IONITY partners with Shell, OMV, Tank & Rast and Circle K on sites for high-power charging network; 18 countries, >200 sites
27 November 2017
IONITY, the joint venture of BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen with Audi and Porsche that is developing and implementing a High-Power Charging (HPC) network for EVs across Europe (earlier post), has formed initial strategic partnerships for the realization of its HPC network.
IONITY has formed strategic partnerships with Shell, Tank & Rast, OMV and Circle K for the realization of its European fast charging network and is thus entering the exploration and realization phase in 18 European countries. By teaming up with the four partner companies, more than 50% of the 400 sites planned between now and the year 2020 have already been covered.
The installation of HPC charging stations directly on the major thoroughfares will make electromobility significantly more convenient and the charging capacity of up to 350 kW is expected to reduce the waiting time for customers to a minimum.
By joining forces with Shell, IONITY will be able to install its fast charging infrastructure at sites throughout ten European countries: Belgium, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
The site partner in Germany is Autobahn Tank & Rast, which operates around 360 gasoline stations and 400 service stations, including approximately 50 hotels, within the German motorway network.
IONITY is working with the Austrian company OMV on the roll-out of a fast charging infrastructure in Austria, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
By teaming up with Circle K in Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, IONITY will be able to forge ahead with the construction of its fast charging network in Northern Europe.
IONITY uses the standard Combined Charging System (CCS) with a charging capacity of up to 350 kW and thereby will provide cross-brand compatibility with most present-day and future electric vehicles. The charging stations are equipped with the latest e- charging technology and will have six charging points on average. They will be easily accessible for the public situated at a distance of approximately 120 km (75 miles) from each other. Together with its partners, IONITY is already working on the realization of the first 20 sites in more than ten countries.
Further partnerships aimed at completing the IONITY European fast charging network are already in the pipeline.
This is very good news for early BEV owners in EU countries. More sites will follow.
Posted by: HarveyD | 27 November 2017 at 07:10 AM
I look forwards to see the 1st one at least HPC150 level, as no car can use HPC350 today, and find a way to charge my Tesla Model X 100D there...
Yet in Europe Tesla is not offering the Required CCS-Combo cable compatible with HPC150... Only a Type 2 (Non-Combo Minnekes, hence AC only and very limited Power as a result !!!).
SoI look forward for more here !
Posted by: Patrick Free | 27 November 2017 at 07:55 AM
It's great to read of the excellent transition progress in Europe. But it's sad to realize the U.S. is being hamstrung by Trump and the fossil fuel Republicans working against clean energy. Think how much faster we could move without them fight against all our efforts.
Posted by: Lad | 27 November 2017 at 01:24 PM
I think California should secede, then everyone gets what they want ;) You get $9/gasoline, and electric cars, and everyone else gets the slow road to progress.
I think it will be faster when its viable. Otherwise all you get is cheap compliance cars. Don't force something so its half baked. Mass produced BEVs are still like 2-5 years out judging the progress the bolt and the model three have made. If Tesla doesn't launch the model 3 with any sorts of volume soon, it's likely to get passed by, Chevy and Ford both have competition in the works, Chevy is already working on the successor/evolution to the bolt.
Plus, BEVs might actually be worse for the environment than H2 cars using the new methane reformation catalysts. I mean all is flux. Here in capitalist land, people vote with thier wallets. If people really really cared they would all be driving leafs or something, regardless of how much of an impact it might have on thier life style, but they don't.
I'd laugh if the Juke or whatever it is outsold the Leaf.
I also thought the continued subsidies for alt fuels and evs came under Bush. So much for innovation, this is all Bush's fault, especially when the tax credits are drying up. And clearly it benefited the rich.
i believe political posturing is a joke.
Posted by: CheeseEater88 | 27 November 2017 at 07:38 PM
Regards to the article, i don't see anything but private companies wanting to get in front of the curve, by putting in chargers that consumers would like to use, in a manner, that would make sense for consumers to use them
One, you have proximity to one another.
Two, you have a charger that makes sense, the 350kw charger is for customers likely wanting to make longer trips. Not everyone needs an hour long potty break every two hours. Plus, it makes business sense to sell those kwh at a faster pace, so the next guy in line can get some kwh too. Not that it is future proof, but 350kw chargers will likely last much much much longer than the 23kw and smaller charger that tax payers are funding here in the states.
Three, this looks like a winning business model for them. Otherwise i don't think they would do this on thier own. I mean, most chargers are near places of business. Are you really going to stay in your car for 10-30minutes with a fast food store, or a place that sells road going necessities and knickknacks for an outrageous cost? As i said earlier, Walmart should jump on this, they would love the foot traffic. That and quick trip. The proximities of Walmart are probably good enough for most non flyover states to do something similar.
We'll probably see a roll out here similar in the states, things are spread out, and there are lots of competition putting in chargers, though those are usually governments, and smaller projects, not on scale like we've seen here. One day, i see them hitting i70 even through Kansas, Kansas barely has a budget to spring for EV chargers, i believe thier transit section is in the red, despite the tolls. So likely its going to be a large federal(unlikely), or a private venture; and I'm inclined to think the latter will happen.
Posted by: CheeseEater88 | 28 November 2017 at 06:55 PM
As the electric vehicles fleet will get bigger soon, there is big profit (soon) to be made with 350 and 400+ KW charging facilities. If electric generating/distributing firms do not get involved now, the old Oil & Gas firms with fat pocket books will and should do it.
It could become an ideal (long term) investment for Russian, Norwegian, Iran, Irak, Saudis & neighbors Oil and Gas $$$$. They could easily form an international JV to share cost/profit. They could go one step further and supply required REs for independence from existing e-energy suppliers and to stay green.
Posted by: HarveyD | 30 November 2017 at 07:48 AM