Aral to build more than 100 350kW ultra-fast charging points at retail sites in Germany
28 July 2020
Following a successful 12-month pilot project at five of its retail sites, Aral, bp’s market leading fuel retail brand in Germany, is set to roll out more than 100 ultra-fast charging points across its retail network in Germany over the next 12 months.
The Aral chargers will be self-operated, powered by 100% green energy, with a charging capacity of up to 350kW. A vehicle with the appropriate battery technology can be charged for a range of up to 350 km in just over ten minutes.
The first phase of the roll-out will see chargers installed and connected at about 30 Aral sites, mainly those located by motorways, trunk roads and at metropolitan sites. Each retail site will offer two chargers with two charging points, allowing up to four electric vehicles to charge at a time.
With our five pilot stations, we were able to gain valuable experience over the past year which is now being incorporated into our future planning. We plan to integrate the chargers into the heart of our retail sites, while improving directions on site and providing a roof for electric vehicle charging where possible.
—Aral CEO Patrick Wendeler
The next two charging stations due to go live in the coming weeks are Wuppertal (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Wollin (Brandenburg). The exact order of commissioning of the other retail stations will depend, among other factors, on the expansion of the grid. In the long term, Aral has identified potential to build ultra-fast charging stations at several hundred locations.
Various payment options are available for customers using Aral’s ultra-fast chargers, including via credit card terminal or mobile website using a QR code, or via the Hubject app or through their Aral Fuel & Charge card for business customers. From 2021, Aral will also offer its own e-mobility app for payments.
It is certainly fast at 350 kW.
You could charge a 60 kWh battery in 10.3 minutes as they suggest, which is great.
However, I doubt it will be cheap to use and I would worry about battery lifetime at 350 kW charging.
Posted by: mahonj | 28 July 2020 at 05:06 AM
@ mahonj
Your assumption for today's batteries is certainly correct but batteries of "tomorrow" will certainly cope with such a virulent environment.
Posted by: yoatmon | 28 July 2020 at 07:00 AM
@yoat, maybe. progress in batteries is quite slow as there are so many factors you have to optimise: energy / Kg, Energy / volume, power, charging rate, number of charge cycles, cost, safety, environmental.
They can't optimise all in one go, so who knows what will happen.
Unless there is a real breakthrough, of course.
Posted by: mahonj | 28 July 2020 at 12:12 PM
The two most important factors to determine a good battery are the right chemistry and the structural design / architecture. By no means can this be achieved by adhering to 2D structures. A 3D structure is the right way to go and this can be achieved with 3D printers only. Adhering to 2D structures will benefit only slight improvements. The real breakthrough will be achieved only with 3D architectures and 3D printing. I'm convinced that 3D printing will revolutionize battery production.
Posted by: yoatmon | 29 July 2020 at 03:59 AM
Solid state may be safer with longer life,
but quick charging is another matter.
Posted by: SJC_1 | 29 July 2020 at 06:06 AM