The Italian energy giant Enel, the Austrian utility company Verbund, and the auto manufacturers Renault, Nissan, BMW, and VW Group Italia are partnering for the buildout of a new electric vehicle fast-charging network in Italy and Austria, according to a new press release from the partnership.
The partnership/project — known as Electric Vehicle Arteries (EVA+) — has already been solidified with a grant agreement worth up to €4.2 million with the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA), delegated by the European Commission.
Though, the official launch of EVA+ won’t be until after the new year — in Brussels, apparently.
The idea behind the project is to make the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) use in the countries in question more viable, as the current lack of fast-charging infrastructure is the primary remaining technical barrier to mainstream adoption (since battery prices are rapidly falling).
The press release provides more:
“As part of implementation of the EVA+ project in Italy, Enel is signing agreements with motorway concession holders with the aim of enhancing the project’s technological innovation and commercial components.
“Over the course of the 3-year project, 200 multi-standard fast charge stations, each of which is capable of offering all the fast charging standards (CSS Combo 2, CHAdeMO or AC charging), will be installed. Of the project’s 200 columns, 180 Fast Recharge Plus columns (a technology entirely developed by Enel that enables two vehicles to be contemporaneously charged in 20 minutes, allowing 360 vehicles to be charged at the same time) will be installed in Italy by Enel, while the remaining 20 will be installed by Verbund’s subsidiary SMATRICS in Austria, also offering all fast charging standards.”
The project will survey potential customers to help determine exact fast-charging station locations.
The European Commission will be co-financing the EVA+ project by up to 50% through the Connecting Europe Facility, according to the press release.
Related:
Daimler, BMW, Volkswagen Group, & Ford Sign Superfast Charging MoU In Europe (Up To 350 kW)
Colorado, Nevada, & Utah To Develop Interstate EV Charging Network
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