A new joint venture by major multinational companies is setting up a cross-European network of charging points for electric vehicles.

The company, Hubject GmbH, is a joint venture formed by the BMW Group, Bosch, Daimler, EnBW, RWE and Siemens, based in Berlin. The company operates a cross-industry business and IT platform connecting charging infrastructure, service and mobility providers.

Hubject managing director Andreas Pfeiffer, speaking at the International Emobility Conference hosted by the German federal government, announced the launch of its eRoaming platform, and said cross-provider charging will become reality in Europe before the end of this year.

He said: “By starting the eRoaming platform we and our partners have provided the solution to a fundamental emobility issue. Intercharge will enable all users of electric vehicles to charge easily and anywhere.”

Using a Europe-wide network of charging infrastructures, connected via eRoaming, users will be able to charge their vehicles at all stations compatible with intercharge, all under a single contract. The only requirement is that their provider be connected to Hubject’s eRoaming system.

Herbert Diess, BMW board member responsible for development and speaking on behalf of all shareholders of Hubject, told the conference: “It is our aim that users of electric vehicles can charge anywhere and easily.

“This joint initiative enables us to leave national and regional stand-alone solutions behind and to create a European network that connects the different charge point operators and is available to all users.”

Hubject said that in addition to partners from Germany and the Benelux countries a number of Austrian charging infrastructure operators have already lent their support to its intercharge model.