STUTTGART, Germany – Porsche opens the first in a planned network of “premium” charging stations across Europe, part of efforts to speed the establishment of infrastructure for battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The new stations, to initially be located along routes with significant traffic flow in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, will operate under the name Porsche Charging Lounge. They will provide AC charging at a maximum speed of 22 kW and DC charging up to 300 kW, with plans for more powerful 400-kW chargers to be placed into operation by the start of 2024.
The first Porsche Charging Lounge is located near the A60/A61 autobahn junction outside the German city of Bingen am Rhein. It offers four 22-kW AC chargers and six 300-kW DC fast charging ports manufactured by Austrian electronic specialist Alpitronic.
Further sites are already under construction, says Porsche.
The new network of chargers serves all-electric and plug-in hybrid Porsche models, complementing the IONITY charging network, which Porsche parent Volkswagen AG has been an investor in since its inception in 2017.
For its new Porsche Charging Lounge chargers, the German sporty-luxury automaker says power from certified renewable sources will be used.
“Porsche has mapped out an ambitious path towards electrification. (In) 2030 we want over 80% of the cars that we deliver to be all-electric. This ramp-up requires a dense, fast-charging network,” says Porsche CEO Oliver Blume.
The Porsche Charging Lounges are integrated into the Porsche Charging Service and are displayed in the navigation system of Porsche models. A Porsche ID is required to access the charging stations and the lounge area. The ID is linked to the vehicle. If the license plate is stored in the Porsche ID, the barrier to enter the charging site opens automatically. Alternatively, customers can use a Porsche Charging Card or a QR code from the MyPorsche App to access the site and lounge.
The new network accepts payments by debit and credit cards as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, with central billing handled by Porsche. Customers are offered restrooms, Wi-Fi and a selection of drinks and snacks via vending machines within a lounge area (pictured, below).
