Walmart Plans 400 kW EV Fast Charging Expansion

[DonTom]

WallyMart is going to install a bunch of 400,000 watt DCFCs. That is more than what most EVs cars can handle (250KW max for my 2018 Tesla M3--55KW max for my 2022 Chevy Bolt). The CYberTruck can handle 325KW on a DCFC.

Anything above 350KW is what is sometimes referred to as level four charging. Not even Teslas cars or the Cybertruck can do level four . OTOH, their semis can do 1.2 million watts but they have a different and much larger (MCS--stands for "Megawatt Charging System") connector that no EV cars can use.

It looks like WallyMart sees what is coming in the near future.

See here for more info.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[LarsMac]

I would expect them to be able to sense the connected device capacity, and provide what is required up to their maximum output.

 

[DonTom]

I would expect them to be able to sense the connected device capacity, and provide what is required up to their maximum output.

Yes, all EV chargers have the capability to lower their rate. I was saying they had the capacity to do more than most cars can handle, any EV can still charge that can only handle a much lower rate.

I often charge my 14 KWH motorcycle battery, which can do 24 KW max on a DCFC (DC Fast Charger) that can do up to 180KW or even 350 KW. No problem at all. Still will be not problem to charge below 20KW on WallyMart's 400 KW chargers.

J-1772 and Tesla Destination charge stations (both AC charging--not DCFC) use a one KHZ PWM Pilot Signal where the car tells the charger to reduce the power to whatever the car can safely handle. Or motorcycle.

With DCFC, there are all types of communications between the car and the DCFC. Checks battery temp, max capacity, state of charge and much more--even your VIN number and then sets the charge rate automatically. Most DCFCs send this over the internet so you can check the charge progress on a Smartphone from anywhere you can get a web connection. And you can stop the charge too, if you want, all remotely.

When first plugged in the DCFC does NOT start for around 15 seconds. That first 15 seconds is doing safety checks, checking battery info and much more before the charge starts. Communication's continue after the charge starts too.

Always wait until after the 15 seconds before walking away. Any little minor issue during that 15 seconds will shut the charger down. Things must be perfect for the charging to start. After that 15 seconds, any problem is very unlikely.

-Don- Reno, NV