Charging stations are planned to cover 20 European countries. Source: Fortum

Fortum Charge & Drive and Allego say they are starting a pan-European project of interoperable electric vehicle charging networks in metropolitan areas and along highways. The network is based on high power charging architecture and smart e-charging hubs.

The project is named MEGA-E and is eligible for co-financing by the European Union. The plan covers the eventual deployment of 322 ultra-fast chargers and 27 smart charging hubs across 20 countries. Roll-out is planned to start after financial closing, which is expected in the first half of 2018.

The project starts in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The development partners are using an open infrastructure approach that combines multiple charging devices to meet different needs and charging speeds.

In September 2017, Fortum Charge & Drive and Allego signed a letter of intent to create what they say will be "an integrated and seamless charging experience" for EV drivers across Europe.

Fortum Charge & Drive has a network of about 1,500 smart chargers in the Nordic countries. Allego has expertise in e-mobility, including the creation of a network of multi-standard fast chargers across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.