A critical West Coast travel corridor is getting a caffeine boost as Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Stations are set to come to Starbucks.  The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network and Starbucks have announced a strategic collaboration to electrify over 100 Starbucks stores across the US — specifically along the 1,400-mile Interstate 5 corridor, a critical west coast travel corridor spanning from Canada to Mexico.

The plan is to install 400-kilowatt DC fast chargers, open to all vehicle brands, at jointly selected Starbucks stores located along I-5. Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging’s customers will be able to DC fast charge their EVs and grab a beverage while they charge, part of a broader idea to elevate the EV charging experience.

The two partners said that they share an ambition to identify additional opportunities in key markets, including core urban areas, charging deserts, and other critical travel corridors. In other words, we might see additional deployment of Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging’s chargers at Starbucks in the U.S.

The Starbucks franchise in the US already has over 1,000 company-operated and licensed stores with nearby access to EV charging. One of the company’s other partners in DC fast charging is Volvo. 

Andrew Cornelia, the President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging, said:

“The collaboration between two leading brands like Mercedes-Benz and Starbucks will uplift the charging experience for all EV drivers. Together, we seek to infuse delight into this facet of EV ownership through intentional experiences that make drivers genuinely excited to plug in. We envision a future where charging your vehicle is as easy as enjoying your favorite Starbucks.”

Michael Kobori, Starbucks’ chief sustainability officer, said:

“At Starbucks, we have a long history of bringing renewable and clean energy projects to connect communities that lack this infrastructure. Partnering with Mercedes is the next step in expanding our EV charging network so our customers can refuel sustainably while they enjoy Starbucks.”

A glimpse of North America’s first Mercedes-Benz charging hub in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network opened its inaugural charging site in November 2023 as part of an initial $1 billion investment to build the most desirable charging network. By the decade’s end, the network plans to deploy at least 400 charging hubs with over 2,500 chargers across North America.

The company has already installed a dozen locations with 400 kW speed charging across Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Within the next 12-18 months, the network is expected to expand to nearly half of the U.S. states by the end of 2026.

From Q3 of 2024, these 400-kW chargers will be supplied by Alpitronic (at least part of the initial batch was supplied by ChargePoint).