Seven of the world’s leading automakers – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis NV – are creating a joint venture to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in North America.
The joint venture will include the development of a high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers to make zero-emission driving more accessible and attractive to drivers. The collaboration aims to become the leading network of reliable high-powered charging stations in North America.
BMW Group CEO, Oliver Zipse, said:
“North America is one of the world’s most important car markets – with the potential to be a leader in electromobility. 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.”
The new charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker using Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS) and are expected to meet the requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
The first stations are expected to open in the United States in the summer of 2024 and in Canada at a later stage. Each site will be equipped with multiple high-powered DC chargers, making long-distance journeys easier for customers.
In line with the sustainability strategies of all seven automakers, the joint venture intends to power the charging network solely by renewable energy.
With U.S. electric vehicle sales expected to exceed 50% of total U.S. sales by 2030, the expansion of reliable charging infrastructure will become even more critical to widespread electric vehicle adoption.
