According to Volkswagen Chief of Sales Martin Sander, electric vehicles offering extremely short charging times for the mass market are anticipated to become available in the early 2030s. Sander shared these comments with the T-Online podcast, “Vorangedacht.”
While he noted that the technology is currently viable in laboratory settings-and could be available very soon at a high price for a limited number of exclusive customers-VW intends to roll out affordable and appealing vehicles suitable for a broad customer base. Consequently, achieving the industry goal of five-minute charging (from 10 to 80 percent) for mainstream consumers may take some additional time. When pressed for a specific timeframe regarding rapid charging availability, Sander tentatively suggested “early next decade.”
This development comes as Chinese manufacturer BYD has recently garnered attention for its claims regarding a “Flash-Charging Revolution in Europe.” BYD has publicly stated that with new megawatt charging stations, their EV batteries can charge from 10 to 70 percent within five minutes, reaching 97 percent in nine minutes.
Sander stated that Volkswagen now perceives the turning point in demand for electric automobiles has arrived. He mentioned that the company has been “slightly surprised” by the robust demand for electric vehicles, particularly in Germany. He attributed the strong uptake not only to government purchase bonuses but also to the consistent signaling from the Federal Government emphasizing the importance of electric mobility.
Furthermore, the technology has reached a critical “Tipping Point.” Sander observed that as more people gain positive experiences with EVs, they actively promote the technology. “Hardly anyone who has driven an electric car wants to go back to an internal combustion engine,” he remarked.
