Mercedes-Benz is expanding its own fast-charging network with a new generation of high-power charging infrastructure. Starting in 2026, the HYC1000 charging system from Alpitronic, the European market leader in high-power charging, will be installed at select new Mercedes-Benz charging parks in Europe and North America. Together, the two companies are establishing a foundation for next-level charging performance.
Unlike conventional fast-charging stations, where the power unit is built into the charging column and limited to one or two charging points, the new HYC1000 system introduces a modular, decentralized architecture.
The external power unit provides up to 1,000 kW at 800 amps and intelligently distributes this power across multiple charging points through smart load management. This flexibility allows charging hubs to be tailored to specific site requirements – both in terms of total power through multiple power units and the number of charging points.
The result: greater efficiency, optimal utilization, and maximum scalability. A single charging point can deliver up to 600 kW at 800 volts. For customers, this means extremely short charging times, for example, recharging the Mercedes-Benz CLA to add up to 325 kilometers of range in just ten minutes.
In addition to integrating standard charging points offering up to 600 kW charging power, Mercedes-Benz and Alpitronic are developing a dedicated high-performance fast charger. Insights from the recent benchmark of over 1 megawatt charging power achieved with the CONCEPT AMG GT XX are being incorporated directly into this development. This record was made possible via a single CCS cable supporting up to 1,000 amps.
For North America, charging will be supported via both CCS and NACS cables. The goal is to enable charging performance that significantly exceeds today’s standards, making charging as fast as refueling.
The partnership combines Alpitronic’s hardware and system expertise with Mercedes-Benz’s system integration and infrastructure expertise. Close collaboration and a holistic development strategy – from test benches and development laboratories to real-world extreme tests – are crucial to bringing this revolutionary technology to market.
Mercedes-Benz charging hubs are open to customers of all vehicle brands. Mercedes-Benz customers enjoy exclusive benefits thanks to the seamless connectivity of their vehicle, the MB.CHARGE Public charging service, and the company’s own fast-charging network. In addition to calculating the most convenient and time-efficient route including charging stops, Navigation with Electric Intelligence also automatically reserves a charging point at Mercedes-Benz charging hubs.
“With the integration of the HYC1000 and the development of an extremely powerful fast charger, we’re setting new standards for public charging. Together with Alpitronic, we’re creating a charging experience that is not only extremely fast but also seamlessly integrated into our premium ecosystem. This makes electric mobility even more attractive to our customers.”
Franz Reiner, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG
“We repeatedly see that high charging speeds are essential for customers to fully benefit from the capabilities of modern electric vehicles. That’s why we’re excited to enable ultra-fast and reliable charging in the Mercedes-Benz charging network – making electric mobility truly effortless in everyday life.”
Philipp Senoner, CEO of Alpitronic
The Mercedes-Benz Charging Network is growing steadily and, since this year, has been represented with its first charging parks in Austria and Japan, in addition to those in Germany, the U.S. and China. Around 80 charging hubs are already in operation, including 41 in the U.S. Within a year, the company’s own charging network will be rolled out to up to eight additional countries. Mercedes-Benz plans to have more than 10,000 fast-charging points worldwide by the end of the decade.
Mercedes-Benz is continuously driving the global expansion of fast-charging infrastructure. In addition to building its own charging network, the company is partnering in the joint ventures IONITY (Europe), IONNA (North America) and IONCHI (China). Access to these fast-charging networks is also simple and digital via MB.CHARGE Public. The seamlessly integrated charging service gives Mercedes-Benz customers access to one of the world’s largest charging networks comprising over 2.5 million charging points operated by more than 1,700 providers.
