Here’s how charging will soon be as fast as filling up with gas

The charging of electric vehicles is experiencing a major technological advancement with the emergence of superchargers exceeding the symbolic threshold of one megawatt.

Recently, BYD and Zeekr introduced charging stations capable of delivering a maximum power of 1 MW per charging point, setting new records in the field of electric mobility.

These stations rely on a complete liquid cooling system, essential for dissipating the heat generated by such high intensities. With such power, it theoretically becomes possible to add several hundred kilometers of range in under five minutes, charging times equivalent to those of refueling with gasoline. For comparison, a power of 1 MW would allow adding approximately 2 km of range per second to a compatible vehicle.

This new generation of chargers is part of a rapid progression observed in recent years. Charging stations have evolved from powers of 360 kW to 600 kW, then to 800 kW, and now beyond one megawatt. These thresholds pave the way for true lightning-fast charging… provided that vehicles are designed to handle such powers! As of today, no production model is yet capable of receiving a charge of over 1 MW. However, manufacturers are actively preparing compatible platforms, particularly integrating high-capacity batteries and advanced thermal management systems.

At the same time, the deployment of suitable infrastructure is accelerating. Networks comprising several thousand ultra-powerful charging stations are being installed, with initial commissioning expected in the coming months. This transition will not only meet the charging needs of future vehicles but also optimize the availability of stations through shorter sessions.

With these advancements, ultra-fast charging is entering a new era. In the very short term, charging up with electricity could become as quick, if not more efficient, than refueling with fossil fuel. And on that day, what argument will still keep you from switching to electric?

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