Earlier this month, Volkswagen offered a glimpse of its future mobile quick-charging station, which can be set up “independent of a power supply”, wherever it is needed — for example, in city public car parks, on company premises, or at large-scale events.

The mobile charging station works like the power banks used by people with smartphones.

With a charging capacity of up to 360kWhr, up to 15 e-vehicles can be charged consecutively, and the charging process only takes 17min on average.

If the energy content of the integrated battery set is less than 20%, the depleted charging station is simply exchanged for a charged one.

If it is permanently attached to an AC power supply delivering up to 30kW, the battery pack continually recharges itself.

The first mobile quick-charging stations will be available in the first half of 2019 in Volkswagen’s hometown of Wolfsburg as part of a pilot project, and the scheme will be extended to other cities and communities from 2020.

Thomas Schmall, chairman of Volkswagen Group Components (www.volkswagen.com), said: “The mobile charging stations are a decisive step towards an efficient network of charging points.

“They can be set up anywhere as required – with or without connection to the power supply.

"This flexibility enables a completely new approach for the rapid expansion of the charging infrastructure.

“For example, cities can find out the most suitable places for a permanent charging point before making major investments in developing the network.

“In addition, it will be possible to set up a large number of charging stations temporarily — exactly when and where they are needed.”

Mark Möller, head of technical development, said: “Our mobile charging stations offer a further crucial advantage.

“It is only when an electric car is charged with sustainably generated power that it can claim CO2-neutral mobility. Our charging station is the first to offer the possibility of temporarily storing sustainably generated power.

“For example, the charging station can be charged specifically with solar or wind energy, which is then transmitted to the electric vehicles during charging.”