Seven leading automakers have announced that they will collaborate to launch a joint venture company with the goal of creating a new North American charging network. The companies seek to make EV charging more convenient, accessible, and reliable for their electrified vehicles.
The as-yet-unnamed joint venture company is being founded by the BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, the Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis. They expect the first charging stations to be up and running in the U.S. in the summer of 2024. The first Canadian station will arrive at a later date.
“The creation of EV charging services is an opportunity for automakers to produce excellent user experiences by providing complete, convenient and sustainable solutions for our customers,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Honda’s CEO. “Toward that objective, this joint venture will be a critical step in accelerating EV adoption across the U.S. and Canada and supporting our efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.”
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The new JV has the goal of creating a network that will include at least 30,000 chargers across the U.S. and Canada. The automakers say they are focused on creating stations that prioritize customer comfort and ease of charging.
To that end, the locations will either provide amenities such as restrooms, food, and retail or will be placed close to areas where those amenities are already available. A handful of locations will be focused on delivering a “premier experience” and will be designed to “showcase the future of charging.”
Meanwhile, the vehicles made by automakers participating in the joint venture will be designed to connect to the stations seamlessly. An integrated app will allow drivers to experience a simple “plug and charge” experience. The locations will offer DC fast-charging, and feature both CCS and NACS plugs, allowing all electrified vehicles to top up there.
Initially, the charging stations will be deployed in metropolitan areas and along major highways. The JV will also target connecting corridors and popular vacation routes in order to serve the most EV drivers.
“North America is one of the world’s most important car markets – with the potential to be a leader in electromobility,” said Oliver Zipse, BMW CEO. “Accessibility to high-speed charging is one of the key enablers to accelerate this transition. Therefore, seven automakers are forming this joint venture with the goal of creating a positive charging experience for EV consumers.”
