Nxu introduced that its in-house developed megawatt charging resolution, known as NxuOne, nears subject testing, as the corporate leaves CharIN affiliation, which works on the competing Megawatt Charging System (MCS) normal.

Nxu – for many who usually are not acquainted with the identify – is an Arizona-based firm that originated from Atlis Motor, which just a few years in the past supposed to develop and manufacture an electrical pickup truck. As we speak, Nxu is a publicly traded firm (NASDAQ: NXU), engaged in battery cells (Qcell), battery packs (Qube), battery power storage techniques (Qube+) and megawatt charging options.

What we see within the prime picture is the corporate’s NxuOne charging connector, which is predicted to supply not solely a really excessive energy stage of 1.5+ megawatts (MW) of direct present charging (and probably up to a couple megawatts sooner or later), but additionally alternating present (AC) charging – single-phase and extra importantly three-phase. Please word 4 large pins on the plug to assist any charging state of affairs.

Nxu acknowledges a necessity to assist three-phase charging in lots of business car functions and sees its likelihood to problem the upcoming MCS charging connector (which is predicted to go as much as over 3 MW DC) as a result of MCS doesn’t assist AC charging.

The Nxu’s pictures additionally counsel that the NxuOne can be extra compact (smaller and lighter) than the MCS:

from left: Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and NxuOne, megawatt charging resolution from Nxu

Three-Part Charging

There isn’t any dialogue that the EV trade wants a correct DC megawatt charging resolution, however some would possibly ponder whether there’s a want for three-phase AC charging in North America.

Nicely, apparently there’s in lots of business car functions. 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 assist three-phase charging. In different phrases, there’s a black space not lined by this pair of charging connectors.

The unlucky lack of assist for three-phase charging already precipitated a necessity to launch the SAE J3068 charging normal a number of years in the past (in two configurations), which is predicated on the European IEC 62196 Sort 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 numerous business three-phase installations accessible, 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 all the time return to the start and our place to begin that solely a charging connector that’s common sufficient to assist all charging situations may be the last word one. The European IEC 62196 Sort 2 with CCS2 model was a very good (not excellent) candidate for that. It is simple, and close to costless, to maintain unused pins on a plug, in comparison with including an extra plug normal simply to deal with some uncovered functions. Now, simply think about somebody who’s utilizing SAE J3068 on its truck fleet, however and not using a CCS1 inlet, it might probably’t use normal charging infrastructure, at the least not with out an adapter.

Tesla’s North American Charging Customary (NACS) doesn’t assist three phases as both, and that is in all probability its largest flaw or mistake as a result of with only a 10-25 p.c dimension enhance, we’d have a probably excellent plug not just for North America however for all international markets. That is the one time when possibly Elon Musk’s workforce was not wanting far sufficient (then again, they’d rather a lot 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 (just a few 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 pictures), however it may very well be a candidate for heavy-duty autos and business functions.

Contemplating the ongoing transition from the CCS1 to the NACS charging connectors for electrical vehicles, plainly we have now a second “battle” between the MCS and NxuOne. We guess that CharIN’s place on MCS is just too robust to be challenged by a start-up, however in the long run, the biggest EV teams will dictate their phrases anyway.

“Reflecting latest developments within the EV charging trade, the Firm additionally introduced its intent to go away CharIN (Charging Interface Initiative e.V.), the worldwide affiliation that has been chargeable for creating the Mixed Charging System (CCS) and Megawatt Charging System (MCS) requirements. Remaining publication of the MCS normal just isn’t anticipated by CharIN till 2024.”

Probably the most fascinating issues can be Tesla’s subsequent transfer. The corporate thus far makes use of some proprietary charging connectors on the Tesla Semi electrical vehicles. Under we will 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 assist the NACS charging connector for light-duty autos as properly, though noting “near-term” use, and believing that the NxuOne could be the long-term resolution:

“The latest adoption of Tesla’s North American Charging Customary (NACS) by trade 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 supply each NACS and NxuOne connectors at future charging stations.”

In the meantime, Munro Dwell‘s Sandy Munro and Cory Steuben not too long ago had a possibility to go to Nxu’s headquarters in Arizona and present us glimpses of what Nxu is doing, together with the NxuOne plug.