Seven global automotive powerhouses – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis NV – are joining forces in a landmark initiative to boost electric vehicle (EV) adoption across North America. Building an extensive, high-powered charging network, they aim to redefine the EV landscape, offering unprecedented convenience, accessibility, and sustainability.
Discover how this collaborative venture is poised to ignite the electric revolution, making zero-emission driving a practical reality for millions.
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Driving Forward with a Joint Venture
In an unprecedented move towards a greener future, seven of the world’s top automakers – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis NV – are joining hands to fuel the electric vehicle revolution.
In a quest to amplify the convenience, accessibility, and reliability of EV charging, they are paving the way toward a robust high-powered charging network that spans across North America.
The Charge toward a Greener Tomorrow
With the collective goal of installing at least 30,000 high-powered charging points, this venture promises to empower customers by ensuring the availability of charging stations whenever and wherever they’re needed – in urban locales and along highways alike.
A remarkable endeavor that signifies the industry’s dedication to sustainability, this network would cater to a diverse range of electric vehicles, eliminating barriers and setting a new standard in the field.
Recharging the Customer Experience
The heart of this venture beats to the rhythm of an elevated customer experience. Envisioned to be the epitome of reliability, the proposed charging network would go beyond just charging – it would integrate digital interfaces, strategically chosen locations, and amenities during charging sessions, and utilize renewable energy sources.
These stations would accommodate all EV customers by offering both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors, ensuring an inclusive charging environment for all EVs.
Lighting up the Road Ahead
The maiden stations are slated for inauguration in the summer of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. By stepping into an ambitious venture of this magnitude, these global automakers are effectively accelerating the transition toward an electrified automotive future.
Leveraging the significant investments in public charging at the Federal and State levels, they aim to expedite the installation of high-powered charging points for customers.
Energy with Integrity
In alignment with the sustainability strategies of the seven automakers, this initiative seeks to power the charging network exclusively with renewable energy. This resonates with a global movement towards a sustainable future, making zero-emission driving not just a possibility, but an attractive prospect for millions.
A Closer Look at the Customer Journey
The venture promises to redefine the EV charging experience by integrating innovative technology and focusing on user comfort. Strategically located stations equipped with canopies, restrooms, food service, and retail outlets would add a layer of convenience for customers. A select number of flagship stations would provide additional amenities, painting a vivid picture of the future of charging.
Meeting the Growing Demand for EVs
The EV market is set for explosive growth. Current U.S. Department of Energy estimations reveal a ratio of 72 vehicles per charger, with 2.3 million EVs vying for 32,000 publicly available DC fast chargers. However, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates a need for 182,000 DC fast chargers to support an anticipated fleet of 30-42 million plug-in vehicles by 2030.
This venture is a timely response to this growing demand, setting the stage for an expansive and reliable charging infrastructure that would be instrumental in fostering EV adoption.
Conclusion: Joint EV Charging Network
With U.S. EV sales expected to constitute over 50% of total sales by 2030, the importance of accessible and reliable charging infrastructure cannot be overstated. This collaboration among seven leading automakers is a testament to their commitment to building a sustainable future. As they charge ahead with this joint venture, one thing is certain – the road to electrification just got much smoother.
With its sights set on accelerating the adoption of EVs and making charging as convenient as possible, this ambitious joint venture showcases the transformative potential of collaborative efforts. A network of this scale and accessibility is an essential milestone on the road to a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
Indeed, this is a bold step forward that reaffirms the automotive industry’s commitment to a sustainable future and promises to revolutionize the electric vehicle landscape in North America.
Comments from JV Founding Partners
Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius: “The fight against climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. What we need now is speed – across political, social and corporate boundaries. To accelerate the shift to electric vehicles, we’re in favor of anything that makes life easier for our customers. Charging is an inseparable part of the EV-experience, and this network will be another step to make it as convenient as possible.”
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares: “We intend to exceed customer expectations by creating more opportunities for a seamless charging experience given the significant growth expected in the market. We believe that a charging network at scale is vital to protecting freedom of mobility for all, especially as we work to achieve our ambitious carbon neutrality plan. A strong charging network should be available for all – under the same conditions – and be built together with a win-win spirit. I want to thank each colleague involved, as it is a milestone example of our collective intelligence to listen and serve our customers.”
BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse: “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 BMW Group is proud to be among the founders.”
GM CEO Mary Barra: “GM’s commitment to an all-electric future is focused not only on delivering EVs our customers love, but investing in charging and working across the industry to make it more accessible. The better experience people have, the faster EV adoption will grow.”
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe: “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. 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.”
Hyundai CEO Jaehoon Chang: “Hyundai’s investment in this project aligns with our ‘Progress for Humanity’ vision in making sustainable transportation more accessible. Hyundai’s expertise in electrification will help redefine the charging landscape and we look forward to working with our other shareholders as we create this expansive high-powered charging network.”
Kia CEO Ho Sung Song: “Kia’s engagement and investment in this high-powered charging joint venture is set to increase charging access and convenience to current and future drivers and therefore accelerate the transition to EVs across North America. Kia is proud to be an important part of this joint venture with other reputable automakers as we embark on a journey towards seamless charging experiences for our customers and further strengthening Kia’s brand identity in the EV market.”
