SAIC Motor’s joint venture with General Motors, SAIC-GM, has disclosed its intention to connect to Tesla’s charging network in China by the end of this year, potentially allowing access for SAIC-GM’s Cadillac and Buick electric models on the Ultium platform. The collaboration, set to commence in late 2023, could enable SAIC-GM to utilize Tesla’s Supercharger and destination charging stations, which were opened to non-Tesla vehicles on a pilot basis in April.
As of the latest statement, Tesla’s charging infrastructure available to non-Tesla vehicles in China includes 10 Supercharger stations and over 200 destination charging stations. SAIC-GM’s exploration of this collaboration positions the company as a notable participant in China’s evolving electric vehicle (EV) landscape.
While SAIC-GM concurrently develops its charging network, featuring 52 stations with 246 charging piles, it has also established partnerships with six other charging operators, offering access to a substantial network of over 500,000 charging piles in more than 320 cities across China.
This collaborative move aligns with Tesla’s broader strategy of opening its charging network to other EV manufacturers. In the United States, General Motors (GM) had previously announced a collaboration with Tesla to integrate the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector design into its EVs starting in 2025, expanding GM EV drivers’ access to Tesla Superchargers throughout North America. This trend of cooperation among automakers reflects the industry’s collective effort to address the growing demand for comprehensive and accessible charging infrastructure.
