BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group with Audi & Porsche Plan a Joint Venture for Ultra-Fast, High-Power Charging Along Major Highways in Europe


Joint Venture to deploy a high-powered DC charging network
for battery electric vehicles (BEV) covering long-distance travel
routes in Europe

 


Power levels up to 350 kW significantly
reduce charging time compared to available systems

 


Build-up of about 400 ultra-fast charging sites planned in Europe

 


Network is based on the Combined Charging System (CCS)
standard which uses a connector that is fully compatible with most
current and next generations BEVs

 


Unprecedented collaboration of the automakers would form a
brand-independent network for charging infrastructure
 

 

 

Stuttgart, November 29, 2016 – BMW Group, Daimler AG,
Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the highest-powered
charging network in Europe. The goal is the quick build-up of a
sizable number of stations in order to enable long-range travel for
battery electric vehicle drivers. This will be an important step
towards facilitating mass-market BEV adoption.

 

The projected ultra-fast high-powered charging network with power
levels up to 350 kW will be significantly faster than the most
powerful charging system deployed today. The build-up is planned to
start in 2017. An initial target of about 400 sites in Europe is
planned. By 2020 the customers should have access to thousands of
high-powered charging points. The goal is to enable long-distance
travel through open-network charging stations along highways and major
thoroughfares, which has not been feasible for most BEV drivers to
date. The charging experience is expected to evolve to be as
convenient as refueling at conventional gas stations.

 

The network will be based on Combined Charging System (CCS) standard
technology. The planned charging infrastructure expands the existing
technical standard for AC- and DC charging of electric vehicles to the
next level of capacity for DC fast charging with up to 350 kW. BEVs
that are engineered to accept this full power of the charge stations
can recharge brand-independently in a fraction of the time of today’s
BEVs. The network is intended to serve all CCS equipped vehicles to
facilitate the BEV adoption in Europe.

 

 

BMW Group

“This high-power charging network provides motorists with another
strong argument to move towards electric mobility,”
says Harald
Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “The BMW
Group has initiated numerous public charging infrastructure projects
over the last years. The joint project is another major milestone
clearly demonstrating that competitors are combining forces to
ramp-up e-mobility.”

 

Daimler AG

“The breakthrough of e-mobility requires two things: convincing
vehicles and a comprehensive charging infrastructure. With our new
brand EQ, we are launching our electric product offensive: by 2025,
our portfolio will include more than ten fully electric passenger
cars. Together with our partners, we are now installing the
highest-powered charging infrastructure in Europe,”
says Dr.
Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and
Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The availability of high-power
stations allows long-distance e-mobility for the first time and will
convince more and more customers to opt for an electric vehicle.”

 

Ford Motor Company

“A reliable, ultra-fast charging infrastructure is important for
mass consumer adoption and has the potential to transform the
possibilities for electric driving,”
says Mark Fields,
president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “Ford is committed to
developing vehicles and technologies that make people’s lives
better, and this charging network will make it easier and more
practical for customers across Europe to own electrified vehicles.”

 

AUDI AG

“We intend to create a network that allows our customers on
long-distance trips to use a coffee break for recharging,”
says
Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG.
“Reliable fast charging services are a key factor for drivers to
choose an electric vehicle. With this cooperation we want to boost a
broader market adoption of e-mobility and speed up the shift towards
emission-free driving.”

 

Porsche AG

“There are two decisive aspects for us: ultra-fast charging and
placing the charging stations at the right positions,”
says
Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.
“Together, these two factors enable us to travel in an
all-electrically powered car as in a conventional combustion engine
vehicle. As automobile manufacturer, we actively shape our future,
not only by developing all-electrically powered vehicles but by
building up the necessary infrastructure as well.”

 

The automobile manufacturers intend to make substantial investments
to create the network, underscoring each company’s belief in the
future of electric mobility. While the founding partners – BMW Group,
Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group – will be equal
partners in the Joint Venture, other automobile manufacturers will be
encouraged to participate in the network to help establish convenient
charging solutions for BEV customers. The Joint Venture is also open
for cooperations with regional partners. 

The Joint Venture formation is subject to execution of definitive
agreements and merger control approval in various jurisdictions.

Contacts:

  

BMW Group

Wieland Brch
+49 89 382 726 52
Wieland.Bruch@bmw.de
www.press.bmwgroup.com

 

Ford Motor Company

John Gardiner
+49 22190 199 85

jgardin2@ford.com
www.media.ford.com

Daimler AG

Madeleine Herdlitschka
+49 711 17 764 09
madeleine.herdlitschka@daimler.com
www.media.daimler.com

 

Volkswagen Group

Andreas Brozat
+49 5361 9 433 18
andreas.brozat@volkswagen.de



www.volkswagen-media-services.com

 

Porsche AG

Matthias Rauter
+49 711 911 243 32


matthias.rauter@porsche.de

www.presse.porsche.de

AUDI AG

Oliver Scharfenberg
+49 841 89 354 30


oliver.scharfenberg@audi.de

www.audi-mediacenter.com/en

About AUDI AG

The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one
of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in
the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide
and produces at 16 locations in twelve countries. In the second half
of 2016, the production of the Audi Q5 will start in San José Chiapa
(Mexico). 100‑percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include quattro GmbH
(Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant’Agata Bolognese,
Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy). In 2015, the
Audi Group delivered to customers approximately 1.8 million
automobiles of the Audi brand, 3,245 sports cars of the Lamborghini
brand and about 54,800 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. In the 2015
financial year, the Audi Group achieved total revenue of €58.4 billion
and an operating profit of €4.8 billion. At present, approximately
85,000 people work for the company all over the world, about 60,000 of
them in Germany. Audi focuses on new products and sustainable
technologies for the future of mobility.

 

About BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the
world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles
and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global
company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities
in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140
countries. In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million
cars and nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax
for the financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on
revenues amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW
Group had a workforce of 122,244 employees. The success of the BMW
Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible
action. The company has therefore established ecological and social
sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product
responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an
integral part of its strategy.

 

About Daimler AG

Daimler AG is one of the world’s most successful automotive
companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks,
Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the
Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the
world’s biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global
reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet
management, insurance, financial investments, credit cards, and
innovative mobility services. The company’s founders, Gottlieb Daimler
and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in
the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler
continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group’s focus is
on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior
automobiles that appeal and fascinate. Daimler consequently invests in
the development of alternative drive trains with the long-term goal of
emission-free driving: from hybrid vehicles to electric vehicles
powered by battery or fuel cell. Furthermore, the company follows a
consistent path towards accident-free driving and intelligent
connectivity all the way to autonomous driving. This is just one
example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its
responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its
vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has
production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and
Africa. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the
world’s most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well
as Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes me, the brands smart,
Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built
Buses, and Daimler Financial Services’ brands: Mercedes-Benz Bank,
Mercedes-Benz Financial, Daimler Truck Financial, moovel, car2go and
mytaxi. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and
Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2015, the Group sold around
2.9 million vehicles and employed a workforce of 284,015 people;
revenue totalled €149.5 billion and EBIT amounted to €13.2 billion.

 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based
in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants
worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars,
trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its
business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities
with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

 

About Porsche AG

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, with headquarters in
Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, is one of the most profitable car makers in
the world. After the first nine months of 2016, Porsche delivered
178,314 vehicles of the 911, Cayenne, Macan, Panamera, 718 Boxster and
718 Cayman models to customers worldwide. That was 3 per cent more
than the same time period last year. During the first three quarters
of 2016, the sports car manufacturer’s operating profit amounted to
2.9 billion euros, up 12 per cent from the previous year’s comparative
figure. Porsche operates plants in Stuttgart and Leipzig as well as a
development centre in Weissach. The sports car maker employs about
27,000 people (as at September 30, 2016). The Porsche principle of
getting the most out of all opportunities stems from the race track
and is embodied in every vehicle. Thanks to its high quality
standards, 70 per cent of all Porsches ever built are still on the
street today.

 

About Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg is one of the
world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in
Europe. The
Group comprises twelve brands
from seven European countries:
Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti,
Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania
and MAN. Each brand has its own character and operates as an
independent entity on the market. The product spectrum ranges from
motorcycles to small cars and luxury vehicles. In the commercial
vehicle sector, the products include ranges from pick-ups, buses and
heavy trucks. The Group operates 121 production plants in 20 European
countries and a further 11 countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa.
Every weekday, 610,076 employees worldwide produce nearly 42,000
vehicles, and work in vehicle-related services or other fields of
business. The Volkswagen Group sells its vehicles in 153 countries.
With its “TOGETHER – Strategy 2025″ future program, the
Volkswagen Group is paving the way for the biggest change process in
its history: the realignment of one of the best carmakers to become a
globally leading provider of sustainable mobility.