The new wallbox will be able to charge electric vehicles with direct current (DC) up to 22 kW – double the speed of a typical wallbox operating with AC. In charging technology based on direct current, the electricity flows directly into the lead traction battery, provided that the electric vehicle features a combined charging system (CCS) charging port. Unlike systems based on alternating current, electric vehicles are charged independently of their integrated on-board chargers that limit charging capacity. Charging the lead traction battery with a direct current, on the other hand, increases the potential charging capacity when compared with alternating current. The charging process can therefore be significantly shortened.
“An extensive and needs-based charging structure is the key to the success of electric vehicles” said Mark Möller, head of the Technical Development & Electric Mobility division at Volkswagen. “That is why we are working on various approaches that enable customer-oriented, intelligent and flexible charging. Like our flexible quick charging station and the visionary prototype of a mobile charging robot, the DC wallbox is one of the future innovations of the DC charging family for electric vehicles.”
The DC wallbox will already be prepared for bi-directional charging. Thus, power can flow in two directions with the wallbox: the power stored in the lead traction vehicle battery can be returned to the grid, if necessary, thanks to an intelligent charging management. In future, electric vehicles that feature this function can, for example, serve as a power storage unit for private homes or as a buffer for the power grid.
In order to gather experience with the new product, Volkswagen Group Components has started the pilot phase at its own factory sites in Wolfsburg, Braunschweig, Hannover, Salzgitter and Kassel with 20 DC wallboxes. This also means that the existing charging infrastructure will be expanded at the factory grounds. As the number of electric vehicles increases, the need for charging options also increases within the Volkswagen Group.
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