Ford today announces its joint venture with BMW Group, Daimler AG, Volkswagen Group, Audi, and Porsche, to establish a High-Power Charging (HPC) Network for long distance travel across Europe.
Launching approximately 400 HPC stations by 2020, IONITY, will make long-distance journeys easier and marks an important step for electric vehicles.
A total of 20 stations will be opened to the public this year (2017), located on major roads in Germany, Norway and Austria, at intervals of 120 km.
Through 2018, the network will expand to more than 100 stations, each one enabling multiple customers, driving different manufacturer cars, to charge their vehicles simultaneously.
With a capacity of up to 350 kW per charging point, the network will use the European charging standard Combined Charging System to significantly reduce charging times compared to existing systems. The brand-agnostic approach and Europe-wide distribution is expected to help make electrified vehicles more appealing.
Choosing the best locations takes into account potential integration with existing charging technologies and IONITY is negotiating with existing infrastructure initiatives, including those supported by the participating companies as well as political institutions. The investment underlines the commitment that the participating manufacturers are making in electric vehicles and relies on international co-operation across the industry.
The founding partners, BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and the Volkswagen Group, have equal shares in the joint venture, while other automotive manufacturers are invited to help expand the network.
For more information, please go to: www.ionity.eu