Seven major global automakers, including BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, are joining forces to create an innovative joint venture for a new EV public charging network in North America. The ambitious plan aims to deploy at least 30,000 high-powered charge points in urban and highway locations, providing convenient access to fast charging for customers across the continent.
This collaborative effort seeks to offer an elevated customer experience with reliable, high-powered charging capabilities, and seamless digital integration. The charging stations will exclusively use renewable energy, aligning with the companies’ commitment to sustainability.
An exciting aspect of this initiative is that the charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker, as they will support both the Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors. The project is set to commence in the United States in the summer of 2024, with plans to expand to Canada at a later stage.
Strategic locations for the charging stations will include metropolitan areas, major highways, connecting corridors, and popular travel routes. The goal is to ensure that a charging station is readily available wherever people live, work, and travel.
Each charging site will feature multiple high-powered DC chargers and, whenever possible, amenities such as restrooms, food service, and retail operations. Flagship stations may even include additional amenities, offering a comfortable and convenient charging experience.
Seamless integration with participating automakers’ in-vehicle and in-app experiences will be a key focus, with features like reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, and transparent energy management. The network will also employ Plug & Charge technology to enhance user-friendliness.
The joint venture aims to meet or exceed the requirements of the US National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, aspiring to become the leading network of reliable high-powered charging stations in North America.
Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the seven partners plan to establish the joint venture later this year. As the project develops, more details, including the network’s name, will be disclosed. This initiative signifies a significant step forward in advancing electric mobility and charging infrastructure in North America.