Mercedes-Benz and BMW have launched the initial phase of a fast-charging network across China through their joint venture, Ionchi, with the first seven fast-charging stations now operational.
By the end of 2026, the companies plan to establish 1,000 charging parks across 100 Chinese cities, amounting to a total of 7,000 charging points.
Following regulatory approval from European competition authorities in early 2024, Mercedes-Benz Group China and BMW Brilliance Automotive formed Ionchi, a 50-50 joint venture.
The initial fast-charging stations are located in Beijing, Qingdao, and Nanjing, each offering liquid-cooled chargers with a capacity of up to 600 kW, supporting a voltage range of 200 to 1,000 V and a maximum current of 800 A.
These public fast-charging stations will feature exclusive services like Plug&Charge and advance reservations, while remaining accessible to all EV brands.
This venture marks the third joint infrastructure project between Mercedes-Benz and BMW, alongside Ionity in Europe and Ionna in North America. The Ionna venture, launched in July 2023, aims to establish 30,000 fast-charging points across North America, with Toyota recently joining as an eighth partner.
Mercedes-Benz also continues to expand its independent network, aiming for more than 10,000 global fast-charging stations by decade’s end, with active locations in North America, Europe, China, and Japan.
