China is adopting plug-in electric cars at an incredible rate, but Germany not far behind. In fact, Europe, with Germany in particular, is leading the way in fast charging cars and facilities.
CHINA LEADS THE WAY BUT EUROPE IS CATCHING UP QUICKLY
Audi plans to include 150-kw fast charging on the 2019 Audi e-tron, Q5/Q7 replacement it is launching this Autumn and Porsche will up the ante with 350-kw “Turbo Charging” on the production version of the Mission E electric sport saloon, penciled in for early 2020. Bavaria is the place to be in the next two years for fast charging cars.
Drive across Germany and the autobahns have Tesla’s storming up your outside at insane speeds that were once the sole territory of large petrol sports cars.
Germany simply had to get on board to react to demand.
The government has funded Supercharger points all along the main routes and other charging points for other than Tesla. Surprisingly, Germany now has more Supercharger sites per square mile than the US. In addition and oddly to drivers in the UK, hydrogen fuel stations have been rolled out all over Germany. Ahead of the curve maybe but it will pay dividends eventually as diesel and petrol are all but sidelined.
As the UK take up of electric and plug in hybrid vehicles continues to accelerate, we will have to follow suit. The new Jaguar i-pace with a near 300 mile range, will, with fast charging be little different to using a regular car. Along with the BMW i3 R/ex and the growing choice of plug in hybrids, businesses can now chose to go near or totally emission free.
