Project Summary

The project aims to create a flexible, redeployable, high-power DC charging hub demonstrator. This demonstrator will charge four HGVs simultaneously, at speeds of up to 150kW today, with the potential for 1MW in the future. The solution will enable multiple power sources, incorporating the grid, renewable energy sources and optional battery storage, and provide alternatives for grid-upgrades at grid-constrained sites.

Project Achievements

Activities • Development and build of a charging system that can charge 1,000A without derating for over an hour. • Design and build of a transportable HGV-ready charging system, capable of charging three vehicles simultaneously, installed into a hybrid truck. • Demonstrated with Renault Trucks in a controlled environment at Tyseley Energy Park in Birmingham.

Conclusions

• Creating a charging system that can charge HGVs at 350kW of higher requires a significant redesign over current state-of-the-art charging systems. • New cables and new internal design is required to get high enough efficiency to avoid costly cooling systems that only provide a ‘sticking plaster’ solution to the root problem. • We have had considerable interest from Renault Trucks, Scania and DAF.

Next Steps

• Voltempo charging system to be used as a cornerstone of our ZERFT funding consortium bid for providing 1MW ready charging. • We expect to close three orders for HyperCharging systems by the end of this year: • Phillips 66: petrol station forecourts (£450k) • Zevhub: Fleet charging solutions (£285k) • Additionally, we are offering charging-as-a-service for XPO using our current prototype.