VW: More than 15,000 fast-charging points have already been set up worldwide

At the beginning of 2023, the VW Group will take stock and show that it has already succeeded in getting up to around a third of the planned fast-charging points. Around 15,000 high-power charging points (HPC) with a capacity of up to 350 kW have been installed. In 2021, the Group announced at Power Day that it would work with partners worldwide to build a fast-charging network accessible to all-electric vehicles. By the end of 2023, approximately 10,000 HPC charging points will be available in Europe and up to 25,000 worldwide.

In Europe, the fast-charging network is being set up in cooperation with the joint venture IONITY, in which the group brands Audi and Volkswagen Passenger Cars as well as the sports car manufacturer Porsche are involved. In addition, the company has joined forces with the Enel Group company Enel X Way. The joint venture Ewiva in Italy is expanding the charging infrastructure there. Volkswagen has strategic partnerships with BP and Iberdrola for the installation of fast chargers. With BP, the company plans to set up around 8,000 fast-charging points. In cooperation with Iberdrola, the main traffic routes in Spain will be covered.

"Volkswagen started building a global fast-charging network years ago. With 15,000 fast chargers installed in North America, China and Europe, we are now one of the pioneers. In doing so, we rely on close cooperation with partners from industry and the energy sector. We see charging not only as a necessary prerequisite for e-mobility but also as a promising, strategic business field of the future, which we intend to further expand in the coming years." - Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components affirms.

In the USA, the largest publicly accessible North American fast-charging network Electrify America is responsible for expanding the electrical infrastructure for the Group, and in China, the joint venture CAMS. Elke Temme, Senior Vice President of Charging & Energy emphasises: "Our goal is to make electromobility accessible to all. The successes in cooperation with our strong partners show: We are on the right track with our strategy. Together, we can realise sustainable and accessible mobility of the future."

In his 10-point plan, Group CEO Oliver Blume has reaffirmed this goal. In addition to the worldwide development of an open fast-charging network, the product range also includes the entire spectrum of charging solutions for private customers and companies. Furthermore, VW is working on anchoring the e-car as a mobile power bank in the energy system and creating additional added value for drivers. We have already discussed this with Silke Bagschik from VW.