NORTH AMERICAN CHARGING SHAKEUP! WHAT CAN OEMS DO FOR DC FAST CHARGING IN THE USA AND CANADA?

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This video discusses the significant joint venture by seven major automakers (BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis) to establish a new DC fast-charging network in North America, aiming for over 30,000 chargers with both CCS1 and NACS connectors by summer 2024. The hosts explore the potential implications, including hardware partners, the network's appeal for 800V architectures, and its role as a hedge against reliance on Tesla's Supercharger network. Key discussion points revolve around the network's potential to address pain points like the lack of canopies and amenities at existing stations, and the critical importance of charger activation times and reliable build-out. While the initiative is seen as a positive step towards expanding charging infrastructure, concerns remain about execution, location prioritization, and the pace of deployment compared to Tesla's rapid expansion.