Next-E's 262 Fast and Ultra-Fast Chargers in 6 countries will be available on one platform

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Berlin, 5 October 2020 – The members of the NEXT-E charging infrastructure project for electric vehicles and e-mobility digital specialist Hubject have joined forces to make their combined fast and ultra-fast chargers available on one EV-charging application across six bordering countries: Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Romania. 222 multistandard fast chargers (50 kW) and 30 ultra-fast chargers (150-350 kW) will be integrated onto Hubject’s intercharge platform, the world’s largest cross-provider charging network, further enabling long-distance travel in the region.The NEXT-E project, co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union, is a cooperation between four energy companies - namely E.ON Group entities from the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia, HEP- Hrvatska elektroprivreda from Croatia, MOL Group entities from Hungary, Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovenia, Petrol Group in Slovenia and Croatia - and two-car manufacturers - to deploy 222 fast and 30 ultra-fast chargers in service stations across 6 Central and Eastern European countries according to the infographic shown below.By cooperating with Hubject, the NEXT-E project significantly extends the influence of its e-mobility network, providing a long-distance charging infrastructure with a connection to an eRoaming platform.Currently, access to EV-chargers is possible with the application of the participating company that has deployed the charger, leading to barriers in roaming and long-distance cross-border EV. This is going to change. The addition of 222 fast and 30 ultra-fast chargers deployed by the NEXT-E consortium members to Hubject’s intercharge platform will make it possible to comfortably drive an electric vehicle from the Czech border to the Adriatic or the Black Sea, using only one application. As such, users will be able to charge their car in all charging stations of the NEXT-E project through Hubject’s intercharge platform, thus widely expanding the mobility of e-mobility customers in all NEXT-E countries.“The NEXT-E project will be instrumental in the transition to reaching the ambitious target of a zero-emission transport sector and a carbon-neutral economy in Europe” declared Richard Ferrer, Head of the Transport Innovation Team at the Innovation & Networks Executive Agency (INEA).“Interoperability and e-roaming are essential features of an efficient electric vehicle charging network and provide for a seamless ‘electric journey along the European road network. Recharging an Electric Vehicle has to be very easy, reliable, and affordable for European citizens. The availability of this service on the Hubject platform is a significant step in that direction, thanks to the pioneering spirit of public and private companies representing an entire ecosystem from energy to automotive, mobility, and software industries. Electromobility is becoming a reality in Europe! The European Commission and INEA will continue to support such projects and economic operators through the various programs to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal”Christian Hahn, CEO of Hubject GmbH, explains: “This collaboration gives charging stations operators and eMobility service providers a simple way of collaborating and improve the own business model. Working with reliable and trusted partners of the Next-E project consortium helps the whole European market and simplifying the charging market.”This press release is part of the NEXT-E project co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union. The sole responsibility for the content lies with the author. The European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.About NEXT-EThe Next-E project is a unique partnership of leading companies in the electricity and oil & gas sectors, as well as OEMs, who joined forces to create an interoperable and non-discriminatory charging network for electric vehicles across the main TEN-T corridors in Central and Eastern Europe. The consortium consists of the E.ON Group companies (Západoslovenská energetika in Slovakia, E.ON Czech Republic, E.ON Hungary, E.ON Romania), MOL Group companies (represented via subsidiaries in all six participating countries), Hrvatska elektroprivreda in Croatia, PETROL (in Slovenia and Croatia), as well as two-car manufacturers.The network will be comprised of 222 multi-standard fast chargers (50 kW) and 30 ultra chargers (150-350 kW) and will create a crucial EV charging infrastructure in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Romania. The Next-E network will be interoperable with Western Europe thanks to coordination with other projects co-financed through the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).For more information on the NEXT-E project, please visit www.next-e.eu.About HubjectHubject simplifies the charging of electric vehicles. Through its eRoaming platform, called intercharge, the eMobility specialist connects Charge Point Operators or CPOs and eMobility Service Providers or EMPs, thus providing standardized access to charging infrastructure regardless of any network. With over 250,000 connected charging points and more than 750 B2B partners across 43 countries and four continents, Hubject has established the world’s largest cross-provider charging network for electric vehicles by connecting CPO networks. In addition, Hubject is a trusted consulting partner in the eMobility market, advising automotive manufacturers, charging providers, and other EV-related businesses looking to launch eMobility services or implement Plug&Charge using ISO 15118. In essence, Hubject promotes eMobility and its advancement worldwide. Founded in 2012, Hubject is a joint venture of Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, EnBW, Enel X, innogy, Siemens, and the Volkswagen Group. Hubject’s headquarters is located in Berlin, with subsidiaries in Los Angeles and Shanghai.Hubject — Heading for the futureFor more information on Hubject and its services, please visit hubject.comAbout MOL GroupMOL Group is an integrated, international oil and gas company, headquartered in Budapest, Hungary. It is active in over 40 countries with a dynamic international workforce of 25,000 people and a track record of more than 100 years in the industry. MOL’s exploration and production activities are supported by more than 75 years’ experience in the hydrocarbon field. At the moment, there are production activities in 9 countries and exploration assets in 14 countries. MOL Group operates three refineries and two petrochemical plants under integrated supply chain management in Hungary, Slovakia, and Croatia, and owns a network of 1,933 service stations across 10 countries in Central & South-Eastern Europe.Next to the traditional businesses, MOL Group established its Innovative Business Solution division in line with its 2030 strategy. Based on it, the MOL Group aims to be its customers’ first choice for energy or transportation needs. MOL Group launched several activities during the last 3 years like that serve mobility: an e-mobility solution called MOL Plugee in 6 CEE countries, an (e-)car-sharing service in Hungary called MOL Limo, a fleet operation solution called MOL Fleet Solution in Hungary, a bus manufacturing service called ITK Holding and a bike-sharing service called MOL Bubi in Hungary and Slovnaft Bajk in Slovakia.About E.ON GroupE.ON is an investor-owned energy company with approximately 79,000 employees. Led by corporate headquarters in Essen, our operations are segmented into four operating units: Energy Networks, Customer Solutions, innogy, and Renewables. Our non- strategic operations are reported under Non-Core Business. Corporate headquarters’ main task is to lead the E.ON Group. This involves charting E.ON’s strategic course and managing and funding its existing business portfolio. Corporate headquarters’ tasks include optimizing E.ON’s overall business across countries and markets from a financial, strategic, and risk perspective and conducting stakeholder management. This segment consists of our power and gas distribution networks and related activities. It is subdivided into three regional markets: Germany, Sweden, and East-Central Europe/Turkey (which consists of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Turkey). This segment’s main tasks include operating its power and gas networks safely and reliably, carrying out any necessary maintenance and repairs, and expanding its power and gas networks, which frequently involves adding customer connections.About Hrvatska elektroprivreda -HEP-Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP Group) is the national energy company, which has been dealing with the generation, distribution, and supply of electricity for more than a century. And in the last few decades, it has been dealing with the distribution and supply of heat energy and natural gas to customers. Hrvatska elektroprivreda is organized as a concern, a group of connected companies (daughter companies). The parent company (parent body) of HEP Group is HEP d.d., which carries out the function of corporate governance of HEP Group and guarantees conditions for safe and reliable electricity supply to customers. Within HEP Group subsidiary companies (managing, accounting, legal), which conduct regulated activities (transmission and distribution) are clearly separated from companies that conduct non-regulated activities (generation and supply). Croatian transmission system operator (HOPS) has been unbundled from HEP Group, according to the ITO model (Independent Transmission Operator).About PETROL GroupPetrol is not only the largest Slovenian energy company but also the largest Slovenian company in terms of revenues, one of the largest Slovenian retail companies, and the largest provider of comprehensive energy and environmental solutions in Southeast Europe. The main business activity of the company is trading in oil derivatives, gas, and other energy products as well as consumer goods and services. At the end of March 2020, the Petrol Group managed over 509 service stations, of which 318 were in Slovenia, 109 in Croatia, 42 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 15 in Serbia, 15 in Montenegro, and 10 in Kosovo. Under the Petrol umbrella brand, there are also other recognizable products or service brands as Petrol Klub, Fresh, Hip-Shop, Tip Stop, Petrol travel, eShop. Petrol's comprehensive offering of solutions ensures a sustainable supply of first-class energy at home, on the road, and in business. Improving the quality of life is the company's deeper purpose and promise. By being one of the first companies in the region that has established the e-mobility department, Petrol took a leadership role towards electric mobility transitions and a carbon-free society. E-mobility services range from EV charging solutions, through professional assistance in the planning and roll-out of e-charging stations to operative leasing of e-vehicles, fleet management, and assistance to end-users.

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