EnBW and DEFAMA push HPC chargers in Northern and Eastern Germany

The energy provider EnBW from Baden-Württemberg has now announced a partnership with DEFAMA Deutsche Fachmarkt AG, with which they aim to further expand the fast-charging infrastructure in northern and eastern Germany. The focus will be on retail locations and specialist market centers. Initially, the group will equip three pilot locations of the real estate company with up to eight High Power Charging (HPC) points each. These are expected to enable charging for 100 kilometers of range in just five minutes, depending on the vehicle's configuration. Medium-term plans involve equipping around 30 high-traffic DEFAMA locations with charging stations.

Location Advantage: Fast Chargers in Rural Areas

The portfolio of the real estate specialist mainly includes locations in small and medium-sized cities in northern and eastern Germany. Everyday-suitable fast charging points are also needed in rural areas, where there are often fewer charging options compared to urban areas. Thus, the expansion of the charging infrastructure at DEFAMA properties should densify the nationwide fast-charging network.

"Especially in smaller towns, charging infrastructure is an advantage for retail. The ability to charge the electric car while shopping increases the attractiveness of our specialist market centers. Our tenants benefit from this," believes Matthias Schrade, CEO of DEFAMA.

With this partnership, the north and east of Germany in particular will benefit from a denser offering of fast-charging facilities within the EnBW HyperNetz.

"For the mobility transition to succeed, e-mobility must also establish itself where the car is the number one mode of transport: in smaller towns and communities, beyond urban centers," explains Timo Sillober, Chief Sales and Operations Officer at EnBW.

According to him, charging must seamlessly integrate into everyday life here too, as very few can charge at home, argues the COO. Thus, the appropriate public fast-charging infrastructure is now being created. The goal is to enable electric car drivers to charge where the actual need arises. Sillober counts retail among these places, as the charging times of cars would optimally match the shopping time, in his view. The partnership with DEFAMA helps to address this.