VW unveils portable EV charging station 03 | 01 | 2019
VOLKSWAGEN IS TO introduce a fleet of portable electric vehicle charging stations. It will be capable of charging an e-Golf to 80% capacity in just 17 minutes, thanks to DC quick-charging of up to 100kW. The move is a bid to strengthen and broaden the network of charging points across Europe. (Related: VW breaks all-electric Goodwood record)
Starting in the first half of this year in VW’s home town of Wolfsburg the roll-out will then continue across other German cities during 2020. VW has yet to confirm the locations of the other sites. (Related: Mapping the Atlas Mountains in a VW Touareg)
The mobile quick charging station can be set up flexibly and independent of the power supply wherever it is needed: for example, in public parking lots in the city, on company premises, or as a temporary charging point at large-scale events.
The mobile charging station works according to the principle of a power bank – which is familiar to many people with smartphones – but for electric vehicles instead. The charging capacity of up to 360 kWh enables up to 15 e-vehicles, including members of Volkswagen’s new ID. family — and the current e-Golf — to be charged in stand-alone operation.
Thanks to quick charging technology, the charging process only takes 17 minutes on average. If the energy content of the integrated battery set is less than 20%, the depleted charging station is simply exchanged for a charged one (pictured immediately above).
If, however, it is permanently attached to the power supply with up to 30 kW via alternating current, the battery pack perpetually recharges itself.
On top of this the stations also allow temporary storage of renewable energy such as solar or wind power, in effect, enabling CO2-neutral mobility.
“The mobile charging stations are a decisive step toward an efficient network of charging points,” Thomas Schmall, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components, said. “They can be set up anywhere as required – with or without connection to the power supply.
“This flexibility enables a completely new approach for the rapid expansion of the charging infrastructure. Cities can, for example, find out the most suitable places for a permanent charging point before making major investments in developing the network. In addition, it will be possible to set up a large number of charging stations temporarily – exactly when and where they are needed.”
Related: Electric VW smashes Pikes Peak record
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Jim McGill