VW and XPeng expand partnership in China with charging network

Car manufacturers Volkswagen and Xpeng are extending their partnership. In addition to offering a joint platform for electric cars, they now want to “jointly build one of the largest super-fast charging networks in China.”

The two parties have now signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), giving each other access to their respective charging networks. According to Xpeng, the Chinese EV maker and Volkswagen together operate more than 20,000 EV chargers in 420 cities in China. These will now be available to Xpeng and Volkswagen Group China customers.

According to the MoU, the carmaker will also consider setting up co-branded fast chargers in the country. “Combining the technological advantages in high-power liquid-cooled super-fast charging as well as the broad and complementary coverage of both parties in China, customers of both parties will have the opportunity to enjoy the superior fast-charging experience across China,” says the Xpeng press release.

However, these plans are not yet more concrete. Xpeng just signed a cooperation agreement with Xiaomi, giving the latter access to its chargers. At the time, Chinese media reported that Xpeng had about 9,000 EV chargers in China.

Fourth milestone

“This strategic collaboration marks the fourth milestone in the long-term strategic partnership between XPENG and Volkswagen Group,” says XPeng. Both parties plan to explore further strategic collaboration opportunities, broaden technology collaborations, and strengthen the win-win strategic partnership.”

The two manufacturers made deals in 2023 and have been working together since early 2024. In July, they announced that Xpeng’s E/E Architecture (now called CEA, the ‘China Electronic Architecture’) would be integrated into VW electric cars based on the China Main Platform (CMP) in at least four models from 2026.

Moreover, VW will launch two electric mid-range models in 2026, developed jointly with Xpeng as part of that agreement. In February last year, VW also published the first teaser image of the jointly-developed electric SUV. The German carmaker also invested $700 million in its new Chinese partner.