Hyundai Motor Group Joins IONITY Fast-Charging Network

• IONITY is a joint venture that aims to establish a charging network along the main highways in Europe and enable long-distance EV travel.
• It recently introduced a new high power charger at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show.
• Currently, there are 140 HPC stations in Europe with 50 more in the pipeline.
• Hyundai plans on equipping EVs with 800 volt charging systems to accommodate IONITY’s 350kw charging units by 2021.
• IONITY plans to have 400 charging stations with a station every 120km by 2020.

Hyundai Motor Group, which is the owner of Korea’s largest carmakers, Hyundai and Kia, has joined the IONITY fast charging EV network. With this announcement, Hyundai joins the likes of other shareholders at IONITY that include the BMW Group, Daimler AG, Porsche AG as well as Ford Motor Group. This should be a good boost to develop its EV network with the emergence of EVs like the Kona Electric SUV. 

Hyundai claims that it should help EVs with 800 volt charging systems to have faster charging times via IONITY’s 350kW chargers. From 2021 onwards, Hyundai  plans to equip electric vehicles with 800 volt charging systems to accommodate IONITY’s maximum charging power of 350 kilowatts. Aside from this, Hyundai and Kia customers will also be able to use IONITY’s HPC facilities that are equipped with digital payment options for saving time and better facilitation of long distance EV travel.

In addition to this, IONITY has introduced a new high power charger at the ongoing 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is 2.6 metres in height and features a unique multifunctional LED light ring. The ring acts as a beacon on the highways at night, making it easier for drivers to find stations on forecourts. It also communicates the availability of chargers and the state of charge by changing colour. 

IONITY is a joint venture that was founded in 2017 to establish and operate a High-Power Charging Network along the main highways in Europe and make long distance EV travel a reality. Since its formation, IONITY has set up nearly 140 HPC stations in Europe with another 50 under construction. IONITY ‘s charging technology currently utilises a charging capacity of up to 350 kilowatts along with a universally standard charger to make it compatible with almost all EVs. With Hyundai’s recent involvement, it should provide a further boost to IONITY’s targets for long-distance EV travel.

IONITY plans on expanding its network to around 400 fast-charging stations by 2020, with an average of at least one station every 120 kms along major European highways. If the network is successfully implemented, it could boost interest and accessibility of electric vehicles for both current EV users as well as prospective buyers.