Mercedes ELF Assessments Future EV Charging Options

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Regardless of adjustments in market circumstances, Mercedes remains to be making a dedication to emissions-free driving significantly. The corporate’s ELF electrical van — the initials stand for Experimental Lade Fahrzeug — helps to develop the charging applied sciences of the longer term. This one automobile 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. It is usually a take a look at mattress for each AC and DC vehicle-to-grid applied sciences.

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

“ELF is greater than a automobile. 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 cellular charging lab unites ultra-fast, bi-directional, photo voltaic, inductive and conductive charging in a holistic idea that doesn’t simply take a look at the bounds of what’s doable, it redefines them.”

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

Then there’s the charging gear itself. Charging energy might differ relying on what number of different autos are charging on the identical location on the identical time. Charging gear and cables that carry excessive present hundreds get scorching and must be cooled throughout operation.

Briefly, charging an electrical automobile 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 making an attempt to choreograph a Broadway musical utilizing amateurs who occurred to be strolling by the theater at any given second. Mercedes is conducting experiments at the moment to study what charging protocols sooner or later ought to seem like to ensure that the EV revolution to proceed easily.

CCS & MCS

ELF is supplied with two quick charging techniques — CCS and MCS. CCS is the present customary for passenger vehicles and sometimes maxes out at 350 to 400 kW. ELF is studying easy methods to enhance that to as a lot as 900 kW, which might make a typical charging session about 10 minutes lengthy. The take a look at van is getting used at the moment to check elements similar to cables, connectors, cooling, and charging controls that Mercedes says are near being manufacturing prepared and will probably be integrated into it electrical autos within the close to future.

The take a look at van can 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 underneath excessive circumstances. Its findings are being integrated into the event of long-distance autos 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 longer term is being developed. However, the sequence manufacturing readiness of current techniques and in flip, the charging expertise of at the moment is being improved,” the corporate says.

The Mercedes Idea AMG GT XX is among the beneficiaries of this ongoing testing and analysis program. It will probably 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 latest take a look at, 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 by way of a CCS cable — double what was beforehand doable. 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 integrated 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 typical refueling processes. Shorter charging instances imply higher flexibility when travelling and a major enhance in comfort in on a regular basis life. Mercedes is thus underlining its progressive energy 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 total potential of this key know-how: not solely absorbing electrical energy, but in addition feeding it into the house, into the grid, or on to electrical gadgets. This permits electrical autos to turn into an lively a part of a sustainable power system. Sooner or later, they may supply prospects higher independence and potential value financial savings. The ELF checks bidirectional charging in actual world situations and the findings are fed straight into the sequence improvement of future fashions.”

The ELF is able to each AC and DC bi-directional charging, Mercedes says. AC permits the facility provide of auto to load (V2L) wherein the traction battery provides energy on to issues like energy instruments or outside lighting. With assistance from a bi-directional AC wallbox, vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functions are made doable as effectively. A problem with V2G techniques is that standardization turns into extra advanced as a result of the automobile should meet the necessities of various energy grids.

DC permits a automobile to interface straight with residential photo voltaic panel techniques and battery storage gadgets. If a house already has these facilities, tapping the facility saved in a automobile’s battery to assist grid operations is less complicated, although the preliminary value 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 Know-how and the brand new GLC with EQ Know-how are already geared up for bi-directional charging with a appropriate DC wallbox. In 2026, Mercedes will launch its first companies for bi-directional charging in Germany, France, and the UK, with different markets to comply with.

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

An electrical automobile from Mercedes has a battery of between 70 and 100 kWh, which is sufficient to provide a median 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 12 months in utility prices.

“Electrical autos play a central function within the power transition, not solely as native CO₂-free technique of transport, but in addition as cellular storage for renewable power. Via 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 take a look at mattress for wi-fi or inductive charging. “This know-how presents nice potential, particularly at dwelling and for fleet functions, because it makes charging extra handy and nearly invisible,” Mercedes says.

The ELF  can cost wirelessly at as much as 11 kW AC — much like the facility of a typical wallbox. It’s presently getting used to check on a regular basis usability, effectivity, and compatibility with totally different automobile heights and positions with a watch to utilizing it for robotaxi and fleet functions.

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

Within the ELF, specific consideration has been paid to the set up of the connector within the automobile flooring and the positioning necessities — the automobile have to be positioned in a selected space above the charging plate with a view 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 similar as that for a wired system and barely higher than inductive options.

Automated Charging

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

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

Little doubt, 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 corporations could also be doing in order effectively, though their efforts usually are not effectively publicized.

The charging expertise makes driving an electrical automobile a pleasure when it really works effectively, 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.