Charging solutions provider Chargepoint has announced its Megawatt Charging System. The new system is estimated to be capable of dispensing enough energy to power approximately 1,000 homes. It is also the latest addition to ChargePoint’s DC fast-charging lineup. The company said its immense rate of charge will help enable the electrification of commercial trucking.
A High-Capacity Cable and Connector
According to ChargePoint, the Megawatt Charging System consists of a new electric cable and connector. Both will be available on ChargePoint’s Power Link 2000 stations and part of the modular Express Plus DC fast charging platform.
Initially, the company said, the Megawatt Charging System will deliver up to 1.2 megawatts. The system also supports bi-directional charging and will enable output of up to three megawatts in the future — before vehicles capable of accepting such charge actually become available.
The system is also designed for charging in marine and aviation applications.
“Megawatt technology is the first step toward electrifying the commercial trucking industry,” said Hossein Kazemi, CTO, hardware at ChargePoint.
“Megawatt charging solves one half of the electrification equation for trucking. The companies developing electric trucks can now leverage this infrastructure to test and enable their vehicles until they meet – or even exceed – the distances covered by internal combustion trucks.”
ChargePoint added that the greatest benefit of an electrified trucking sector is the reduction of emissions, as transportation represents the largest polluting segment. The industry is currently responsible for an annual 400+ million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in the USA alone.
The electrification of these vehicles will represent a significant step towards achieving global climate goals, but first the megawatt charging infrastructure must go into place to charge them.
