OEMs Create Joint Venture to Build North American Charging Network

Seven automakers – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis NV – are creating a joint venture to build a new, high-powered charging network in North America, the partner companies announced.

The goal of the joint venture is to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in North America, by making EV charging more convenient, accessible and reliable, according to a statement from the participating organizations.

The joint venture will include the development of a new, high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers. 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 or exceed the requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

The joint venture is expected to be established this year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

The first stations are expected to open in the United States in the summer of 2024. Each site will be equipped with multiple high-powered DC chargers, representatives of the joint venture said, and powered solely by renewable energy.