Ionity opens new fast-charging park alongside REWE ready smart store

Located in the German city of Rostock, this recently opened site offers customers a fully automated shopping experience while they charge their EVs.

A new Ionity fast-charging park has been opened in the city of Rostock, Germany, hosting eleven chargers alongside a fully automated store under the REWE ready brand.

The company has joined with Lekkerland, the convenience division of REWE Group, to make traveling by electric vehicle (EV) even easier and more convenient. Drivers can stock up on coffee, cool drinks, fresh snacks and other food at the smart store around the clock.

"Many travelers want to enjoy a snack or coffee during their charging stop. We are therefore delighted that our customers in Rostock now have access to a comprehensive range of REWE ready products directly at our fast-charging park," said Christoph Strecker, responsible for the Ionity network in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The range of products includes around 150 items in total, including non-refrigerated, refrigerated and frozen products.

"Our smart store solutions make it possible to supplement locations such as charging parks without on-site staff with attractive offers for immediate consumption or quick shopping. We are excited to see how the store is received by Ionity customers and residents in Rostock," added Michael Mayer-Sonnenburg, Director Franchise & Convenience Stores at Lekkerland.

Customers shopping at the REWE ready Smart Store can select the desired items on a touchscreen and pay without cash. A conveyor belt then automatically brings the products from the closed-off storage area of the store to the shoppers.