10 stories tagged fast-charging on EV Digest.
The U.S. public fast-charging network is evolving beyond pure expansion. A new report indicates a shift towards improving charger reliability, enhancing the customer experience, and establishing sustainable business models for charging providers. This transformation is being dubbed the 'Charging 2.0' era for electric vehicle infrastructure.
Chinese battery giant CATL has announced a new battery designed for commercial electric vehicles, boasting ultra-fast charging capabilities. This new pack can recharge enough to support 200 km (124 miles) of range in just seven minutes. Significantly, a sodium-ion variant is also available, maintaining nearly full performance even in frigid -40 degree Celsius/Fahrenheit conditions.
Independent testing suggests the Rivian R2 might charge from 10% to 80% even faster than the automaker's official claims, provided drivers know a specific method. This potential for quicker charging could significantly enhance the R2's appeal for road trips.
Shell has introduced a compact electric vehicle concept featuring ultra-rapid charging capabilities, thanks to a novel battery thermal management system. This system utilizes a unique dielectric fluid that directly surrounds the battery cells, significantly improving heat dissipation and enabling faster charging performance.
Fast charging introduces significant challenges for lithium-ion battery longevity and safety, particularly the risk of lithium plating. This phenomenon occurs when lithium ions deposit as metallic lithium on the anode surface, rather than intercalating properly, leading to reduced battery life and potential safety hazards. New research explores advanced analytical techniques to detect and manage this critical issue, ensuring more robust and safer EV power sources.
A recent test of a Tesla Model Y's LFP battery, primarily charged via fast chargers, revealed an initial steep decline in health. However, subsequent data indicates this degradation has largely ceased, suggesting the pack has found a stable baseline.
Volvo is rolling out an update for its EX60 and EX90 electric vehicles, introducing a seamless plug-and-charge capability. This enhancement aims to eliminate the frustration of authenticating at public charging stations, making the experience as straightforward as plugging in and walking away.
The forthcoming Telo MT1 electric pickup, despite its compact size, will offer a sustained charging rate of 400 kW. This fast-charging capability, typically seen in much more expensive luxury EVs, is facilitated by a unique dual 800V/400V battery architecture designed for optimal performance across various charging stations.
Electrify America has launched its largest charging station to date in Santa Barbara, California, featuring twenty 350 kW fast chargers. What truly sets this site apart is its massive 1.9 MW battery energy storage system, the biggest deployed by Electrify America yet, designed to optimize grid reliability and reduce demand charges.
EVgo flipped on 350 kW fast chargers at 200 additional Walmart stores this quarter, part of a joint plan to deploy 7,500 stalls by the end of 2028.
