Global Auto Makers to Demonstrate EV Fast-Charging Technology

A group of U.S. and German auto makers plan to demonstrate a fast-charging technology they say will enable the recharging of electrified vehicles with compatible systems in as little as 15-20 minutes.

Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed to support the single-port technology, called DC-fast charging with a “Combined Charging System,” for electrified vehicles in Europe and the U.S.

Charging demonstrations will be conducted during the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles May 6-9.

The combined charging system integrates 1-phase AC charging, fast 3-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home and ultra-fast DC charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet, the auto makers say.

The setup will allow customers to use most existing charging stations regardless of power source and potentially could facilitate the adoption of a standardized global infrastructure.

The International Society of Automotive Engineers has chosen the Combined Charging System as the blueprint for a standard the builds upon the existing Type 1-based AC-charging. The standard will be officially published this summer, ISAE says.

ACEA, the European automobile manufacturers association also has selected the charging system as its AC/DC-charging interface for all new electrified vehicles in Europe beginning in 2017.

The charging system design is based on a collaborative review and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and preferences of U.S. and European customers, the auto makers say.

It was developed for international markets and designed to create a uniform standard with identical electrical systems, charge controllers, package dimensions and safety mechanisms.

The system maximizes the capability of integration with future smart-grids via a common broadband communication method regardless of the global location of the charging system.

The combined charging approach reduces development and infrastructure complexity, improves charging reliability, reduces the total cost-of-ownership for customers and provides low maintenance costs, the auto makers say.

The new combined charging stations are expected to be available later this year. All auto makers involved in the collaboration have vehicles in development that will use the system.