Mercedes-Benz and BMW to build EV Supercharging network
German rivals’ joint-venture for high-speed charge network is initially for China, but could expand to other marketsMercedes-Benz and its arch-rival BMW have inked a deal that will see them work together to establish a high-speed EV charging network in China.
As part of the joint-venture, the German car-makers will build at least 1000 high-speed charging stations across China that will include more than 7000 charging points.
The entire network is set to be up and running before the end of the 2026, with the first stations to be fast-tracked and operating as soon as 2024.
It’s still to be confirmed whether the new venture will have wider implications for other countries, but there’s a strong chance that similar networks will be rolled out to other markets.
Mercedes-Benz previously announced it would invest billions of euros in building its own charging network of more than 10,000 chargers in North America, Europe and China.
Many brands are following in the tyre tracks of Tesla’s proprietary Supercharger network, mainly due to the reluctance of some countries to invest in the infrastructure needed to support the huge ramp-up of EVs.
As we reported earlier this week, the lack of chargers has even spurred small sports car-maker Lotus to develop its owner superfast charging network.
It’s not the first time BMW and Mercedes have worked together to introduce chargers.
Back in 2017, the German brands, along with Ford, Volkswagen/Audi, Porsche and later on Hyundai (2019), founded the European IONITY charging network that now features charging stations in 24 countries.
Earlier this year, IONITY announced it had opened its 500th charging station, with the network now including more than 2400 charging points.
Related: Lotus to roll out super-fast EV charge network to rival Tesla
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Related: Another fast-charging network starts in Europe
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