Volkswagen has revealed a preview of its plans for mobile charge points, able to be deployed quickly and easily at locations where drivers need to charge EVs.
Similar in principle to a power-pack for mobile devices such as mobiles and tablets, the charging station can either been hooked up to a power supply, or stand alone with enough power to charge up to 15 EVs – based on the existing e-Golf charged to 80%.
A charging capacity of 360 kWh is held in the unit, and DC charging can be carried out at speeds of up to 100 kW. Two DC and two AC connectors are available on each device, able to charge up to four vehicles – EVs or e-bikes – at the same time.
When plugged in to a power supply capable of providing up to 30 kW AC, the battery pack perpetually recharges itself. It can also be linked to turbines or solar panels for example, to be recharged from renewable electricity.
VW will set up the first mobile charging stations in the first half of 2019 in Wolfsburg, the company’s hometown, as part of a pilot project. From 2020, the charging stations will also be rolled out in other cities and communities.
The set-up is intended to support the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, plus also be flexible enough for temporary solutions. Events such as festivals or shows will be able to bring in the charging stations to support EV drivers, even if there wouldn’t otherwise be enough power supply.
Volkswagen’s batteries used in its new MEB electric platform – set to underpin the ID. range and other VW Group products – form the core of the mobile charging station. This allows for quick scalability, plus the ability to include second life EV batteries as part of the charging station in future.
The company has already started implementing a number of ideas to support its roll-out of the pure-electric ID. range, with an Electric for All campaign seeing a home charge point designed for future customers.
