22:44 19-02-2026

Ionity unveils 600 kW EV charging station with 1000 kW system in Europe

Ionity has launched its first European charging station capable of delivering up to 600 kW per vehicle. Located in the Sorgues area along the busy A7 motorway, one of Europe's most congested corridors, the station features Alpitronic's new HYC1000 system. This setup includes a central 1,000 kW module that dynamically distributes power across six charging points based on current demand. When only one car is connected, it can access the full peak output of up to 600 kW. In theory, this allows for adding up to 300 km of range in under 8 minutes, provided the vehicle model supports such high power levels.

This technology marks a shift beyond mere testing phases, moving from prototypes to a fully operational commercial station. The launch coincides with Ionity reaching a new milestone of 6,000 high-power charging points across Europe. The consortium, established by Volkswagen Group, BMW, Daimler, Ford, and later joined by Hyundai-KIA, aims to maintain its position as the largest premium charging network.

Pricing remains distinct from the broader market. Without a subscription, the cost is around €0.66 per kWh, while the Ionity Power subscription reduces it to €0.37 per kWh. Based on an average consumption of 16 kWh per 100 km, this translates to between €5.92 and €10.56 for every 100 km of driving.

Although only a few current models, such as the Lotus Emeya, Xpeng G9 and G6, Porsche Macan EV, and Audi Q6 e-tron, can utilize the full 600 kW, Ionity is betting on future generations of electric vehicles. Upcoming models like the next-generation BMW iX3 and the Mercedes GLC Electric are expected to support peak charging rates around 400 kW.

The market is accelerating, with Chinese automaker Xpeng planning to deploy its own network of 1,000 kW stations by the end of 2026. This growing competition in charging infrastructure is likely to drive further increases in power capabilities and potentially lower charging costs over time.