Automakers develop charging networks for greater EV cred

Frequent announcements of new electric vehicle model launches and multi-billiondollar funding for electrification programs have pushed automakers’ commitments to roll out charging networks out of the news. It’s worth taking stock of these projects — a raft of meaty announcements in the area recently have positioned carmakers to become key owners of the future charging network.

The question of who should build public charging infrastructure has long been debated in board rooms. Automakers might have been forgiven for stepping back and leaving others to build the network. Companies across the oil and gas, utility and telecommunications sectors have laid out meaningful plans to invest in charging over the next decade. And a string of private players, like Volta Charging and Fastned, have gone public to fund their expansion plans.

Carmakers have realized that charging is so critical to their mission of selling vehicles that they can’t afford not to get involved. They’ve also more recently looked to this as an additional business opportunity.

BP now says its fast chargers are about to become more profitable than its fuel pumps.

Automakers’ approaches so far differ as they work on figuring out the technology and appropriate business model, just like everyone else. Nearly all automakers are pursuing ultra-fast chargers though slower, level 2 chargers are in the mix as well as are battery swapping stations. Some automakers are building these networks on their own, others are striking joint venture deals; a handful are giving chargers to communities to spur private activity without getting more involved.