BMW, VW to Roll Out EV Charging Network

Two of Germany’s biggest are teaming up to enhance the U.S. electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

BMW, Volkswagen and ChargePoint have announced an initiative to create electric vehicle express charging corridors on both the East and West Coasts of the U.S. with the goal of installing nearly 100 DC fast chargers to support long distance and metropolitan EV travel. ChargePoint is the largest electric vehicle charging network, consisting of over 20,000 charging spots in North America.

According to a statement released by the three companies, the express charging corridors will be added along the most heavily populated regions on Interstate 95 on the East Coast, from Boston to Washington D.C., while the West Coast will cover the metropolitan areas of Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. Each charging station will be strategically placed at a maximum of 50 miles apart to help make it easier for long road trips with an electric vehicle.

Every charging station is expected to include up to two 50-kW DC Fast chargers, or 24-kW DC Combo Fast chargers with the SAE Combo connector, used in both BMW and Volkswagen electric vehicles such as the i3 and e-Golf. Installations have already begun on the West Coast with the first location in San Diego county and the first phase of nearly 100 charging spots will be available by the end of this year.

“A robust network of conveniently located DC Fast charging stations will go a long way toward increasing electric vehicle adoption and making electric vehicle ownership even more enjoyable,” said Robert Healey, Head of EV Infrastructure at BMW of North America. “The express charging corridors are another important step in the development of the U.S. e-mobility infrastructure that makes longer distance travel a real option for consumers, particularly along the most heavily trafficked portions of both coasts—making the BMW i3 and other electric vehicles even more appealing.”