BMW, Mercedes-backed charging brand unveiled

IONCHI, an ultra-fast charging brand based in Beijing, launched its first seven public charging stations on Thursday following two weeks of trial operations.

This marks a major milestone in the company's mission to deliver premium charging services for China's rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.

The brand, a joint venture between BMW Brilliance and Mercedes-Benz Group China, was created to address the growing demand for high-end EV infrastructure, said CEO Tang Xuri.

Tang 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.

The initial seven charging stations are located in Beijing, Qingdao in Shandong province, and Nanjing in Jiangsu province.

IONCHI aims to expand its network significantly, with plans to establish 1,000 stations across 100 cities in China by the end of 2026.