Little by little, one of the main barriers to electric cars is being knocked down: charging the batteries. Although price remains a sticking point in the Western world, we are seeing more infrastructure and more vehicles ready to accept rapid charging. BYD, for example, has developed a system that can fully recharge the battery in under 10 minutes.
Its infrastructure is based on the next-generation Blade batteries, with charging powers exceeding 1,000 kW in direct current. Now the company ChargePoint has just unveiled a 600 kW EV charger, and it claims to be the fastest standalone unit in the world.
Higher power in a compact space and bidirectional charging
Electrek has picked up on this development: the new Express Solo DC fast charger from the American company can deliver up to 600 kilowatts to a single electric vehicle. They claim a full charge in as little as 10 minutes.
The core of this technology lies in its compactness: ChargePoint says it offers a power density 40% higher than other DC fast chargers, occupying less space, which could make a difference in space-constrained locations such as urban gas stations and shops. In other words, faster charging in places where space and budget are tight. When several EVs are connected, the system can dynamically distribute power (up to 600 kW per port) to up to four vehicles.
The system is also compatible with NACS and CCS connectors. What’s the catch with all this? There are currently no models able to handle 600 kW: most of the most advanced models on today’s market operate with 800-volt architectures and peak at between 320 kW and 525 kW, such as the XPeng G6 and G9, the Lucid Gravity, the Porsche Taycan, or the Audi RS e-tron GT.
The only manufacturer that has managed to make this a reality is BYD, which is finalizing a powerful network with stations capable of charging at 1,500 kW and that would leave any other advance far behind. For now, BYD’s 1,000 kW technology is reserved for the group’s premium models, such as Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang.
You notice it from the very first time: switching to an electric car changes many things about driving. Apart from bidding farewell to unjustified preconceived notions, you welcome a driving experience that is comfortable, simple, and relaxed. Those who have tried it know it well.
Advice provided by the brand
In Europe, it will arrive with the Denza Z9GT, an electric shooting brake with up to 800 km of range. ChargePoint expects EVs capable of 600 kW charging to reach U.S. roads around 2030.
But for it to make sense, electric cars will have to step up their game.
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If you’ve been considering buying an electric car, this will interest you. We’ve created the Personalized Electric Car Recommender, which, in addition to showing models that fit your needs, also provides answers to the questions you’re most likely to have, such as price, range, or nearby charging points.
