Next generation battery electric vehicles need to be more energy efficient and
affordable, which means to keep battery size to the practical minimum. Megawatt charging is
then required to meet the demand for long operational range with even shorter charging times.
Ultra-high-power charging on-board and off-board sub-systems design is, as a first step,
covered in topic HORIZON-CL5-2022-D5-01-08. The present topic covers their evolution
towards multi-charger hubs that cater for a widespread deployment of these vehicles on the
2030 horizon. Limited on-board systems optimisation may be included if properly justified.
At the same time each charger in these charging hubs will be usable for multiple lighter
vehicles with lower power (150-350 kW) during peak times such as weekend or holiday
periods, when demand from heavy duty vehicles may be lower. This will also require
concepts for topologies capable for accommodating one heavy vehicle or 4-6 light vehicles in
each charging spot.
Proposals are expected to address all the following aspects:
- Consider typical demands along significant TEN-T corridors, including under severe weather and peak conditions, as well as opportunities for sharing and balancing power supply within studied areas, locations of logistics terminals and truck stops with nearby depots for overnight charging of trucks, buses, and construction machines, car-parking etc.
- Input from EU Member States/Associated countries’ maps with aggregated charging demands and expected high power charging station localisations as well as input from grid operators on power system local and regional conditions is also expected. Such terminals/ hubs for charging should offer charging on non-discriminatory basis.
- Particular attention should be paid to the real needs of end users, including optimised infrastructure locations, its reverse impact on the traffic flow, ease of use and interoperable protocols that do not hinder universal use across different countries; the identification and analysis of potential regulatory aspects and barriers for relevant standardisation activities is encouraged.
- The developed tools should have the capability to map the optimal locations for a fast and high-power charging infrastructure (already built-up logistics hubs, truck service centres, truck and bus depots, and for new ones also considering the permitting process), offering planning information including to the developers of the targeted infrastructure. For optimisation of the overall system use, services and tools should be developed keeping into account on-board EV system characteristics.
