Volkswagen has revealed plans to create a network of portable mobile charging points for electric vehicles, outlining the first details of the project as well as concept art.
The stations - which store energy so they don’t need to be plugged into another power source - are able to charge an EV up to 28kWh in just 17 minutes. This translates to roughly 80 per cent of the current Volkswagen e-Golf’s battery capacity.
Each station will be able to perform this task 15 times using its 360kWh battery unit, which is based off the system found on electric vehicles using the German brand’s MEB vehicle platform.
The system is designed for charging in public car parks, company premises, or at large-scale events as temporary infrastructure for electric car drivers; Essentially, the system operates much like a power bank for a mobile phone.
If these stations are attached to a power supply with up to 30kW via alternating current, the battery pack recharges itself, negating the need for charging.
Thomas Schmall, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen Group Components, said: “The mobile charging stations are a decisive step toward an efficient network of charging points. Their flexibility enables a completely new approach for the rapid expansion of 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 will be possible to set up a large number of charging stations tempoarily – exactly when and where they are needed.”
The stations will also be built with the capacity to temporarily store electricity generated by solar panels or wind turbines, allowing EVs to be charged in CO2-neutral fashion.
The first mobile quick-charging stations will be set up as early as the first half of 2019 in Volkswagen’s hometown of Wolfsburg as part of a pilot project, and will support the expansion of a charging infrastructure in the urban area. Further expansion to new cities and communities is on the cards for 2020.
Drivers are set to be able to locate these charging stations via an app or website as they begin to appear in more locations.