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Charging Anxiety Gets a Boost From Electrify America

Electrify America and Electrify Canada announced plans to simplify the charging of electric vehicles by creating visual aids at charging stations to standardize battery charging terminology.
Electrify America 7 photos
Photo: Electricfyamerica.com
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The company introduced Hyper-Fast and Ultra-fast power names to its charging networks in both countries and redesigned charger labeling to help consumers distinguish between the two. The company will offer labels to all charging providers to create a universal standard for the growing charging industry.

Hyper-Fast chargers deliver up to 350 kilowatts (kW) of charging power, providing up to 20 miles (32 km) of range for every minute of charging, depending on the electric vehicles' charging capabilities. Hyper-Fast chargers will be symbolized by a bold green label with three-bolt icons.

Ultra-Fast chargers deliver up to 150 kW of charging power, providing up to 9 miles (14.48 km) of range for every minute of charging, depending on the electric vehicles charging capabilities. Ultra-Fast chargers will be adorned with teal-colored labels with two-bolt icons.

The labels will also have icons of charging adapters that match vehicles' charging ports to take the guesswork out of the process, information about the company's membership program, and a QR to scan to access best charging practices.

We want to help make the transition to EV charging easier by translating kilowatt ratings into simpler names like Hyper-Fast and Ultra-Fast with corresponding colors to help them make a selection at the charger,” said Robert Barrosa, senior director, sales, business development and marketing of Electrify America and Electrify Canada. “As EV sales continue to grow, it’s important that we continue to educate everyone on how easy public charging can be, ensuring consumer comfort with making the switch. It should not require a calculator to figure out what charger’s power output may best match the capabilities of their EV.

Electrify America is also introducing Balanced chargers to its network. Balanced charges are essentially two chargers located side-by-side and utilize the same power source. Each one is capable of supplying 150 kW Ultra-Fast of charging. However, they can supply up to 350 kW of Hyper-Fast charging if the adjacent charger is not being used.

In the event that two vehicles are being charged simultaneously, the balanced technology will provide maximum charging to the vehicle that accepts the lowest charging power and allocate any surplus charging capacity to the vehicle that can handle higher charging. Newer Balanced chargers will have a designation along with the Hyper-Fast 350kw labeling. Older chargers that are not Balanced, usually located along highways, will continue to be dedicated 350kw chargers.

The new Hyper-Fast and Ultra-Fast labels will be rolled out this fall. The Balanced charger technology will be available at Electrify America charging sites this fall as well and Electrify Canada charging sites – in 2023.
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