Comments on: Australian-made ‘Fast Charger’ Slashes EV Charging Time

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:58:00 +0000

I’m going to suggest that the truth is probably somewhere between Pieter’s and Ann’s posts. Fast charging of lithium batteries does seem to shorten their life somewhat.

Nissan has had some problems when their LEAF batteries have been rapidly charged when the outside air was already quite hot. There have been some battery problems in Arizona that seem to be linked to rapid charging and, well, Arizona can be an oven.

Also, Nissan says that LEAF owners should not use rapid charging too often. Apparently an average of once a day is OK, which means that rapid charging is fine for almost all. Most people would only use a rapid charger on a longer than normal trip.

By: arne-nl

arne-nl — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:43:00 +0000

This is cheap FUD.

You probably are confused with lead-acid batteries (talking about ‘plates’ and ‘gas’). Lithium Ion batteries can be fast charged without any of the dangers that you predict. People that regularly fast charge their LEAF report no issues with increased degradation. Electric cars have a BMS that will protect the battery, limiting charge rates when SoC is either low or high.

By: Pieter Siegers

Pieter Siegers — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:46:00 +0000

It is well known that the quicker you charge a battery, the more heat and gas is produced inside the battery because of the losses while restoring the chemicals and plates to the originally state – that is, fully ‘charged’. This together with discharging and overcharging shortens battery life considerably.

Besides, as is already mentioned, the power that is needed to drive this thing is immense, very few residential electrical installations would be able to provide it.

We have to be very careful about this type of quick charging because it damages the battery and is therefore potentially dangerous.

By: arne-nl

arne-nl — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:48:00 +0000

This is simply a CHAdeMO charger, what’s the fuss about? It is touted as some kind of breakthrough here, but I do not see it.

Btw, it is only usable if you have a grid connection that can handle the >50 kW power draw. That is something like 200 amps @240V single phase (US) or 65 amps @230V three phase (Europe).