Interest in electric cars is rapidly increasing in Finland: in 2019, the number of first registrations of all-electric cars was up by 140% from the year before. For electric cars to gain popularity it is essential for the charging network to be sufficiently extensive and that it can offer sufficiently fast charging for both all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
“We have been actively building the nationwide K Charge network since autumn 2018: we currently have 106 fast charging points and 268 standard charging points in our network at 76 K-stores. Together they form the largest fast charging network in Finland. Standard charging is always available at these points as well. In addition, together with IONITY we provide three super-efficient high-power charging stations to complement the offering of the K Charge network,” says Vice President Heikki Ahdekivi who is responsible for new business and the charging network in K Group car sales.
In 2019, approximately more than 5.5 million kilometres were driven by the renewable electricity charged up from K Charge stations. Hundreds of cars are charged every day. The most popular days of the week for charging electric cars at K Charge points are Friday and Saturday. Charging at K Charge stations takes half an hour to one hour on average.
In 2020, we will keep enlarging the K Charge network.
All electricity charged at K Charge points is renewable energy and produced by Finnish wind power. The K Charge charging stations serve both the drivers of all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Every charging station is equipped with multiple charging points to improve availability and to secure reliable service.
“We serve our customers driving electric cars wherever they typically drive. 61% of K Charge customers prefer charging their electric cars at a location which they would regularly visit in any case. When the charging stations are located at K stores, our customers can take care of their food shopping and other matters, for example, while charging their cars. 89% of the K Charge customers actually do take care of their food shopping while their cars are being charged,” Ahdekivi says.
Both CCS Combo and CHAdeMO adapters are available at K Charge fast charging points. At standard charging points you can charge your electric car using a type 2 socket which the car’s own charging cable is connected to.
References:
- The public charging network in Finland comprises 274 fast charging points, which are compatible with all car makes. Out of these points, 106 are K Charge fast charging points. Reference: Sähköautoilijat ry, status 31 Dec 2019.
- In 2019, the number of first registrations of electric cars was up by 140% from the year before. Reference: Statistics Finland, first registrations of motor vehicles in 2019
- 61% of K Charge customers prefer charging their electric cars at a location which they would regularly visit in any case. 89% of the K Charge customers actually do take care of their food shopping while their cars are being charged. K Charge customer survey, January 2020, n = 3,482
> For more information on charging electric cars and a map of charging stations in the K Charge network
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