Plan for e-charging hubs

Source: Xinhua | 2018-01-23

Two companies plan a network of fast-charging stations for battery-powered cars in Europe that they say will help drivers of electric vehicles travel in and among the region’s main cities.

Allego and Fortum Charge & Drive said yesterday they initially envision 27 e-charging hubs in 20 countries that accommodate different charging methods and speeds at the same location. Allego CEO Anja van Niersen said the hubs would serve diverse kinds of transport including commercial vehicles, buses, taxis and private vehicles, helping reduce greenhouse gases and optimizing the use of the electricity grid.

The hubs, or charging plazas, would offer the fast stations that will be needed for future car models and will enable charging in minutes instead of hours, as is currently the case with slow home chargers.

Rollout is set to start after financial details are completed in mid-2018.

The project comes amid several separate efforts by governments, auto firms, service station operators and utilities to build charging networks to support battery-powered cars.