IONITY selects ABB for European charging network expansion

ABB has received an order for a further 324, 350 kW high-power electric vehicle (EV) chargers from IONITY.

The chargers will be rolled out in 24 countries by the end of 2020 as part of the second phase of its network expansion. Financial details of the order were not disclosed.

ABB was commissioned in 2018 as technology partner to deliver 340 high-power chargers to IONITY and was the first to market in Europe with 350 kW chargers featuring liquid cooled cables. 

IONITY, a joint venture of BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, as well as the Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche, has to-date opened 202 charging sites across 18 European markets. IONITY recently celebrated the launch of its 200th charging station in Lully, Switzerland which includes ABB’s latest customised IONITY chargers.

The chargers being supplied by ABB for IONITY are ABB’s slimmest design to date, developed to align with IONITY’s design needs. The new chargers benefit from other improved design features including quieter operation, a bespoke display and longer cables with integrated cable management retraction to make it easier to reach the charging port on all car models and ensure cables are always kept off the ground and dirt-free for users.

Michael Hajesch, managing director at IONITY, said “ABB is one of our preferred technology partners for high-power chargers all over Europe. With their new customised design launched with IONITY, they are continuing to expand the market. They have developed a very small footprint for the dispenser unit in our new IONITY design.”

Frank Muehlon, head of ABB’s global business for E-mobility Infrastructure Solutions, added, “Our collaboration with IONITY represents the coming together of two like-minded organisations, committed to driving a greener and more sustainable future for all. IONITY is a great partner because dedicated solutions can jointly be developed due to the magnitude of the rollout.”

“We have been proud to support IONITY in the initial phase of its EV charging network roll-out and are very much looking forward to our ongoing work with them to build a comprehensive, pan European, high-power charging network. IONITY’s aim is to make long distance European travel as feasible for electric vehicles as for fossil-fueled vehicles and with this latest extension to our supply agreement, we are another step closer to achieving that mission.”