About time someone thought of this: Mobile quick charging stations
Things which are mobile and electric cars – these are the two of my favourite things. Unfortunately for the latter, its ability to move is dependent on having enough electrical charge, which then depends on charging stations. Not quite easy to find, especially in Malaysia. But the same can also be said in other countries too as EV technology adoption is outpacing growth of charging stations. Which is why Volkswagen thought up the idea of a mobile charging station.
It can be set up flexibly and independent of the power supply wherever it is needed: for example, in public parking lots in the city, on company premises, or as a temporary charging point at large-scale events. The mobile charging station works according to the principle of a power bank – which is familiar to many people with smartphones – but for electric vehicles instead.
Up to 15 electric vehicles can be charged from a single mobile unit (the Volkswagen e-Golf for example) from its capacity of 360 kWh. Quick charging process allows for this to happen in 17 minutes on average. The charging station however can be hooked up to a power outlet with up to 30kW of alternating current, which allows it to be continually recharged – also turning into a regular, dedicated station so to speak. Additionally, it can also be set up to be a temporary storage point for sustainably generated power, such as solar or wind energy.
The first mobile quick charging stations will be set up as early as the first half of 2019 in Volkswagen’s hometown of Wolfsburg as part of a pilot project, and will support the expansion of a charging infrastructure in the urban area. As of 2020, the charging station will also be implemented in other cities and communities.
