The world of EVs is here. And seven famed auto manufacturers have teamed up to make the transition smooth and seamless. BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes Benz Group, and Stellantis NV have joined hands to create an extensive charging network that will significantly expand access to high-powered charging in North America.
The high-powered charging network will provide at least 30,000 chargers to welcome the novel green electrified era. The first stations for zero-emission driving are anticipated to open in the summer of 2024 in the United States. To combat environmental issues and for a more convenient customer experience, these charging stations will be located in urban and highway locations. All battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker will be able to use the new charging stations, which are anticipated to meet or exceed the spirit and specifications of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. They will be compatible with the Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS).
Mercedes-Benz Group CEO, Ola Källenius, said, “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.”
The stations will be in handy locations with shelters available wherever convenient and facilities like restrooms, food service, and retail operations either close or within the same building. The network’s features and offerings will make it possible for reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment apps, open energy management, and other features to be seamlessly integrated with the in-vehicle and in-app experiences offered by participating manufacturers. The network will also use Plug & Charge technologies to improve the user experience even further.
By 2030, it’s anticipated that sales of electric vehicles in the US would account for more than 50% of all vehicle sales, making the development of a reliable charging infrastructure even more essential for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as of July 2023, there are only 32,000 publicly available DC fast chargers in the United States for use by 2.3 million electric vehicles, a ratio of 72 vehicles per charger.
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, said, “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.”
