Volkswagen shows off next-gen charging stations

Volkswagen has released renderings of what it claims is its next-generation mobile charging stations that have been developed to rapidly boost the number of places to charge your pure-electric car in Europe.

The new 360kWh mobile charging stations will initially be rolled out as part of a pilot scheme in Volkswagen's home city of Wolfsburg over the next six months before being introduced gradually to other German cities.

Capable of charging 15 pure-electric Volkswagen e-Golfs to up to 80 per cent at one time, the German car-maker says, thanks to DC quick charging up to 100kW, a typical recharge using the next-gen stations takes only 17 minutes.

Perhaps more relevant to the Australian market is the mobile power station can operate independently of any power sources enabling it to be placed in remote locations.

Once the power pack has dropped below 20 per cent, the new charging station is swapped with a new one.

If a power source is available, the station can recharge itself.

Alternatively, Volkswagen is working to adapt the mobile chargers to also draw power from renewable solar panels or wind turbines.

BMW and Porsche have recently also revealed their next-generation of chargers as car-makers race to rapidly improve the charging infrastructure needed to support the move from petrol and diesel to pure-electric power.