Volkswagen, BMW partner to install around 100 US fast charging stations

The concerted effort by the two German automakers will expand the existing charging station network operated by Chargepoint. The new charging facilities will be located along the west coast and in the heavily populated north-eastern corner.

On the west coast the stations will placed on the interstate highways that link Portland, Oregon with San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California. For the other side of the country, the companies will fund stations on the main routes between Boston, New York City and Washington, DC.

It’s expected that the majority of these new stations will be adjacent to restaurants, rest stops, shopping centres and other facilities. Some stations will be in or near city centres, but most will be located on along the interstate highways network. Charging centres setup along highways will be spaced roughly 120km apart.

According to BMW and Volkswagen, each new charging location should feature up to two 50kW DC or 24kW DC fast charging points, which, it’s claimed, can bring a BMW i3 or Volkswagen e-Golf up to a charge level of 80 percent within 20 minutes. Every station will also include an array of 240V Level 2 recharging points.

The German companies' concerted effort to roll out fast charging stations is part of an effort to aid long distance travel for owners of electric cars, specifically those manufactured by BMW and Volkswagen. It should be noted that other electrified cars that support DC fast charging or SAE combo fast charging socket can also be charged at these new erected stations.