7 major automakers launch EV charging network [Not EA] -- GM, Stellantis, Hyundai, Kia, Honda, BMW, Mercedes

[DuoRivians]

https://www.reuters.com/business/au...makers-launch-ev-charging-network-2023-07-26/

In challenge to Tesla, major automakers launch EV charging network

July 26 (Reuters) - A group of major automakers on Wednesday said they were forming a new company to provide electric vehicle charging in the United States in a challenge to Tesla and a bid to take advantage of Biden administration subsidies.

The group includes General Motors (GM.N), Stellantis (STLAM.MI), Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and its Kia affiliate, Honda (7267.T), BMW (BMWG.DE) and Mercedes Benz (MBGn.DE) , brands representing about half of U.S. vehicle sales but a small share of the EV market dominated by Tesla.

The unusual coalition of competitors said the new joint-venture company would aim to become the leading provider of fast charging in North America with a target of rolling out 30,000 chargers, starting along major highways and in cities.

The automakers did not specify how much they would invest individually or collectively, but said they would be open to additional investment or participation from other companies, including outside the auto industry. A name for the venture was not announced.

Tesla (TSLA.O), which accounted for more than 60% of U.S. EV sales last year, has the largest current network of fast-chargers with almost 18,000 Superchargers in the United States.

Tesla said earlier this year it would open part of that charging network to EVs from rival brands in order to be eligible for a share of funding from the $7.5 billion in federal subsidies on offer to expand the use of EVs.

Tesla’s lead in building out a network of chargers has given it sway in setting the standard for how future EVs will connect and power up, something smaller charging companies and other EV makers have viewed with concern.

GM, Mercedes and others have signed on to adopt Tesla-developing charging technology from 2025 to get access to a larger share of its Superchargers.

The other automakers – Stellantis, Hyundai, Honda and BMW – have not committed to the Tesla technology known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and have product plans that rely on a rival known as the Combined Charging System (CCS).

The new charging company will support both CCS and the Tesla standard.

“A strong charging network should be available for all – under the same conditions – and be built together with a win-win spirit,” Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in a statement.

In a statement, chief executives of the seven auto brands said a charging network built out like gas stations with restrooms, food service and retail operations would support a faster rollout of EVs, which they said they expected would top 50% of U.S. sales by 2030.

The new company would compete against established EV charging companies, including Volkswagen's (VOWG_p.DE) Electrify America, ChargePoint (CHPT.N) and EVGo (EVGO.O), which are also looking to accelerate the rollout of chargers with federal funding.

The Biden administration has set a target of hitting 500,000 chargers by 2030, an almost four-fold increase.

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[Zoidz]

So GM is playing both sides. BMW, Hyundai, Honda are saying no thanks to Tesla. Competition is good. We don't need Tesla to become the Standard Oil of the EV charging world.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Looking to erode Tesla’s dominance perhaps? Good luck to them, if they can make decisions and act quickly without being mired in committees and corporate process.

 

[MidnightRivian]

I guarantee you they will include NACS plugs because they said so.

Writing is on the wall. NACS is the way forward and even the competition who hasn't even built one charger knows it.

The new charging company will support both CCS and the Tesla standard.

 

[COdogman]

Notably absent from all charging talks is Toyota, who continues to put out marketing saying they are a "leader" on EVs and made major "breakthroughs" in battery tech

 

[Dark-Fx]

Notably absent from all charging talks is Toyota, who continues to put out marketing saying they are a "leader" on EVs and made major "breakthroughs" in battery tech

self charging EVs don't need charging stations -Toyota

 

[COdogman]

self charging EVs don't need charging stations -Toyota

They are playing the long game... Literally waiting for everyone who has watched them drop the ball so badly to die before they make a move.

 

[mkg3]

These types of announcements are more PR than actions.

Let's see where and how many they actually build. It will be a hard sprint to catch up with all the independent chargers (EA, EVgo, ChargePoint, Shell), let alone the Supercharger network.

 

[emoore]

Not sure why they don’t partner with VW and all of them can put money into improving and expanding the EA network. Seems like it would be easier to do that than to try to start up your own charging network.

 

[jjswan33]

These types of announcements are more PR than actions.

Let's see where and how many they actually build. It will be a hard sprint to catch up with all the independent chargers (EA, EVgo, ChargePoint, Shell), let alone the Supercharger network.

I agree with your sentiment but especially GM has one big advantage. They already have the real estate in almost every moderately sized town.

If you look at rural parts of the country I am already seeing 50-100kW level charge stations show up at the Cheverolet dealers. It's not a 6 station RAN installation but it's something and a lifesaver to many.

 

[MidnightRivian]

I agree with your sentiment but especially GM has one big advantage. They already have the real estate in almost every moderately sized town.

If you look at rural parts of the country I am already seeing 50-100kW level charge stations show up at the Cheverolet dealers. It's not a 6 station RAN installation but it's something and a lifesaver to many.

We have a Chevy dealer here with a dedicated car park station for EV charging and they love to close the Gate on holidays when the attendant is not available to help new people with issues.

I would rather have stand alone 24 hour stations then stations behind gates / dealership hours.


I would love to see all the rest stops get charging station and all that revenue go back to tax holders.

 

[zefram47]

Notably absent from all charging talks is Toyota, who continues to put out marketing saying they are a "leader" on EVs and made major "breakthroughs" in battery tech

Did a double-take in traffic this morning because I actually saw a bZ4X in the wild.

 

[zefram47]

I would love to see all the rest stops get charging station and all that revenue go back to tax holders.

This. But some states or maybe it's federal laws that prevent charging stations at rest stops due to commerce/making money, etc. Don't recall the details, but I believe Colorado is in this boat.

 

[lefkonj]

It is great considering how busy some areas are with the Tesla chargers. We need a significant increase in chargers for it to be mainstream.

 

[emoore]

This. But some states or maybe it's federal laws that prevent charging stations at rest stops due to commerce/making money, etc. Don't recall the details, but I believe Colorado is in this boat.

That would explain why there aren’t any. I would have thought Rest stops would be an ideal place to place EV chargers. Hopefully they change that. And there are vending machines at some rest stops so I would think it would be the same as having chargers.

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