A powerbank to fast-charge your EVs? Volkswagen may have found the answer

Volkswagen and E.ON have developed an electric vehicle fast-charging system. The two German companies claim that this system is simple, inexpensive and can be done anywhere.

In principle, this works like a powerbank for a smartphone, just a few sizes larger and more powerful. The mobile quick charging station from VW comes with a capacity of 360 kWh and enables the charging of up to 15 electric vehicles in autonomous operation. Due to the DC fast charging technology with a charging capacity of 100 kW, a charging process only takes 17 minutes on average.

The prototype of a new, flexible ultra-fast charging station is at the centre of the system. The integration of a battery system makes it possible to install ultra-fast charging stations without civil engineering or mains connection almost anywhere and at significantly more attractive terms.

The quick charging stations are to be set up according to the plug & play principle. This means: stand, connect, configure online. The quick charging system can charge two e-cars with up to 150 kilowatts of power in parallel, providing an average range of around 200 km in just 15 minutes. This enabled the E.ON and VW charging station to increase its charging capacity by 50 kW compared to the quick charging station presented for the first time.

"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," said Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components.

Volkswagen Group Components will start series production this year. In the second half of the year, E.ON will test the new charging stations intensively at six motorway filling stations and then launch them on the German market under the name E.ON Drive Booster.