Mercedes-Benz is to build a global branded charging network for its electric car customers, starting in the US and Canada this year and rolling it out later in Europe and China, writes Brian Byrne. Announced at last week’s CES show in Las Vegas, the system in the US is envisaged to have 2,500 chargers across 400 strategically located hubs by 2027. The German carmaker will partner with local EV charging and technology companies in the scheme, which will also utilise the Mercedes me Charge system whereby the charge unit communicates directly with the vehicle without the need for manual use of a charging card or fob. Partnering with companies that provide ‘green’ electricity will be a feature of the scheme. Mercedes-Benz intends to go all-electric wherever market conditions allow by the end of this decade.