Mercedes-Benz has sold its European fast-charging network to French charging operator Electra, marking a significant change in the German automaker’s electric vehicle strategy. The deal transfers 47 high-power charging hubs with 374 charging points to Electra, while Mercedes-Benz customers will retain access to the locations through a new premium charging partnership.
The move brings an end to Mercedes-Benz’s plans to independently develop a large-scale fast-charging network across Europe. Instead, the automaker will increasingly rely on established third-party charging providers to deliver public charging services to its electric vehicle customers.
The transaction also represents an important expansion for Electra, which will integrate the former Mercedes-Benz charging locations into its growing European network.
Electra Takes Over 47 Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs
Under the agreement, Electra will take ownership of 47 Mercedes-Benz High Power Charging (HPC) locations across Europe, representing a total of 374 charging points.
Germany accounts for the largest share of the acquired infrastructure, with 31 charging hubs changing ownership. Another six locations are situated in Austria, while the remaining sites are distributed across other European markets.
The transaction was decided by Mercedes-Benz in July 2026, with the purchase agreement reportedly signed on August 3. However, the companies only publicly announced the arrangement on November 3.
According to Mercedes-Benz’s financial reporting, the European charging network had an asset valuation of approximately €99 million. This included €73 million in fixed assets, offset by €21 million in liabilities. The companies have not disclosed the final purchase price.
The integration has already started, with Electra migrating the former Mercedes-Benz charging stations into its operating system. The locations are appearing as Electra stations in charging applications, while payment terminals and physical branding are being updated.
The acquisition concerns the charging infrastructure and customer access rather than employees, with no personnel transferred as part of the agreement.
Mercedes-Benz Drivers Gain Access to More Than 800 Electra Locations
Although Mercedes-Benz is giving up ownership of its European charging hubs, its electric vehicle customers are not losing access to the infrastructure.
The agreement establishes Electra as a Premium Partner within the MB.CHARGE Public charging ecosystem. Mercedes-Benz drivers will gain access to more than 800 Electra charging locations, featuring over 5,000 charging points across ten European countries.
The partnership includes several benefits for Mercedes-Benz customers, depending on their MB.CHARGE Public subscription and charging tariff.
These include preferential charging rates at participating Electra stations, the ability to locate charging locations through the Mercedes-Benz vehicle interface or smartphone app, and the option to reserve compatible charging points before arrival.
The arrangement also expands the locations where Mercedes-Benz customers can benefit from premium charging services. Previously, these advantages were primarily associated with the automaker’s own charging hubs.
Electra joins Ionity as a Premium Partner in the Mercedes-Benz public charging ecosystem. Ionity, in which Mercedes-Benz holds a stake, remains another important part of the company’s European fast-charging strategy.
For drivers, the transition is designed to be relatively seamless. Existing charging locations will continue operating, although their branding and payment systems will gradually reflect Electra ownership.
Electra Strengthens Its Position in Europe’s Fast-Charging Market
The acquisition represents a major step forward for Electra as competition intensifies among Europe’s public EV charging operators.
The French company already operates more than 800 charging stations with approximately 5,000 charging points across ten European countries. Taking over the Mercedes-Benz infrastructure strengthens its presence in important markets, particularly Germany.
Electra’s German network is expected to grow from 50 to 81 charging parks following the acquisition, representing an increase of more than 60%.
The company is also planning further investments to expand its infrastructure. Electra intends to invest €200 million in Germany alone in 2027, while its longer-term European target is to reach 15,000 fast-charging points by 2030.
The acquisition reflects a broader trend in Europe’s EV charging industry, where larger operators are increasingly gaining ground through infrastructure investments and strategic purchases.
Running a high-power charging network requires substantial capital, including investment in charging hardware, grid connections, land, maintenance and energy supply. Operators also need sufficient charging demand to generate revenue and justify the costs of expanding their infrastructure.
For smaller networks, achieving the necessary scale can be difficult. By acquiring existing charging hubs, Electra can expand its footprint more quickly than relying exclusively on newly constructed locations.
Why Is Mercedes-Benz Selling Its EV Charging Network?
Mercedes-Benz’s decision represents a notable reversal of its original ambitions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
When the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network launched in 2023, the company outlined plans to establish a premium global fast-charging network. Its long-term ambition was to operate more than 10,000 fast-charging points worldwide by the end of the decade.
The automaker subsequently announced plans to expand its charging infrastructure across additional markets and introduce more powerful charging technology.
In 2025, Mercedes-Benz revealed plans to deploy Alpitronic’s HYC1000 charging systems at new charging locations, with the technology designed to support significantly higher charging capacities.
However, the company has now decided to take a different approach in Europe.
Rather than investing heavily in building and maintaining its own charging stations, Mercedes-Benz will use partnerships with established charging operators to provide access to a larger infrastructure network.
This strategy allows the automaker to maintain an attractive charging experience for customers without directly carrying the full costs and operational responsibilities associated with running a large public charging network.
It also reflects the growing importance of economies of scale in the European charging industry. Larger operators can spread infrastructure and maintenance costs across more locations while attracting greater charging demand.
For Mercedes-Benz, partnering with companies such as Electra and Ionity could provide broader coverage while allowing the automaker to concentrate its investments on vehicle development, battery technology and software.
What Happens to Mercedes-Benz Charging Stations Outside Europe?
The transaction is limited to the European market and does not mean Mercedes-Benz is abandoning its global charging strategy entirely.
The company’s charging infrastructure in the United States and China remains outside the deal for now.
In the United States, Mercedes-Benz has continued developing its High-Power Charging network, which includes locations designed to provide fast charging for electric vehicles from multiple manufacturers.
However, the European sale raises questions about whether the automaker could eventually reconsider its approach in other markets.
For now, Mercedes-Benz appears committed to a partnership-focused model in Europe, using third-party charging networks to provide its customers with access to a wider selection of fast-charging locations.
