Mercedes-Benz launches new home charging station ahead of new electric car

Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to launch new electric cars under its new EQ subbrand starting with the all-electric ‘EQC’ SUV next year.

Ahead of the launch, Mercedes is unveiling a new generation of its own home charging station: the Wallbox.

The new generation introduces a few significant updates like the capacity for a higher charge rate up to 22 kW, ‘twin technology’ to charge two vehicles at the same time, and it now has an internet connection with a new mobile application.

Mercedes says that the app can be used for “charging control, user management, charging statistics and cost-optimised charging to be adjusted very simply from a smartphone.”

The German automaker also says that its intelligent features can be used to manage a fleet:

“The intelligent Advanced and Twin wallboxes are internet-capable, with a built-in electricity meter and allow access control by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). This makes it possible to manage several vehicles of different users, which is especially attractive for fleets – as well as for office communities or apartment buildings. Thanks to intelligent sharing of the charging power by local load management with up to 14 additional wallboxes, there is no need – even if several wallboxes are installed – for expensive upgrading of the existing house connection.”

The new generation will be available from summer 2018, but the company says that the Twin variant is coming out slightly later in the year.

Mercedes didn’t confirm a price for the new home charging station.