Portland International Airport can now fast-charge up to 20 rental EVs simultaneously using an overhead ChargePoint system that keeps equipment off the floor of a facility where space is at a premium, according to Electrek.overhead chargepoint system fast charges 20 evs at pdxChargePoint installed 10 dual-port fast-chargers at PDX's Quick Turnaround Facility, the area where rental companies clean and service vehicles between customers. Each charger is rated at 200 kW and mounted above the cars, with retractable cables that operators pull down as needed. As a result, the design keeps chargers and cabling out of the path of vehicles moving through the busy facility and frees up room for staff to process cars.The overhead layout also cut costs on the installation itself. Jeremiah Hartley, airport rental car manager at Portland International Airport, said, "The innovative overhead charging system enabled us to save on installation costs by limiting the conduit and wiring needed, and helps protect against potential damage caused by vehicles in the QTA."AdvertisementAdvertisementThe setup targets the narrow window rental operators have between customers. Fast-charging during that turnaround therefore lets EVs return to service more quickly rather than sitting idle to recharge. ChargePoint did not name which rental firms will use the chargers, however Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty, and Zipcar all operate at PDX.Fleet management runs through ChargePoint's software, which gives operators remote monitoring and troubleshooting along with the ability to schedule charging around when specific vehicles are needed. That control matters at an airport, where power demand is high and cars cycle through fast.Airports present a distinct charging problem for rental fleets. The vehicles need substantial power, they turn around quickly, and conventional charging stations installed in rows consume valuable floor space while leaving equipment exposed to being bumped by moving cars. Mounting the hardware overhead, however, addresses all three constraints at once, keeping the cables and chargers clear of traffic while still delivering 200 kW per unit.If the ceiling-mounted approach holds up in daily rental operations at PDX, it could therefore serve as a template for other space-constrained airports looking to add high-power charging without surrendering ground-level real estate.This article was written using AI.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.