E.ON and MOL launch the Iasi-Targu Mures ‘electric highway’
E.ON Energie Romania on 25 February put into operation, in the city of Iasi, in MOL station from Pacurari neighbourhood, the fifth fast charging station for electric vehicles. It is part of the 19 units that the company plans to install in Romania within the NEXT-E project, supported from European funds, through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program.
Located within the premises of MOL filling station, the unit has a maximum power of 93 kW. Thus, the average time for charging an electric vehicle will be approximately 40 minutes for 80% of the battery.
Two charging stations have already been put into operation in Iasi County, in the localities of Targu Frumos and Cristesti, adding to those opened in Tasca (Neamt County) and Adjud (Vrancea County). At the same time, it is considered to complete and commission, in March, other stations in the localities of Piatra Neamt and Roman (Neamt County), as well as in the locality of Scheia (Suceava County). A fast charging station of 2×50 kW (DC) + 1×43 (AC) will be installed in each location. Each station will also have at least 2 parking spaces.
By the end of 2020, E.ON aims to implement the project on Iasi – Gheorghieni – Tg. Mures route, which will thus become an ‘electric highway’, from which all owners of environmental-friendly vehicles will be able to benefit, having the charging infrastructure ensured on the entire route. Another ‘electric highway’, which will link the city of Iasi to Bucharest, is in full development.
“Statistics showing a significant increase year after year in the number of electric vehicles sold in Romania are extremely encouraging, because it shows a clear orientation towards one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable means of transport, as it happens all over the world. In this context, the question is raised whether the charging infrastructure will be able to keep up with this trend. We believe it is essential to meet the wishes and needs of electric car owners and not only, by giving them easy access to the charging stations. In fact, we want to be with them on all their electric trips so that they have the most enjoyable experience,” said Dan Morari, Director General of E.ON Energie Romania.
“We are glad to witness today, at the MOL Iasi Pacurari station, the opening of one of the 40 charging stations for electric vehicles that will be installed within the NEXT-E project. The MOL Group adopted the Strategy 2030 three years ago, a vision that sets the company’s main directions for the next period. One of the foundations behind the development of this Strategy was MOL’s desire to become the first choice for its customers. We are aware that we are experiencing a time of major change, which will be reflected strongly in our customers’ consumption habits, but we are ready to anticipate their needs and provide them with the best solutions,” said Camelia Ene, CEO & Country Chairman MOL Romania.
All 40 stations within the NEXT-E project (19 of which will be installed by E.ON and 21 by MOL Romania) will be located on the following routes: Suceava-Bacau-Calarasi, Constanta-Bucharest-Timisoara and Iasi-Targu Mures-Alba Iulia. With this initiative, the infrastructure of charging stations for electric vehicles related to the European strategic road corridors (TEN-T) will be completed with the infrastructure of charging stations for electric vehicles in Romania, facilitating low-emission road transport and reduced environmental impact.
Stations will be integrated into a system for monitoring and managing charging sessions. This system provides 24-hour supervision of the unit and has the ability to remotely resolve any incidents occurring during charging. Moreover, any problems encountered at the charging stations can be notified 24/7 by telephone at an E.ON call centre.
