Hyundai invests in IONITY high-power charging network

Hyundai Motor Company has announced it is investing into the fast-charging European network IONITY, joining founding partners BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and the Volkswagen Group with Porsche AG.

Under the agreement Hyundai (and Kia) will play a key role in further enhancing the availability of EV charging stations with additional convenience benefits for its customers.

Starting in 2021, Hyundai and Kia EVs will be equipped with 800 volt charging systems to accommodate IONITY’s maximum charging power of 350 kilowatts. Customers will be able to use IONITY’s HPC facilities, which are equipped with digital payment options, to significantly reduce charging times and better facilitate long-distance travel.

IONITY is a joint venture established in 2017 between BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, and Volkswagen Group with Porsche AG. Since its formation, it currently has nearly 140 charging stations in Europe in operation with 50 more under construction. The technology of IONITY has a charging capacity of up to 350 kilowatts, its use of the universal charging standard Combined Charging System ensures the widest possible compatibility across EVs.

IONITY is expanding its network to 400 fast-charging stations by 2020, with an average of at least one site every 75 miles along major European highways.

“Our participation in this joint venture reaffirms the Group’s commitment to future electromobility,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “I am confident that our work with IONITY will open a new era of high-power charging experiences, where charging will be seamless and easier than refueling for our customers.”

The investment in IONITY continues the Group’s continued efforts into electric mobility, which includes deployment of 44 eco-friendly models by 2025.