New Mercedes-Benz Wallbox charges electric cars networked and intelligently
The German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has presented a new wall box.
It is designed for up to 22 kW and is equipped with several intelligent features. Thanks to its technical pre-equipment for remote functions, for example, customers can optionally start and stop charging processes via the Mercedes me app, track the current charging status, and view the charging history for the first time. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox now has an integrated energy meter. Furthermore, it is technically possible to receive software updates "over-the-air" via the customer's internet connection in the future. This makes the wall-mounted charging station particularly future-proof.
With the new wall box, the intelligent power grid at home is already set to become a bit of reality, Mercedes-Benz said in a recent press release. Users can connect it to their internet connection via Ethernet cable or WiFi. In this way, they can conveniently operate the wall box with the Mercedes me app on their smartphone - no matter where they are. For example, they can control the charging process of their vehicle. With the help of an integrated energy meter, the current status of the charged electricity, as well as an overview of all charging processes, can be conveniently read in the Mercedes me app. An overview of the charging costs is also available. To protect against unauthorized use, the Mercedes-Benz wall box can be unlocked or locked via the app or by an RFID card.
The Wallbox also has the technical capability to receive software updates "over-the-air" in the future. In this way, additional practical functions can be continuously added, for example, access control with RFID or the smart integration of the wall box into the customer's energy network and energy management system.
The design of the housing follows the creative principles of Mercedes-EQ and is thus recognizable in the garage or carport as a product of the manufacturer. At the same time, it is robust and enables intuitive operation. The wall box controls the charging process, adapts the charging power to the charging process, and has a three-phase output of up to 22 kW. A multi-colored LED light on the wall box indicates the current status of the charging process. During charging, the integrated safety components provide additional protection against fault currents for the vehicle, the house installation, and the wall box when installed properly.
To comply with national subsidy requirements, if applicable, the maximum charging power can be reduced to 11 kW when installed by a qualified electrician. In Germany, the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox is supplied with a permanently connected six-meter charging cable with a Type 2 plug. Depending on national requirements, it is also expected to be available as a version with a Type 2 socket in the fourth quarter of 2022. The Mercedes-Benz Wallbox charges all current and future Mercedes-Benz electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles with the universal Type 2 connection according to the IEC 61851-1 standard. Of course, electric cars from other manufacturers can also be charged.
The Wallbox is expected to be available at Mercedes-Benz dealers in Germany and in many European countries in April 2022. In some markets, it will also gradually be available online in the Mercedes-Benz Shop. Selected installation partners will also offer the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox. The recommended retail price in Germany is 990 euros (incl. 19% VAT), plus the cost of professional installation.
The respective national installation partner will assist with advice and installation of the wall box. The market launch of the Wallbox will take place successively in the next few months in the following countries: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Norway, Ireland, Finland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Australia, Thailand, New Zealand, France, Portugal, Mexico.