Designworks has been named as the design partner for the Ionity e-mobility project – a joint venture between the BMW Group, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen to develop a European high-power charging network for electric vehicles. Ionity has tasked Designworks with designing the charging station architecture, charger pylons and the digital interaction concept.
The project aims to tackle range anxiety for European users of electric vehicles, making long-distance travel under electric power a more attractive proposition.
“For selection of the design partner, our criteria included a comprehensive understanding of future mobility as well as experience outside of the automotive industry, competence in both analog and digital interfaces, pronounced intercultural expertise, and the ability to develop concepts with a view to future contexts,” said Michael Hajesch, CEO at Ionity.
“In creating the first pan-European HPC network, we are looking to give electromobility a boost toward a breakthrough in Europe. Design, with the tremendous potential it has to reach people and influence them in a positive manner, is a key factor for us here.”
“In order to create holistic experiences, it is imperative to give product and interaction design equal attention and to ensure an integrated process”, said Holger Hampf, president of Designworks. “The design of Ionity’s charging poles conveys the value of this approach: we have involved customers in the design process and thought about every analog and digital detail until we reached a solution that will truly enable a new kind of charging experience.”
Ionity is planning to have 400 stations along Europe’s major highways up and running by the end of 2020. The charging stations, each of which will be offering up to six chargers, are equipped with the latest e-charging technology. Situated at a distance of approximately 120km from each other, they will be easily accessible for the public. Ionity uses CCS with a charging capacity of up to 350kW and will provide cross-brand compatibility with most present day and future electric vehicles.
