Energy company E.ON and Volkswagen Group Components are developing an ultra-fast EV charging station that could pave the way for the development of a dense public network of such charge points.
According to VW, the current prototype integrates a battery system that could make it possible to install ultra-fast charging stations “almost anywhere and at significantly lower cost without civil engineering or mains connection”.
E.ON said it is seeing demand for this solution from municipal utilities and local authorities as well as from filling stations and service areas.
In addition, the offer is tailored to the electrification of retail parking lots and logistics companies such as parcel services.
Thomas Schmall, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen Group Components, said: “The flexible ultra-fast charging station developed by us is an important component for a comprehensive network of charging points.
“At the same time, its innovative approach to quick and easy installation enables us to meet the needs of our customers.
“The cooperation with E.ON is an important step towards integrating this technology into the charging infrastructure quickly and in line with demand.”
Operating under the plug-and-play principle, once the stations are installed and connected operators can configure them online. The quick charging system can charge two EVs with up to 150kW of power at the same time, thus providing an additional range of around 200km in 15 minutes.
To ensure that the battery installed in the charging station always has sufficient capacity, it is permanently fed by a conventional 16 to 63A power connection.
E.ON will operate the rapid chargers exclusively with green electricity.
Updates, remote maintenance and billing of the charging points will be carried out via E.ON’s central software platform.
VW said the technology meets all requirements for financial support under both EU and the German directives and complies with calibration law requirements.
Volkswagen Group Components will start series production this year.
In the second half of the year, E.ON will test the new charging points at six motorway filling stations and then launch them on the German market under the name E.ON Drive Booster.
Want to learn more about the latest in electric vehicle charging technologies? CiTTi Exhibition takes place on the 3rd and 4th of June at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena. Register your interest to attend at www.cittiexhibition.co.uk
