As electric vehicles are gaining more popularity these days, the necessary charging infrastructure is also on everyone’s mind. Amid this circumstance, Mercedes-Benz announced the opening of its own station network throughout Europe, North America, and China at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The Plan

According to the official announcement, the launching of Mercedes-Benz’s first-ever open EV charging network is scheduled to happen later this year in North America. The company aims to have over 400 hubs or stations, with over 2500 high-power plugs or high-speed chargers in operation across the country by 2027. The network will also expand to include other global markets, especially Europe and China, with more than 10,000 EV chargers, by the end of the decade. As per the company’s plan, initially, there will be 4-12 chargers at each station, but the number can grow up to 30 at each in the future.

The Logistics

Mercedes-Benz is going to launch this EV network venture in collaboration with MN8 Energy and ChargePoint. While MN8 Energy will work on providing renewable energy for the stations, the latter will aid the company in other charging-oriented technical aspects. As a shareholder in ChargePoint, Mercedes-Benz had already worked with the company on their ‘Mercedes me Charge’ technology opened previously in the U.S. According to the plan, some of the new charging stations will also have security features and solar-powered lights.

The Advantages

Crucially, unlike Tesla and a few other automaker companies, the stations of Mercedes-Benz will be open to any compatible electronic vehicle, meaning other brands are welcome to use their charging points. But according to Markus Schaefer, the chief technology officer of Mercedes-Benz, the new charging network will always prioritize the Mercedes-Benz drivers and customers in terms of providing safe and convenient service. As Schaefer stated, the plan will include discounted prices for all the ‘Mercedes me Charge’ users and also a dynamic pre-booking process for a charging reservation at a specific hub location.

Some RVs are built to be comfortable for a few weeks, but they aren’t necessarily somewhere you would want to live forever. This Scania RV might just be the home of the future as it comes equipped with three bedrooms and a garage.

Luxury Living, Wherever You Travel

The Scania RV is a cab-over truck, meaning it’s only available for Europeans at the moment. The luxury treatment begins at the cab and only gets better the further you move throughout the rig. Those in the driver and passenger seats can enjoy a high-level trim, with the original drop-down bunk remaining. The RV truck also comes equipped with parking sensors, navigation, and rear cameras.

Making Space For Everyone

The rear of the RV features sliding walls, meaning you get a full-size kitchen without compromising elsewhere. Thanks to those sliding walls, the Scania RV boasts a four-burner stove, along with an oven, full-size sink, and spacious refrigerator-freezer combination.

The living area comes with enough space to fit a 32-inch TV, which is just one of three television sets inside. There is a master bedroom and an additional bedroom for children or guests.

Cleaning In Style

Many RVs only have a makeshift bathroom, but in the Scania, you can get used to home comforts. The bathroom has been decorated in stone and comes with a full-size shower and a regular flush toilet.

There is enough water storage for 198 gallons of fresh water, 111 gallons for gray water, and 53 gallons for wastewater. The heating system on the truck not only heats the water for your showers but enables the floors throughout to have underfloor heating.

As if this expansive RV wasn’t great enough already, there is still more. This truck also hosts a garage at the rear, which is perfect as a workstation, or a place you can rinse yourself down after a muddy hike.