Fast charging on the highway: This Dutch startup opens first station in Amsterdam

In a latest development, Fastned, the fast charging company that is building a European network of fast-charging stations has opened its first fast-charging station in Amsterdam on the Foodstrip at the Holendrecht A2/A9 junction. 

With this platform, hundreds of electric cars can be charged per day at this station. Notably, the scalable design allows more fast chargers to be added in the future, providing the electric driver with the best possible service.

Michiel Langezaal, CEO Fastned: 

“I am very happy with this new station in Amsterdam, a city that is leading the way with electric mobility and has the ambition to have only electric cars in the city from 2030 onwards. The station is located on the busy traffic arteries A2 and A9 and during a short charging stop, there is also plenty of choice in terms of food and drinks. By building stations in the city, we give electric drivers even more freedom. This way we are making it easier for people to switch to an electric car.” 

200km range in just 15 minutes!

Based out of Amsterdam, Fastned builds stations at high traffic locations along highways and in cities, where electric cars can add up to 200 km range in 15 minutes. So far, Fastned has raised a total of €47.5 million in funding over 7 rounds.  For the location in question, Fastned partnered with real estate developer Caransa Group B.V.

Mark Tervoort, Caransa, said: 

“We are very happy with the arrival of Fastned. The fast-charging station with energy from the sun and wind contributes to our sustainability strategy and it is an extra service for our visitors who drive electric. We expect that electric drivers will visit the Foodstrip more often. During the charging session, they also have the opportunity to visit one of our restaurants on the Foodstrip. The restaurants will be happy with the extra customers.” 

115 fast-charging stations!

The Dutch company aims to give freedom to electric drivers and accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility. Founded by Bart Lubbers and Michiel Langezaal, the company has 115 fast-charging stations in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. All stations are open to the public 24/7. It’s worth mentioning that the company is working on expanding its fast-charging network to the rest of Europe.

102% growth this quarter

On the other hand, Fastned had its strongest quarter to date. The revenues related to charging increased by 102% compared to the first quarter of 2019. January and February volumes (before Covid-19 impact) were up 155% compared to last year, again outpacing growth in electric vehicles on the road in the Netherlands (+126% year-on-year).

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company witnessed a considerable impact on March volumes.

Michiel Langezaal, CEO Fastned, said: 

“January and February deliveries show that Fastned is on the right track. The Corona crisis will impact sales in the short and possibly medium term. The corona measures do impact deliveries of these cars in the short term and possibly medium term, but the cars will come. Therefore our customer base will continue to grow.”

Main image credits: Fastned

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