(Yicai Global) June 3 -- BMW is partnering with a unit of China’s State Grid to extend its new energy vehicle charging network across 50,000 kilometers of highways in the country, making long-distance, zero-emission travel possible, according to an agreement penned between the two parties today.

By linking with State Grid Electric Vehicle Service’s intercity expressway charging stations, the German automaker will double its network to 270,000 pillars before the end of the year, 80,000 of which will be direct current fast-chargers.

The pair will collaborate on electric vehicle charging technologies, charging products and new energy power to build the next generation of high-speed, high-power charging capabilities, according to the statement.

A unit of China’s largest electricity distributor, State Grid EVS will build 78,000 charging stations this year to provide NEV owners with a better service and to improve China’s charging facilities, Chairman Quan Shengming said.

Munich-based BMW is preparing to invest more than EUR30 billion (USD33.7 billion) in research and development and innovative technologies by 2025, and most of the money will go to e-mobility and digitalization, said Gao Le, president and chief executive of BMW China.

The carmaker has delivered over 500,000 NEVs worldwide to date, and the figure is expected to double by the end of next year.

Editor: Kim Taylor