Mercedes-Benz Is Latest Car Company to Sign On for Tesla’s EV Charging Stations

“To accelerate the shift to electric vehicles, we are dedicated to elevating the entire EV-experience for our customers – including fast, convenient, and reliable charging solutions wherever their
Mercedes-Benz
takes them,” said Ola Källenius, chairman of the car maker’s board of managers, in a news release.

Mercedes is far from the first car company to give drivers the option to use Tesla charging stations. General Motors (GM), Ford Motor (F), and Volvo have done the same in a series of moves that have made Tesla’s charging technology the de facto standard for the U.S.

That benefits Tesla because it charges customers to use its network to refuel. The car companies gain because having more chargers available is likely to address concern among potential buyers of EVs that they might not be able to refuel on long road trips.

In February, Tesla agreed to make many of its chargers accessible to EVs from other manufacturers as the White House rolled out an expanded effort to improve the country’s EV charging network. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act included $7.5 billion in federal funds for EV charging., while the February announcement included an additional $2.5 billion in discretionary grants to build charging infrastructure.

President Joe Biden eventually wants 500,000 chargers along roads and highways to encourage EV sales. He is aiming for all-electric vehicles to account for half of all new car sales by 2030. 

Tesla shares gained 0.4% Friday to $277.58, while American depositary receipts of Mercedes gained 1% to $19.63.

Write to Angela Palumbo at angela.palumbo@dowjones.com