Carmaker Group Launches European Fast-Charging Network

Ionity GmbH, a Munich-based consortium of carmakers (Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, Porsche and Volkswagen), has begun installing a network of fast-charging stations for electrified vehicles in Europe.

The first 20 stations are due to open by year-end in Austria, Germany and Norway. The group, which was formed late last year, plans to expand to more than 100 stations through the end of 2018 and grow to about 400 by 2020.

Initially, the stations will be located about 120 km (75 miles) apart on major roadways to facilitate long-distance travel for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Charging points will have power capacities as high as 350 kW using the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard, which most European and American brands have adopted.

Most current fast chargers operate at 50 kW or less and require about 80 minutes to fully recharge a battery to provide a 400-km (248-mile) driving range. Tesla’s Supercharger stations operate at 120 kW, allowing an EV battery to be charged to 80% of capacity in about 30 minutes. A 350-kW unit is expected to cut recharging times to 12 minutes or less.