Nuertingen – The research project “Direct Superfast charging for the Electric vehicle” (D-SEe) has developed a new charging technology and a vehicle prototype that allows for a real 400 km range in just 15 minutes. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and involved cooperation partners hofer powertrain, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, innolectric, Keysight Technologies, Sensor-Technik Wiedemann (STW), and Voltavision.
The goal of the project was to reduce the charging time for 400 km of real driving performance to 15 minutes. The team analyzed and optimized the entire energy flow chain, from the power grid to the charging electronics, charging cable, and vehicle battery. The result is a fast-charging station with 450 kW charging power and a prototype vehicle that can charge the energy required to drive 400 km in just 15 minutes.
The current state-of-the-art for a range of 400 km and the 88 kWh required, charging at a 50 kW station takes more than one and a half hours. Porsche’s Taycan 4S is faster, charging at an average of just under 170 kW between 0 and 80% charge. The challenge of the research project was to optimize this charging power and modify and further develop the electronic components, charging cable technology, and vehicle battery that have been common on the market to date.
The research and development work included the development of new standard-compliant charging communication system, advanced power electronics for the fast-charging process, and a new battery type that has an optimum power-to-energy ratio, allowing for an efficient compromise between heat generation, service life, and range. The final battery prototype was tested by high-voltage test service provider Voltavision using standardized and automated test procedures that were modified and developed during the course of the project.
