The Tech: Voltage matters.

[bbhaag]

I read a lot of comments on the forums about the Mach-Es slow charging compared to competitors but did you know it is not always an apples to apples comparison?

The fastest charging EVs rely on 800v energy to replenish their battery but if a DC fast charger dispenses electricity at 400v then the vehicle has to covert the lower voltage input to whatever its battery requires via a DC to DC convertor built into the car.

I see a lot of comments on the forum comparing the newer Hyundai's, Lucid, and Porsche to the Mach-E . Would you be surprised to know that on a 400v charger the Lucid only charges at 50KW? The Taycan can only get to 50 KW as well.

Hyundai fairs a little better. The Ioniq 5 and EV6 can charge at around 120KW on a 400v charger but the EV9 can only do around 80KW.

So you might be wondering. Why does this matter? This issue is increasingly relevant because Teslas extensive network of EV chargers is opening up to other manufacturers and operates at 400v.

Source: Car and Drivers September/October 2024 issue.

Sponsored

 

[VaporTrails]

I was at an EA station charging merrily in my MME. A Taycan was there and the owner was completely over road trips in his car. Exactly zero charges on his trip had hit the advertised speeds. He was going to trade it in on a Lamborghini. The pain is real. In my area, we are only beginning to get reasonable DCFC. 800V is out of the question. I need to check if the new EA/BTCPower units are 800V.

 

[generaltso]

I read a lot of comments on the forums about the Mach-Es slow charging compared to competitors but did you know it is not always an apples to apples comparison?

Yes.

 

[Tampamike]

here’s the label on an older EA 350kw charger. It supposedly puts out up to 920v At up to a max of 350a. That should give 280kw under ideal conditions.

 

[Fremont Kid]

The 'up to a max of 350' is a key statement. As I understand, chargers share the main feed so if multiple chargers are being used the total capacity will be divided by the number of chargers in use, at best. Then, the input capability of a vehicle must be factored. My MME can only accept 150kW max.

 

[bbhaag]

Yes.

Nice, an EV9 owner chimes in. Can you confirm the poor charging on 400v DC chargers or is super fast.

 

[generaltso]

Nice, an EV9 owner chimes in. Can you confirm the poor charging on 400v DC chargers or is super fast.

Well, the only widely available 400V chargers are Tesla Superchargers, and Tesla hasn't opened their network to Kia yet. But plenty of EV9 owners have tried it at Magic Dock stations and confirmed that the charging speed tops out around 85kW. This won't be an issue with V4 Superchargers since those will be able to go to 1000V, but it's anyone's guess when those will roll out.

I can, however, confirm that the charging curve at 350kW EA stations is fantastic.

 

[RickMachE]

The 'up to a max of 350' is a key statement. As I understand, chargers share the main feed so if multiple chargers are being used the total capacity will be divided by the number of chargers in use, at best. Then, the input capability of a vehicle must be factored. My MME can only accept 150kW max.

Many, including myself, have seen speeds over 150kW.

 

[AZBill]

My Hummer will charge at over 350kw on an 800V charger, but only at 185kw on Tesla. GM uses pack switching to be able to pull 500A in both cases.

 

[bbhaag]

Well, the only widely available 400V chargers are Tesla Superchargers, and Tesla hasn't opened their network to Kia yet. But plenty of EV9 owners have tried it at Magic Dock stations and confirmed that the charging speed tops out around 85kW. This won't be an issue with V4 Superchargers since those will be able to go to 1000V, but it's anyone's guess when those will roll out.

I can, however, confirm that the charging curve at 350kW EA stations is fantastic.

So it is slow when charging on 400v . Thank you for confirming this.

This is why volts matter!

Sponsored