DoE Announces Funding Opportunity For Extreme Fast Charging

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) intends to jump start the development of "extreme fast charging" (XFC) by awarding $15 million to various projects.

The funding opportunity splits into two areas of interest: charging systems/vehicles, and batteries capable of fast charging.

The baseline requirements for funding include a 3C charging ability over a broad state-of-charge window (state of charge need to increase by at least 50% at 3C). Translated to the real world, it would mean an approximate increase in the state of charge from 30% to 80% in 15 minutes.

One of the first models that is intended to be capable of charging in 15 minutes is the Porsche Mission E, which will accept up to ~350 kW of power.

Baseline requirements:

• Identify a current baseline plug-in electric vehicle, and describe how the proposed project will incorporate XFC technology and lead to a value added for the demonstration vehicle in terms of reduced charging time.
• Identify specific vehicle types(s) (including light, medium, or heavy duty vehicles) and electric drive systems that will be developed and demonstrated.
• Demonstrate the ability of the proposed technology to decrease charging times relative to currently available technologies while maintaining currents to less than 400A.
• Assure that the battery state of charge increases by at least 50% with a 3C or greater rate of charging.
• Describe planned charger location(s), including infrastructure requirements and impacts at these sites.
• Include and describe partnerships with state governments, local governments, metropolitan transportation authorities, air pollution control districts, private or nonprofit entities, and component and/or subcomponent suppliers or combinations of these entities integrated within the project team to support the overall system design and demonstration effort.
• Include partnerships for the supply or co-development of components and/or subcomponents such as, but not limited to: battery packs, power electronics, controllers, chargers, sensors, cabling, and connectors.

The point of reference for state-of-the-art, high-energy battery cell technology is >200 Wh/kg, <$150/kWh and 2C (30 minutes) charging capability.

Specific technical interests for achieving the objectives include, but are not limited to the following:

• Novel electrode and cell architectures
• Novel electrolytes
• Active material modifications
• Improved additives

source: Green Car Congress