BMW is set to introduce its 800-volt electric vehicles later this year, promising users enhanced efficiency and a 30% increase in charging speed. However, this improvement hinges on the availability of compatible charging stations. Competitors like Lucid, Hyundai, and Audi face similar challenges, as only a portion of ultra-fast chargers (over 100kW) can deliver the required 800 volts. Most drivers will rely on more common 400-volt chargers, which suit vehicles with lower voltage battery architectures.
In Europe, approximately 49% of ultra-fast chargers support 800 volts, compared to 33% in the United States. Countries like Germany and France lead in infrastructure, with 13,000 and over 11,000 compatible stations, respectively. Automotive companies are heavily investing in 800-volt charger deployment to support fast-charging technology and drive electric vehicle sales.
Tesla and Ionity, a joint venture backed by automakers, account for 20% of the 800-volt charging stations in Europe. In the U.S., Tesla and Electrify America, Volkswagen's charging network, are leading. Electrify America plans to increase its 800-volt chargers by 60% in 2024.
Despite advancements, compatibility with slower 400-volt chargers remains crucial for automakers. This requires either a high-voltage booster to convert 400 volts to 800 volts or a high-voltage switch to divide the 800-volt battery into lower voltage units, offsetting some efficiency and weight benefits of high-voltage systems. This situation highlights the early stages of the EV and charging industry and the ongoing competition in vehicle design and technology.
