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Seven Automakers Unite to Create a Leading High-Powered Charging Network Across North America- Seven major global automakers – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes- Benz Group, Stellantis NV – will create an unprecedented new charging network joint venture that will significantly expand access to high-powered charging in North America
- Targeting to install at least 30,000 high-powered charge points in urban and highway locations to ensure customers can charge whenever and wherever they need
- With a focus on delivering an elevated customer experience, the network will provide reliability, high-powered charging capability, digital integration, appealing locations, various amenities while charging, and use renewable energy
- Charging stations will be accessible to all EV customers, offering both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors
- First stations are scheduled to open in the summer of 2024
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - July 26, 2023 . . . 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, by making EV charging more convenient, accessible and reliable.
The joint venture will include the development of a new, high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers to make zero-emission driving even more attractive for millions of customers.
With the generational investments in public charging being implemented on the Federal and State level, the joint venture will leverage public and private funds to accelerate the installation of high-powered charging for customers. 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 spirit and requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
The joint venture aims to become the leading network of reliable high-powered charging stations in North America.
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 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.
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.”
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.”
I'm surprised they didnt get Ford and Volkswagen Motor Group on board.
That said, you are still going to need to charge at home minimally some of the time. Thats true for houses, townhomes, condos and rental apts. That is a big undertaking too - will take years to build that part of the infrastructure.
For the forseeable future, I would find it impossible to own an EV here in the midwest w/out a level 2 in our garage.
But this is still a big deal and the world cannot rely on Tesla Supercharger network alone
A good step in the right direction but like purplefaithful said still a long ways to go.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
I'm surprised they didnt get Ford and Volkswagen Motor Group on board.
That said, you are still going to need to charge at home minimally some of the time. Thats true for houses, townhomes, condos and rental apts. That is a big undertaking too - will take years to build that part of the infrastructure.
For the forseeable future, I would find it impossible to own an EV here in the midwest w/out a level 2 in our garage.
But this is still a big deal and the world cannot rely on Tesla Supercharger network alone
Many EVs come with a Level 1 trickle charger that does about 3-5 miles of range per hour (horrible) but there are subsidies both nationally and locally to have a Level 2 EV charger in your home. Even your local utility might have one for sale via them. You do need it either hardwired (best and safest) or a 240 outlet in your garage for it. The vast majority of people only travel 40 miles a day with their vehicles. 5 states have 85% of the EV market so a long way to go. Some car manufacturers (like Ford) include a nice Level 2 EV charger with a limited assortment of their vehicles. The issue is its really expensive to put in the wiring for an EV charger to many existing residences.
The issue right now for EV manufacturers is: they have a ton of stock.
Outside of China controlling a vast majority of the world's Lithium due in part to Hillary's wheeling and dealing, this is wonderful news. I guess it's also acceptable that the emissions really aren't cut very much due to the pollution taking place on the front end as the electricity is produced. But to avoid that, we're going to do it on a power grid that not only will require exponentially more capacity, but it will be consistently down due to weather fluctuations that prevent the grid from being full when the sources are solar and wind. And when the cars get stuck due to weather and all the batteries die, it gets even better. This has all been very well thought out and is really really great news. lol
Quote: @StickyBun said:
@ purplefaithful said:
I'm surprised they didnt get Ford and Volkswagen Motor Group on board.
That said, you are still going to need to charge at home minimally some of the time. Thats true for houses, townhomes, condos and rental apts. That is a big undertaking too - will take years to build that part of the infrastructure.
For the forseeable future, I would find it impossible to own an EV here in the midwest w/out a level 2 in our garage.
But this is still a big deal and the world cannot rely on Tesla Supercharger network alone
Many EVs come with a Level 1 trickle charger that does about 3-5 miles of range per hour (horrible) but there are subsidies both nationally and locally to have a Level 2 EV charger in your home. Even your local utility might have one for sale via them. You do need it either hardwired (best and safest) or a 240 outlet in your garage for it. The vast majority of people only travel 40 miles a day with their vehicles. 5 states have 85% of the EV market so a long way to go. Some car manufacturers (like Ford) include a nice Level 2 EV charger with a limited assortment of their vehicles. The issue is its really expensive to put in the wiring for an EV charger to many existing residences.
The issue right now for EV manufacturers is: they have a ton of stock.
It can be expensive, especially if you need a whole, new electrical box. Then you are looking at 5 figures easy.
Most of my clients are spending about $1500-$2k to get a 240 plumbed into their garage; add $699 for a juice box off of amazon or from auto mfgr on top if it.
Now the electricity suppliers are getting in on it too - Excel is big up here and they'll plumb a 240 in and let you rent the level 2 box. Program it to charge from 12:01 am to 559 am - when kWh are least expensive.
You know what not many talk about? The curb weight of EV’s. A conventional F150 weighs between 4069 lbs & 5697 lbs, where a F150 Lightning EV weighs between 6015 lbs & 6893 lbs. Thats alot more weight on the road, leading to increased wear & tear on the roadways as well as more severe car crashes & fires that are almost impossible to extinguish.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
I'm surprised they didnt get Ford and Volkswagen Motor Group on board.
That said, you are still going to need to charge at home minimally some of the time. Thats true for houses, townhomes, condos and rental apts. That is a big undertaking too - will take years to build that part of the infrastructure.
For the forseeable future, I would find it impossible to own an EV here in the midwest w/out a level 2 in our garage.
But this is still a big deal and the world cannot rely on Tesla Supercharger network alone
I am in Germany right now and asked a few colleagues about Volkswagen, and they were of the opinion VW just missed the boat, didn't see the market changing that fast. At the same time a big announcement came out of Wolfsburg about a deal with a Chinese startup, XPeng an effort to compete in the EV market, "can't beat em, join em". Apparently they figured ice was going to be around longer than BMW or Mercedes forecast. Rode a train through Wolfsburg last week and they are sitting on a lot of inventory. All the areas around the plant were filled with white plastic sheathed inventory, the roads surrounding also had vehicles parked on the sides. I have gone this way before and have not seen it look this way before, but who knows could be a normal thing. Seeing a lot of of Tesla and SMART EVs, mostly in city though, haven't been on the Autobahn much.
Quote: @Kentis said:
You know what not many talk about? The curb weight of EV’s. A conventional F150 weighs between 4069 lbs & 5697 lbs, where a F150 Lightning EV weighs between 6015 lbs & 6893 lbs. Thats alot more weight on the road, leading to increased wear & tear on the roadways as well as more severe car crashs & fires that are almost impossible to extinguish.
This kinda reminds me of Thomas Edison, who built a basic infrastructure and several power plants generating DC electricity because, at the time, AC was too dangerous. One simple invention, the transformer, changed all that.
It's important for science and technology to move forward despite challenges. It's inevitable that, over time, EV weight will go down and batteries will get smaller, lighter and more stable.
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