Europe's network of charging stations is growing, as are the partnerships between the various providers on the market. Competition that is increasing the number of stations promises to transform electric mobility.
A genuine jolt, and one that has been making itself felt over recent months. Agreements between car manufacturers and various energy providers are multiplying with the aim of building a large, widespread network of charging stations distributed across the whole of Europe. Thanks to commitments from the European Union and the funds made available, numerous projects are in the pipeline.
The latest to emerge is the fast-charging network that will involve seven European countries: 180 charging stations along the motorway artery linking Norway to Italy, passing through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The network, recognised and funded with 10 million euros by the European Commission, will be built through a collaboration between E.On and Clever, the Danish provider of electric mobility services.
"We are not just installing charging stations," said Casper Kirketerp-Møller, CEO of Clever, in a statement, "we are designing charging stations that take consumer needs into account, to ensure customers always enjoy a pleasant and reliable experience wherever they come across our facilities. By jointly offering consumers the ability to charge any car, strategic sites for charging and well-designed solutions, we believe we can convince the public that electric vehicles are a genuine alternative to traditional mobility."
The fast-charging stations will allow a full battery of 400 kilometres to be charged in around 20–30 minutes, but according to the companies behind the initiative, charging time will be reduced as charging capacity increases and vehicle technology develops.
Car manufacturers are also on the move, specifically to compete with Tesla's Supercharger network, today perhaps the most efficient and effective. Enter the five German siblings (BMW, Daimler Group, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche), who, together with Ford, have recently unveiled Ionity, a collaboration that will give rise to a fast-charging network for electric cars distributed across the entire territory within three years.
For now, the first 20 stations are planned by the end of this year, but the stated objective of the new company, which has around fifty employees, is to reach 400 charging stations located along motorways and major arteries in Germany, Norway and Austria. They will be open to the public and situated approximately 120 km apart from one another.
"For the uptake of electrically powered vehicles among consumers, the existence of a reliable fast-charging infrastructure is fundamental," said Michael Hajesch, project director. "The founding of Ionity demonstrates how car manufacturers are joining forces in that direction. By creating the first pan-European HPC network, we will make electric vehicles suitable for long-distance travel as well. We wish to focus, in particular, on the needs of the individual customer, so that they can enjoy a fast and convenient service."
The various projects are emerging alongside the initiative launched a few weeks ago in our country: an out-of-town charging network close to motorway toll booths that makes it possible to reach Rome by electric vehicle. The project, called EVA+, envisages the installation, over three years, of 200 fast-charging stations, 180 in Italy and the remaining 20 in Austria. It remains to be seen just how "fast" the installations will actually be, given that 2017 is now drawing to a close and 2020 is just around the corner.
