Mercedes ELF Assessments Future EV Charging Options

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Regardless of modifications in market circumstances, Mercedes continues to be making a dedication to emissions-free driving critically. The corporate’s ELF electrical van — the initials stand for Experimental Lade Fahrzeug — helps to develop the charging applied sciences of the long run. This one car is ready to deal with each CCS high-power charging and MCS megawatt charging, in addition to wi-fi charging. However that’s not all. Additionally it is a check mattress for each AC and DC vehicle-to-grid applied sciences.

In a weblog publish about ELF, Mercedes says, “Electrical mobility is extra than simply know-how — it stands for duty in the direction of the setting, society and future generations. Charging should even be environment friendly, clever and sustainable. That’s the reason Mercedes‑Benz is constantly engaged on modern charging options for the house, office and public areas – and actively shaping the way forward for charging.

“ELF is greater than a car. It’s a logo of a daring new period in charging … that demonstrates what occurs when visionary know-how, brave concepts, and passionate teamwork come collectively. This cell charging lab unites ultra-fast, bi-directional, photo voltaic, inductive and conductive charging in a holistic idea that doesn’t simply check the bounds of what’s attainable, it redefines them.”

We are likely to give attention to how a lot energy an EV can settle for. Producers tout automobiles that may theoretically cost at 400 kW of energy or extra, but in actuality, they might taper that charging energy to as little as 100 kW relying on a number of components, together with ambient temperature, temperature of the battery, security protocols programmed right into a automobile’s battery administration system, and company issues about battery longevity and warranties.

Then there may be the charging tools itself. Charging energy could fluctuate relying on what number of different automobiles are charging on the similar location on the similar time. Charging tools and cables that carry excessive present hundreds get sizzling and must be cooled throughout operation.

Briefly, charging an electrical car is a dance involving a number of gamers, all of whom must be in sync with one another for the method to go easily. In any other case, it’s like attempting to choreograph a Broadway musical utilizing amateurs who occurred to be strolling by the theater at any given second. Mercedes is conducting experiments in the present day to be taught what charging protocols sooner or later ought to seem like to ensure that the EV revolution to proceed easily.

CCS & MCS

ELF is provided with two quick charging programs — CCS and MCS. CCS is the present customary for passenger automobiles and usually maxes out at 350 to 400 kW. ELF is studying tips on how to increase that to as a lot as 900 kW, which might make a typical charging session about 10 minutes lengthy. The check van is getting used in the present day to check elements resembling cables, connectors, cooling, and charging controls that Mercedes says are near being manufacturing prepared and will likely be included into it electrical automobiles within the close to future.

The check van can also be able to utilizing the megawatt (1000 kW+) charging system (MCS) developed for heavy-duty vans. ELF is getting used to check the thermal resilience and efficiency limits of high-voltage batteries, energy electronics, charging cables, and different elements beneath excessive circumstances. Its findings are being included into the event of long-distance automobiles and fleet options.

“With the mixture of MCS and CCS, Mercedes is pursuing a twin analysis strategy. On the one hand, new technological horizons are being explored and the know-how of the long run is being developed. Alternatively, the collection manufacturing readiness of present programs and in flip, the charging expertise of in the present day is being improved,” the corporate says.

The Mercedes Idea AMG GT XX is likely one of the beneficiaries of this ongoing testing and analysis program. It may well add 400 kilometers of vary in about 5 minutes as a result of it accepts 850 kW at 1000 amps over a big portion of the charging curve. In a current check, it achieved a peak charging energy of 1,041 kW throughout megawatt charging.

Mercedes partnered with Alpitronic to develop a prototype high-performance charging station that may provide as much as 1,000 amps through a CCS cable — double what was beforehand attainable. To perform this, an MCS charger was retrofitted with a CCS connector whereas the cooling capability of the plug and cable was retained. Firm analysis groups simulated the method in a testing and validation protocol earlier than the real-world trial started.

The findings from the prototype charging station are being straight included into the event of a brand new era of high-performance quick chargers, that are for use at Mercedes‑Benz charging parks, the corporate says.

“Prospects will due to this fact profit from a particularly quick charging processes, with charging instances that differ solely minimally from standard refueling processes. Shorter charging instances imply better flexibility when travelling and a big enhance in comfort in on a regular basis life. Mercedes is thus underlining its modern power and goals to set new requirements for public charging sooner or later.”

ELF And Bi-Directional Charging

Bi-directional charging “is a strategic lever for the power transition. With the ELF, Mercedes‑Benz is exploring the complete potential of this key know-how: not solely absorbing electrical energy, but additionally feeding it into the house, into the grid, or on to electrical gadgets. This enables electrical automobiles to grow to be an lively a part of a sustainable power system. Sooner or later, they’ll provide clients better independence and potential price financial savings. The ELF exams bidirectional charging in actual world situations and the findings are fed straight into the collection improvement of future fashions.”

The ELF is able to each AC and DC bi-directional charging, Mercedes says. AC permits the ability provide of car to load (V2L) wherein the traction battery provides energy on to issues like energy instruments or outside lighting. With the help of a bi-directional AC wallbox, vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) purposes are made attainable as nicely. A problem with V2G programs is that standardization turns into extra advanced as a result of the car should meet the necessities of various energy grids.

DC permits a car to interface straight with residential photo voltaic panel programs and battery storage gadgets. If a house already has these facilities, tapping the ability saved in a car’s battery to assist grid operations is simpler, although the preliminary price of the suitable wall charger and inverter could also be costlier. ELF has the power for DC bi-directional charging to additional perceive the technical challenges associates with its use.

The brand new CLA with EQ Expertise and the brand new GLC with EQ Expertise are already geared up for bi-directional charging with a appropriate DC wallbox. In 2026, Mercedes will launch its first providers for bi-directional charging in Germany, France, and the UK, with different markets to comply with.

MB.CHARGE Residence combines the car, bi-directional wallbox, inexperienced electrical energy tariff, and power market entry to cut back family prices and assist grid stability. Due to clever controls and an app, automobiles can’t solely cost in a cost-optimized method, but additionally feed power again into the house community or energy grid. This turns electrical automobiles into lively power storage gadgets and contributes to the power transition.

An electrical car from Mercedes has a battery of between 70 and 100 kWh, which is sufficient to provide a mean dwelling with electrical energy for 2 to 4 days in V2H mode. If a residential photo voltaic system is in use, extra electrical energy from it may be saved within the automobile’s battery for later use. Bi-directional operation can save owners about €500 a yr in utility prices.

“Electrical automobiles play a central function within the power transition, not solely as native CO₂-free technique of transport, but additionally as cell storage for renewable power. By means of bi-directional charging, they will take in extra power from wind and solar energy crops and feed it again into the grid when wanted. This opens up new alternatives for grid stability, safety of provide, and higher use of renewable power sources,” Mercedes says.

Inductive & Conductive Charging

The ELF experimental van hasn’t revealed all its secrets and techniques but. Along with CCS, MCS, and V2X capabilities, it is also a rolling check mattress for wi-fi or inductive charging. “This know-how gives nice potential, particularly at dwelling and for fleet purposes, because it makes charging extra handy and just about invisible,” Mercedes says.

The ELF  can cost wirelessly at as much as 11 kW AC — just like the ability of a typical wallbox. It’s at the moment getting used to check on a regular basis usability, effectivity, and compatibility with completely different car heights and positions with an eye fixed to utilizing it for robotaxi and fleet purposes.

Conductive charging makes use of particular charging plates within the ground that talk with the car. They assist the driving force or the parking assistant to park the car accurately and provoke the charging course of. Power is transferred through a direct bodily connection utilizing a connector within the car ground. The charging energy is at the moment 11 kW AC.

Within the ELF, specific consideration has been paid to the set up of the connector within the car ground and the positioning necessities — the car should be positioned in a particular space above the charging plate in an effort to begin the charging course of, which requires focused parking.

Conductive charging eliminates the necessity for connecting or disconnecting charging cables and is especially appropriate to be used in tight parking areas. It leads to a neat look and requires much less house than conventional charging stations. The efficient radius is identical as that for a wired system and barely higher than inductive options.

Automated Charging

Are we accomplished with the capabilities of ELF but? Not fairly. Mercedes can also be utilizing it to discover robotic charging, which it expects to play an essential function in quick charging each for heavy automobiles and premium electrical automobiles the place excessive present and huge cables are used. It’s researching automated charging programs that allow automobiles to connect with chargers exactly, safely, and with none guide intervention. “It is a decisive step, particularly for fleet operators, barrier-free mobility ideas, and the premium section,” the corporate says.

These developments are carefully linked to the work of Mercedes’ in-house Charging Unit, which is accountable for the worldwide rollout of the Mercedes‑Benz Charging Community, a brand-owned quick charging community with a give attention to comfort, reliability, and premium service for drivers of electrical automobiles of all manufacturers.

Little question, different automakers are conducting comparable experiments. We all know that Volkswagen is conducting V2G trials in Europe, as is Renault in Utrecht and Sweden with WeRide. Different firms could also be doing in order nicely, though their efforts aren’t nicely publicized.

The charging expertise makes driving an electrical automobile a pleasure when it really works nicely, nevertheless it turns it right into a nightmare when it doesn’t. By specializing in that facet of EV possession, Mercedes helps transfer the EV revolution ahead.