ChargePoint Plans to Introduce 600-kW Chargers in the U.S. by Next Year
ChargePoint is preparing to launch 600-kW electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the United States starting next year, promising to significantly reduce charging times. However, no current or upcoming EV models in the U.S. are equipped to utilize such high charging power.
Currently, the most powerful EV chargers in the U.S. reach up to 400 kW. While the American EV market awaits vehicles capable of handling 600 kW, China remains the leader in EV technology. In China, several cars can charge at 1 megawatt, equating to a rapid five-minute charging time, a development that rivals traditional gasoline refueling.
Europe follows China with a broad network of chargers, yet the most powerful ones there are limited to 400 kW, with only a few vehicles capable of such speeds. Despite this, ChargePoint’s upcoming chargers, developed with electronics giant Eaton, are set to advance the U.S. charging infrastructure. These chargers promise a 30% reduction in investment, footprint, and operating costs.
According to USA Today, ChargePoint’s 600-kW chargers will be future-proofed for when EVs capable of utilizing that power become available. Currently, in the U.S., only the Lucid Gravity can charge at up to 400 kW, with upcoming vehicles like the BMW iX3 and Porsche Cayenne EV expected to match this capability.
In Europe, chargers generally max out at 420 kW, and new 600-kW units are expected soon. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Gravity offers the most powerful chargers capable of 500 kW, but the market lacks vehicles that can fully utilize such power. Lucid’s future updates to the Gravity and Air sedan could enable quicker charging due to their high-voltage systems, comparable to those supporting megawatt charging in Chinese EVs.
While ChargePoint’s initiative marks a significant step in charging infrastructure, the absence of compatible vehicles in the U.S. means the full potential of these chargers won’t be realized immediately. Until American or European manufacturers develop EVs capable of 600-kW charging, these advancements remain anticipatory. High import tariffs on Chinese EVs further delay the introduction of fast-charging models from abroad.
The technical limitation lies in the voltage architecture of current EVs. For instance, 400-volt systems, like those in Tesla and Volvo EX90 models, cap at 250 kW. To exceed this, vehicles need 800 volts or higher, as seen in models like the Porsche Macan EV and upcoming BMW iX. Lucid’s models already operate at over 900 volts, showcasing potential for future upgrades.
Despite the current lack of vehicles needing 600 kW, ChargePoint’s new chargers could position the U.S. for rapid EV charging advancements, anticipating future demands. Until then, 350 kW chargers suffice for most EVs, even if they cannot reach their peak advertised speed without higher-voltage systems.
China’s advancements in five-minute chargers with over 1-megawatt peak speeds highlight the gap in charging capabilities, as no U.S. vehicle currently matches such performance. While the Lucid Gravity charges from 10% to 80% in about 23 minutes, and the BMW iX3 claims 21 minutes, these times still fall short of China’s rapid refueling pace.
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Original Story at insideevs.com