Start Auto & Motor Exclusive Interview with CEO Jeroen van Tilburg from IONITY

Exclusive Interview with CEO Jeroen van Tilburg from IONITY

Von

19. April 2025

Geschätzte Lesezeit: 5 Minuten

IONITY is a leading company in the field of electromobility, specializing in the development of a high-performance fast-charging network for electric vehicles across Europe. Founded in 2017 as a joint venture by major automotive manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, IONITY aims to make long-distance travel with electric cars as comfortable and efficient as possible.

With state-of-the-art charging technology, the company offers ultra-fast charging with a power output of up to 350 kW, allowing compatible vehicles to gain significant range within minutes. The dense network of charging stations along major highways and transport routes plays a crucial role in increasing the acceptance and everyday usability of e-mobility. IONITY relies on 100% renewable energy, actively supporting a sustainable transition in transportation.

We were invited to the „FAT ICE RACE in Zell am See-Kaprun“ and had the opportunity to meet IONITY CEO Jeroen van Tilburg on-site.

Weitere Impressionen des F.A.T. Ice Race in Zell aus 2025 — IONITY war Partner des F.A.T. Ice Race in Zell 2025, denn es gingen auch E-Fahrzeug an den Start … und in der Zukunft werden es deutlich mehr werden / © Redaktion FrontRowSociety.net

Exclusive Interview with CEO Jeroen van Tilburg from IONITY

Andreas Conrad: Mr van Tilburg, IONITY is primarily known for high-power charging on motorways. What made you decide to be a partner at the F.A.T. Ice Race in Zell am See?

Jeroen van Tilburg: IONITY has always been driven by a clear mission: to make electric mobility an exciting, viable and comfortable experience – anywhere and everywhere, whether that’s in everyday life or on the racetrack. As a leader in high-power charging in Europe, we’re about more than getting from A to B. We’re about pushing boundaries, accelerating the future, and embracing the thrill of the journey ahead. At events like the F.A.T. Ice Race, e-mobility is put to the test in the harshest conditions. What better way to show our commitment to e-mobility than to be present at events like this race where innovation is happening in real time?

Andreas Conrad: The Ice Race stands for tradition and innovation in motorsport. How does IONITY’s vision fit into this concept?

Exclusive Interview with CEO Jeroen van Tilburg from IONITY / © Redaktion FrontRowSociety.net

Jeroen van Tilburg: Both the race and our vision emphasize unwavering dedication to high performance, while also seeking out smarter, more sustainable ways to move forward. At IONITY, that means building a charging network that ensures EV drivers can confidently travel across Europe, relying on a fast, reliable infrastructure that turns charging stops into enjoyable downtime. In other words, we believe in honoring venerable automotive traditions while pioneering the innovations that will define the future of mobility—and the F.A.T. Ice Race is a perfect example of this intersection.

Andreas Conrad: Electromobility and racing – still a contradiction for many. What opportunities do you see for more and more electric vehicles to take part in such events?

Jeroen van Tilburg: Racing attracts fans for many different reasons. Some people are in it for the competition while others are in it for the engineering. If you’re drawn to racing for the speed, then races and events that include e-mobility shine in this aspect, EVs are unparalleled in acceleration.

Andreas Conrad: With up to 400 kW charging power, IONITY offers Europe’s leading ultra-fast charging network. What role does a reliable charging infrastructure play in the success of electromobility – including in motorsport?

Jeroen van Tilburg: A reliable, high-performance charging infrastructure is essential for the wider adoption of electric mobility. From IONITY’s perspective, it’s clear that the transition to electric vehicles in all scenarios, be it on motorways or the racetrack, can only be successful if drivers know they can charge their cars quickly and without interruption, whenever and wherever they need to. That’s why we’re investing so heavily into expanding our pan-European network, with the aim of having our charging stations no more than 150 kilometers apart on major motorways.

Ziel ist es, das paneuropäische Netz an INOITY Ladestationen auf den wichtigen Autobahnen maximal 150 Kilometer voneinander entfernt zu platzieren — The aim is to place the pan-European network of INOITY charging stations no more than 150 kilometres apart on major motorways / © Redaktion FrontRowSociety.net

Andreas Conrad: Many major car manufacturers present their latest electric vehicles here. To what extent is the F.A.T. Ice Race a platform for IONITY to position itself as a leading provider of high-power charging?

Jeroen van Tilburg: Being a part of the event allowed us to engage with key industry players and the public in a setting that focuses on high performance and technical innovation. Supporting these events enables us to signal our commitment to e-mobility and pushing the boundaries of what people think is possible with EVs. Attendees saw us there, understood we’re invested in the future of e-mobility, and had the opportunity to better comprehend the role of our 400 kW charging network in powering high-performance EVs on Europe’s roads.

Andreas Conrad: The conditions here in Zell am See are extreme – cold, snow, ice. How do such factors affect the charging performance of electric vehicles, and what does IONITY do to ensure optimal charging conditions even in such environments?

Jeroen van Tilburg: Our pan-European charging infrastructure spans 24 European countries – and can handle the wide range of climates found in our network: temperatures ranging from negatives to plus 30 degrees Celsius and beyond. IONITY stations don’t require any special measures for cold-weather charging.

However, low temperatures do reduce battery reactivity, which can slow down charging speeds. To help drivers make the most of every charge, we provide tips and tricks to optimize their charging experience on our website and via social media.

What’s more, our dedicated IONITY app also lets users plan routes efficiently by highlighting efficient routes between stations, as well as showing nearby options for additional top-ups if weather conditions call for it. We generally recommend keeping your battery between 20% and 80% state of charge, and making extra stops to recharge when temperatures are low—an approach that can yield faster overall charging times.

Andreas Conrad: If you take a look into the future: Do you think we will see an all-electric F.A.T. Ice Race in a few years‘ time? And what role could IONITY play in this?

Jeroen van Tilburg: Electric motorsport, in all its variations, is certainly gathering momentum. As for the F.A.T. Ice Race, while it’s too early for us to predict the precise format it might take, we see a growing enthusiasm for electric racing across the board and we will continue to be active as a leader in high-power charging solutions.

FrontRowSociety editor Andreas Conrad conducted the interview with CEO Jeroen van Tilburg from IONITY in January 2025. These are the original, unedited answers.