BMW, Mercedes-backed charging brand unveiled

IONCHI, an ultrafast charging brand established by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, launched its first seven public charging stations on Thursday after two weeks of trial operations.

The seven charging stations are located in Beijing, Qingdao in Shandong province and Nanjing in Jiangsu province. The brand has plans to establish at least 1,000 stations in 100 cities across the country by the end of 2026.

The move marks a milestone in the mission of the company, a joint venture between BMW Brilliance and Mercedes-Benz Group China, to deliver premium charging services for China's rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.

CEO Tang Xuri explained that the name combines "ION", symbolizing energy-rich and active ions, with "CHI", representing China, underscoring the company's dedication to the Chinese market.

Statistics from the China Passenger Car Association show that 1.12 million electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids were sold to Chinese buyers in September.

They accounted for 53.3 percent of total passenger vehicle sales in the month, marking the third month in a row in which NEVs made up at least half of total vehicle sales.

There were at least 24.72 million NEVs running on Chinese roads by the first half of the year, ranking first in the world.

By the end of September, there were 3.33 million public chargers in China, according to the country's charging infrastructure alliance, but 64 percent of them have a voltage level of 750 or lower, although a growing number of new models feature 800-volt charging technology.

Tang said the company was created to address the growing demand for high-end EV infrastructure. Among other things, its chargers support a wide voltage range, from 200 volts to 1,000 volts, ensuring compatibility with most EVs on the market.

Thanks to remote software and firmware updates, IONCHI can continuously enhance its compatibility and reliability, offering users a seamless, high-end charging experience.

It uses advanced liquid-cooled technology and boasts an industry-leading power of 600 kilowatts and a maximum current of 800 amps. The system can intelligently allocate power to optimize battery charging performance.

Furthermore, its lightweight design reduces the charging gun's weight to just 3.15 kilograms, while the gun's insertion height of 1.1 meters is ergonomically designed to enhance user comfort during the charging process.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also partnered to build ultrafast charging networks through joint ventures such as IONITY in Europe and IONNA in North America.

These networks, powered by renewable energy platforms, focus on high-power charging stations.

IONITY, which offers up to 350 kW of charging capacity, has become a trusted brand for European EV users, while IONNA is driving similar initiatives in North America.

Tang said IONCHI distinguishes itself from its siblings by offering 600 kW high-power charging services, designed to meet the needs of Chinese consumers, in alignment with national policies and market trends.

Leveraging its technological advancements and superior products, Tang said the company aims to provide premium charging services, ushering in a new era of public ultrafast charging in China.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn