Charging infrastructure as a comprehensive service
On September 9, Mercedes-Benz announced a partnership with ChargePoint for corporate customers in the Benelux. The offering is intended to combine initial site planning, installation, operation and subsequent service of the charging infrastructure.
The companies link it to fleet electrification and reduced total cost of ownership. This is the stated goal of the partnership; the actual economic outcome will depend on the site, number of vehicles and operating mode.
Why it is not enough for a fleet to buy a charger
Connection capacity, vehicle return schedule, load distribution and energy metering need to be coordinated. If most vehicles are parked overnight, the requirements may be different from a service with short daytime stops. Therefore, the solution starts with the routes, not the maximum capacity of the equipment.
What to include in the terms of reference
Collect data on daily mileage, downtime, available electrical capacity and expansion reserve. Ask separately about repair times and how charging sessions are managed. The announcement applies to Benelux: availability of such a package in another country should be confirmed separately. The cost comparison of cars should take into account the infrastructure, not just their purchase price.
