Nxu introduced that its in-house developed megawatt charging resolution, referred to as NxuOne, nears area testing, as the corporate leaves CharIN affiliation, which works on the competing Megawatt Charging System (MCS) commonplace.
Nxu – for many who are usually not acquainted with the title – is an Arizona-based firm that originated from Atlis Motor, which a couple of years in the past supposed to develop and manufacture an electrical pickup truck. In the present day, Nxu is a publicly traded firm (NASDAQ: NXU), engaged in battery cells (Qcell), battery packs (Qube), battery power storage programs (Qube+) and megawatt charging options.
What we see within the prime picture is the corporate’s NxuOne charging connector, which is anticipated to supply not solely a really excessive energy stage of 1.5+ megawatts (MW) of direct present charging (and doubtlessly up to some megawatts sooner or later), but additionally alternating present (AC) charging – single-phase and extra importantly three-phase. Please be aware 4 large pins on the plug to help any charging state of affairs.
Nxu acknowledges a necessity to help three-phase charging in lots of industrial automobile purposes and sees its likelihood to problem the upcoming MCS charging connector (which is anticipated to go as much as over 3 MW DC) as a result of MCS doesn’t help AC charging.
The Nxu’s photos additionally counsel that the NxuOne shall be extra compact (smaller and lighter) than the MCS:
from left: Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and NxuOne, megawatt charging resolution from Nxu
Three-Section Charging
There isn’t any dialogue that the EV business wants a correct DC megawatt charging resolution, however some would possibly wonder if there’s a want for three-phase AC charging in North America.
Nicely, apparently there’s in lots of industrial automobile purposes. The bottom, single-phase SAE J1772 plug goes solely as much as 19.2 kW (80 A at 240 V) and the Mixed Charging System (CCS1) DC extension doesn’t help three-phase charging. In different phrases, there’s a black space not coated by this pair of charging connectors.
The unlucky lack of help for three-phase charging already triggered a necessity to launch the SAE J3068 charging commonplace a number of years in the past (in two configurations), which is predicated on the European IEC 62196 Kind 2 (AC) and its CCS2 model for DC charging. The aim of SAE J3068 was to cost medium- and heavy-duty electrical autos in North America from three phases (so long as they’ve three-phase onboard chargers). There are a lot of industrial three-phase installations out there, as much as 133 kW at 160 A and 480 V or as much as 166 kW at 160 A and 600 V in Canada.
That is the place we at all times return to the start and our start line that solely a charging connector that’s common sufficient to help all charging situations could be the final word one. The European IEC 62196 Kind 2 with CCS2 model was (not good) candidate for that. It is easy, and close to costless, to maintain unused pins on a plug, in comparison with including an extra plug commonplace simply to deal with some uncovered purposes. Now, simply think about somebody who’s utilizing SAE J3068 on its truck fleet, however with no CCS1 inlet, it will possibly’t use basic charging infrastructure, at the very least not with out an adapter.
Tesla’s North American Charging Normal (NACS) doesn’t help three phases as both, and that is in all probability its greatest flaw or mistake as a result of with only a 10-25 % dimension enhance, we’d have a doubtlessly good plug not just for North America however for all international markets. That is the one time when possibly Elon Musk’s staff was not trying far sufficient (however, they’d quite a bit on their thoughts when launching the Mannequin S on the time). With a three-phase NACS, we might have only one plug for all light-duty electrical autos on the planet.
New Battle? MCS, NxuOne or Tesla?
The NxuOne charging connector is an fascinating idea, which on paper checks most if not all bins – AC (as much as three phases), DC at greater than 1.5 MW (a couple of MW sooner or later, as we perceive), and supporting high-voltage (past 1,000 V).
In fact, we’re very cautious about it (the prototype unit even doesn’t look as small because the idea one within the photos), however it could possibly be a candidate for heavy-duty autos and industrial purposes.
Contemplating the continuing transition from the CCS1 to the NACS charging connectors for electrical automobiles, plainly we have now a second “battle” between the MCS and NxuOne. We guess that CharIN’s place on MCS is simply too robust to be challenged by a start-up, however ultimately, the most important EV teams will dictate their phrases anyway.
“Reflecting current developments within the EV charging business, the Firm additionally introduced its intent to depart CharIN (Charging Interface Initiative e.V.), the worldwide affiliation that has been accountable for creating the Mixed Charging System (CCS) and Megawatt Charging System (MCS) requirements. Closing publication of the MCS commonplace shouldn’t be anticipated by CharIN till 2024.”
One of the fascinating issues shall be Tesla’s subsequent transfer. The corporate to this point makes use of some proprietary charging connectors on the Tesla Semi electrical vehicles. Beneath we are able to see the present charging inlet (left picture) and the preliminary prototype (proper picture). Compatibility with the MCS sooner or later has not been confirmed.
Right here is the Tesla Semi’s charging plug (prepared for 1+ MW charging utilizing new V4 charging cable and stalls):
Tesla’s preliminary prototype:
Nxu NACS Assist
By the way in which, Nxu intends to help the NACS charging connector for light-duty autos as nicely, though noting “near-term” use, and believing that the NxuOne can be the long-term resolution:
“The current adoption of Tesla’s North American Charging Normal (NACS) by business leaders Ford, GM, Rivian, and Volvo underscores the pressing want for dependable and high-powered charging options to satisfy rising demand throughout all market segments. Nxu endorses the market’s shift to NACS and confirms the Firm will provide each NACS and NxuOne connectors at future charging stations.”
In the meantime, Munro Reside‘s Sandy Munro and Cory Steuben lately had a chance to go to Nxu’s headquarters in Arizona and present us glimpses of what Nxu is doing, together with the NxuOne plug.