Seven Automakers Unite to Create a Leading High-Powered Charging Network Across North America

MERCEDES-BENZ CANADA - 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.

Elevated Customer Experience

The new high-powered charging network will elevate the entire EV experience and drive EV adoption.

The network will provide a seamless, vehicle integrated, best-in-class charging experience, based on renewable energy and supported by the quality, reliability, and resources of world-leading automakers.

Focused on customer comfort and charging ease, the stations will be in convenient locations offering canopies wherever possible and amenities such as restrooms, food service and retail operations either nearby or within the same complex. A select number of flagship stations will be equipped with additional amenities, delivering a premier experience designed to showcase the future of charging.

Initial plans call for the deployment of charging stations in metropolitan areas and along major highways, including connecting corridors and vacation routes, aiming to offer a charging station wherever people may choose to live, work and travel.

The functions and services of the network will allow for seamless integration with participating automakers' in-vehicle and in-app experiences, including reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, transparent energy management and more. In addition, the network will leverage Plug & Charge technology to further enhance the customer experience.

An Open Network to Drive Electric Vehicle Growth

As more electric vehicles are introduced and the rate of consumer adoption increases, the demand for fast and reliable public charging also grows in parallel.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as of July 2023, there are 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. The NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) estimates that 182,000 DC fast chargers will be needed to support 30-42 million plug-in vehicles expected on the road by 2030.

With U.S. electric vehicle sales expected to exceed 50% of total U.S. sales by 2030, the expansion of reliable charging infrastructure will become even more critical to widespread electric vehicle adoption.

The creation of a best-in-class charging network will ensure that the EV infrastructure will support current and projected EV sales and will foster the adoption of electric vehicles.

Comments from JV Founding Partners

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."

2022 predictions: China to rule EV landscape in 2022, says GlobalData

2022 Imperium ET5

GLOBALDATA - Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular among consumers but are causing issues for automakers, who are grappling with supply chain crises and raw material shortages. In its latest report, ‘Tech, Media, & Telecom (TMT) Predictions 2022 – Thematic Research’, leading data and analytics company GlobalData predicts that Tesla and China are set to maintain their dominance in the EV sector.

As 2021 draws to a close, Amrit Dhami, Thematic Analyst at GlobalData, offers her view on these predictions:  

The lithium shortage will not affect all players equally

“In the short term, the lithium shortage will barely scuff the shoes of the big players like Tesla and Toyota, as their supply chains are more vertically integrated. Further, lithium supply issues won’t necessarily mean a drastic rise in the cost of EVs in the short run—automakers could compensate elsewhere on the production line and offer lower-quality interiors.

“Looking further into the future, Tesla and Toyota are betting on different horses for the future of EV batteries, with Toyota set on solid state. We’ll see the first EVs powered by solid-state batteries hit the roads by 2025, but these will be a lot costlier than regular lithium-ion EVs, and so won’t reach the mass market until later.”

Tesla to retain its crown in the West, but China will dominate the overall EV landscape

“Many automakers have now committed to producing EVs, but Tesla’s brand power will be problematic for BMW, Mercedes, and others in the premium space. If a consumer is willing to splash the cash on a pricier EV, they’re inclined to go for the face of the market—Tesla.

“In 2020, 48% of all EVs on the road could be found in China — more than the combined figure for the US and Europe. China’s EV fleet will be 60% of the world’s total by 2030. Xi Jinping has extended both the sales tax exemption on EVs and subsidies for domestically built EVs to the end of 2022.

“China’s large domestic market, raw materials access, and favorable government policies mean it will continue to dominate the EV landscape and won’t be as disadvantaged by the lithium shortage. Xi Jinping has facilitated the growth of the domestic EV market, causing Tesla to lose market share in China to BYD. This is not only to cement China’s dominance in EVs but also to help meet the net zero target year of 2060.”

The shift towards EVs is becoming demand led

“EVs as a proportion of new light vehicle production will rise from 5% in 2021 to 11% in 2025, with annual EV production exceeding 10 million units.

“The shift towards EVs has mainly been driven by environmental, social and governance (ESG) related legislative changes, but momentum is also becoming led by demand. This year’s energy crisis means people don’t want to be so reliant on global supply chains, accelerating the move away from petrol and diesel. Consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious—particularly Generation Z.”

BMW Group Canada Partners with Cox Automotive Canada to Deliver an Enhanced Omni-Channel Buying Experience for BMW and MINI Retailers

COX AUTOMOTIVE - Cox Automotive Canada is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with BMW Group Canada. This partnership will leverage Manheim Canada’s proven expertise as a remarketing facilitator and offer BMW and MINI retailers across the country the opportunity to use its new “Upstream Vehicle Management” platform – an omni-channel wholesale buying solution that will deliver many benefits, including improvements to their overall operational performance.

“We’re excited to see Cox Automotive Canada strengthen its partnership with BMW Group Canada as we work closely to offer their retailers this exciting new technology,” said Jack Sulymka, General Manager, National Accounts and Operations, Cox Automotive Canada. “BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and Motorrad retailers now have another effective tool to help them seamlessly and efficiently acquire off-lease vehicles. As brands that always thrive to deliver the ultimate user experience, we’re proud to be part of a journey that drives their vehicle portfolio management into the future.”

This solution empowers BMW Group Canada to deliver a tailored and connected experience specially designed for their retailers across digital and physical channels. By managing off-lease vehicles in a more efficient manner, operational efforts are focused on speed and channel optimization.

“Our decision to partner with Cox Automotive Canada is a key step in our digital transformation,” said Ryan Puskas, Director of Used Car Business, BMW Group Canada. “The digital tools Cox has created for us offers expanded functionality and a simplified user experience for our BMW and MINI retail partners.   Our vision for the future is very much aligned with the Cox Automotive approach: to bring a holistic and fully integrated solution that lets our retailers efficiently manage their used car acquisition and retail processes.  We look forward to realizing the benefits of this platform and our strong collaboration.”

A business of Cox Automotive Canada, Manheim’s robust and fully configurable marketplace solution seamlessly connects buyers and sellers and offers unmatched data and market insights to optimize vehicle portfolio management.

Through this new solution, BMW and MINI retailers across Canada will get a friction-less experience and enhanced self-inspection capabilities, and gain access to a variety of services, including assurance products like Manheim’s Post-Sale Inspections, logistics, decisioning tools and AI-driven reconditioning technologies.