Mercedes-Benz has opened its first public High-Power Charging site at a Starbucks in Red Bluff, California, marking the debut of its nationwide plan to pair ultra-fast EV chargers with major retail partners. The location sits directly on the I-5 corridor, one of the busiest long-distance routes on the West Coast, and features 400 kW DC fast chargers capable of adding up to 300 miles in around 10 minutes, depending on the vehicle. The chargers support both NACSand CCS, keeping the site open to all EVs, not just Mercedes models.
The move comes as the brand prepares for a wave of new EVs, including the upcoming next-gen Mercedes-CLA EV. Building more high-speed charging hubs is a key piece of that rollout.
Mercedes
A New Charging Model Built Around Convenience
Mercedes and Starbucks first announced their collaboration last year, aiming to equip more than 100 Starbucks stores with high-power charging. The Red Bluff location is the first full public site under the program. The hub uses 400 kW hardware, among the fastest publicly available in the U.S., and was built in partnership with MN8 Energy. Drivers can charge while grabbing food or coffee, a model designed for real-world usability rather than standalone charging lots.
The chargers are equipped with both major plug standards, meaning Tesla, Mercedes, and all CCS-equipped EVs can use the site. The cross-brand approach mirrors the broader industry shift toward openness and compatibility as more EVs enter the market.
Mercedes-AMG
Part of Mercedes’ Broader Performance and EV Push
The new charging site arrives as Mercedes restructures its performance and EV portfolio. Models like the upcoming electric AMG GLC, depend on reliable ultra-fast public charging to support long-distance use. At the same time, Mercedes is phasing out or revising some models that struggled to align with evolving emissions rules and customer demand, including potentially shortening the run of the controversial four-cylinder AMG C63.
The new charging infrastructure shows the brand’s commitment to supporting its next generation of EVs with a charging network that matches the performance its future models aim to deliver.
Mercedes
Why It Matters
A luxury charging network only works if it’s convenient, fast, and widely accessible, and Mercedes appears ready to check all three boxes. Opening hubs at Starbucks locations gives drivers something useful to do while charging, removes the pressure of finding remote charging stations, and boosts nationwide EV access in a familiar setting.
If Mercedes follows through on installing chargers at more than 100 locations, this partnership could become one of the most practical charging expansions in the U.S., especially along long-haul corridors where 350–400 kW hardware is still rare.
