UPDATED! Porsche Looks To Cross Tesla’s Supercharging Moat With 700 New DC Fast Chargers
Porsche is coming back to the discussion of fast charging with plans to build more than 700 new high speed chargers around the world in an overt confirmation of the criticality of having a super fast charging network like the Tesla Supercharging network.
The new 700 number represents 40% more chargers than it had previously estimated it would need and would see 200 of those being installed in the United States. Compared to Tesla’s 11,000+ Supercharge points Porsche’s 700 seems curiously small.
The plans allegedly look to pin the cost of the network on its dealers, at a cost of around $300,000 to $400,000 each. That’s one way to leverage the existing network of dealers around the world, though I’m sure the dealers will have something to say about the expense. The move makes sense from a location standpoint as it stands to reason that Porsche dealers are located in the highest density of existing and potential customers, but the cost will likely prove to be a tough bite to swallow.
The stations that would be installed at Porsche’s dealerships were designed and would be built by Porsche Engineering. They will utilize the CCS-Combo 1 adapter, making them compatible with other vehicles equipped with a CCS-Combo 1 charging port, including other EVs from all of the Volkswagen Group’s other marques.
The network will utilize the Porsche Charging Service app that will serve as the digital platform to connect drivers will all aspects of vehicle charging for the Taycan. Importantly, the app will help drivers find charging stations and negotiate payment using centrally stored payment information. If implemented properly, this would effectively implement a de facto roaming network for Porsche drivers, with one account and one system to rule them all.
“In addition to fascinating vehicles, building a customer-friendly charging infrastructure is the key to achieving long-term success for electromobility”, said Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “With the Porsche Charging Service, we are offering our customers a central digital platform that simplifies every aspect of the charging process. As a result, it is even easier to integrate charging into everyday life.”
The push into charging is a subset of the much larger race into vehicle electrification as the automaker continues to realize the threat electric vehicles pose to its brand. It appears to be taking the threat seriously (finally), with the news of a $6.9 billion investment into vehicle electrification by 2022.
Porsche confirmed that the Taycan will use the CCS Combo 1 standard for DC fast charging in the US and will be supported by the Electrify America initiative. The program will establish a network of DCFC stations equipped with at least 1 CCS-Combo 1 and 1 CHAdeMO connection per station. By the end of 2019, Electrify America will install 300 stations around the United States, operating at speeds ranging from 150kW to 300kW.
Combined with the Taycan’s 320-350 kW charging capability, the new high speed stations will allow drivers to recoup 100 kilometers of range in about 4 minutes.
CleanTechnica reached out to Porsche with a few questions to clarify its plans for a charging network and will update this article if and when we hear back.
Source: Automotive News
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