La mobilità elettrica sta investendo molto sulle prestazioni delle auto, sull'autonomia e sulla velocità di ricarica delle batterie. Tutti questi progressi sono poca cosa, però, se non c’è un'infrastruttura adeguata. Soprattutto lungo le principali arterie di viabilità.
Leggi anche
Nuove colonnine per le autostrade inglesi
È nell’ottica di aumentare le possibilità di ricarica dei veicoli elettrici che va inquadrato l’accordo stipulato tra Ionity (joint venture fra vari costruttori automobilistici) ed Extra MSA Group (operatore da lungo tempo nel settore delle autostrade britanniche). Le due società hanno firmato una collaborazione per l’installazione di 8 stazioni di ricarica veloce HPC (High Power Charging) che comprenderanno anche le colonnine di tipo più avanzato, quelle in grado di arrivare alla potenza di 350 kW.
Si lavora fino alla fine del 2020
Le postazioni di ricarica saranno create all’interno di stazioni di servizio a marchio Extra e saranno poste lungo le principali tratte autostradali inglesi. Questo per facilitare la vita agli utenti che potranno abbreviare il tempo necessario alla ricarica e potranno iniziare a sfruttare le auto elettriche anche per spostamenti a medio e lungo raggio. L'accordo ha una durata di medio periodo e prevede che Ionity possa installare nel Regno Unito fino a 40 stazioni di ricarica entro la fine del 2020, mentre la prima presso una stazione di servizio Extra sarà operativa già entro il 2019.
Chi è Ionity
Ma chi è Ionity: la società nasce da una joint venture tra i principali costruttori tedeschi, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Volkswagen con Audi e Porsche con un semplice scopo: la costruzione di un network per la ricarica veloce lungo le principali autostrade d’Europa. Ionity, non si occupa soltanto della infrastruttura, ha infatti messo a punto una tecnologia in grado di far erogare alle stazioni di ricarica ben 350 kW, con benefici effetti sui tempi di ricarica. Da precisare che le vetture elettriche attualmente in listino non supportano potenza di ricarica da 350 kW. Sarà possibile sfruttare il massimo potenziale con i modelli di prossima uscita come la Porsche Taycan. Il progetto di Ionity è ambizioso:, la previsione è di avere entro fine 2020 ben 2.400 postazioni di ricarica in tutta Europa.
IONITY’S UK HIGH POWER CHARGING NETWORK CONTINUES RAPID EXPANSION IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXTRA MSA GROUP
- IONITY partners with Extra MSA Group to provide crucial High Power Charging (HPC) Stations for the UK Motorway Network
- The first IONITY/Extra HPC Station will open at Extra’s new M1 J45 Leeds Skelton Lake MSA later this year
- IONITY and Extra are also proposing a further seven new 350kW HPC Stations at other Extra ‘umbrella branded’ MSAs, as currently being programmed
- Each HPC Station will initially feature up to six 350 kW Chargers that can charge next-generation electric vehicles in 20-30 minutes
- IONITY propose a UK network of 40 HPC Stations for the UK and as targeted by end of 2020
- IONITY is currently installing 400 HPC Stations across Europe by end of 2020, providing up to 2400 Charging Points
London, United Kingdom, 28 June 2019
IONITY, a joint venture between Daimler, Ford, BMW and the Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche, today announces that it has partnered with Extra MSA Group, a long-term specialist investment owner, developer and operator on the UK Motorway Network.
IONITY have contracted to install HPC Stations at eight Extra ‘umbrella branded’ MSAs, each initially comprising up to six state-of-the-art 350 kW Chargers. This agreement represents another step in IONITY’s pan-European expansion, which will see up to 2400 Chargers installed by end of 2020.
The first of the IONITY/Extra HPC Stations is targeted for opening at Extra’s new M1 J45 Leeds Skelton Lake MSA later this year. This is in conjunction with a £60m plus investment by Extra for a high quality ‘new concept’ MSA facility, the construction works for which are now well advanced. The other Extra ‘umbrella branded’ MSAs are at M25 Cobham, A14(M11) J28 Cambridge, M40 J2 Beaconsfield, M5 J28 Cullompton, M65 J4 Blackburn with Darwen, A1M J10 Baldock and A1M J17 Peterborough.
As a new generation of electric vehicles enters the market, IONITY’s charging network will play a critical role in making e-mobility a convenient, reliable and everyday experience. Due to their 350kW capacity and the strategic positioning of its Stations, IONITY’s network will make EV travel across the UK and Europe a truly hassle-free experience.
A key part of fulfilling this ambition is partnering with Service Area providers to bring HPC Stations to strategic and convenient Motorway locations. Whilst 50kW charge points are more common, their low power output means that charging takes a considerable amount of time, potentially delaying motorists for extended periods and not commensurate with new electric vehicle technology.
IONITY’s network uses 350kW Chargers that can top up or charge vehicles in less than 20 minutes, making long distance travel significantly easier and quicker. It is for this reason that HPC Stations are seen by many as a necessary catalyst to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
The Extra MSA locations complement the existing IONITY network in the UK and bring IONITY closer to delivering its target of 40 HPC Stations. Other partners in the UK IONITY network include Shell and Motor Fuels Group.
Dr. Marcus Groll, COO IONITY, said “We are excited to be partnering with Extra to further expand our pan-European network. We are making e-mobility a practical alternative to motorists in the UK, greatly enhancing the ownership experience. It is fantastic to have Extra on board, helping us position charging stations at critical locations across the UK Motorway Network.”
Andrew Long, CEO Extra MSA Group, said “Extra is a long-term investor in the MSA sector and we are pleased to have established a good working relationship with IONITY to deliver additional HPC Stations on the UK Motorway Network. IONITY can provide the latest Charging technology as required for a new generation of electric vehicles and which facilities will become an increasingly important part of all of Extra’s ‘umbrella branded’ MSAs, inclusive of those within our ‘pipeline’ of proposed new MSA developments.”
Michael Ellis, Roads Minister, said “The Government’s ambition is for the UK to be the best place in the world to own an electric vehicle. To achieve this, we are working to ensure high quality charging infrastructure is in place to support the clean, green vehicles travelling across the country.”
“Our Road to Zero strategy outlined plans to support the delivery of an electric vehicle infrastructure network that is accessible, reliable, affordable and secure and so we welcome IONITY’s plans to install High Power Charging networks across UK motorways.”