Charging an electric van is simpler than you might think. But understanding the different charger types, costs, and public network options is crucial for maximising efficiency and minimising downtime. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to charge your van, battery management, and cost optimisation for your Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle.

For an in-depth guide on electric vehicle terminology, visit our EV Glossary. And if you want to find out more on how to maximise your EV battery life, read our Electric Vehicle Battery Life Guide.

Electric vehicle chargers (or charging points) use either AC or DC power. How fast the van will charge is expressed in kilowatts (kW). The higher the number, the faster your van will charge.
 

AC (Alternating Current) power comes from the national grid. It’s the most common charging method, however because it needs to be converted in order to power the battery, it’s not the fastest. Most homes in the UK will be able to charge at 7.4 kW. For homes with three phase (generally new builds from 2020) you may be able to charge at 11 kW.
 

DC (Direct Current) charging is much more powerful and provides a more constant charge – so it’s ideal for rapidly charging electric vehicles in as little as 30 minutes. Typically, chargers range from 50 kW to 100 kW however, some are rated at over 300 kW. The graphic tells you more about this and the type of connectors typically for each source.

DC chargers always have the cable tethered, so there’s no need to carry your own cable for DC charging.

Whether it’s a wallbox charger installed in your home or a public charger at a supermarket or fuel station, the amount of power the charger supplies will determine how quickly it will recharge your van’s battery.

As electric vehicle technology has evolved, so have the number of charging connector types. Electric vehicles in the UK either have a Type 1 or Type 2 socket for slow/fast charging and CHAdeMO or CCS for DC rapid charging.
 

Fortunately, in the UK you should only ever have to use two connector types. If you buy a Mercedes-Benz van, you’ll currently use the Type 2 connector for AC slow/fast charging and the CCS for DC Rapid charging – the charging socket in your vehicle will connect to both. Let us explain more:
 

Type 1 connectors
While these are still popular in America, you’ll only find these 5 pin Type 1 connectors in older electric vehicles in the UK.

Type 2 connectors
These are the most common connector types in the UK, 7 pin Type 2 connectors. This is the type you’ll currently use when connecting a Mercedes-Benz eSprinter or eVito to a slow/fast charging point.

CCS
CCS (‘Combined Charging System’) is the most common connector type in the UK for connecting to rapid DC charging points. You will use a CCS connector with all our latest electric vans. It’s being phased in as the standard for all car brands in UK and EU.
 

CHAdeMO
This was the rival DC rapid charging connector type, and was common for Japanese brands. You’ll see CHAdeMO connectors at rapid charge points, but all new cars and vans are build with CCS.

Mercedes-Benz electric van batteries are engineered to meet the demands of everyday commercial operation, whether charging takes place at home, at your business premises, or using public rapid chargers. To help preserve long-term battery health, charging speeds may reduce once the battery reaches around 80% capacity, as part of the vehicle’s battery management system. Real-world range and charging performance can also be influenced by factors such as ambient temperature, driving style, vehicle load, and charging habits. Understanding battery care and charging best practices can help businesses maintain predictable running costs, optimise performance, and maximise vehicle availability and uptime.

To keep your business moving you need to keep your electric vans charged and ready to go. The Mercedes-Benz app has many intelligent features including remote charging which enables you to monitor the charging levels using your smartphone and navigation features showing the location of public chargers on your route.

Your preferred Mercedes-Benz Vans Dealer will help make buying and installing a home or office charger a seamless part of your van buying process. We work closely with our charging partners, Rightcharge and EO charging. Once you choose your van, your Dealer will put you in touch to arrange the installation of your charger at home or work.

There are now over 120,000 public charging points and the number is growing by the day – in fact, there are now more electric vehicle charging points than petrol stations, debunking the myth that there aren’t enough public chargers. You’ll find these at supermarkets, drive-thru restaurants, hotels, motorway service stations and many other locations. They’re easy to find online and as well as using Mercedes-Benz App (see above), you can also use websites such as Zap Map and Plugshare to see the nearest ones to you.
 

If you’re planning to top-up your van during your working day, you’ll probably want to find a rapid charger that’s on your route or near your site.

Some chargers are free, while others charge you for the electricity you use.
 

There are currently over 1,800 free public chargers, which are mostly the fast charging type and are typically found at visitor attractions, hotels and some supermarkets, so they may be ‘customer-only.

Public charging across the UK is provided by a wide range of charging networks, including bp pulse, Pod Point and Instavolt. Many modern rapid and ultra-rapid chargers now offer simple contactless payment, allowing you to arrive, plug in and pay using a debit or credit card, as well as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Some older or lower-powered chargers may still require you to use the provider’s app, website or RFID card to begin charging. Using a charging network’s app or subscription can also provide access to preferential charging rates and a more seamless experience when charging regularly. Public charge points do not accept cash payments.

Many councils are also making on-street chargers available for those without driveways. Some of these are free, while others have payment schemes for residents.

With the Mercedes-Benz App, locating nearby charge points along your route is simple. Intelligent route guidance helps you plan charging stops efficiently, helping to optimise range and keep your journey moving seamlessly.

Several UK grant schemes may help reduce the cost of installing EV charging infrastructure. These include the OZEV grant for eligible home charge point installations, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) for businesses installing charge points at their premises, and funding programmes that support charge point deployment across public sector organisations. These initiatives can help lower upfront costs and support wider EV adoption for businesses and fleet operators. As grant availability, funding levels and eligibility requirements can change over time, it is important to check the latest guidance before applying and confirm that your organisation or installation meets the relevant criteria.