Post – SmartGrandad 20241119 BEV: SURPRISING: A German EV Success!

This Weeks BEV News..

SURPRISING! – A GERMAN EV SUCCESS!

What’s That!, I hear you saying.

German EVs – Most Are Good , But Just Not Good Enough

Its been pretty clear for a while that the once invincible “German Car Manufacturers” VW, AUDI, Mercedes, BMW etc. have just not made EVs and especially BEVs as well as TESLA or the Korean Hyundai or Kia.

Now, we can see that the Chinese have also managed to build BEVs that have equally as good hardware, but at a much lower cost. So it is the software where Tesla and the Chinese manufacturers have caught the Germans with “their pants down”, with many more features, that BEV customers expect as standard. LONG RANGE and Ultra Fast Charging Speeds are critical performance factors and both are missing from most German BEVs.

Like todays mobile phones, the software has to be great, not just good enough, so if the German Car industry is to get back its crown, it MUST focus on the software and features that are sadly missing.

Well, There is a German EV company that has really succeeded in meeting the EV challenge in Europe. It does not make EVs but it was setup by the German car manufacturers.

EV Charging Stations

That company is IONITY (IONITY Holding GmbH & Co. KG) and if you have an EV in Europe you will certainly know of them as they provide the best and most reliable charging network for ALL EVs.

In this article we describe how, in only 7 years, it has become a huge success. In contrast, during the same period, most regular fossil fuel stations have made feeble efforts, to provide EVs with reliable, available EV charging networks.

Formation

Ionity, a joint venture established in 2017, emerged from a collaboration of prominent automotive giants: BMW Group, Ford Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Group, Mercedes-Benz AG, and Volkswagen Group (including Audi and Porsche). BlackRock’s Climate Infrastructure Platform joined as a financial investor, underscoring the venture’s significance.

Mission

Ionity’s mission is to revolutionize long-distance electric vehicle (EV) travel across Europe. By constructing a vast network of high-power charging stations, the company aims to alleviate range anxiety and encourage wider EV adoption.

Ionity chargers support speeds of up to 350KWPH, but it is interesting that most German EVs have a maximum charging speed of under 200KWPH, substantially lower, unless you pay extra. Hyundai and KIA EVs are over 200KWPH!

Growth and Expansion

Since its inception, Ionity has experienced rapid growth:
* 2017: The joint venture is formed, and initial plans for the network are unveiled.
* 2018: The first charging stations become operational, strategically located along major European highways.
* 2019: The network expands significantly, with a focus on increasing site density and charger capacity.
* 2020: Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ionity continues its growth trajectory, adding new stations and upgrading existing infrastructure.
* 2021: The company accelerates its expansion, focusing on strategic partnerships with fuel retailers and other stakeholders to optimize site locations.
* 2022: Ionity solidifies its position as a leading EV charging network, with a growing number of charging points across Europe.
* 2023: The company continues its expansion, with a focus on improving the user experience and expanding its network into new markets.

Current Network

As of 2024, Ionity boasts an extensive network of high-power charging stations across 22 European countries. The network comprises of over 550 sites, each site has a different number of chargers based on demand, but typically it is between 4 and 8 charging points.

Each charging point is capable of delivering up to 350 kW of power. Assuming that you car can charge at these high speeds, this enables rapid charging, significantly reducing the time required for long-distance EV journeys.

Ionity charging sites typically provide the following facilities:

24/7 access: Most are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Clear signage and easy-to-use charging stations: to provide a user-friendly experience with clear instructions and intuitive charging stations.
Most locations offer additional amenities: have additional amenities like restrooms, coffee shops, and/or nearby restaurant.

Current Development Plans

Ionity’s development plans are ambitious. The company aims to further expand its network, particularly in regions with high EV adoption rates and significant travel demand.

As can be seen Ionity currently has a further 90 sites Under Construction, so by Q1 2025 we can expect around 650 sites to be operational.

Additionally, Ionity is investing in technological advancements to improve charging speeds, reliability, and user experience.

User Experience

Ionity’s has an extensive App & Website for locating and managing the charging (Find, Start, Stop, Payment Methods & Charging History). A multi-tier monthly membership subscription allows for reduced charging prices per KW.

In 2024 it introduced Route Planning where you can plan long journeys with multiple stops using range data related to your specific vehicle.

Country by Country: Current Network and Ongoing Construction as November 2024

Major Competitors

Not surprisingly, Ionity will face competition from various players in the maturing EV charging market.

Currently its main competitor is Tesla who also has an extensive multi country network. However, Tesla prioritises its own cars in 2 ways, 1 by not allowing access to non tesla cars at busy Tesla site and 2 (more concerning) by restricting the maximum charging speed KWPH on non-Tesla cars

Fastned a Dutch company, which has over 300 operational fast charging stations across 7 countries in Europe.

Aral EV charging sites are primarily located in Germany. However, they are expanding their network to other European countries as well, but it seems unlikely that these will be far from Germany.

Other regional and local charging providers offer charging solutions, but usually with one country e.g. Circle K in Scandinavia, a traditional fossil fuel provider, is building EV Charging sites under its own brand, adjacent to the fossil stations.

Surprising – But a German EV Success!

Ionity has emerged as a key player in the European EV charging landscape. By providing a reliable and convenient network of high-power charging stations, the company is contributing to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

As the EV market continues to grow, Ionity’s role in facilitating long-distance travel and reducing emissions is expected to become increasingly significant.

Hopefully, Ionity will continue with this fast growing EV success. Perhaps even the German EV manufacturers will also “Step Up” so that it will be European EVs using these great facilities.