The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network is expanding into Canada, with more than 2,500 fast chargers planned across Canada and the US.

The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network is set to debut in Canada in 2025 in Metro Vancouver, and more fast chargers will open in Toronto in 2026.

The smart charging stations are open to all EVS, and Mercedes-Benz drivers have exclusive benefit privileges, including automatic charger reservations enabled by the native Navigation with Electric Intelligence feature on electric Mercedes models and the “Plug & Charge” feature for Mercedes me Charge app users.

The 400 kW DC fast chargers will feature both CCS1 and NACS connectors, and certain EVs will be able to charge from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes.

“Our expansion into Canada will take steps to fill the gap in fast charging infrastructure and help customers confidently drive electric. At the end of the day, a better charging experience is a better EV ownership experience,” said Andrew Cornelia, CEO and president of Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging North America.

Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging opened its first North American charging site at Mercedes-Benz USA’s headquarters in Sandy Springs, Georgia, in November 2023 as part of an initial $1 billion charging network investment.

In February, Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging surpassed 300 charging stalls in operation and under construction in 11 US states.

Read more: Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging goes large at Starbucks

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Hyundai just launched its first flagship EV, the IONIQ 9, in South Korea. The IONIQ 9 is the largest Hyundai electric SUV with “best-in-class” interior space and features more driving range than any other EV in its lineup. For those of you in the US, get ready. You’re up next.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 launches in South Korea

After opening pre-orders last week, Hyundai officially launched the flagship IONIQ 9 in its home market on Thursday.

The electric SUV is available in six or seven-seat configurations, each with three trim options. The seven-seater “Exclusive” model starts at 67.15 million won, or around $46,000. Prices range upward to 79.41 million won ($54,500) for the premium “Calligraphy” six-seater. It can be bought in AWD or RWD powertrain setups.

With incentives, Hyundai expects the actual purchase price of the base IONIQ 9 (Exclusive trim) to be in the low to mid 60 million won range (around $41,000 to $45,000).

Buyers can choose from four different seating setups. The six-seater is available with premium relaxation seats, swivel seats, or a dynamic body care seat, while the seven-seater features a 6:4 folding seat.

The electric SUV is slightly larger than its sibling, the Kia EV9, at 5,060 mm (199.2″) long, 1,980 mm (78″) wide, and 1,790 mm (70.5″) tall with a wheelbase of 3,130 mm (123″). In comparison, Kia’s three-row electric SUV is 5,010 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, and 1,755 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,100 mm.

Inside, Hyundai loaded the flagship model with its latest tech, including a panoramic curved infotainment setup with dual 12.3″ driver display and navigation screens.

Powered by a 110.3 kWh battery and Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the IONIQ 9 is rated for up to 532 km (330 miles) driving range in Korea.

With a 400/800V dual charging system, the IONIQ 9 can charge from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes using a 350 kW charger.

During the launch event, a Hyundai Motor official said, “We plan to provide a new level of electrification experience through the IONIQ 9, Hyundai Motor Company’s first electrified flagship SUV model.”

Following its domestic launch, Hyundai said it would launch the IONIQ 9 in the US. Hyundai will build the IONIQ 9 at its new EV plant in Georgia alongside the updated 2025 IONIQ 5.

Like the new IONIQ 5, the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 will have a native NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.

Hyundai’s website says the IONIQ 9 is coming in Spring 2025. Although prices will be revealed closer to launch, the flagship electric SUV is expected to start at around $60,000, or slightly higher than the EV9 at about $55,000.

Republican Senators have introduced bills to not only kill the $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles but also add a $1,000 tax at the purchase of new EVs.

President Trump campaigned on killing the $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles. Therefore, it’s not surprising that it’s happening, but now we have a better idea of how.

Senator John Barrasso, along with 14 other GOP senators, has introduced a pair of bills going after electric vehicles.

The first one, unsurprisingly, would end the federal tax credit for electric vehicles, which includes the $7,500 credit for buying or leasing a new electric car, the $4,000 tax credit for used electric vehicles, and the incentives for charging stations.

Some hoped that legislators would push to end the tax credit for next year, which would have helped EV sales in the US in 2025, but the bill, as it stands, says that the credits would end 30 days after it is signed into law.

The second bill, sponsored by Senators Deb Fischer, Pete Ricketts, and Cynthia Lummis, would add a one-time $1,000 fee to the purchase price of a new electric vehicle.

GOP senators justify this by pointing out the lack of contributions from electric vehicles to fund the repair and maintain of highways, which is thought to be financed through taxes on gas and diesel. They arrive at $1,000 by calculating roughly the average contribution of a gas-powered car through the gas tax over 10 years.

Fischer said:

“EVs can weigh up to three times as much as gas-powered cars, creating more wear and tear on our roads and bridges.”

The most popular gas car in the US is the Toyota Corolla, which weighs about 3,000 lbs—or about 800 lbs less than a comparable electric Tesla Model 3—but it’s nowhere near three times heavier.

It’s worth noting that Fischer took $356,393 from the oil and gas industry during the last election cycle. It is one of her top contributors.

As for Barrasso, he takes even more money from the oil and gas industry: $781,381 during the last cycle.

Trump’s recently appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had signaled plans to impose new fees on electric vehicles.

Electrek’s Take

I’ve made my peace with the tax credit going away in the US. It’s going to cripple the country’s EV market, which is already way behind the rest of the world, but it sounds like Americans are OK giving up the lead on that front. So be it.

I was hoping that the change would be announced for the end of the year, creating some urgency to by this year – boosting sales in 2025, but it sounds like that won’t happen.

But the $1,000 fee is about as dumb as it gets. It doesn’t account for a vehicle’s size, weight, or efficiency. It’s a flat fee for everyone regardless of how much or how little they use the car. It makes no sense, and it is clearly meant to discourage electric vehicles.

If the GOP passes this legislation, it will sabotage its entire auto industry long term, including Tesla. They will lose EV expertise to the rest of the world.