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Joint venture to deploy a high-powered DC charging network for battery
electric vehicles covering long-distance travel routes in Europe
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Power levels up to 350 kilowatt significantly reduce charging time
compared to today’s systems
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Buildup of about 400 ultra-fast charging sites planned in Europe
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Network is based on Combined Charging System standard, which uses a
connector that is fully compatible with most current and
next-generation battery electric vehicles
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Unprecedented collaboration of the automakers to form a
brand-independent network for charging infrastructure
Company Website:
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COLOGNE, Germany -- (Business Wire)
BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group with Audi
and Porsche have signed a memorandum of understanding to create the
highest-powered charging network in Europe. The goal is the quick
buildup of a sizable number of stations to enable long-range travel for
battery electric vehicle drivers. This is an important step toward
facilitating mass-market battery electric vehicle adoption.
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The projected ultra-fast charging network with power levels up to 350
kilowatt will be significantly faster than the most powerful charging
system deployed today. The buildup is planned to start in 2017. An
initial target of about 400 sites in Europe is planned. By 2020,
consumers should have access to thousands of high-powered charging
points. The goal is to enable long-distance travel through open-network
charging stations along highways and major thoroughfares, which has not
been feasible for most battery electric vehicle drivers to date. The
experience is expected to evolve to be as convenient as refueling at
conventional gas stations.
The network will be based on Combined Charging System standard
technology. The planned infrastructure expands the existing technical
standard for AC and DC charging of electric vehicles to the next level
of capacity for DC fast charging with up to 350 kilowatt. Vehicles
engineered to accept the full power of the charge stations can recharge
brand-independently in a fraction of the time of today’s battery
electric vehicles. The network is intended to serve all Combined
Charging System-equipped vehicles to facilitate battery electric vehicle
adoption in Europe.
BMW Group
“This high-power charging network provides motorists with another
strong argument to move toward electric mobility,”says Harald
Krüger, chairman of the board of management of BMWAG.“The
BMW Group has initiated numerous public charging infrastructure projects
over the last years. The joint project is another major milestone
clearly demonstrating that competitors are combining forces to ramp up
e-mobility.”
Daimler AG
“The breakthrough of e-mobility requires two things: convincing
vehicles and a comprehensive charging infrastructure. With our new brand
EQ, we are launching our electric product offensive: by 2025, our
portfolio will include more than 10 fully electric passenger cars.
Together with our partners, we are now installing the highest-powered
charging infrastructure in Europe,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of
the board of management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.“The availability of high-power stations allows long-distance
e-mobility for the first time and will convince more and more customers
to opt for an electric vehicle.”
Ford Motor Company
“A reliable, ultra-fast charging infrastructure is important for mass
consumer adoption and has the potential to transform the possibilities
for electric driving,” says Mark Fields, president and CEO, Ford Motor
Company. “Ford is committed to developing vehicles and technologies that
make people’s lives better, and this charging network will make it
easier and more practical for consumers across Europe to own electrified
vehicles.”
AUDI AG
“We intend to create a network that allows our customers on
long-distance trips to use a coffee break for recharging,” says Rupert
Stadler, chairman of the board of management of AUDI AG. “Reliable, fast
charging services are a key factor for drivers to choose an electric
vehicle. With this cooperation, we want to boost broader market adoption
of e-mobility and speed up the shift toward emission-free driving.”
Porsche AG
“There are two decisive aspects for us: ultra-fast charging and
placing the charging stations at the right positions,” says Oliver
Blume, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG. “Together, these
two factors enable us to travel in an all-electrically powered car as in
a conventional combustion engine vehicle. As an automobile manufacturer,
we actively shape our future, not only by developing all-electrically
powered vehicles, but by building up the necessary infrastructure as
well.”
The automobile manufacturers intend to make substantial investments to
create the network, underscoring each company’s belief in the future of
electric mobility. While the founding partners – BMW Group, Daimler AG,
Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group – will be equal partners in the
joint venture, other automobile manufacturers will be encouraged to
participate to help establish convenient charging solutions for battery
electric vehicle customers. The joint venture also intends to cooperate
with regional partners to ensure a quick network realization.
The joint venture formation is subject to execution of definitive
agreements and merger control approval in various jurisdictions.
About AUDI AG
The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one
of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in
the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide
and produces at 16 locations in twelve countries. In the second half of
2016, the production of the Audi Q5 will start in San José Chiapa
(Mexico). 100-percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include quattro GmbH
(Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant’Agata Bolognese,
Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy). In 2015, the
Audi Group delivered to customers approximately 1.8 million automobiles
of the Audi brand, 3,245 sports cars of the Lamborghini brand and about
54,800 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. In the 2015 financial year, the
Audi Group achieved total revenue of €58.4 billion and an operating
profit of €4.8 billion. At present, approximately 85,000 people work for
the company all over the world, about 60,000 of them in Germany. Audi
focuses on new products and sustainable technologies for the future of
mobility.
About BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the
world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and
also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global
company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in
14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and nearly
137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial
year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues amounting to €
92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group had a workforce of
122,244 employees. The success of the BMW Group has always been based on
long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore
established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value
chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
About Daimler AG
Daimler AG is one of the world’s most successful automotive
companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks,
Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the
Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the
world’s biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach.
Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet
management, insurance, financial investments, credit cards, and
innovative mobility services. The company’s founders, Gottlieb Daimler
and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the
year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler continues to
shape the future of mobility today: The Group’s focus is on innovative
and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that
appeal and fascinate. Daimler consequently invests in the development of
alternative drive trains with the long-term goal of emission-free
driving: from hybrid vehicles to electric vehicles powered by battery or
fuel cell. Furthermore, the company follows a consistent path towards
accident-free driving and intelligent connectivity all the way to
autonomous driving. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly
accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and
the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all
the countries of the world and has production facilities in Europe,
North and South America, Asia, and Africa. Its current brand portfolio
includes, in addition to the world’s most valuable premium automotive
brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well as Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and
Mercedes me, the brands smart, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz,
FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses, and Daimler Financial Services’
brands: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial, Daimler Truck
Financial, moovel, car2go and mytaxi. The company is listed on the stock
exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In
2015, the Group sold around 2.9 million vehicles and employed a
workforce of 284,015 people; revenue totalled €149.5 billion and EBIT
amounted to €13.2 billion.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based
in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants
worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks
and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business
model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with
investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
About Porsche AG
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, with headquarters in
Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, is the world’s most successful sports car
manufacturer. In 2015, Porsche delivered more than 225,000 vehicles of
the 911, Cayenne, Macan, Panamera, Boxster and Cayman models to
customers worldwide. That was 19 per cent more than in 2014. The sports
car manufacturer’s 2015 operating profit amounted to 3.4 billion euros,
up 25 percent from the previous year’s figure. This makes Porsche one of
the most profitable carmakers in the world. Porsche operates plants in
Stuttgart and Leipzig as well as a research and development centre in
Weissach. The sports car maker employs more than 25,300 people (as at
April 30, 2016). The Porsche principle of getting the most out of all
opportunities stems from the race track and is embodied in every
vehicle. Thanks to its high quality standards, 70 percent of all
Porsches ever built are still on the street today.
About Volkswagen Group
The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg is one of the
world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in
Europe. The
Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries:
Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti,
Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and
MAN. Each brand has its own character and operates as an independent
entity on the market. The product spectrum ranges from motorcycles
to small cars and luxury vehicles. In the commercial vehicle sector, the
products include ranges from pick-ups, buses and heavy trucks. The Group
operates 121 production plants in 20 European countries and a further 11
countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Every weekday, 610,076
employees worldwide produce nearly 42,000 vehicles, and work in
vehicle-related services or other fields of business. The Volkswagen
Group sells its vehicles in 153 countries. With its “TOGETHER – Strategy
2025” future program, the Volkswagen Group is paving the way for the
biggest change process in its history: the realignment of one of the
best carmakers to become a globally leading provider of sustainable
mobility.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005783/en/
Contacts:
BMW Group
Wieland Brúch
+49 176 601 726 52
Wieland.Bruch@bmw.de
www.press.bmwgroup.com
Volkswagen
Group
Andreas Brozat
+49 5361 9 433 18
andreas.brozat@volkswagen.de
www.volkswagen-media-services.com
Ford
Motor Company
John Gardiner +49 1520 934 1079
jgardin2@ford.com
www.media.ford.com
Porsche
AG
Matthias Rauter
+49 711 911 243 32
matthias.rauter@porsche.de
www.presse.porsche.de
Daimler
AG
Madeleine Herdlitschka
+49 711 17 764 09
madeleine.herdlitschka@daimler.com
www.media.daimler.com
AUDI
AG
Oliver Scharfenberg
+49 841 89 354 30
oliver.scharfenberg@audi.de
www.audi-mediacenter.com/en
Source: Ford Motor Company
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