The next-gen charging architecture will be more than twice as fast as EVgo's current tech. Credit: CNETThis week, electric vehicle fast-charging developer and network operator EVgo announced its new 750-kilowatt EV charging system to the world. With speeds nearly double that of the current fastest public chargers in the US and Europe, compatible next-gen EVs could recharge in as little as 10 minutes. The tech is expected to be fully revealed in 2027.EVgo isn't alone in pushing the charging envelope. Earlier this year, ChargePoint launched its new Express Solo DC fast-charging station, capable of delivering 600 kW of power. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers, like BYD, as well as European automakers and charging tech companies, are prototyping and deploying liquid-cooled Megawatt Piles, which are said to recharge compatible EVs in five minutes or less. Beyond making pit stops more convenient, future superspeed charging tech also has potential for full-electric heavy trucks and electric air mobility.The new 750 kW stationsThe new 750 kW charging system will use the North American Charging Standard, pioneered by Tesla, which has been adopted by most upcoming North American EVs. EVgo says the move is part of a strategy to double the effective reach of its network by welcoming NACS drivers and not requiring them to have an adapter. (Of course, that still means the thousands of EVs on the road with a CCS plug will have to adapt.)The stated 750 kW max is the station's theoretical top speed for future EVs capable of ingesting that much power. On average, the fastest-charging EVs on the road today can only accept up to 350 kW, with actual charging speed determined by battery condition, temperature and state of charge. Many more are only capable of around 150 kW.Additionally, most EVs ramp up to their sweet-spot speed and then slow down the charging as they approach full capacity to protect the battery, so they'll still be limited to their specific max speed and charging curve. It may be a while before cars capable of a 10-minute charge hit the road.EVgo says that it is one of the only American charging networks to design its own chargers.EVgoMore robust, more reliableEVgo also says the new stations will feature an updated cable design that's easier to maneuver and a touchless payment interface. Dynamic power sharing is built into the spec, meaning the available charge rate is distributed between connected EVs, so there's no more worrying about that driver in the older 50 kW EV hogging the fast plug. The new chargers will also have more robust hardware and software, which should improve reliability. There are few things more nerve-racking for a new EV driver than pulling up to a broken station, so I'm hoping EVgo pays particular attention to this promise.Currently, EVgo operates more than 1,200 fast charging locations across the US. The network operator and charging tech company is designing and testing the next-generation charging system at its lab in El Segundo, California, with codevelopment support from partner Delta Electronics. The final charger design is expected to be unveiled in 2027 as EVgo begins to deploy the new architecture.
