Largest EV Fast-Charging Station In World Opens In Norway

September 2nd, 2016 by James Ayre

What is now the largest electric vehicle fast-charging station in the world — home to 20 Tesla Superchargers, four 50-kilowatt (kW) DC fast chargers (CHAdeMO and Combo/CCS), and four 22-kW AC charging points — was recently opened in Norway, according to recent report from elbil.no. (A tip of the hat here to reader Are Hansen.)

The grand opening event for the station in rural Nebbenes, Norway, proved quite a hit — around 150 Tesla electric vehicle (EV) owners showed up, despite the location being some 60 kilometers north of Oslo. But then, the Tesla crowd has always been quite enthusiastic, hasn’t it? So maybe that isn’t too surprising.

The grand opening event (which took place on September 1st) saw the manager of Tesla’s operations in the country, Pål Simonsen; the manager of Fortum Charge & Drive, Jan Haugen Ihle; and the secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association (Norsk elbilforening), Christina Bu all publicly make statements.

Christina Bu commented:

“Today we represent more than 35,000 EV owners, making us the biggest EV owners organization in the world. More than 3,000 of those drive a Tesla, the rest drive a large selection of different models and makes. I think it’s wonderful to get a fast charging station where a total of 28 EVs are able to fast charge at the same time.

“I would like to thank Tesla for pushing other car manufacturers in the right direction, and also for taking responsibility for fast-charging. They show everything is possible. I would of course also like to thank Fortum Charge & Drive for being a major force in the development, both here and elsewhere. They have — unlike many others — realized that this is the future, investing in fast charging at a fast pace. Their contribution is highly appreciated among Norwegian EV owners.”

Altogether, the 20 Tesla Supercharger stalls offer a total power output of 2 megawatts (MW). Notably, the stations will be open 24 hours a day.

Pål Simonsen commented:

“What we have accomplished in Norway would have been impossible without extremely devoted partners, both here in Nebbenes and at our other 26 stations (with a grand total of 216 stalls) nationwide. Today I would like to thank Morten Østnor and Per Nebbenes of Nebbenes tavern, who have been very important contributors in making this come true. They are now going to serve us food and kilowatt hours for years to come. Thank you!

“I would also like to thank all Tesla owners. Our mission would have been impossible without you. And I am pretty sure that this Supercharger has been the most requested lately. We have been pushed quite hard, and we try to comply with your wishes as best we can. Our single most important task is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, and we are doing it through devoted ambassadors like you. This is our next step, and we are very proud to take it with you.”

And Jan Haugen Ihle noted: “Making it universal in order to make every EV model able to charge is key to us. I would also like to thank the people here at Nebbenes tavern for their cooperation, making the development happen rather quickly. Our part of this fast charging station is a part of our network for all EVs in southern Norway, making it possible to drive from Oslo to Trondheim. So far this year we have installed 160 fast chargers, with more to come before the years’s end.”









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