The IONITY JV has selected ABB as its main technology partner and supplier of Terra High Power (HP) electric-vehicle (EV) chargers for its service station, which opened on the A2 motorway in Switzerland.

The first station that was opened near Lucerne featured ABB’s 350kW Terra HP chargers, which can recharge a vehicle for 200km in eight minutes.

A joint venture (JV) of BMW, Daimler, Audi, Porsche Ford Motor Company and the Volkswagen Group, IONITY is planning to open nearly 400 fast-charging stations across 24 European countries by 2020 and make long trips as feasible for EVs as for fossil-fueled vehicles.

“We are delighted to be partnering with IONITY to bring high-performance, sustainable e-mobility to the masses across Europe.“

IONITY managing director Michael Hajesch said: “Glad to have a strong and international technology partner with ABB to drive e-Mobility to the next level across Europe.”

The ABB Terra HP chargers installed at the IONITY station in Neuenkirch are equipped with liquid-cooled cables and use CCS charging format.

ABB EV charging infrastructure managing director Frank Muehlon said: “This is a truly landmark European launch and one which we are honoured to have been chosen to support, particularly with the first pilot site opening in ABB’s home country of Switzerland.

“We already have approximately 7,000 connected, DC fast-charging stations installed worldwide and with this launch, we are delighted to be partnering with IONITY to bring high-performance, sustainable e-mobility to the masses across Europe.“

Swiss energy company Alpiq was responsible for planning, engineering and building the first pilot site in the country.