Kempower, the Finnish DC charging manufacturer, is partnering with the Renault Group’s Mobilize mobility brand to roll out a network of ultra-fast EV charging stations across France.

Each hub features six Kempower Single Satellite chargers, capable of up to 320kW at maximum output

Dubbed Mobilize Fast Charge, the new network will support national policy to ramp up fast charging along major French highways to facilitate long-distance EV travel.

Kempower will supply its DC charging solutions to charging hubs predominantly based close to Renault dealerships and strategically located near major highways in order to service both local and international EV drivers traveling in France.

The hubs will have a standard charging configuration with six Kempower Single Satellite chargers, capable of up to 320kW at maximum output.

The project pilot launched in January 2024 in Bordeaux. A further 15 charging hubs have since opened and around 40 stations are currently under construction or awaiting connection to the grid across France as the project looks to ramp up. The stations are accessible to all EV drivers, 24/7.

France is already a world leader in EV charging infrastructure with around 130,000 charging stations across the country but has put in place an ambitious target to reach 400,000 public chargers by 2030.

But with range anxiety still a key hurdle for current and prospective EV owners, the French government is increasingly turning its focus to fast charging points located along major highways in a bid to facilitate the many long-distance journeys travelled across the country.

Some 25% of public EV chargers in France are currently classified as fast-chargers (50kW or above), less than 10% of which class as ultra-fast (100kW or above).

The Fast Charge network seeks to boost these figures, delivering a “significant and impactful project to boost highway charging infrastructure across Europe”, according to Kempower’s CEO, Tomi Ristimäki.

He continued: “To see ambitious projects such as the Mobilize Fast Charge network being implemented is testament to the fact that the EV infrastructure rollout is firmly in the scaling stage – a fact which will be warmly welcomed by the wider EV industry.”

Anne-Cécile Bonneville, Fast Charge director for Mobilize, commented: “We’re optimistic that the Mobilize Fast Charge network will play an important role in helping EV drivers to take long journeys with confidence.”