German automotive giants are joining forces to expand in China. A new venture founded by BMW and Mercedes-Benz aims to expand the electric charging infrastructure in the Asian market, especially in China. Beijing Ion Qi New Energy Technology was officially founded.
New charging station brand from BMW and Mercedes-Benz
The new company in China will operate under the name “Supercharging Network”. It will make it easier for drivers to charge their vehicles on the go. In this context, it aims to increase the adoption of new generation electric vehicles.
Ion Qi New Energy Technology has some ambitious plans. German manufacturers want to build at least a thousand advanced fast charging stations and around 7,000 stations nationwide by 2026. The first stations will be built in 2024, starting in major cities.
This network of charging stations will expand to towns and other regions across China in a few years.
Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are investing heavily in electric mobility as the future of transportation. BMW delivered more than 40,000 electric vehicles in China last year alone, with sales up 138 percent compared to the year before.
Mercedes, too, is looking to electrify its product lineup while continuing to develop internal combustion options. The German automakers hope to meet the charging needs of Chinese customers by pooling resources through a joint venture.
It should be noted that this collaboration is initially exclusive to China. BMW and Mercedes aim to rival Chinese brands with advanced supercharging technology.
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