Chinese automaker Seres can apparently do more than install toilets in cars. It has joined the Ionchi fast-charging joint venture in China as an equal partner alongside BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz. Each of the three companies will hold a 33.3% stake in the venture going forward.
With Seres, a major local player joins Ionchi. The deal still requires regulatory approval, but the Chinese carmaker has already outlined the future structure of the partnership. The joint venture will primarily rely on Seres’ premium brand Aito to support the expansion of Ionchi’s premium charging infrastructure, according to the company.
The network, mainly located in major Chinese cities, remains open to all brands, although customers driving EVs from the three shareholders benefit from specific advantages.
Seres’ entry is set to accelerate the rollout of the charging network. The company aims to drive further growth and reach a broader customer base, as stated in its announcement. Together with BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz, the partners plan to unlock new opportunities for geographic expansion, increased network density, and service innovation at Ionchi.
Since 2024
The joint venture, established in 2024 by Mercedes-Benz Group China and BMW Brilliance Automotive, positions itself as a premium EV charging network. Its charging sites are primarily located in urban areas, with partners promising ultra-fast charging, high reliability, and 100% renewable energy.
Customers of BMW Group, Aito, and Mercedes-Benz benefit from specific advantages over third-party brands, including online reservation options and priority access to charging capacity.
BMW and Mercedes first unveiled plans for the joint charging network in November 2023. In January 2024, the venture received the green light from Brussels. European competition regulators raised no objections, “given the limited impact on the European Economic Area”. Two months later, the joint venture was officially established.
At the time, the shareholders announced plans to build at least 1,000 fast-charging stations with around 7,000 charging points in China by the end of 2026. However, the company is still far from achieving this goal. According to the CN EV Post portal, Ionchi had connected around 430 fast-charging stations with 2,408 charging points across 37 cities by December 2025.
Light and liquid-cooled
Regarding the equipment at the charging locations, Ionchi uses liquid-cooled fast-charging pillars, each providing a single charging point. Each pillar can deliver a charging capacity of up to 600 kW (200 to 1,000 volts, with a maximum of 800 amperes). Additionally, each charging cable, including the plug, is designed to weigh just 3.15 kg.
