Research project "FastCharge": ultra-fast charging technology ready for the electrically powered vehicles of the future

The need for electromobility is growing, as is the need for an efficient charging infrastructure. As a pioneer in electromobility, Siemens has global experience, maintains a strong portfolio along the entire value chain, and plays an active role in advancing the development and standardization of charging solutions worldwide.

Siemens is part of the "FastCharge" research project together with BMW Group as consortium leader, Allego GmbH, Phoenix Contact E-Mobility GmbH as well as Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This project is investigating the technological requirements that vehicles and infrastructure must meet in order to be able to use extremely high charging capacities.

The industrial companies involved in the research project presented the latest advancements in the field of fast and convenient energy supply for electrically powered vehicles on December 12, 2018. The prototype of a charging station with a capacity of up to 450 kW was inaugurated in Jettingen-Scheppach, Bavaria. At this ultra-fast charging station, electrically powered research vehicles created as part of the project are able to demonstrate charging times of less than three minutes for the first 100 kilometres of range or 15 minutes for a full charge (10-80 % State of Charge (SOC)).

The energy supply system of Siemens used in the project contains both high-power electronics for the charging connections as well as the communication interface to the electric vehicles. For the connection to the public power grid, a charging container was implemented with two charging connections for CCS-compatible vehicles. One connection has an unprecedented charging capacity of max. 450 kW while the second can deliver up to 175 kW.