Mercedes ELF Tests Future EV Charging Solutions

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Despite changes in market conditions, Mercedes is still making a commitment to emissions-free driving seriously. The company’s ELF electric van — the initials stand for Experimental Lade Fahrzeug — is helping to develop the charging technologies of the future. This one vehicle is able to handle both CCS high-power charging and MCS megawatt charging, as well as wireless charging. But that’s not all. It is also a test bed for both AC and DC vehicle-to-grid technologies.

In a blog post about ELF, Mercedes says, “Electric mobility is more than just technology — it stands for responsibility towards the environment, society and future generations. Charging must also be efficient, intelligent and sustainable. That is why Mercedes‑Benz is consistently working on innovative charging solutions for the home, workplace and public spaces – and actively shaping the future of charging.

“ELF is more than a vehicle. It’s a symbol of a bold new era in charging … that demonstrates what happens when visionary technology, courageous ideas, and passionate teamwork come together. This mobile charging lab unites ultra-fast, bi-directional, solar, inductive and conductive charging in a holistic concept that doesn’t just test the limits of what’s possible, it redefines them.”

We tend to focus on how much power an EV can accept. Manufacturers tout cars that can theoretically charge at 400 kW of power or more, yet in reality, they may taper that charging power to as little as 100 kW depending on several factors, including ambient temperature, temperature of the battery, safety protocols programmed into a car’s battery management system, and corporate concerns about battery longevity and warranties.

Then there is the charging equipment itself. Charging power may vary depending on how many other vehicles are charging at the same location at the same time. Charging equipment and cables that carry high current loads get hot and need to be cooled during operation.

In short, charging an electric vehicle is a dance involving multiple players, all of whom need to be in sync with each other for the process to go smoothly. Otherwise, it is like trying to choreograph a Broadway musical using amateurs who happened to be walking by the theater at any given moment. Mercedes is conducting experiments today to learn what charging protocols in the future should look like in order for the EV revolution to proceed smoothly.

CCS & MCS

ELF is equipped with two fast charging systems — CCS and MCS. CCS is the current standard for passenger cars and typically maxes out at 350 to 400 kW. ELF is learning how to boost that to as much as 900 kW, which would make a typical charging session about 10 minutes long. The test van is being used today to test components such as cables, connectors, cooling, and charging controls that Mercedes says are close to being production ready and will be incorporated into it electric vehicles in the near future.

The test van is also capable of using the megawatt (1000 kW+) charging system (MCS) developed for heavy-duty trucks. ELF is being used to test the thermal resilience and performance limits of high-voltage batteries, power electronics, charging cables, and other components under extreme conditions. Its findings are being incorporated into the development of long-distance vehicles and fleet solutions.

“With the combination of MCS and CCS, Mercedes is pursuing a dual research approach. On the one hand, new technological horizons are being explored and the technology of the future is being developed. On the other hand, the series production readiness of existing systems and in turn, the charging experience of today is being improved,” the company says.

The Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX is one of the beneficiaries of this ongoing testing and research program. It can add 400 kilometers of range in about five minutes because it accepts 850 kW at 1000 amps over a large portion of the charging curve. In a recent test, it achieved a peak charging power of 1,041 kW during megawatt charging.

Mercedes partnered with Alpitronic to develop a prototype high-performance charging station that can supply up to 1,000 amps via a CCS cable — double what was previously possible. To accomplish this, an MCS charger was retrofitted with a CCS connector while the cooling capacity of the plug and cable was retained. Company research teams simulated the process in a testing and validation protocol before the real-world trial began.

The findings from the prototype charging station are being directly incorporated into the development of a new generation of high-performance fast chargers, which are to be used at Mercedes‑Benz charging parks, the company says.

“Customers will therefore benefit from an extremely fast charging processes, with charging times that differ only minimally from conventional refueling processes. Shorter charging times mean greater flexibility when travelling and a significant increase in convenience in everyday life. Mercedes is thus underlining its innovative strength and aims to set new standards for public charging in the future.”

ELF And Bi-Directional Charging

Bi-directional charging “is a strategic lever for the energy transition. With the ELF, Mercedes‑Benz is exploring the full potential of this key technology: not only absorbing electricity, but also feeding it into the home, into the grid, or directly to electrical devices. This allows electric vehicles to become an active part of a sustainable energy system. In the future, they will offer customers greater independence and potential cost savings. The ELF tests bidirectional charging in real world scenarios and the findings are fed directly into the series development of future models.”

The ELF is capable of both AC and DC bi-directional charging, Mercedes says. AC enables the power supply of vehicle to load (V2L) in which the traction battery supplies power directly to things like power tools or outdoor lighting. With the aid of a bi-directional AC wallbox, vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications are made possible as well. A challenge with V2G systems is that standardization becomes more complex because the vehicle must meet the requirements of different power grids.

DC allows a vehicle to interface directly with residential solar panel systems and battery storage devices. If a home already has those amenities, tapping the power stored in a vehicle’s battery to support grid operations is easier, even though the initial cost of the appropriate wall charger and inverter may be more expensive. ELF has the ability for DC bi-directional charging to further understand the technical challenges associates with its use.

The new CLA with EQ Technology and the new GLC with EQ Technology are already equipped for bi-directional charging with a compatible DC wallbox. In 2026, Mercedes will launch its first services for bi-directional charging in Germany, France, and the UK, with other markets to follow.

MB.CHARGE Home combines the vehicle, bi-directional wallbox, green electricity tariff, and energy market access to reduce household costs and support grid stability. Thanks to intelligent controls and an app, vehicles can not only charge in a cost-optimized manner, but also feed energy back into the home network or power grid. This turns electric cars into active energy storage devices and contributes to the energy transition.

An electric vehicle from Mercedes has a battery of between 70 and 100 kWh, which is enough to supply an average home with electricity for two to four days in V2H mode. If a residential solar system is in use, excess electricity from it can be stored in the car’s battery for later use. Bi-directional operation can save homeowners about €500 a year in utility costs.

“Electric vehicles play a central role in the energy transition, not only as local CO₂-free means of transport, but also as mobile storage for renewable energy. Through bi-directional charging, they can absorb excess energy from wind and solar power plants and feed it back into the grid when needed. This opens up new opportunities for grid stability, security of supply, and better use of renewable energy sources,” Mercedes says.

Inductive & Conductive Charging

The ELF experimental van hasn’t revealed all its secrets yet. In addition to CCS, MCS, and V2X capabilities, it also is a rolling test bed for wireless or inductive charging. “This technology offers great potential, especially at home and for fleet applications, as it makes charging more convenient and virtually invisible,” Mercedes says.

The ELF  can charge wirelessly at up to 11 kW AC — similar to the power of a typical wallbox. It is currently being used to test everyday usability, efficiency, and compatibility with different vehicle heights and positions with an eye to using it for robotaxi and fleet applications.

Conductive charging uses special charging plates in the floor that communicate with the vehicle. They help the driver or the parking assistant to park the vehicle correctly and initiate the charging process. Energy is transferred via a direct physical connection using a connector in the vehicle floor. The charging power is currently 11 kW AC.

In the ELF, particular attention has been paid to the installation of the connector in the vehicle floor and the positioning requirements — the vehicle must be positioned in a specific area above the charging plate in order to start the charging process, which requires targeted parking.

Conductive charging eliminates the need for connecting or disconnecting charging cables and is particularly suitable for use in tight parking spaces. It results in a neat appearance and requires less space than traditional charging stations. The effective radius is the same as that for a wired system and slightly better than inductive solutions.

Automated Charging

Are we done with the capabilities of ELF yet? Not quite. Mercedes is also using it to explore robotic charging, which it expects to play an important role in fast charging both for heavy vehicles and premium electric cars where high current and large cables are used. It is researching automated charging systems that enable vehicles to connect to chargers precisely, safely, and without any manual intervention. “This is a decisive step, especially for fleet operators, barrier-free mobility concepts, and the premium segment,” the company says.

These developments are closely linked to the work of Mercedes’ in-house Charging Unit, which is responsible for the global rollout of the Mercedes‑Benz Charging Network, a brand-owned fast charging network with a focus on convenience, reliability, and premium service for drivers of electric vehicles of all brands.

No doubt, other automakers are conducting similar experiments. We know that Volkswagen is conducting V2G trials in Europe, as is Renault in Utrecht and Sweden with WeRide. Other companies may be doing so as well, although their efforts are not well publicized.

The charging experience makes driving an electric car a joy when it works well, but it turns it into a nightmare when it does not. By focusing on that aspect of EV ownership, Mercedes is helping move the EV revolution forward.