ORLEN, Bela open first joint fast-charging site in Germany
New hub at a Markant store in Kropp launches a partnership that could bring fast-charging infrastructure to up to 26 retail locations across northern Germany.
ORLEN Deutschland and retail group Bartels-Langness (Bela) have opened their first joint fast-charging site at a Markant store in Kropp, Germany, marking the start of a partnership aimed at expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the northern region of the country.
The new site features six fast-charging points with charging capacities of up to 400 kW, allowing drivers to recharge their vehicles while shopping. According to the companies, the project was completed in approximately seven weeks, with construction beginning on May 8 and ending on June 26, 2026.
The Kropp installation is the first step in a broader agreement that could see fast-charging facilities deployed at up to 26 famila and Markant retail locations.
“The commissioning of the first joint site with Bela is a visible sign of the strength of our partnerships,” said Dennis Kulbach, Chief Operating Officer of ORLEN Deutschland. “Together with strong retail partners, we are creating high-performance charging infrastructure where people spend their everyday lives.”
The charging hub is located in a publicly accessible parking area, enabling drivers to use the stations around the clock regardless of store opening hours. Bela said the project is intended to support the expansion of charging options for EV drivers in Schleswig-Holstein and contribute to the region’s mobility transition.
The company said its ORLEN Charge network currently includes 238 fast-charging points. The company plans to continue expanding through both direct investment and partnerships, targeting approximately 220 charging locations and 1,150 fast-charging points by the end of 2030.
