VW-BP project will add thousands of space-saving “Flexpole” urban fast chargers in Europe

Volkswagen and oil giant BP on Thursday announced a partnership to install up to 8,000 urban charging stations across Europe by 2024.

The project will use VW’s Flexpole 150 kw DC fast charging stations, which can be installed at low voltage grid points without the need for specialized high voltage hardware of conventional fast charging stations, car manufacturers declare. Each station includes two charging points and a battery storage system.

VW CEO Herbert Diess and BP CEO Bernard Looney with the Flexpole charger

VW says the first unit is now up and running and open to the public in Dusseldorf, Germany. This is the first of 4,000 that are expected to include the first phase of the rollout. The stations will be located at BP fuel stations in the UK and stations of the company’s Aral brand in Germany, and will start operating within the next 24 months.

If all goes according to plan, an additional 4,000 stations will be added in the UK, Germany and other European countries through 2024.

2024 Volkswagen ID.Buzz

The charger location will be integrated with the navigation system of the VW EV, as well as those of the automaker’s Seat and Škoda brands, as well as in-car apps and the Elli charging app in the European market. of VW. They will also be included in the Aral and BP rewards programs.

More urban fast charging options will be needed like electrification of ride-hailing, and to serve apartment dwellers who cannot afford to install charging stations at home. The lack of space for conventional charging stations on the street has led to a number of creative solutions.

Volkswagen ID.5

Charging Center bounce off the sidewalk considered a success in a UK trial ending in 2020. Ubitricity’s charging based on street lights It’s also a good idea to expand municipal toll options. Another company reviewed use cable box.

Outside the cities, the design of Road toll plaza is also up for debate. Stakeholders went back and forth over whether the stations should resemble existing gas stations, or whether chargers should be located anywhere most convenient.