Carmakers join forces in Europe to make electrics widespread
FRANKFURT — A group of major automakers plans to open hundreds of fast-charging stations for electric cars in Europe in coming years and use a common plug technology in what they hope will be a big step toward mass acceptance of battery-powered vehicles.
BMW, Daimler, Ford and the Volkswagen Group with its Audi and Porsche brands have equal shares in the venture, Ionity, plans for which were first announced last year.
They said Friday that they will open the first of 20 stations this year in Germany, Austria and Norway at 120-kilometre (75-mile) intervals along major roads. They plan to expand the network to more than 100 stations next year and have about 400 in place across Europe by 2020.
The founding companies said “other automotive manufacturers are invited to help expand the network.”