Rival automakers are starting collaboration efforts to meet demand for fast charging EVs and infrastructure. Porsche is reportedly in talks with Mercedes-Benz and other automakers for development of an ultra-fast charging system with common standards, a standard that will also be compatible with Tesla cars through an adapter. The new 800-volt charging system, that the automaker is currently developing, will be capable of charging up to 80% of the Porsche Mission E’s battery pack in about 15 minutes. Tesla’s superchargers reportedly take 40 minutes to charge up to 80% of its Model S battery pack.
It is, however, not clear if Porsche’s new charging system will comply with existing charging standards CHAdeMO (used by Japanese automakers) and Combined Charging System (CCS) combo charger (used by most German and American automakers). The majority of the EV manufacturers today are using either of the CHAdeMO or the CCS Charger. According to CHAdeMO, it is currently the most used fast charger around the world with nearly 340 global members (including observers) and 10,700 CHAdeMO charge points installed around the world. Some of the big members of the association include Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Volvo Cars and Fuji Heavy. CharIN e.V., which is the industry body for CCS charging, boasts of members like BMW, Daimler, Ford, Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler, General Motors and a few other charging infrastructure providers.
The two competing charging standards already have a history of disagreement. The differences reached a flashpoint when in 2013, the European Commission proposed phasing out CHAdeMO standards by 2018 and transition to CCS. CHAdeMO association responded saying that the action would create confusion and be detrimental to the adoption of EVs. They suggested a middle path where in charging stations would have dual-standard chargers, catering to owners of all types of EVs.
Since then, there have been a lot of examples where this strategy has been deployed. In mid-September BMW, Volkswagen, ChargePoint jointly installed 95 new DC fast charging stations in US which offered either 50kW or 24kW fast charging with SAE Combo connectors. Some of these stations also had CHAdeMO connectors to facilitate EV owners of cars, such as the Nissan LEAF, that support this standard. In December 2015, BMW had also partnered with Nissan to deploy a network of 120 public dual-standard DC charging locations across 19 states.
However, the dual-standard charging stations might not be a permanent solution as it will only add to the cost of setting up the infrastructure. In addition, introducing new types of chargers will only add to the competition and confusion for vehicle owners. Both CHAdeMO and CCS chargers are also developing their own fast-charging solutions. CHAdeMo recently announced plans to release an amendment to the current protocol that will enable charging with up to 150kW (350A) and hopes to deploy them in the market by 2017.
It will be much more efficient if carmakers can come together and work on advancement of a single standard, rather than two or three standards separately. However, it is safe to assume that the discussion over a single fast-charging standard will continue until charging times are comparable to refueling a conventionally powered car.
