Volkswagen mobile charging station launching in 2020

Volkswagen is to put its mobile temporary quick-charging station into production from 2020. The company released concept sketches of the solution in early 2019; it can be set up independent of a power supply and is intended for use in places like public car parks, on company premises or as a temporary charging solution at a large-scale public event.

The company says the mobile station is effectively a scaled-up version of the portable 'power banks' used to add charge to mobile phones on the move. A charging capacity of 360kWh is estimated to allow up to 15 electric cars (and up to four simultaneously) to be recharged before the unit is depleted.

The station has a quick-charging speed of up to 100kW, meaning a charging time of 17 minutes to 80% capacity is promised for a Volkswagen e-Golf or similar.

Volkswagen's mobile station can be swapped out for another when depleted, or, if connected to a power supply, can continually top itself up to maintain its charging capability. It can use brand-new battery cells, or used ones from electric cars whose capacity has diminished.

Commenting on the station, Thomas Schmall, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen Group Components, said: “These are a decisive step toward an efficient network of charging points. 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. In addition, it'll be possible to set up a large number of charging stations temporarily – exactly when and where they are needed."

A pilot project will see a number of the mobile stations deployed in Volkswagen's home town of Wolfsburg, Germany, in early 2019, before series production begins in 2020 at Volkswagen's Hanover factory.