 400 kW EV fast chargers, built locally in the US, as part of a broader $1 billion investment to expand North American charging infrastructure.
Mercedes-Benz remains a household name in the automotive segment, but as it has evolved for the all-electric age, the German automaker has invested big bucks in adjacent technologies to support its transition, including next-generation battery development and charging infrastructure.
In addition to its own line of home chargers, Mercedes has developed and begun implementing a global EV charging network for the public, which currently consists of 100,000 piles in the US alone.
In November 2024, the German automaker opened its first branded Charging Hub in North America near its US headquarters outside Atlanta. The station is part of a $1 billion joint venture to establish at least 400 Hubs that will become home to 2,500 DC fast chargers by 2030.
The automaker is also part of the IONNA joint venture with six other OEMs to install at least 30,000 additional fast chargers across the continent.
As part of the significant investment in chargers mentioned above, Mercedes-Benz is helping a European technology expand its US presence using 400 kW fast chargers built locally.
Mercedes EV chargers
This morning, Mercedes-Benz announced a new agreement to make it the first DC fast-charging network to deploy Alpitronic America, Inc.’s HYC 400 at scale in the US. Per Mercedes’ president and CEO of high-power charging, Andrew Cornelia:
To unlock this next era of charging, we must bridge the gap in quality and that starts with the customer’s experience at the charger. As we continue to scale Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging, we are investing in both this critical infrastructure and the workforce behind its success. We’re proud to partner with Alpitronic who has not only designed a best-in-class product with some of the fastest charging speeds available, but is a company equally committed to investing in America’s clean energy workforce.
Alpitronic’s Hypercharge 400 piles offer up to 400kW charging and support for a wide output voltage range. They can also simultaneously charge two EVs at once at rates up to 200 kW. Alpitronic currently offers an array of charging port standards to EV owners, including CCS1 and CC2, but Mercedes states that the EV chargers it will roll out in the US will also offer NACS cables.
Although it was founded in Europe, Alpitronic has recently expanded to North America, opening a US corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, in November 2023.
To further add to the new partner’s goal of creating new jobs and expanding EV charger infrastructure stateside, Mercedes shared the HYC 400 chargers it will be deploying will be built at a local facility in Wisconsin. Mike Doucleff, CEO of Alpitronic Americas, also spoke about the new partnership:
Our partnership with Mercedes is a natural fit, as both our companies are synonymous with quality, reliability, and design. Mercedes sets the standard for luxury and performance, while Alpitronic provides top-tier, elegantly designed EV charging solutions. Following our successful partnership in Europe, we are excited to expand together into the American market, bringing a similar customer experience to the US.
The first Alpitronic EV chargers are expected to reach Mercedes-Benz charging sites in Q3 2024.
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Kia is extending one of its biggest promotions yet, knocking over $10,000 off every EV in its lineup.
Kia knocks $10,000 off EV models
Who said electric vehicles would get more expensive after the $7,500 federal tax credit ended? Kia must not have gotten the memo.
Last month, Kia launched a new promotion, offering a $10,000 customer cash discount for all EVs, including the EV6, EV9, and Niro EV. The discount knocks nearly 25% off MSRP on Kia’s cheapest model, the Niro EV. On the entry-level EV6, it’s 23% off MSRP, while $10,000 off the EV9 is about an 18% discount.
The discounts ended on December 1, but Kia has extended them for at least another month. During its Season of New Tradition sales event, Kia is now offering even more savings.
The 2025 Kia EV6 and Niro EV are now eligible for up to $11,000 in customer cash, including a $10,000 cash back offer and a $1,000 retail bonus cash discount.
If you’re looking for something a little bigger, the 2026 EV9, Kia’s three-row electric SUV, is available with up to $10,500 in bonus cash.
If you choose to finance, Kia is offering 0% APR for up to 72 months, plus $3,500 APR Bonus Cash on the EV6 and Niro EV. The larger EV9 is available with 0% APR for up to 60 months with a $3,000 APR Bonus Cash offer.
The 2025 Kia Niro EV and EV6 are available to lease, starting at $209 and $309 per month for 24 months. The 2026 EV9 is listed with monthly leases starting at $419.
The new sales event comes after Hyundai extended its EV promotions, keeping the IONIQ 5 as one of the most affordable EV leases in the US, starting at just $189 per month.
Kia’s Seasons of New Traditions sales event runs until January 2, 2026. Some deals may vary by region. You can see offers near you by using the links at the bottom.
Interested in test-driving one for yourself? We can help see what’s available in your area. Check out our links below to find Kia and Hyundai EVs near you.
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New Holland’s already excellent C314 mini track loader is even better for 2026 thanks to the debut of a new, all electric version that offers quiet, low maintenance, and emission-free running for round-the-clock operation.
State and federal governments may still be hashing out emissions laws and ZEV requirements, but it’s the municipal governments that write quiet our laws and noise ordinances, and it’s those laws that construction crews are struggling to work around as they bid for lucrative urban jobs. New Holland understands those construction customers’ needs, and its new C314X Electric mini track loader (announced at last month’s Agritechnica) is designed specifically for them.
“We launched the C314 two years ago, and it has become known for its excellent features,” says Francesca Asteggiano, Europe Construction Brands. “Today, we’re developing an electric version to meet growing demand for quieter, more compact machines — reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and innovation.”
C314X Electric
New Holland’s C314X Electric is designed and built in-house as the zero-emission evolution of the diesel-powered C314, and is powered by a 23.5 kWh li-ion battery that sends power to three electric motors — two drive motors and a single hydraulic motor for the boom.
The company says the new C314X has a rated operating capacity that matches the diesel unit at 460 kg (~1014 lbs.) and a hinge pin height of 2.2 m (~7.2 ft.).
Though still “just a prototype” at this point, CASE and New Holland products have a history of making it to production. If when it does, company reps say it will be available in two undercarriage configurations, a “narrow track” version 890 mm wide that can fit through garden gates and man doors, and wide track version 1026 mm wide for heavier duty outdoor and agricultural work.
The stand-on machine uses controls that will be familiar to any mini loader operator — especially those with experience behind the controls of the diesel C314 — and all the implements and attachments that work on the diesel version bolt up to the C314X Electric, making it ideal (the company says) for livestock and horticultural farmers, landscape contractors and residential construction operations, thanks to multiple compatible attachments to ensure full versatility to dig, load, drill, and more.
Stay tuned for pricing and availability, likely set to be announced during ConExpo 2026.
SOURCE | IMAGES: New Holland.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Tesla allowing texting and driving on FSD v14, Trump killing CAFE’s MPG standard, an Aptera update, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
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