BMW and Mercedes-Benz have joined forces in China to create Beijing Ion Qi New Energy Technology Co. that will introduce an electric vehicle charging network across the country.
The first of the planned stations will be rolled out this year across major Chinese cities where new-energy vehicles are particularly popular. The network will then grow to include smaller towns and regions across the country and by the end of 2026, plans to have constructed at least 1,000 high-speed charging stations with roughly 7,000 plugs.
Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz already operate their own charging networks in China. BMW launched its Supercharging Station project last year, boasting charging piles that support speeds of 600 kW, among the highest in the industry. This network covers 17 cities across China and as of January 2024, consisted of 54 charging stations. These charging stations are open to all EV models, not just BMWs.
Read: Mercedes And BMW To Create Fast-Charging Network In China
Mercedes-Benz also has many of its own chargers in China, including in Chengdu, Foshan, Qingdao, Chongqing, Kunming, Wuhan, Suzhou, and Changzhou.
According to Car News China, the network of chargers to be rolled out through the BMW and Mercedes-Benz joint venture will be open to all electric vehicles, but owners of the two brands’ models will be able to make online reservations and enjoy a more seamless plug-and-play experience. The two carmakers say some of the electricity used at the charging stations will come from renewable sources.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz are also two of the seven automakers collaborating on a new charging network to be established in North America. This new network, known as Ionna, also includes GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Stellantis, and plans to deploy at least 30,000 chargers across North America. The first Ionna charging station will open in the United States later this year and each of its stations will include NACS and CCS connectors.
