Mobile EV charging from VW

Volkswagen’s mobile electric vehicle (EV) quick charging station is due to be launched in Germany in the first half of 2019.

It can charge about 15 EVs to 80% in an average 17 minutes with the charger having a 360kWh capacity delivering up to a 100kW fast charge.

Up to four vehicles can be charged simultaneously – two with DC and two with AC connections.

When the integrated battery falls below 20%, the charging station is exchanged for a charged one or the battery pack perpetually recharges itself if permanently attached to a power supply. Based on a renewable power supply, the charging station also allows the temporary storage of sustainably generated power, such as solar or wind energy.

The portable charging station can be established in city public parking lots, on company premises, or as a temporary charging point at large-scale events, VW says.

“The mobile charging stations are a decisive step toward an efficient network of charging points,” VW Group Components management board chairman Thomas Schmall says.

“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,” Schmall says.

“In addition, it will be possible to set up a large number of charging stations temporarily – exactly when and where they are needed.”

The flexible locations can be easily found via the internet or apps and also allow charging of electric bikes.

Batteries no longer suitable for EV use can be reused in a mobile charging station too.

Portable charging station production is planned for 2020, with the pilot project in VW’s home of Wolfsburg expected to extend to other German centres that year and probably throughout the rest of Europe.