European electric car charging network Ionity has announced its intention to expand its Italian network with a High-Power Charging station in Brenner, in Northern Italy, making it the region’s fastest EV charging station.
Less than a month after Ionity launched its first stations in Scotland and in Spain, the joint venture between the BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, and the Volkswagen Group with Porsche AG, continued its expansion into Italy with the launch of its new station in Brenner, a commune in South Tyrol (Sudtirol) in northern Italy, allowing drivers to charge their cars in less than 20 minutes using renewable energy.
The joint venture is intended to “increase the feasibility and adoption of EVs” through the establishment of conveniently located High-Power Charging sites across Europe.
The new charging station in Brenner is the third of 20 stations Ionity is intending to launch in Italy, and at 350 kW is “future-proofed” against future EV technology developments and allows charging times as low as 20 minutes.
Across Europe, Ionity is hoping to establish 2,400 chargers by 2020, subsequently enabling “hassle-free pan-European EV travel” with faster recharge times.
Further, all of Ionity’s High-Power Chargers in Italy will be fed by 100% renewable energy.
“Close collaboration with site partners like l’Outlet Center Brennero has enabled IONITY to provide significant high power charging capacity on one of Europe’s most important transit routes,” said Dr. Marcus Groll, COO of IONITY. “IONITY’s network is finally giving EVs in Italy the kind of charging speeds their owners want.”
The move comes less than a month after Ionity expanded its network into Scotland and Spain. Ionity is planning a total of six stations in Scotland, including the newly-launched station in Gretna Green, in the south of Scotland.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.