Volkswagen wants to be able to charge electric cars everywhere with a flying wind turbine

Automaker Volkswagen is working with the German EnerKite of energy production for charging stations that are not connected to the electricity grid.

The electric car is taking an increasingly popular place on the road. This also means the expansion of the related payment infrastructure. Last week, the European Parliament and member states reached an agreement on the expansion of the number of charging stations and hydrogen filling stations on European highways. For example, in 2027 there must be a charging station every 60 km.

It charges separately from the electricity grid

The hopes and plans are there, but it is not possible to connect charging stations to the electric grid everywhere. That is why Volkswagen and EnerKíte are looking to install charging stations, separate from the national grid.

They do this with the help of ‘flying wind turbines’. The kite, which looks like a small glider, is brought into the air with the help of a ground machine (see video). The wind ensures that the kite continues to fly in figure eight. The kite is connected by cables to the so-called ground station. There is so much tension on those wires that their movement can turn on the generator.

Energy can be used directly on site, for example by charging stations to charge electric vehicles.