IONITY to start installing 600 kW ultra-rapid chargers with Alpitronic HYC1000

IONITY, the European ultra-rapid charging network, has revealed that it will begin installing chargers delivering up to 600 kW later this year. At present, the network’s fastest units provide up to 400 kW.

To make this upgrade possible, IONITY will deploy Alpitronic’s new HYC1000 chargers, which were publicly unveiled in February and positioned as “the next generation of ultra-rapid charging technology”.

With these new chargers, compatible vehicles will be able to gain up to 300 km of range in under eight minutes. That represents a major improvement over today’s chargers, which typically require between 10 minutes and 15 minutes.

The HYC1000 is built around a central power distribution system (Power Cabinet). This can supply up to four dispensers, each offering two charging points - meaning as many as eight vehicles can be charged at the same time.

“By integrating the HYC1000 chargers into our network, we are giving our customers access to one of the fastest and most advanced charging technologies currently available.”

Jeroen van Tilburg, CEO of IONITY

Despite this substantial step forward, a more powerful solution has recently been presented in China: BYD showcased a 1000 kW charger for a new generation of electric vehicles that support charging at that level.

When will they be available?

IONITY began testing the HYC1000 in May at a technical centre near Munich. The first installations are expected to start in the second half of 2025, although the company has not disclosed the locations.

The rollout of the new 600 kW ultra-rapid chargers forms part of a fresh expansion plan for the IONITY network. By 2030, the company expects to increase its total number of stations to more than 1300 - from around 750 today - while also aiming to almost triple the number of charging points across Europe from 5000 to 13 000.