Volkswagen teams with Enel, BP, Iberdrola to expand fast-charging in Europe

Volkswagen AG has entered into strategic partnerships with Italy's Enel SpA, integrated oil and gas major BP PLC and Spain's Iberdrola SA to help roll out a large-scale expansion of the electric vehicle fast-charging network in Europe.

Alongside its partners, Volkswagen intends to operate around 18,000 public fast-charging points in Europe by 2025, which represents a fivefold increase to the current fast-charging network and corresponds to about a third of the demand predicted for Europe in 2025, the automaker said in a March 15 news release. The company said that it will spend about €400 million in the European program as a whole by 2025, with further investments to be made by external partners.

Volkswagen plans to work with BP to establish 8,000 fast-charging points throughout Europe. Fast-chargers, with a capacity of 150 kW, will be installed at 4,000 BP and ARAL service stations, with most located in Germany and the U.K. The two companies announced the memorandum of understanding on March 15.

In Spain, Volkswagen, with cooperation from Iberdrola, will cover the main traffic routes in the country. In Italy, Volkswagen plans to collaborate with Enel to establish the fast-charging network along motorways and in urban areas.

In addition, Volkswagen said it will also expand the public fast-charging network in the U.S. and China. Volkswagen Michigan-based subsidiary Electrify America LLC is planning around 3,500 fast-charging points in North America by the end of 2021. In China, Volkswagen is targeting a total of 17,000 fast charging points through its CAMS joint venture.