Car makers unite for EV network

Four of the world’s biggest car makers have joined forces to try and make long-distance driving in electric vehicles possible.

Daimler AG, Volkswagen Group, BMW Group and the Ford Motor Company have created a joint venture known as IONITY to develop and build a network of approximately 400 fast charging EV chargers around Europe by the end of 2020.

By joining forces, the companies hope to make EVs more appealing to a wider audience and allow owners to travel across Europe.

“The first pan-European HPC network plays an essential role in establishing a market for electric vehicles,” said IONITY CEO Michael Hajesch. “IONITY will deliver our common goal of providing customers with fast charging and digital payment capability, to facilitate long-distance travel.”

IONITY has partnered with a number of businesses, including service centre operators such as Circle K and OMV, to implement the network. The initial plan calls for the chargers to be spread 120km apart in Germany, Norway and Austria.

The goal is to have 20 operational by the end of 2017 with up to 100 up and running by the end of 2018 as it expands across Europe.

The manufacturers are all equal partners in IONITY but have openly called for more brands to join the organisation to help spread a unified charging network.