Tag Archives: Charging stations

News

Ford Taps Octopus Energy to Supercharge Public EV Charging Access

Ford is doubling down on making life with an EV easier. At the Interchange Network Conference in Berlin, the automaker announced a new partnership with Octopus Energy’s Electroverse platform, giving Ford owners access to one of the world’s largest charging ecosystems.

The initiative—branded BlueOval Charge Network x Octopus Electroverse—launches this October and promises to simplify what remains one of the thorniest parts of EV ownership: public charging. With just the Electroverse app and a single login, Ford drivers will be able to tap into over a million chargers worldwide across more than 1,200 different networks. That means no more juggling half a dozen apps and RFID cards just to top up your battery.

One App to Rule Them All

The Electroverse app isn’t just a digital directory of plugs. It displays real-time charger availability, transparent pricing, and even allows users to upload photos of charging stations—helpful when a GPS pin doesn’t quite match reality. An integrated route planner also takes the guesswork out of long-distance drives, automatically plotting the most convenient and cost-effective charging stops.

To make the system seamless, the app plays nice with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing drivers to mirror the same interface they’d use on their phone directly onto their Ford’s infotainment screen.

Perks for Private and Business Owners

Ford isn’t stopping at convenience. By linking their Ford and Octopus accounts, private owners get a three-month free trial of IONITY Premium, unlocking discounted fast-charging rates. They can also integrate public charging payments directly into their home energy bills, essentially rolling EV running costs into one monthly payment.

Business customers, meanwhile, gain access to the Octopus Fleet portal—also free for the first three months. Fleet managers can assign charging cards to specific drivers, track usage, set up automated monthly invoicing, and even apply discounts across multiple charging networks. The result? Less downtime, lower costs, and fewer headaches managing electric fleets.

The Bigger Picture

Ford says the move is all about removing barriers for customers who might otherwise hesitate to go electric. “We understand that for both private and business customers, public charging that is convenient, easy to use, and good value is paramount,” said Sven Pleines, manager of public charging for Ford Model e in Europe.

Octopus shares that philosophy. “Public charging for EVs doesn’t have to be complicated,” said Matt Davies, Electroverse director at Octopus Energy. “Thanks to our partnership with Ford, we’re able to give even more drivers more freedom and confidence over how, when, and where they charge.”

Why It Matters

EV adoption continues to hinge on charging access and ease of use. By teaming up with Octopus, Ford is tackling one of the biggest pain points for both private and fleet customers. If the execution matches the promise, this could make Ford EVs a more compelling option in a crowded market—and push rivals to up their charging game.

Source: Ford

News

Porsche Opens Eighth Premium Charging Lounge in Ringsheim

Just in time for the height of the summer travel season, Porsche has opened its latest Charging Lounge in Ringsheim, strategically located in the heart of South Baden’s Ortenau district. As the eighth entry in the brand’s expanding network of exclusive charging stations, this new site reinforces Porsche’s commitment to delivering a premium, brand-aligned EV ownership experience.

Positioned near the A5 autobahn and only a stone’s throw from the popular Europa-Park in Rust, the Ringsheim lounge offers more than just fast charging — it offers a thoughtfully curated experience tailored for both vehicle and driver.

Up to 400 kW: Charging That Keeps Pace with Porsche Performance

The new site is equipped with six high-performance DC charging stations, each capable of delivering up to 400 kW. That’s enough to take a Taycan from 10% to 80% state of charge in just 18 minutes, with the all-new electric Macan 4S requiring only slightly more time — around 21 minutes. Open 24/7, the lounge ensures that Porsche owners can stay on the move without compromising on speed or comfort.

Access to the lounge and its services is streamlined via Porsche’s advanced Charging Service, allowing for central billing and simple authentication. Drivers can link their vehicle license plate to their Porsche ID in the My Porsche app for automatic gate access via license plate recognition — no card swipe or QR scan necessary, though both remain available as backup options.

More Than Just a Charging Stop

The Porsche Charging Lounge in Ringsheim exemplifies the brand’s luxury ethos. Roofed outdoor seating areas come with built-in speakers, while the interior offers plush lounge chairs, modern restrooms, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and refreshments including soft drinks, snacks, coffee, and filtered water. The facility is designed to be a quiet, comfortable haven for travelers — a place to recharge both literally and figuratively.

Forming a Pan-European EV Route

Ringsheim is now part of a growing European network of Porsche-exclusive Charging Lounges, joining locations in Bingen am Rhein, Estenfeld, Hamburg, Ingolstadt, Leonberg, Koblach (Austria), and Nyon (Switzerland). The layout of these lounges now allows for a curated EV road trip across key parts of Europe — think Stuttgart to the Swiss Alps, with high-speed charging and Porsche-caliber amenities every few hundred kilometers.

With over 900,000 charging points already available via the Porsche Charging Service — including more than 85,000 DC fast chargers across 26 countries — Porsche owners have broad access beyond the lounges as well. Partnerships with major providers like IONITY, Aral Pulse, and now Fines Charging in Bulgaria, continue to expand the network’s reach and reliability. For subscribers of the Porsche Charging Service Plus, rates are as low as €0.39/kWh at select partners.

Digital Integration for Seamless Access

Navigation to each Charging Lounge is fully integrated into Porsche Communication Management (PCM) and the My Porsche app, where the lounge locations are clearly marked with a distinctive gold icon. Whether you’re on a planned road trip or making an impromptu stop, Porsche ensures ease of access, fast charging, and the kind of refinement that befits its customer base.

Conclusion: Charging, the Porsche Way

With the launch of the Ringsheim Charging Lounge, Porsche continues to redefine what EV charging should look and feel like. No longer just a technical necessity, it’s now a part of the Porsche journey — a seamless blend of performance, luxury, and lifestyle. For business travelers, families headed to Europa-Park, or road-trippers chasing Alpine curves, Ringsheim is the new must-stop along the electric Autobahn.

Source: Porsche

News

BYD builds a network of ultra-fast charging stations in Europe

One of the biggest reasons why electric cars are not as popular as expected is the small number of charging stations. However, BYD has a plan to change that as it intends to build a network of ultra-fast charging stations in Europe.

The Vice President of BYD, Stella Li, recalled that one of the largest car manufacturers in the world recently unveiled a new platform with a charging power of 1,000 kW, which will allow its cars to travel 400 km after a 5-minute charge. It is a completely new level in the world of EVs and one of the steps that could make electric vehicles more attractive to customers.

The lack of ultra-fast charging stations in Europe is an obstacle for Chinese manufacturers whose cars are far ahead of the rest of the world. Li also noted that the ultra-fast stations will improve the charging speed of existing batteries, reducing charging time by 20 to 30%, which could have a big impact on increasing the popularity of EVs. The plan is to launch a charging network in Europe within the next 12 months, with some stations located at dealerships, and talks are underway with other entities as well.

BYD aims to become a major player in Europe within the next five years, and the first steps towards achieving this goal have already been taken. This year, a production facility in Hungary will start operating, along with a research and development center and the company’s European headquarters, which will be in Budapest. “We will produce in Europe to sell in Europe. We are committed to the long term and we are here to stay,” said Stella Li.

Source: Reuters