To Put 'Everybody In' an Electric Vehicle, GM Introduces Ultium Charge 360

Rhea-AI Summary

General Motors launched Ultium Charge 360, a comprehensive charging solution aimed at enhancing the EV ownership experience. This initiative integrates charging networks with GM mobile apps and provides home and public charging support. GM has partnered with seven major charging providers, targeting 2,700 fast chargers by 2025, with 500 expected to be operational by the end of 2021. The Ultium Platform promises ranges of up to 450 miles and supports the launch of 30 EV models globally by 2025, underscoring GM's commitment to an all-electric future.

Positive

• Launch of Ultium Charge 360 enhances the EV charging experience.
• Partnerships with seven major charging providers increase accessibility.
• Commitment to installing 2,700 fast chargers by 2025, with 500 expected by year-end 2021.
• The proprietary Ultium Platform supports a range of up to 450 miles.

Negative

• None.

DETROIT, April 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today General Motors introduced Ultium Charge 360, a holistic charging approach that integrates charging networks, GM vehicle mobile apps¹, and other products and services to simplify the overall charging experience for GM electric vehicle owners. Ultium Charge 360 builds on GM's existing charging efforts to provide GM EV owners more confidence and convenience when it comes to EV charging.

"GM agrees with the customer need for a robust charging experience that makes the transition to an EV seamless and helps drive mass adoption," said Travis Hester, GM's chief EV officer. "As we launch 30 EVs globally by the end of 2025, Ultium Charge 360 simplifies and improves the at-home charging experience and the public charging experience – whether it's community-based or road-trip charging."

Ultium Charge 360 is a holistic charging experience offering:

• Access to Charging: GM will continue to work with a variety of third parties, including charge point operators, electric utilities and government agencies to make home, workplace, public and fleet charging ubiquitous for customers.
• Mobile Apps: GM will continue to update the GM vehicle mobile apps to provide an even more intuitive mobile experience that makes navigating to a charging station, plugging into a charger and paying for charging simple.
• Products and Services: To help ensure the transition to an EV is seamless, GM is working to offer EV owners charging accessories and installation services tailored to their lifestyle. For example, GM will cover standard installation of Level 2 charging capability for eligible customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV in collaboration with Qmerit.

In addition to introducing Ultium Charge 360, GM also announces continued progress on its EV infrastructure strategy:

• GM now has signed agreements with seven major charging providers: Blink Charging, ChargePoint, EV Connect, EVgo, FLO, Greenlots and SemaConnect. Through their GM vehicle mobile apps, EV customers will soon be able to easily see real-time information from nearly 60,000 charging plugs throughout the U.S. and Canada, find stations along a route and initiate and pay for charging.
• The first GM and EVgo sites are now live in Washington, California and Florida, nine months after a commitment to add more than 2,700 fast chargers in cities and suburbs by the end of 2025 was first announced. Each site is capable of delivering up to 350 kilowatts and averages four chargers per site. GM and EVgo are on track to have approximately 500 fast charging stalls live by the end of 2021.

GM will continue to provide updates about Ultium Charge 360, including new elements and collaborations.

Ultium Charge 360 builds on the technology that is powering GM's EV future – the Ultium Platform. This platform could enable a GM-estimated range of up to 450 miles on a full charge².  The Ultium Platform will power the Cadillac LYRIQ, GMC HUMMER EVs, the Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup truck and more.

In the last two years, GM has made several announcements demonstrating its rapid advancement toward an all-electric, zero-emissions future, and the commitment to making EV ownership easier, including:

• GM revealed its proprietary Ultium Platform that will allow the company to compete for nearly every customer in the market today.
• GM committed more than $27 billion to EV and AV product development through 2025, including $7 billion in 2021, and plans to launch 30 EVs globally by the end of 2025, with more than two-thirds available in North America. Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet and Buick will all be represented, with EVs at all price points for work, adventure, performance and family use.
• In July 2020, GM and EVgo announced plans to triple the size of the nation's largest DC fast charging network over the next five years.
• In March 2020, GM announced it is adding 3,500 new EV charging plugs throughout its U.S. and Canadian facilities for employees.
• In February 2020, GM made enhancements to Energy Assist, making it easier for GM EV owners to find an available public charging station and initiate a charging session.
• In August 2019, GM announced a collaboration with Qmerit, which manages a nationwide network of certified EV charger installers, simplifying the home charging experience. In collaboration with Qmerit, Chevrolet will cover standard installation of Level 2 charging capability for eligible customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV.   

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com. 

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and related comments by management may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements represent our current judgement about possible future events and are often identified by words such as "anticipate," "appears," "approximately," "believe," "continue," "could," "designed," "effect," "estimate," "evaluate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "initiative," "intend," "may," "objective," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "priorities," "project," "pursue," "seek," "should," "target," "when," "will," "would," or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions. In making these statements, we rely upon assumptions and analysis based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors we consider appropriate under the circumstances. We believe these judgements are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors, many of which are described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where we are expressly required to do so by law.

¹Available on select Apple and Android devices. Service availability, features and functionality vary by vehicle, device and the plan you are enrolled in. User terms apply. Device data connection required. See onstar.com for details and limitations.

²Actual range will vary based on several factors, including temperature, terrain, battery age, vehicle model, loading, use and maintenance.

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SOURCE General Motors Co.

FAQ

What is Ultium Charge 360 by GM?

Ultium Charge 360 is a holistic charging solution introduced by GM that integrates charging networks and mobile apps to improve the experience for electric vehicle owners.

When does GM plan to launch 30 new EV models?

GM plans to launch 30 electric vehicle models globally by the end of 2025.

What partnerships has GM formed for EV charging?

GM has signed agreements with seven major charging providers, including Blink Charging, ChargePoint, and EVgo.

How many fast chargers does GM aim to install by 2025?

GM aims to install over 2,700 fast chargers by the end of 2025.

What is the estimated range of vehicles powered by GM's Ultium Platform?

Vehicles powered by GM's Ultium Platform can achieve estimated ranges of up to 450 miles on a full charge.