Skip to main content

EV charging network leader introduces two new fast DC charging stations

When it comes to refueling vehicles, it’s not just “where you do it,” but also “how long will it take?” For electric vehicles (EVs) of all types to proliferate at a good rate, the charging infrastructure needs to move ahead of the curve so finding places to charge EVs on the road won’t be perceived as a potential obstacle. But having plentiful charging spots isn’t the only challenge — charging time matters, too. If drivers have to stop every 2 to 4 hours to recharge their vehicles and the process takes too long, the pushback will be strong. ChargePoint, an infrastructure company that currently handles the world’s largest network of EV charging stations, has announced ChargePoint Express Plus as an answer to our need for quicker charging.

Billed as the “next generation ultra-fast DC charging solution,” Express Plus is a modular platform planned for major roadways and depots. The Express Plus can supply as much as 400 kW to an EV, allowing for faster recharging. The platform is designed for long-distance drivers and larger vehicles, including buses and service trucks. Local commuters can utilize less-powerful charging stations, but regardless of vehicle size — whether talking a Chevy Bolt or a dump truck — high-demand users need capacity and speed.

“Express Plus is a platform built to support our vision for the future of DC fast charging: simple, ultra-fast, scalable and incredibly efficient charging that’s conveniently located where drivers need it for long trips,” said Pasquale Romano, ChargePoint CEO. “Express Plus charging centers can start small and grow as needed by adding charging capacity without infrastructure upgrades. Together with our commercial and residential charging solutions, Express Plus will complete the fueling network to make fully electric transit a reality.”

According to ChargePoint, Express Plus chargers should be capable of fully charging an EV at a road stop in the time it takes the driver to get a drink and use the restroom. Looking ahead, ChargePoint says the Express Plus chargers will add hundreds of miles of driving range in under 15 minutes.

ChargePoint is also introducing Express 250, a standalone charging station that can add 90 miles of range in 30 minutes. Both stations will be available starting in July.

Editors' Recommendations

Bruce Brown
Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…
Where to go when your EV is low: Rich neighborhoods have most charging stations
Volta_Free_EV_Charging_Station_with_intercharge_Logo-1

If you're running low on juice in your electric car, truck, or SUV, head for the wealthiest part of town. An April survey by Realtor.com found that home prices in the top 20 areas in the U.S. with the most electric vehicle charging stations were more than two and a half times the national average home price.

Realtor.com tracked 19,743 charging stations in 6,980 ZIP codes in the U.S. listed on OpenChargeMap on April 1. After mapping EV charging stations to ZIP codes, the study found the combined median list price for the 20 ZIP codes with the most charging stations was $782,000. That price was 1.5 times higher than the average home price in the various area's respective metropolitan areas and 2.6 times more than the rest of the United States.

Read more
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more