High-Power Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Station

March 7, 2017

EVgo, the nation’s largest network of public electric vehicle fast charging stations, and ABB announced that they will deploy a so-called High-Power fast charging station in Fremont, Calif.

Sam Davis

EVgo, the nation’s largest network of public electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations, and ABB announced that they will deploy the nation’s first High-Power fast charging station in Fremont, Calif, capable of delivering incredibly fast charging speeds. The High-Power fast charging system, manufactured by ABB, features a maximum charging rate of 150kW – providing a charge which is three times faster than what is available today.

The charger will assist with next generation electric vehicle charging research, and will allow testing of EV research platforms at 150kW initially. The installed system has the potential to reach charging speeds of up to 350kW with an upgrade. As automakers align on future hardware and service standards, the station will enable industry coordination and testing.

EVgo is using the station to study utility impacts, installation standards, permitting, and building and safety requirements. It will also provide a demonstration platform for electrical certification committees and building code officials.

Both EVgo and ABB consider the implementation of High-Power fast charging as a critical next step in the evolution of EVs, as automakers are introducing new electric vehicles with increased battery capacities and longer ranges. Already, two automakers have announced plans to sell vehicles in the U.S. that will charge at significantly higher rates in less than two years. Additionally, five automakers have announced a collaboration to build 400 High-Power charging stations (350kW) throughout Europe.

The fastest available public chargers currently in the market are 50kW, which can provide roughly three miles per minute of charge. A 150kW charger can provide nine miles per minute, and a 350kW charger will provide more than 20 miles per minute. The new charging station will be available to automotive research vehicles on request, and is intended to help inform future advances in electric vehicle development, range, capacity and charging speed.

EVgo has partnered with Lucky Supermarkets to install the charger at its Mowry Avenue location in Fremont, where the High-Power fast charging station is now in service. Fremont was chosen for the High-Power charging station location because the area currently has the highest traffic in the EVgo network, making it a natural fit for the rollout of a next generation charging station. The High-Power charging station utilizes a CCS connection standard but is not open to the public.

EVgo currently operates the largest public fast charge network in the country, with over 900 fast chargers in 66 of the top-selling automotive markets in the US, and supports all current charging standards. EVgo utilizes a variety of flexible charging plans for drivers including pay-as-you-go, low-cost membership charging plans and unlimited charging plans for customers of partner OEMs, including BMW, Nissan and Ford. EVgo has ABB DC fast charging stations installed across its network with the critical connectivity needed for remote asset management, helping enable EVgo’s high uptime performance.

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About the Author

Sam Davis

Sam Davis was the editor-in-chief of Power Electronics Technology magazine and website that is now part of Electronic Design. He has 18 years experience in electronic engineering design and management, six years in public relations and 25 years as a trade press editor. He holds a BSEE from Case-Western Reserve University, and did graduate work at the same school and UCLA. Sam was the editor for PCIM, the predecessor to Power Electronics Technology, from 1984 to 2004. His engineering experience includes circuit and system design for Litton Systems, Bunker-Ramo, Rocketdyne, and Clevite Corporation.. Design tasks included analog circuits, display systems, power supplies, underwater ordnance systems, and test systems. He also served as a program manager for a Litton Systems Navy program.

Sam is the author of Computer Data Displays, a book published by Prentice-Hall in the U.S. and Japan in 1969. He is also a recipient of the Jesse Neal Award for trade press editorial excellence, and has one patent for naval ship construction that simplifies electronic system integration.

You can also check out his Power Electronics blog.