Up until now, Tesla?s Superchargers have been the fastest, highest-power chargers in the United States. But as of the end of February they?ve been topped?with the installation of new 150-kW Combined Charging System (CCS) hardware, part of the network of charging provider EVgo.
There are a couple of big asterisks that temper the claim: Although the charger is in a public place?a Lucky Supermarkets location in Fremont, California?and is the first such charger in the nation, it?s not yet publicly accessible. For now it?s intended for automakers, suppliers, or researchers working on the development of faster-charging vehicles. And there aren?t any production vehicles yet that can charge at 150 kW anyway.
Only a few vehicles can charge at more than 50 kW but not the upcoming 150-kW standard?which uses essentially the same CCS charge connector as 50-kW systems. The Kia Soul EV is ready for more than 50 kW in some markets, but it uses the CHAdeMO interface, which wouldn?t be compatible with this charger. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric, however, goes on sale in April, and it will use the CCS fast-charging standard, rated to 100 kW. Chargers and vehicles on either of these standards are supposed to be back-compatible. EVgo claims that the location in Fremont was chosen because its chargers in the immediate area have the highest traffic of any on the company?s network. Fremont also happens to be where Tesla?s vehicle assembly plant is located, so it?s probably no surprise that allegia...