Dive Brief:
- General Motors has launched an Energy Pass digital electric vehicle charging platform, allowing customers to pay for charging sessions at public chargers operated by different companies using a single, more intuitive interface, the automaker announced in a press release.
- Energy Pass is integrated into GM’s MyChevrolet, MyCadillac and MyGMC vehicle companion apps and can be used to find nearby public chargers, initiate a charging session and make payments without the need to log in to separate third-party EV charging operator apps.
- At launch, Energy Pass gives GM’s EV customers access to Tesla Superchargers and public chargers operated by Ionna and Electrify America, but the automaker will add the ChargePoint and EVgo networks in the near future. GM says it will cover nearly 70% of all DC fast chargers across the U.S., including many level 2 chargers.
Dive Insight:
The growing public EV charging network in the U.S. is fragmented, with multiple companies managing their own charging networks and facilitating payments through their platforms. Because of this fragmentation, EV drivers often need to manage multiple smartphone charging apps.
Energy Pass is designed to be easier to use than its predecessor GM platforms, led by Ultium Charge 360, which was launched in 2021. The new platform provides live charging status updates, charging history and payment receipts in one place. EV drivers can also unlock exclusive discounts from select public networks via Energy Pass.
“Energy Pass is built around this spirit of simplification,” GM said in the release. “It’s one more step toward making public charging feel less like a workaround and more like a seamless part of your life.”
The Plug & Charge feature built into Energy Pass adds an additional layer of convenience at compatible chargers. Drivers can simply plug in their vehicles to automatically initiate a charging session and pay for it without needing a credit card or smartphone payment method. It’s currently available at Ionna Rechargeries and public chargers operated by EVgo, but GM aims to add the ChargePoint network this summer.
Ionna was established in July 2023 as a joint venture between BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota to provide their EV customers with more convenient public charging access.
For GM EVs equipped with a native NACS port, the automaker plans to offer Plug & Charge at Tesla Supercharger locations later this year. GM expects that all of its new 2027 model year EVs will launch with native NACS charge ports between now and December.
GM’s Energy Pass digital charging platform is also designed to evolve over time. The automaker plans to add more public charging networks to the ecosystem in the future, along with app enhancements and other benefits and discounts, per the release.
