Volkswagen’s Elli becomes Europe’s biggest EV charging network
Volkswagen’s Elli EV charging network has become the first company to reach half a million charging points in Europe.
In the last four months alone, the Volkswagen Group’s charging and mobility brand has added 100,000 charging points to its network, providing access to some 950 providers in 28 countries.
Thomas Schmall, CEO of Group Technology, said: “Half a million charging points in the Elli charging network represent an important milestone on our e-mobility roadmap. Together with our partners we are building a comprehensive, seamless charging network in Europe.”
The number of co- operations and partnerships has steadily grown since 2017: in addition to stakes held in the joint venture companies IONITY and Ewiva, Spanish energy company Iberdrola and British energy company bp are two of the strategic partners involved in the expansion of the charging network.
Along with the conventional AC (alternating current) charging stations found mainly in urban settings, the Elli charging network now has around 33,000 high-power charging (HPC) stations throughout Europe. The new Plug&Charge technology enables electric vehicles and charging stations to complete the charging process autonomously. All drivers have to do is connect the electric vehicle to the charging station – everything else is done automatically. In the Elli network, around 5,000 charging stations already have this option.
Elli is the Volkswagen Group brand that offers a wide portfolio of energy and charging solutions in Europe and also acts as a provider of mobility services. Its current range of products includes charging solutions for private customers and companies – from the customers’ own wall boxes and the mobile charging station Flexpole to charging services and innovative and smart green-power rates. Elli offers digital solutions and services designed to create seamless experiences at public charging stations. Elli was founded in 2018 and has offices in Berlin, Wolfsburg and Munich.
