Ultra-Fast Charging: The Race Towards Sub-15 Minute Charge Times in EV Charging Stations
Many nations across the globe have made it a top priority to transition significantly from internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles (EVs) due to the urgency of the fight against climate change. For example, the UK has set a lofty goal to stop selling petrol and diesel vehicles by 2023. Comparably, President Biden of the United States has set a target for at least 50% of new car sales to be electric by 2030, while the European Union intends to switch entirely to electric vehicles by 2035.
Although switching to electric vehicles (EVs) has the potential to enhance the environment, sufficient infrastructure must be developed to facilitate this change. EV charging stations, which are essential to this infrastructure, need to proliferate and be as widely accessible as petrol stations are in the modern world.
The driving experience at these charging stations should be comparable to that of current petrol stations in order to facilitate a seamless transition. EV drivers should ideally be able to charge their cars and leave in a fair amount of time—15 minutes or less—after that.
Infrastructure upgrades and expansions for EV charging are crucial to achieving this aim. A complete network of charging stations must be installed throughout urban and rural regions through cooperation between companies, governments, and other stakeholders. The efficiency and convenience of EV charging will also be greatly improved by developments in charging technology, such as fast charging capabilities and smart charging systems.
Developing a strong infrastructure for electric vehicle charging should be a top priority for nations looking to expedite the shift to electric vehicles and clear the path for more environmentally friendly transportation in the future.
Existing Options for EV Charging
An ideal EV's range is around 335 km, based on its average usable capacity of roughly 67 kWh and average power usage of 200 Wh/km (125 Wh/mile). To find out how long it would take to increase an average EV's range by 200 km (125 miles), let's examine and contrast several charging methods. A 200-kilometer trip would consume around 60% of the battery's capacity, or 20% to 80% of an EV battery's full charge. About 40 kWh would be needed, or 60% of the 67 kWh total.
Charging using Alternate Current (AC)
Most home chargers use AC charging, which is the most straightforward charging technique. When the automobile is hooked into a standard AC outlet at home, the direct current (DC) electricity needed to charge the battery is converted within the vehicle. Although practical, this kind of charging runs at 4–22 kW, which implies that a 60% charge may be reached in around four hours on average. Rapid AC charges with 43 kW of power are available in some places.
Quick DC Charging
Outside the automobile, DC chargers transform AC power into DC. Fast DC chargers, which have a power output of at least 50kW, are more common in public areas than in private houses.
A fast charger would need to run for little more than 45 minutes in order to fully recharge an EV from 20% to 80%.
Ultra Fast DC Charging
These ultra-rapid, or ultra-fast, chargers operate at 150W, which allows them to charge an automobile considerably quicker. Although there aren't many ultra-fast charging stations in the globe right now, their utilization is growing as a result of them providing a pressing need for customers. The number of ultra-fast charging stations increased by 40% in the first half of 2022 alone in the UK. An ultra-fast charger would require charging for around fifteen minutes in order to fully recharge an EV from 20% to 80%.
Power Boosting
Grid boosting, or power boosting, offers an attractive alternative for electric vehicle (EV) on-the-go charging. This creative method involves plugging an EV into an ultra-fast charging station and utilizing a booster to charge from the current grid infrastructure. The energy is then delivered at a much greater pace.
The capacity of power boosters to balance system demand is one of their main benefits. electricity boosters maximize grid utilization without requiring expensive improvements by drawing electricity from the grid when there is less demand or when the grid is not being used. This guarantees effective use of the current infrastructure while continuing to provide extremely quick EV charging.
Power boosters also add to the flexibility and scalability of the infrastructure for EV charging. They may be placed strategically near highways, city centers, and business hubs to give EV drivers on-the-go charging choices without putting a burden on the grid.
All things considered, power boosting is a viable way to minimize the effect on the electrical system while meeting the rising demand for quick and easy EV charging. Power boosters are essential for driving the adoption of electric mobility and smoothing the transition to a sustainable transportation future because they make use of the existing infrastructure and balance grid demand.
Hyundai Motor India is moving in a suitable direction to increase the availability of electric vehicles throughout the nation. The business has installed 11 additional charging stations along key roads and in various locations as part of the recent expansion of its ultra-fast EV charging network. The purpose of the placement of these new charging stations is to help cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Gurugram. Along roads like Delhi-Jaipur, Delhi-Chandigarh, Hyderabad-Vijayawada, Mumbai-Surat, and Mumbai-Nashik, they are also situated.
The all-in-one electric vehicle (EV) charger from ABB, a significant participant in the technology industry, is marketed as the quickest charging option available on the market. With its dynamic power distribution feature, the new Terra 360 modular charger can charge four EVs at once. This charger can fully charge any electric car in 15 minutes thanks to its 360kW maximum power output.
This innovative invention has the power to completely alter the EV charging market. In contrast, an 80% charge at a Tesla Supercharger presently takes about 30 minutes. ABB's latest charger offers unparalleled speed and efficiency while drastically cutting down on charging times.
ABB has collaborated with regional partners to establish charging stations across several sectors in cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Ludhiana, Delhi, and Nagpur in order to allow the wider adoption of EV charging infrastructure. By focusing on venues in the real estate, hotel, and public sectors, ABB hopes to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles by improving customer accessibility to and convenience of EV charging.
