Porsche to provide owners access to network of fast chargers in Australia, this set to provide owners access to a national fast charging network.
The German brand is hoping 80-90 percent of Australia’s population will be covered with a fast charging network, according to Porsche Australia head of product and smart mobility Ingo Appel.
Appel was speaking at the unveiling of the Mission E concept car which is the precursor to the Taycan production electric sports car due to arrive in Australia in 2020.
The Taycan will have an 800 volt battery pack – compared to the industry standard 400-volt – which will be capable of charging 80 percent of its battery in 15 minutes.
But to achieve the maximum charge speed a 350 kW direct current (DC) charger is required.
Porsche is currently weighing-up its options with other car makers on how to best provide a 350kW fast charging network with a third party provider to service Australia’s main highways. “In regards to charging there is quite a bit of work to be done,” says Appel. “We are currently, together with other (brands), working on a third party provider solution here.
“We want to make sure with the launch of Taycan that our future customer has the possibility to drive from Melbourne up to Brisbane (1375 km) if they wish to do so,” he says.
Porsche Australia will follow a similar route to its European parent, which has teamed up with several competitors including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi and mainstream brands Ford and VW to build a network of 350 kW fast chargers called Ionity across Europe.
“With launch of Taycan there will be a third party provider network of 350 kW, so exactly the same charging capabilities as the Ionity network in Europe. Definitely along the east coast and a little bit in WA and hopefully up to Adelaide,” says Appel.
Porsche is considering whether to cover costs or charge customers to use the network. They may run a subsidized subscription service until the market matures.
Eventually Appel believes charging stations will work like service stations with customers paying as they go.
Porsche also confirmed several details of the Taycan earlier announced: a pair of motors will power all four wheels, the output of 440 kW capable of propelling the Taycan from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
Inside the Taycan will only have one button – the starter – the rest of the controls will be fully digital.
The production version of the Taycan will be revealed in 2019.
