A new EV public charging network joint venture will be created in North America by seven major global automakers.

BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis have joined forces to create "an unprecedented new charging network joint venture that will significantly expand access to high-powered charging in North America."

The companies said they are targeting to install at least 30,000 high-powered charge points in urban and highway locations "to ensure customers can charge whenever and wherever they need."

The seven automakers say their charging network will offer an elevated customer experience, reliability, high-powered charging capability, digital integration, appealing locations, various amenities while charging. The goal is for the stations to be powered solely by renewable energy.

Interestingly, the new charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker, as they will offer both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors.

The first charging stations are scheduled to open in the United States in the summer of 2024 and in Canada at a later stage. The seven automakers haven't decided on a name for their charging network yet. "We will have more details to share, including the network's name, at the end of this year," a Honda PR representative told InsideEVs.

According to initial plans, the charging stations will be deployed in metropolitan areas and along major highways, including connecting corridors and vacation routes, so that a charging station will be available "wherever people may choose to live, work and travel."