Volkswagen Group’s charging subsidiary Elli will unveil its new Flexpole Plus battery-integrated DC charging system at the Power2Drive trade fair this week, alongside announcing a major cooperation with German fuel retailer association Uniti. The move could significantly expand EV charging access across Germany, especially at locations previously considered unsuitable for fast charging.
The upgraded Flexpole Plus system maintains a 150 kW charging capacity without requiring medium-voltage grid upgrades and introduces new features for improved deployment and energy management. While Elli has not yet confirmed the battery specifications for the latest version, the first-generation Flexpole offered a 193.5 kWh (160 kWh usable) buffer battery.
Among its enhancements, Flexpole Plus includes a modular payment terminal compatible with contactless, card, and mobile payments, a new ModBus interface for load balancing and integration with AC systems, improved thermal efficiency via smart heat control, and a customizable user interface.
“The Elli Flexpole is a real gamechanger—it allows infrastructure expansion in locations previously considered unsuitable,” said Mark Möller, CTO at Elli. “With its new payment terminal, it’s ready for public, semi-public and private use cases.”
Elli also revealed a strategic collaboration with Uniti, which could enable deployment of its charging systems at up to 8,600 affiliated fuel stations across Germany. Under the agreement, Uniti members will have access to a modular service package covering everything from site assessment to operation and maintenance.
Charging stations installed under this initiative will also be integrated into Volkswagen’s ‘Selected Partner Network’, allowing them to appear in the in-vehicle navigation systems of VW-brand electric vehicles.