More than 5,000 new HPC points in Europe: the IONITY network grows
A further €700 million investment to rapidly expand the HPC (High Power Charging) network across Europe, quadrupling the number of charging points. A new concept of station will optimise the user experience.
IONITY, Europe's leading high-power charging network - present in 24 countries - will invest €700 million to expand its infrastructure and improve the users’ charging experience. The investment will be shared also by its new partner, BlackRock's Global Renewable Power platform. The aim is to quadruple the number of High Power Charging (HPC) points, with charging powers of up to 350 kW, to a total of 7,000 by 2025. The new stations will not only be located on motorways but also near major cities and along busy trunk roads.
New stations will have more a higher average of six to twelve charging points. Furthermore, existing sites along routes with high energy demand will be upgraded with additional charging points. In this way, the IONITY network will be prepared to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle charging.
The transition to e-mobility

The electrification of the mobility sector is crucial to achieve zero emissions and climate protection goals. As a large number of fossil fuel-powered cars will be replaced by electric vehicles in the next ten years, it is essential that the charging infrastructure is expanded and that it is 100% powered by energy from renewable sources.
IONITY is fully committed to this transformation and currently operates more than 1,500 charging points along Europe's motorways. From now on, it can also count on the support of BlackRock, the first company outside the automotive industry to be a shareholder in this joint venture - formed by BMW Group, Ford Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Group with KIA, Mercedes-Benz AG and Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche - through its Global Renewable Power investment platform.
The Oasis concept

“The entry of BlackRock and the commitment of our current shareholders underline IONITY's attractiveness for investors and confirm the strength of our strategy. This will accelerate IONITY's growth, the expansion of our high-power charging network across Europe and more broadly, the decarbonisation of the mobility sector” commented Michael Hajesch, CEO of IONITY, which intends to acquire more and more properties and, depending on the location, build and operate its own service stations.
IONITY will take the user experience to a new level with the "Oasis" concept, which represents the charging experience of the future and will be developed in the form of covered charging stations or charging parks alongside cafés, restaurants and shops, aiming to offer a more convenient and comfortable charging experience.
The importance of infrastructure

“Audi's transition to electric cars is a major change, but the success of e-mobility depends largely on the availability of an extensive charging infrastructure”, said Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “It's not just the product that matters, but the entire ecosystem. The expansion of IONITY will play a key role in making electric vehicles more attractive”. Audi will introduce more than 20 all-electric vehicles by 2025, and starting in 2026 it will launch only new all-electric models.
e-tron Charging Service
Audi is a founding member of IONITY and has been a joint venture partner from the very beginning. The IONITY network is a cornerstone of the e-tron Charging Service, the Audi charging service that offers customers access to more than 280,000 charging points in 26 European countries with a single card. Currently, users have preferential conditions when using the IONITY network: charging costs only €0.31 per kWh, slightly more than charging at home.
Source: IONITY
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