Volkswagen AG's charging and energy brand Elli has established 400,000 EV charging points, with more than 800 providers in 27 countries, claiming to be the greatest charging network in Europe. Over the past 18 months, the network has doubled in size by adding about 200,000 new charging points.
Elli most recently expanded its network in western and northern Europe by adding the Swedish energy company Vattenfall and the Dutch fast-charging specialist Fastned. The company has also entered into a large number of alliances and partnerships, including ones with such energy suppliers as Enel and Iberdrola, the petroleum group BP and the joint venture IONITY.
Elli has added about 24,000 Vattenfall stations in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden along with 1,000 high-power charging points (HPC) operated by Fastned in the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, France and Switzerland.
A few months earlier, the network was massively expanded in Great Britain with the addition of 6,800 charging stations managed by BP Pulse.
"The key to everyday electric mobility is easy charging without any range anxiety," said Elke Temme, the CEO of Elli and Senior Vice President of Charging & Energy at Volkswagen AG. "We have taken a huge step closer to our vision by offering 400,000 charging points in Europe. In line with our NEW AUTO strategy, we now offer the largest ecosystem for drivers of electric vehicles in Europe and are continuing to press full speed ahead in our work to expand the charging network."
As a mobility service provider, Elli offers its services to the drivers of electric vehicles made by all manufacturers. Customers of Elli and those of the brands SEAT, CUPRA, ŠKODA AUTO and Volkswagen may use the network further on that.
Further, the charging service offered by Audi brand will be integrated into the portfolio next year, according to the company.
Elli is the Volkswagen Group brand that offers a wide portfolio of energy and charging solutions in Europe and also acts as a provider of mobile services. Its current range of products includes charging solutions for private customers and companies – from the customers' own wall boxes and the mobile charging station Flexpole to charging services and innovative and smart green-power rates.
The company also offers digital solutions and services designed to create seamless experiences at public charging stations.