Ionity opens ‘world’s first’ e-mobility test centre in Germany

European EV charging network Ionity has opened what it is calling the world’s first e-mobility test site in Unterschleissheim, Bavaria.

At the test centre, a more than 5,000 square meter site just outside Munich, the chargepoint operator carries out validation and interoperability tests between electric vehicles and charging stations as well as regression and software tests. This makes it possible to perform tests on almost all HPC charging stations available on the European market in one location.

Ionity claims this test centre is the first e-mobility test site in the world, which will also carry out full end-to-end testing, including testing on functional technologies such as Plug and Charge.

The announcement also follows rumours of Ionity to potentially receiving €500 million of investment from Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager.

Laurence Langenbrink, lead testing services at Ionity, said: “Every company interprets interface standards slightly differently in the process. In our test centre, we can closely examine all steps in the charging process – from authentication and power transfer to the end of charging – and get feedback on any incompatibilities or issues.

“Thanks to our mobile testing equipment – a truck with a controllable electrical load that can charge at a maximum of 350 kW and simulate corresponding vehicles – real-time charging simulations and validation tests can also be carried out on-site at our customers’ premises.”

Ionity says all tests are closely monitored and logged, and the charging processes are recorded in detail by the test equipment. Currently, the team at Ionity is developing use cases and flowcharts for tests on various hardware models. The goal is to offer EV drivers the highest possible reliability at all Ionity locations, regardless of the vehicle manufacturer, and to use market innovations in the Ionity network only after they have successfully passed their own tests.