Mercedes-Benz has created a car power bank

Mercedes-Benz has transformed a Mercedes V-Class minivan into an experimental charging vehicle — a mobile power bank with a large battery, solar panels, and wireless charging.

According to a message on the official website of the German automaker, the prototype was called the Experimental Lade Fahrzeug (ELF).

It is noted that the new Mercedes ELF is a kind of mobile laboratory that explores the possibilities of different ways of charging and using the car as an energy storage. It was created on the basis of the EQV model - the electric Mercedes V-Class.

With the ELF test vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is exploring the limits of what is technically possible, both in the vehicle and at the charging station, as stated in the press release. To this end, the test vehicle is equipped with two fast charging systems that cover different areas of application:

▪️MCS connector (megawatt charging system) — this system, designed for heavy-duty vehicles, allows charging vehicles in the megawatt range; MCS serves as a research tool for testing the thermal resistance and performance of high-voltage batteries, power electronics, charging cables and other components in extreme conditions;

▪️CCS connector (Combined Charging System) — the system is used as a standard for passenger cars; for testing various components: cables, connectors, cooling systems and charging management in everyday conditions.

"Mercedes‑Benz teamed up with Alpitronic, the European market leader in high-power charging, to develop a prototype high-performance charging station for the CONCEPT AMG GT XX's record-breaking drive. For the first time, it can transmit currents of up to 1,000 amps via a CCS cable – twice as much as was previously possible," the company said.

It is also reported that the Mercedes ELF electric car is equipped with a 100 kWh battery and solar panels on the roof. It has a bidirectional charging function, that is, it can act as a large power bank. This mode is found in many modern electric cars, but Mercedes-Benz has expanded its functionality. There are three modes of operation of bidirectional charging:

▪️V2L — power supply for electrical appliances;

▪️V2H — home power supply (charge lasts for 2-4 days);

▪️V2G — energy transfer from a car to the power grid.

Bidirectional charging can be done with both alternating and direct current. The function is useful during blackouts. It also allows you to save money – charge the car at night and use electricity during periods of peak load on the network.

As we wrote earlier, the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which has recently been the company's most popular car, has received a fully electric version of the GLC 400 4MATIC. This is not just an old model with a battery – the car is designed from the ground up as an electric car. The electric Mercedes-Benz GLC has an all-wheel drive powertrain with a capacity of 360 kW. The range is up to 713 km from a battery with a capacity of 94 kWh. The car supports an 800-volt architecture, which provides extremely fast charging.

Read also: Mercedes cars will be able to use the camera for Microsoft Teams calls while driving

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