I wonder if these can keep up with demand. If they discharge DC fast charge rates at up to 150kW but are charged up at 220V AC rates.
This is the same approach as
FreeWire, which has had a few of its
Boost Chargers up and running since last year (in Oklahoma, if I remember correctly). They can charge a single vehicle at up to 120 kW or two vehicles at up to 60 kW so not quite as speedy as the E.ON.
I think to answer your question, you have to compare these to a Level 2 charger rather than a regular DC fast charger. If it's possible (and affordable) to install a high-voltage connection for a DCFC, the E.ON and FreeWire aren't particularly appealing, but for locations that would only be able to install a L2 charger otherwise, it's a huge upgrade. The FreeWire Boost will fall back to Level 2 charging if the battery is depleted (and I would think the E.ON does the same), so it's never
worse than an L2 charger and often
a lot better.
These would make it possible for something like the special Jeep/EA "trailhead" chargers to fast charge, for example (not that the Wrangler 4xe can take advantage of it, though). I think they might be popular with dealers, as well, especially at this point in the EV transition. A tiny fraction of their service business will be with EVs, but they'll be able to top them all off super fast with the same electrical infrastructure they use to L2 charge.
www.autoweek.com
