Leading Automakers Forge Unprecedented Alliance For A Greener Future: 30,000 High-Powered Chargers Coming Soon

In an unprecedented move towards cleaner energy and reduced emissions, seven of the world’s major automakers – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis NV – have announced a joint venture to construct a leading high-powered charging network across North America. This strategic alliance is set to significantly enhance access to high-powered charging in the region, driving the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) on a substantial scale.

This joint venture will pioneer the development of an extensive charging network, aiming to install at least 30,000 high-powered charge points in various urban and highway locations across North America. The strategic placement of these charge points will ensure customers have the flexibility to charge their EVs whenever and wherever needed. The stations, scheduled to open in the summer of 2024, will be universally accessible to all EV customers. They are designed to accommodate both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors, thereby catering to a diverse range of electric vehicles.

In a concerted effort to raise the bar for customer experience, the newly-formed consortium will focus on providing reliability, high-powered charging capability, and digital integration. The stations will be positioned at appealing locations, often accompanied by various amenities to ensure a comfortable and convenient charging experience for customers. Moreover, aligning with the sustainability strategies of all seven automakers, the joint venture is committed to powering the charging network solely with renewable energy. As per the current projections, the first set of stations is expected to debut in the United States in 2024 and in Canada at a subsequent stage. Each site will be equipped with multiple high-powered DC chargers, making long-distance journeys more feasible for customers.

A key objective of the joint venture is to improve the entire EV experience and encourage EV adoption. To do this, the network will provide a seamless, vehicle-integrated, top-tier charging experience, backed by the quality, reliability, and resources of globally leading automakers. This joint venture comes at a time when the demand for fast and reliable public charging is increasing in parallel with the rise in the number of electric vehicles. As per the U.S. Department of Energy, there were 32,000 publicly available DC fast chargers in the U.S. for use by 2.3 million electric vehicles in July 2023. Given that U.S. electric vehicle sales are projected to account for over 50% of total U.S. sales by 2030, the need for a dependable charging infrastructure will only grow.

CEOs of all the founding partners expressed optimism and determination towards the collective effort, emphasizing their commitment to accelerating the transition to EVs, enhancing customer experience, fighting against climate change, and working towards a common vision of sustainable transportation.

The collective aim of this venture is to ensure that the evolving EV infrastructure supports the projected EV sales and promotes the broader adoption of electric vehicles. This endeavor signifies a major step forward in the automotive industry’s pursuit of cleaner energy, reduced emissions, and a more sustainable future.