GM to offer electric vehicle drivers access to 60,000 plugs

General Motors wants to make America’s transition to electric vehicles as seamless as possible.

So the automaker on Wednesday announced several steps it is taking to making charging EVs easy.

First, GM said it signed agreements to partner with seven charging networks to offer customers access to 60,000 plugs in the U.S. and Canada.

GM is already partnered with charging network EVgo and as part of that the two are launching the first Ultium-ready fast chargers. About 500 fast charging stalls will go live the by end of this year, GM said.

Finally, GM is introducing Ultium Charge 360, what GM is calling its approach to integrating GM’s vehicle mobile apps, other products and services to make charging easier and more accessible.

Ultium Charge 360 builds on GM’s existing charging system, so it includes updating GM vehicle mobile apps to make finding a charging station and paying easier, in part due to GM’s new agreements with the seven charging networks.

“GM agrees with the customer need for a robust charging experience that makes the transition to an EV seamless and helps drive mass adoption,” said Travis Hester, GM’s chief EV officer. “As we launch 30 EVs globally by the end of 2025, Ultium Charge 360 simplifies and improves the at-home charging experience and the public charging experience — whether it’s community-based or road-trip charging.”

Hester said GM will upgrade its vehicle mobile apps every four weeks for the next 18 months. Some upgrades will offer specific EV functions and will be timed to launch when GM rolls out the GMC Hummer EV pickup later this year.

The GM vehicle mobile apps will show real-time information on some 60,000 charging locations such as payment options, finding stations along the driver’s route and whether a charger station is occupied or down.