July 18, 2024 – Mercedes-Benz has announced a partnership with Starbucks to install 400-kilowatt high-speed electric vehicle charging stations at 100 Starbucks locations along Interstate 5 on the West Coast of the United States. This initiative is part of the automaker’s global plan to establish 2000 charging hubs, with a total investment of $1 billion.
Last year, Mercedes-Benz opened its first charging station in Atlanta, featuring a luxurious waiting area and 400-kilowatt high-speed charging facilities provided by ChargePoint. The collaboration with Starbucks signifies a new phase in the development of its charging network. Both companies have expressed their intention to explore further opportunities in key markets, including major cities, charging deserts, and significant travel corridors.
It’s worth noting that Starbucks will only provide parking space and will not bear the construction costs. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is not solely responsible for the entire $1 billion investment, as half of the funding will be provided by MN8 Energy, a renewable energy company owned by Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
This partnership comes at a time when many automakers are reevaluating their electrification plans due to the slowing growth of electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz has also announced that it will continue to sell fuel-powered vehicles beyond 2030, despite previously stating its intention to exclusively sell electric cars.
One of the significant challenges in building charging stations is finding suitable partners who can accommodate the necessary charging equipment. Besides the charging poles, most DC fast-charging devices require transformers, distribution cabinets, and other bulky equipment, often housed in weatherproof metal cabinets.
Given that electric vehicle charging takes longer than refueling a gas-powered car, Mercedes-Benz has strategically chosen to install charging stations at Starbucks locations. This allows drivers to enjoy a cup of coffee while their vehicles are charging, rather than waiting idly.
Other automobile manufacturers have similar ideas. Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, has installed numerous charging stations in the parking lots of large retailers such as Walmart and Target. Tesla had planned to build a supercharger station with 62 charging stalls, accompanied by a restaurant and cinema in Santa Monica. However, as of 2024, the project has not yet commenced.
Mercedes-Benz is not the only automaker to partner with Starbucks in this regard. In 2022, Volvo also announced a collaboration with Starbucks to install 15 charging stations along the highway connecting Seattle and Denver.
