Automakers to launch new electric vehicle charging network

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Electric vehicle charging network overview: 

• Who: BMW, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis say they are creating a joint venture to build a network of 30,000 chargers across the U.S. 
• Why: The automakers reportedly want to make their own charging network that would rival Tesla’s Supercharger network. 
• Where: Nationwide. 

Seven major U.S. automakers say they are teaming up to create a network of fast, reliable and easy-to-use electric vehicle charging stations across the country.

BMW, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis say they intend to build a network of 30,000 chargers, a number that would exceed that of Tesla’s network, NPR reports. 

The charging stations would be under one network as a way to ensure they are of high quality and possibly even on par with that of Tesla’s Supercharger network, which is reportedly viewed as extensive and reliable. 

The automakers joint venture also seeks to eliminate confusion amongst owners and potential owners of electric vehicles about how to charge their vehicles, which can involve navigating a hard-to-use app, according to NPR. 

There is reportedly concern among automakers that consumers may be hesitant to purchase electric vehicles due to being wary of how to charge the vehicles, something reportedly that is a major selling point with Tesla. 

Tesla’s Supercharger network is maintained, owned and built by the automaker, with additional companies having already begun to join the Tesla network, NPR reports. 

Porsche electric, plug-in hybrid vehicles allegedly take twice as long to charge following post-sale software change

An example of concern about electric vehicle charging came in March after a consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Porsche over claims revolving around the charging capabilities for their electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

The consumer argues Porsche’s electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles now take twice as long to charge as when they were first sold. 

Porsche has been accused of selling devices that can charge the batteries on their electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, but, following a post-sale software change, can now only safely charge at half of their originally advertised rate. 

“As a result, consumers who purchased the charging devices have paid for functionality that Defendants advertise but that their devices cannot safely provide,” the Porsche class action states. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, meanwhile, announced in April 2022 it would be launching an investigation into high voltage batteries produced by LG Electronics after they were linked to six separate electric vehicle recalls. 

Have you been discouraged from buying an electric vehicle over charging concerns? Let us know in the comments. 

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