October 17, 2022 05:24 AM

Renault's Mobilize to launch 400-kW fast-charging network

Renault's Mobilize brand will open 200 fast-charging stations in Western Europe, each with six charge points and a rest area.

Mobilize plans to open a network of 200 fast-charging stations at Renault Group dealerships near major highways by 2024. The dedicated sites will have six chargers, and a space for motorists to relax or work while their cars are being charged.

PARIS -- Mobilize, Renault Group’s mobility services brand, will open a network of 200 fast-charging stations around Europe by 2024.

Mobilize Fast Charge, as the network will be known, will consist of standalone sites, similar to gas stations, with six charging points and a space for drivers to rest, work or eat and drink while their cars recharge. The first stations will open in France in the coming months.

They will be open around the clock; drivers can gain access to the rest area with a card that also gives preferential rates. Most of the stations will be associated with Renault dealerships, Mobilize says.

Mobilize, a new unit created in 2020, combines Renault Group's captive financial services, mobility services such as fleet management and short-term rentals -- also known as car-sharing -- as well as a range of branded full-electric vehicles. It is led by Clotilde Delbos, former group CFO and deputy CEO.

Fast Charge is being revealed to the public at the Paris auto show this week, along with the Duo, a two-place electric quadricycle, and the Solo single-seat scooter concept.

Like Tesla’s Supercharger network, the Fast Charge stations will be associated with an automaker, but Mobilize stations will be available to all plug-in vehicles. Tesla has so far restricted Superchargers to its own vehicles.

Stellantis’ mobility brand, Free2Move, is also building out a network of stations with partners, focused on southern Europe.

A rendering of the Mobilize Fast Charge rest area. Users can gain access around the clock with a card.

Mobilize stations will be able to supply up to 400 kilowatts of power. The brand says that a stationary storage system will be able to deliver 600 kW of simultaneous power, even when several cars are charging at the same time, to limit the impact on the power grid.

It also allows drivers to receive the best price for electrical power, Mobilize says. The storage system includes “second life” EV batteries and photovoltaic cells.

Stations will situated about five minutes’ drive from major highways, with 90 planned for France – or one for every 150 km of major highways. The remainder will be in Belgium, Italy and Spain, with future sites in other countries.

With 400 kW charging capability, Renault is anticipating that all future EVs will be able to accept that level of power. Tesla’s Superchargers have a maximum of 300 kW; the Ionity network of fast charging stations tops out at 350 kW for some stations. The latest DC onboard chargers can accept up to 270 kW, notably on the Porsche Taycan/Audi e-tron GT with 800-volt systems.