With a network of charging points at hotels, museums and airports, Porsche wants to provide its own electric customers with convenient charging stops.
Although Porsche is also a partner in the fast-charging network Ionity, the Swabians are investing in yet another global charging network. The “Porsche Destination Charging” program brings alternating current (AC) charging points to selected locations that are particularly frequently visited by electric car drivers: Hotels, airports, museums, shopping malls, sports venues and marinas. To date, Porsche says 1,035 charging points are available in around 20 countries, with around 900 more locations to be added by the end of 2020.
The charging points have a charging capacity of 11 kW.
Free of charge for Porsche customers
Porsche customers with a Taycan or a plug-in hybrid model can park and charge there free of charge. In principle, however, all compatible electric cars can plug into the Type 2 connector. The respective operators decide what prices apply to non-Porsche customers. A flat rate or a completely free charging offer for all is possible. In Germany, charging is usually based on a flat rate; according to Porsche, the basis for the flat rate is an average price of 33 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).
Operators of a “Destination Charger” charging point can advertise the offer with their own badge.
Original idea from Tesla
In technical terms, Porsche is relying on a standard solution for the charging points: the wallboxes installed are to offer a charging capacity of 11 kW and have a Type 2 plug with at least 4 meters of cable. Up to four charging points are possible per destination charging station. As good as the idea sounds: The approach is not new, of course. Tesla has been operating a destination charging network for years in parallel to the Superchargers, which also targets hotels, shopping malls and museums. In Europe alone, Tesla currently offers 5,192 destination charging stations.
Survey
Yes, the supermarkets will eventually use it to attract customers.
No, in the long run it is likely to be too expensive for the supermarkets.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether Porsche’s initiative is a copy of Tesla’s Destination Charger or not: the approach fits. Such additional charging points take away the range anxiety of the company’s own customers and, in case of doubt, create space at the fast-charging stations, which tend to be in increasingly short supply