World's fastest charger gives electric cars full power in minutes

'World's fastest' EV charger said to be three times quicker than Tesla's Superchargers can power up an electric car battery in EIGHT MINUTES

Swiss firm ABB claims to have created the world's fastest electric car charger
The Terra High Power DC can add 120 miles of range to car in just eight minutes
It puts out 350 kilawatts of power, which is much higher than the average rate
ABB says the fast chargers are best suited for highways and petrol stations

Published: 00:21, 27 April 2018 | Updated: 00:36, 27 April 2018

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Swiss engineering firm ABB claims to have created the world's fastest electric vehicle charger.

Called the Terra High Power DC fast charger, the device can give the average electric car 120 miles of range in a mere eight minutes.

The 350 kilowatt charger can recharge vehicles almost three times faster than the rate of Tesla's Supercharger charging stations, according to New Atlas.

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Swiss engineering firm ABB claims to have created the world's fastest electric vehicle charger. It can put out about 350 kW into an electric vehicle, which is much more than other chargers

ABB says its DC fast chargers are best suited for use at highway rest stops and petrol stations.

So far, the firm has installed over 6,500 fast charging stations in 60 countries.

As more and more advanced charging technology is developed, it should help incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles.

Current chargers are significantly slower than the machines ABB has proposed.

CHAdeMO chargers, which were recently adopted by Volkswagen, only provide about 62.5 kilawatts of charge.

Tesla Superchargers put out about 120 kilawatts, despite Elon Musk recentlyjoking that 350 kW would only power a 'children's toy'.

Called the Terra High Power DC fast charger, the device (pictured) can give the average electric car 120 miles of range in a mere eight minutes. It can put out 350 kilawatts

With an output of 350 kW, ABB's fast charger is miles ahead of its competitors. By contrast, Tesla's Supercharger can only put out about 120 kilawatts

There are few cars capable of handling up to 350 kW charging, as many try to preserve battery life and can take an upwards of 200 kW, New Atlas noted.

For now, ABB's super fast chargers are only likely to work when multiple cars are plugged in at once.

Meanwhile, Tesla has been steadily ramping up the number of Supercharger stations it has set up around the country.

Last September, the firm said it would expand its Supercharger network into city centers and downtown areas, starting with Chicago and Boston.

To support high usage and accommodate for having less space for the stations, Tesla is also developing a brand new smaller Supercharger specifically for cities.

To support high usage and accommodate for having less space for the stations, Tesla is also developing a brand new smaller Supercharger (pictured) specifically for cities

While a lot of talk about Tesla has been its move toward allowing for longer drives with Supercharge stations along highways and popular driving routes, it has installed 'Destination Charging' connectors at hotels, resorts, restaurants, and more.

The company will do the same in urban areas, opening Supercharger stations at supermarkets, malls, and other busy destinations.

'Supercharger stations in urban areas will be installed in convenient locations, including supermarkets, shopping centers and downtown districts, so it’s easy for customers to charge their car in the time it takes to grocery shop or run errands,' Tesla said.

To fit their chargers into cities, Tesla has developed a new smaller Supercharger design.

'Superchargers in urban areas have a new post design that occupies less space and is easier to install, making them ideal for dense, highly populated areas,' Tesla said.

Tesla's chargers will be the same price as the current Superchargers, but they will work a little differently. Each will have 72 kilowatts dedicated to power each car, which means charging speeds won't be affected if multiple cars at charging at once

WHERE WILL TESLA'S SUPERCHARGER STATIONS BE?

Tesla plans to increase number of stations from 5,000 to 10,000 by the end of the year.

To support high usage and accommodate for having less space for the stations, Tesla is also developing a brand new smaller Supercharger specifically for cities.

Each will have 72 kilowatts dedicated to power each car, which means charging speeds won't be affected if multiple cars at charging at once.,

In the US, the firm has planned to increases its Supercharger stations by 150 percent, which will spread out across highways, alongside existing facilities and be setup in urban areas. Red are current stations and gray are those set to come

This will result in more consistent charging times around 45 to 50 minutes.

The number of facilities in the US will increase by 150% and will be placed across highways, alongside existing facilities and be setup in urban areas.

Tesla also expects to increase the number of its 'Destination Chargers' that sit at hotels and restaurants from 9,000 to 15,000.

Some of the stations will also run on solar panels.

These chargers will be the same price as the current Superchargers, but they will work a little differently.

Each will have 72 kilowatts dedicated to power each car, which means charging speeds won't be affected if multiple cars at charging at once.

This will result in more consistent charging times around 45 to 50 minutes.

The existent stations charge with up to 145 kilowatts of power that is distributed between two adjacent cars and can get a Tesla to 80 percent in 40 minutes.