Connect with us

News

Volkswagen pairs with E.ON for 150 kW EV fast charger capable of energy storage

Thomas Schmall, Group Board Member for Technology (left), and Patrick Lammers, E.ON Board Member for Customer Solutions at the E.ON Drive Booster.

Published

on

Volkswagen has announced that it will collaborate with German electric utility company E.ON to develop an electric vehicle fast charger that can charge two EVs simultaneously with 150 kW. The fast charger will also have energy storage capabilities thanks to a storage battery.

The first-ever E.ON “Drive Booster” has already gone live in Essen, Germany, where E.ON is based. The innovative dual-capability fast charger will not only give two electric vehicles up to 200 kilometers of range in just 15 minutes, but it will also store excess energy in its own integrated battery storage system, making fast charging easier and more affordable for operators and customers.

As Europe reigns as the EV king globally, charging solutions must become more innovative and convenient for owners. As more electric vehicles hit the road, more charging options must be readily available, but making these options affordable and easy to use is the ultimate challenge. E.ON Customer Solutions executive Patrick Lammers said the company’s focus was to eliminate the perception that EV chargers are not readily available, a widespread belief in the market which has contributed to some Germans opting for traditional gas-powered vehicles as opposed to an electric ones.

Thomas Schmall, Group Board Member for Technology (left), and Patrick Lammers, E.ON Board Member for Customer Solutions at the E.ON Drive Booster.

“The expansion of e-mobility is an important building block of the energy transition. In order to make electric vehicles more attractive, we need charging stations to be abundant and powerful,” Lammers said. “After all, around one-third of Germans choose not to buy electric vehicles because they believe there are not enough charging stations. I am proud that with the E.ON Drive Booster, we have an immediate and attractive offer for businesses and municipalities wanting to set up charging stations without spending a fortune.”

While the first Drive Booster has gone live in Essen, E.ON maintains that the new fast-charging column is available to order now, with no civil engineering work required. Due to the company’s ability to include a standard power connection like those found at any commonplace of business, there is no need for a long and drawn-out construction process. Operators can simply plug-and-play, and charging options will be immediately available for EV owners in the area. VW’s press release explains the ease of installation for the fast-charging column:

“A normal charging column can also be upgraded very easily to the Booster. It is therefore ideal for branching into new locations rapidly and cost-effectively. Installation is easy: Place it, plug it in, configure it online – a “plug-and-play” charging station. There is no need for costly adaptations to infrastructure or civil engineering work. All this makes fast charging easy, affordable, and possible anywhere.”

Advertisement

Tesla contracts German power company E.ON for Giga Berlin project

Volkswagen’s partnership with E.ON has helped launch its charging infrastructure as it continues to expand its global deployment of charging locations. “We are taking the expansion of charging infrastructure into our own hands and aiming to work with strong partners to bring about a fivefold increase in the number of fast chargers in Europe by 2025,” Thomas Schmall, Tech Board Member at VW AG and CEO of VW Group Components, said. “We are taking the expansion of charging infrastructure into our own hands and aiming to work with strong partners to bring about a fivefold increase in the number of fast chargers in Europe by 2025.”

Don’t hesitate to contact us with tips! Email us at tips@teslarati.com, or you can email me directly at joey@teslarati.com.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

Advertisement
Comments

News

Tesla prepares to expand Giga Texas with new Optimus production plant

Drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer recognized Tesla construction crews performing ground leveling and clearing efforts at the plant earlier today.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla Optimus | X

Tesla is preparing to expand Gigafactory Texas once again with a brand new facility that will house the eventual manufacturing efforts for Optimus, its humanoid robot.

It is already building some units on a Pilot line at the Fremont Factory in Northern California, but Tesla is planning to build the vast majority of its Optimus project at Gigafactory Texas.

Tesla Optimus gets its latest job, and it’s not in the company’s factories

It will build one million units per year in Fremont, but CEO Elon Musk said the company would build 10 million units every year in Texas at a new building at Giga Texas.

Musk said:

Advertisement

“I think there could be tens of billions of Optimus robots out there. Um, now obviously it’s very important we pay close attention to safety here. Then a 10 million unit uh per year production line here the I don’t know where we’re going to put the 100 million unit production line. on Mars. Maybe on Mars, I don’t know.”

Evidently, Tesla is ready to begin thinking about the production efforts of Optimus beyond a theoretical standpoint and is starting to prepare for the construction of the manufacturing plant on Giga Texas property.

Drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer recognized Tesla construction crews performing ground leveling and clearing efforts at the plant earlier today:

Production is still slated for 2027, at least at Gigafactory Texas. As previously mentioned, the company is building some units in Fremont for the time being, at least until subsequent versions of the Optimus project advance.

Tesla has done a great job of advancing Optimus forward, but it also has truly grand expectations for the project.

Musk said it could potentially be the biggest product in the history of the planet, as it will revolutionize the way humans perform tasks, probably eliminating monotonous tasks from everyday life.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Tesla reveals its first Semi customer after launch

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla revealed its first customer for the all-electric Semi truck after it launches next year. Who it truly is should not be a surprise.

The Semi is going to finally start deliveries to new companies outside of Tesla’s pilot program starting in 2026. The company has been building a dedicated production facility in Reno, Nevada, that has finally taken shape, but Tesla was evidently not finished with the Semi’s development.

Tesla shares rare peek at Semi factory’s interior

Last week at the Annual Shareholder Meeting, Tesla said it had implemented some new designs into the Semi, helping with efficiency, updating its design, and making it a more suitable vehicle for hauling loads, as the changes also helped increase payload.

Tesla has obtained a lengthy list of companies that have committed to implementing the Semi in their own fleets, hoping to bring their logistics lineups up to date with electric powertrains and autonomous technologies.

Advertisement

While it is already operating a pilot program with PepsiCo. and Frito-Lay, Tesla will expand to other businesses, primarily using it internally after its launch.

Head of the Semi program at Tesla, Dan Priestley, said the company would be the first user of the vehicle after its launch next year. It has been using it to a certain extent, but the company has not been able to completely abandon gas haulers.

Instead, it will implement the Semi into its fleet for more sustainable vehicle logistics starting next year:

Advertisement

Tesla has already received orders for the Semi from a variety of large companies, including Walmart, Sysco, Anheuser-Busch, UPS, DHL, J.B. Hunt, among others.

Many analysts see the Tesla Semi as a major contributor to future growth and increasing value within the company, especially from a Wall Street perspective. Some firms say the Semi is one of several near and medium-term contributors to the company increasing its market cap.

Cantor Fitzgerald is just one of those firms, as last week it explicitly listed the Semi as a catalyst.

Analyst Andres Sheppard said, “Overall, we remain bullish on TSLA over the medium to long term. We continue to see meaningful future upside from Energy Storage & Deployment, FSD, Robotaxis/Cybercab, Semis, and Optimus Bots.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Tesla China rolls out Model Y L V2L adapter, and it’s free for early owners

Tesla China announced the rollout of the Model Y L’s AC external power adapter on social media platforms such as Weibo.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla China

Tesla China has released a useful new accessory for the Model Y L, and it is free for some owners. With the accessory, the Model Y L effectively becomes a giant power bank that owners can use to power appliances when they are camping, or if their homes are hit by a power outage. 

Tesla Model Y L V2L adapter

Tesla China announced the rollout of the Model Y L’s AC external power adapter on social media platforms such as Weibo. As per the product’s advertisement, the Model Y L could provide up to 2,200W of power with its adapter, allowing it to support numerous appliances on the go. Of course, but could also be used to charge devices during power outages. 

Tesla China notes that the adapter’s current is 220V, and it also features an IP44 protection grade. Tesla notes that the adapter could operate at temperatures between -30℃ ~ +50℃. The Model Y L’s V2L functionality would not work if the vehicle’s battery is less than 10%, however. 

Tesla China’s official shop is selling its AC external power adapter for a reasonable price. The product could be purchased for RMB599, which is equivalent to $85. That’s a great price for an accessory that could make car camping sessions several times more convenient.

Free for early Model Y L owners

While the Model Y L’s AC external power adapter is priced reasonably at the Tesla China shop, the accessory is available for free for early owners of the extended wheelbase six-seat all-electric crossover. This was highlighted in a message that Tesla China reportedly sent to owners of the vehicle.

Advertisement

“Your Tesla account is eligible for a free Model Y L dedicated AC external power adapter. Please log in to the online store to add the adapter to your cart. Once the system verifies it correctly, the price will automatically change to 0 yuan before placing the order. We will send it to you via express delivery subsequently. 

“This free qualification is only for the first owner of the Model YL who did not receive an AC external power adapter at pickup, valid until February 28, 2026. Failure to place an order upon expiration will be considered as a waiver of eligibility. If there is a temporary shortage of goods, please be patient and we will reschedule the replenishment by the end of January 2026,” Tesla China wrote. 

Continue Reading

Trending