Mercedes-Benz to expand its fast-charging network in 2026

Starting in 2026, the HYC1000 charging system from Alpitronic, the European market leader in high-power charging, will be installed at new Mercedes-Benz charging parks in Europe and North America.

The new HYC1000 system introduces a modular, decentralised architecture, with the external power unit providing up to 1,000kW that will be distributed across multiple charging points. This flexibility allows charging hubs to be tailored to specific site requirements. For customers, this means extremely short charging times, for example, recharging the Mercedes-Benz CLA to add up to 325km of range in just 10 minutes.

With the HYC1000 system allowing a single charging point to be able to deliver up to 600kW, this means the Mercedes-Benz CLA can recharge up to 325km in just 10 minutes

In addition, both brands are developing a dedicated high-performance fast charger. The goal is to enable charging performance that significantly exceeds today’s standards, making charging as fast as refuelling. 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 maturity.

Mercedes-Benz charging hubs are open to drivers of all brands and has been growing steadily, with 2025 seeing the opening of its first charging parks in Austria and Japan, joining those already in service in Germany, the U.S.A, and China. Around 80 charging hubs are already in operation, with Mercedes-Benz planning to have more than 10,000 fast-charging points worldwide by the end of the decade.