BMW and Mercedes-Benz are going to establish a 50:50 joint venture in China to roll out a high-power charging network for new energy vehicles (NEVs) across the local market.
The venture will be officially formed between Mercedes-Benz Group China and BMW Brilliance Automotive, the company’s pre-existing joint venture with Brilliance Auto. Plans call for the venture to establish a network of at least 1,000 charging stations and approximately 7,000 charging piles by the end of 2026.
Details about these chargers are not yet known but the firms say they will adopt “state-of-the-art charging technologies.” The first charging stations are expected to open in 2024 and will be positioned in top NEV regions across the countries.
Importantly, the new charging network by BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be open to all electric vehicles. However, owners of Mercedes-Benz and BMW models will gain access to a series of exclusive features like plug & charge functionality and the ability to make online reservations. The two carmakers also assert that, where possible, they will procure electricity generated from renewable sources “to create a sustainable and eco-friendly charging experience.”
Read: BMW, Mini, And Rolls-Royce EVs To Adopt Tesla Plug In 2025
The joint venture is subject to approval by regulatory authorities. This isn’t the only charging network that Mercedes-Benz is poised to introduce. The German manufacturer announced in January that it will establish roughly 10,000 charging points in North America, Europe, and China by 2030 and will work with ChargePoint and Goldman Sachs spinoff MN8 Energy to make it happen. In November, the brand launched its first charging hub in North America, located at the Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters in Sandy Springs, Georgie.
The charging hub has power 400 kW chargers and a roof covered in solar panels. Additionally, the site has a large lounge where owners can sit and relax while the battery of their EV is being topped up.
