Volkswagen Group Components and startup Shanghai DU-POWER New Energy have formed a joint venture to produce “flexible quick charging stations” in China. The two companies will each own 50% of the JV, which will be located in the Suzhou Wuzhong Development Zone, near Shanghai.

Series production is scheduled to start in the second half of 2020. V

As previously announced, the new flexible quick charging station will also be produced at VW’s Hannover site, beginning this year.

The flexible quick charging station offers charging levels of up to 150 kW. It’s compact, and is designed to be installed almost anywhere it’s needed. The built-in battery pack can store a buffer of energy, so it can be disconnected from the grid. The charging station is also designed to be able to use second-life batteries from EVs.

“The planned joint venture with DU-POWER represents a significant milestone as we continue to make progress along the path to electric mobility,” said Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components. “The innovative design of our flexible quick charging station has huge potential in China.”

“The electrification of the global automotive industry is a megatrend,” said Yong Kang, CEO of Shanghai DU-POWER. “As an ambitious high-tech company with a competent technical development core, we will work with Volkswagen to create a solid foundation to support the success of electric vehicles. The partnership for establishing a joint venture in China enables us to collaborate closely on the technical aspects of the project to provide flexible, reliable and efficient solutions.”

Source: Volkswagen Group