The argument against the change to Electric Vehicles (EVs) is varied, sometimes emotional, and often complicated, but a consistent core criticism of the EV revolution has been that there is a lack of infrastructure to ensure that EVs are able to travel long distances. This argument is entirely valid, especially in a country like the US, where distances are enormous, and EV charging points few and far between on routes outside of major urban centers. This lack of infrastructure is a valid concern for those wanting to travel overland to remote places with an EV, but those days may be coming to an end thanks to the intentional and necessary foresight of the motor industry (and the ever-increasing range of new EVs).
In a groundbreaking move aimed at accelerating the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) in North America and addressing the nationwide epidemic of range anxiety, seven major automakers have come together to form a joint venture. The consortium comprises BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis NV. The primary objective of this collaboration is to make EV charging more convenient, accessible, and reliable for consumers.
The joint venture will be at the forefront of developing a state-of-the-art, high-powered charging network with an ambitious target of setting up at least 30,000 charging stations over the next few years. This strategic move is expected to significantly enhance the appeal of zero-emission driving for millions of potential customers in the USA and Canada. Unfortunately, there is no mention of the network extending to Mexico.
To expedite the installation of these high-powered charging stations, the consortium will leverage both public and private funds, capitalizing on generational investments in public charging at the Federal and State levels. With the ultimate goal of establishing the most reliable and extensive network of high-powered charging stations in North America, the joint venture plans to finalize its establishment this year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
The first wave of charging stations is projected to become operational in the United States by the summer of 2024, with Canadian stations following at a later stage. Each charging site will be equipped with multiple high-powered DC chargers, significantly facilitating long-distance travel for EV users. Furthermore, in line with the sustainability commitments of the seven automakers, the consortium aims to power the charging network entirely through renewable energy in support of traditional electrical.
The consortium claims that introducing this new high-powered charging network will revolutionize the EV experience, further driving the adoption of electric vehicles. By providing a seamless and vehicle-integrated charging experience supported by renewable energy, the consortium aims to ensure customer comfort and convenience throughout the charging process.
The charging stations will be strategically located in convenient areas to enhance customer satisfaction, providing canopies wherever possible. Additional amenities such as restrooms, food services, and retail operations will also be available nearby or within the same complex. Furthermore, urban flagship stations will offer exclusive amenities, showcasing the future of EV charging.
As part of the joint venture’s expansion plans, the initial deployment of charging stations will focus on metropolitan areas and key highways, including popular vacation routes. The objective is to establish a charging station network that caters to the needs of EV owners wherever they live, work, or travel.
In a bid to seamlessly integrate with the in-vehicle and in-app experiences of participating automakers, the network will offer various functions and services. These include reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, transparent energy management, and more. Additionally, the consortium will leverage Plug & Charge technology to enhance the customer experience further.
The joint venture’s initiative comes at a time when electric vehicle adoption is rapidly increasing. As per the US Department of Energy’s data from July 2023, there are currently 32,000 publicly available DC fast chargers in the United States, catering to 2.3 million electric vehicles (a ratio of almost 72 to 1). The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) predicts that by 2030, there will be a need for 182,000 DC fast chargers to support an estimated 30-42 million plug-in vehicles on the road. Presumably, the seven leading automakers hope to sell the lion’s share of those vehicles. Still, this infrastructure development is also good news for smaller EV manufacturers as the charging stations will be open to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker utilizing either the Combined Charging System (CCS) or the North American Charging Standard (NACS). The charging infrastructure is expected to meet or even exceed the requirements of the US National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
Given that US electric vehicle sales are expected to account for over 50% of total vehicle sales by 2030, the development of a robust and reliable charging infrastructure becomes increasingly vital for the widespread adoption of EVs and will have a profound effect on domestic overland travel in the process.
Read more: The Australian Invasion and Overland Innovation
Our No Compromise Clause: We do not accept advertorial content or allow advertising to influence our coverage, and our contributors are guaranteed editorial independence. Overland International may earn a small commission from affiliate links included in this article. We appreciate your support.
