Mercedes Aims At BYD With Megawatt-Capable Ultra-Fast EV Chargers

Mercedes' network adds Alpitronic’s latest ultra-fast chargers for 600 kW speeds, while developing an output of 1,000 kW to a single EV.

Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology, Alpitronic DC Fast Charger

Photo by: Mercedes-Benz

Iulian Dnistran

By: Iulian Dnistran

Sep 9, 2025 at 7:03am ET

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Mercedes-Benz’s electric vehicle charging network is in for a big upgrade.
Starting next year, the German automaker’s DC fast chargers will pump out up to 600 kW per vehicle.
That’s a significant increase over today’s 350 kW fast chargers, and it should make charging stops shorter and more convenient.

China's BYD has made worldwide headlines for its new megawatt charging technology, which can deliver 1,000 kilowatt speeds for five-minute charging stops. Now, Mercedes-Benz is upping its charging game too, boosting speeds to nearly double what's considered "fast" today and working up to 1,000-kW power too.

This is all thanks in no small part to Alpitronic, one of the most well-known names in the EV charging industry. Starting next year, the German automaker, which also runs its own DC fast charging network, will start installing Alpitronic’s megawatt-capable stalls, both in Europe and North America.

The star of the show is the HYC 1000 charging system. Its external power unit provides up to 1,000 kilowatts at 800 amps to multiple dispensers. The individual stalls, meanwhile, can send up to 600 kW (1,000 volts at 600 amps) to a connected EV, but only if the right conditions are met.

Ionity-branded Alpitronic HYC1000 chargers

Photo by: Ionity

According to Alpitronic, one Power Cabinet can power up to four stalls, each with dual liquid-cooled cables. If a single EV is being charged, the full 600 kW can be sent to it, provided the car can accept such a high power input. In the case of the new Mercedes CLA, for example, that means charging of 325 kilometers—about 200 miles—in 10 minutes of charging.

If multiple EVs are being charged simultaneously, the system can dynamically allocate power per charging point.

This is important because not all EVs are created equal. The new Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology can accept up to 330 kW, which is quite impressive, but other EVs, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, manage a little over 200 kW. Meanwhile, the MG4 maxes out at less than 150 kW. As long as the total power input of eight EVs doesn’t go over 1,000 kW, Alpitronic’s system should be a great fit.

All of this means shorter charging times and less hassle.