Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a concept electric vehicle that acts as a mobile energy hub, promising to slash household electricity costs and alleviate infrastructure burdens by transforming how EVs interact with power grids.
The prototype, named ELF (Experimental Lade Fahrzeug), is a mobile laboratory designed to test next-generation electric vehicle charging technologies. It supports nearly all charging methods, including ultra-fast megawatt systems, wireless power transfer, and bidirectional energy sharing between vehicles and the electrical grid.
This innovative bidirectional charging capability allows an EV to not only receive but also return stored energy to the grid or power a home during outages. Mercedes-Benz estimates this system could reduce household energy costs by up to $500 annually.
Homes equipped with solar panels could see even greater savings by combining their rooftop generation with a bidirectional EV system. The car essentially becomes a mobile battery storage unit for renewable energy.
Beyond traditional charging, Mercedes engineers are developing inductive wireless charging and conductive charging via a floor plate. This aims to make physical cable connections obsolete, offering increased convenience for city dwellers and fleet operators.
The ELF is helping Mercedes-Benz test charging speeds up to 900 kilowatts, which could refuel an electric car in as little as 10 minutes. This speed approaches the time it takes to fill a traditional gasoline tank.
By improving charging efficiency and accessibility, Mercedes-Benz is addressing a major challenge in reducing pollution: the existing EV infrastructure gap. The company stated the concept van “is a symbol of a bold new era in charging.”
Mercedes expects some of these features, particularly bidirectional home charging, to launch in Europe by 2026, with broader adoption anticipated thereafter.