A fast-charging demonstration aims to shorten electric-car stops
BMW and two partners have demonstrated fast charging for an electric-car battery. The aim is a shorter stop: a driver on a trip could spend less time at a charger if the car and equipment are compatible. The company says the demonstration hardware is not yet commercially available in the US.
What was demonstrated?
On 20 October, BMW said it worked with charging network IONNA and charger manufacturer Alpitronic to demonstrate up to 460 kW peak charging for the iX5 60 xDrive. This is the company’s report of its demonstration, not our independent test.
What does peak power tell us?
Power describes how quickly energy is transferred at a particular moment; kilowatts are a unit of power. That differs from the amount of energy stored in a battery. A peak does not mean the same rate continues throughout charging, so it cannot by itself establish a full-charge time.
What does this mean for everyday use?
BMW explicitly calls the 460 kW experience a technology demonstration, not charging hardware commercially available in the US today. Readers should not expect every car or public charging station to reproduce it.