North American network of EV charging stations is being developed by seven major automakers
In the world of automobiles, seven major automakers BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, are joining forces to establish an extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging network across North America. This collaboration aims to create a convenient and user-friendly charging infrastructure to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in the region.
The ambitious plan of this yet-to-be-named partnership involves installing a minimum of 30,000 high-speed EV chargers by the year 2030. The first batch of these fast chargers is scheduled to be operational by the summer of 2024 in various locations across the United States.
To achieve this goal, the group plans to tap into the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding available in the US and will also seek support from other private and public sources at both state and federal levels.
Similar to existing EV charging networks like Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America, these new charging stations will be strategically positioned in places where people tend to spend time, such as shopping centres, restaurants, and other convenient spots, making it easier for EV owners to charge their vehicles while going about their daily activities.
Additionally, the partnership will focus on installing chargers along popular travel routes to vacation destinations and within urban areas to facilitate smooth charging experiences for EV users.
One of the key advantages of this collaboration is that the charging stations will be compatible with EV models from all the partnering automakers. This means that owners of BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis EVs will be able to charge their vehicles without needing to use different charging station apps.
The group plans to integrate the emerging "Plug and Charge" standard, a unified protocol that the Federal Highway Administration is actively working to standardise. This standardised approach aims to streamline the charging process, further enhancing the user experience for EV drivers.
Providing a seamless and reliable charging experience is essential for driving wider EV adoption. Many existing charging networks often require users to navigate through multiple apps, leading to frustration and potential complications. With this joint venture, the aim is to simplify the charging process, making it as easy and accessible as possible.
Tesla's renowned Supercharger network, widely regarded as one of the best in the world, will also be made available to vehicles from other automakers such as Ford, GM, Volvo, and more. This access will eliminate the need for users to activate charging through separate apps and contributing to a smoother and more unified charging experience across different EV brands.
As the first charging stations roll out in the summer of 2024, this joint venture holds the promise of transforming the EV landscape and paving the way for a cleaner and greener transportation ecosystem.
