Three Alabama automakers are taking part in a seven-member joint venture to rapidly expand access to electric vehicle charging stations in North America.

Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz are joining the BMW Group, General Motors, Kia and Stellantis NV in developing a new, high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers. The joint venture is expected to be established this year.

The new charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker using Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS).

The sticker price on Ford’s F-150 Lightning electric pickup is being lowered by thousands of dollars due to increased plant capacity, falling costs for battery raw materials and internal efforts to scale production by the Detroit automaker.

Ford Motor Co. said Monday that final upgrades at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan being completed now will lead to greater availability of a built-to-order truck as early as October at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price closer to initial Lightning pricing.