BMW, Ford and Honda form unlikely partnership

Electric-car owners in the US will soon have a way to better recharge their vehicles, thanks to a new business being developed by three major car companies.

Three of the biggest brand names from Germany, the US, and Japan have joined forces to create a new company.

BMW, Ford, and Honda have announced they are launching ChargeScape – a business designed to connect US-based owners of electric vehicles together with car makers and electricity utility companies.

Expected to launch in early 2024, ChargeScape promises to allow those with electric cars to “earn financial benefits by charging during ‘grid-friendly’ times,” while also allowing owners to share energy stored in their vehicles with the grid during peak demand.

A joint statement from the three manufacturers said the business will also utilise renewable energy sources – such as wind and solar – for recharging electric vehicles.

“ChargeScape aims to accelerate the expansion of smart charging and vehicle-to-everything solutions all over the country, while increasing customer benefits, supporting the stability of the grid and helping to maximize renewable energy usage,” said Thomas Ruemenapp, Vice President of Engineering at BMW North America, in a written statement.

Jay Joseph, Vice President of Sustainability & Business Development at Honda’s US arm, added: “With automakers accelerating toward the electrified future, we must find solutions like ChargeScape that enable all stakeholders to work together for the good of our customers, society and our industry by enabling greater use of renewable energy for and from mobility.”

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