Couche-Tard has partnered with a joint venture of major automakers to create a network of high-power chargers (HPC) across Europe. The move will see hundreds of HPC charge points within the Circle K network.
“We are proud and excited to partner up with IONITY [a joint venture of BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group with Audi & Porsche] in creating the highest-powered charging network in Europe,” Group President Circle K Europe Jacob Schram said. “The initiative underscores Circle K’s commitment to being a part of mobility solutions in our core markets. We want to make it easy for our customers to take part in the technology advancements allowing fast charging for long-distance electric mobility for the first time.”
The network will consist of approximately 400 HPC stations to enable long-distance travel in Europe across multiple countries. Each site will have on average of six high-power charging points. Circle K will be the network partner in seven countries. It is planned to establish the next generation EV chargers on sites in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
“The extensive Circle K network of stations provides excellent locations, and they already have good experience in providing electrical charging,” IONITY CEO Michael Hajesch said.
IONITY is currently planning to roll out 400 sites in Europe. Circle K and IONITY will initially roll out 60 of those together. Each site in the network will have an average of six high-power charging points.
The charging network will follow a gradual rollout across Circle K’s network starting with pilots in the Scandinavian countries expected in late 2017. The rest of the sites are expected in 2018 and 2019.
