Question is, where is Toyota, Ford, Nissan, and the VW Group? Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – July 26, 2023 Seven major OEM automakers – GM, Stellantis, Hyundai/Kia, BMW, General Motors, Honda and Mercedes-Benz are poised to build an unprecedented new charging network joint venture that will significantly expand access to DCFCing in North America. The joint venture will include the development of a new design of high-powered DC Fast 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 is expected to be established this year, subject to regulatory approvals. The first stations are expected to open in the US next summer and in Canada at a later stage. Each site will be equipped with multiple high-powered DC chargers, making long-distance journeys charging easier for future customers. The charging network solely by renewable energy. Improving the Customer Experience The new DCFCing network will be designed to 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. Where are the other OEMs? What about Ford, Toyota, Nissan, and the VW group? VW is for all intents and purposes, Electrify America so that could be the reason for their non-support status. Ford, Toyota, and Nissan however are relying on everyone else’s work possibly? I do not know but replies are non-existent. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 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.
