Original article by New Energy Outlook (ID: xinnengyuanqianzhan)

As expected, during this year's National Day holiday, EV charging stations on highways were once again flooded with users!

According to data forecasts from the State Grid's Smart Vehicle Networking Platform, more than one-third of highway service area charging stations nationwide were operating at full capacity during the National Day holiday. Typically, these stations are only around 13% busy.

Image: Long lines for charging during the National Day holiday

Source: Screenshot from New Energy Outlook, sourced from the internet

Over the National Day Golden Week, it is estimated that the average daily charging times on highways will exceed 336,000, an increase of over 40% compared to the same period last year.

During this crowded holiday period, consumers' pursuit of fast and efficient charging becomes especially urgent.

We know that charging power is the product of voltage and current, so to increase power, we need to raise either voltage or current. In the interests of safety and cost savings, the trend towards high-voltage platforms has become clear for automakers. With 800V, true 800V, quasi-900V, and 900V platforms, automakers are fiercely competing on high-voltage technology, each refusing to back down.

So, is this truly a game-changing technological breakthrough, or just a gimmick to grab headlines?

1. From 400V to 800V: Does charging speed soar?

Let's start by explaining what an 800V high-voltage platform actually is.

In simple terms, it's a technology that raises the voltage of electric vehicle batteries from the traditional 400V to 800V. It's worth noting that 800V isn't a specific number; rather, any voltage between 550V and 930V is considered 800V. Therefore, automakers' claims of true 800V, quasi-900V, and 900V platforms could be seen as concept hyping.

However, as mentioned above, when voltage increases while current remains constant, charging power also rises.

Imagine if your phone charger suddenly jumped from 5W to 120W – wouldn't charging speed skyrocket? Similarly, an 800V system enables electric vehicles to fully charge in much less time, theoretically enhancing the efficiency of the entire power system.

Specifically, higher voltages reduce current intensity, thereby lowering the weight and size of cables and connectors, contributing to lighter vehicles and longer driving ranges. Additionally, high voltages minimize energy loss, making the entire power system more efficient.

So, which brands are leading the way?

Porsche Taycan was the first to take the plunge. Not only can it charge from 5% to 80% in just 22.5 minutes, but its double-deck battery pack design ensures battery safety and stability. Close behind are luxury brands like Hyundai/Kia and Audi e-tron GT. Hyundai has introduced the E-GMP platform, supporting 800V fast charging and enabling a charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. Audi e-tron GT shares much of its technology with Porsche, ensuring outstanding performance and efficient charging.

Image: Porsche charging test at an 800V fast charging station

Source: Screenshot from New Energy Outlook, sourced from the internet

Numerous domestic manufacturers have also joined the race. In the sedan segment, we have ARCFOX Alpha S HI Advance Pro (select models), Chery Star Era ES Pro (all models), Geely Galaxy E8 620KM AWD Long Range Dragon Edition (select models), Xiaomi SU7 MAX (select models), ZEEKR 001 WE Edition 95kW RWD and 007 RWD Smart Drive Edition (all models); in the MPV segment, LIXIANG MEGA Ultra (all models) and XPENG X9 610 Long Range Pro (all models); and in the SUV segment, XPENG G9 570 Pro and G6 580 Long Range Plus (all models), GAC AION Hyperion HT 670 RWD Ultra-High Voltage Edition (select models), and DENZA N7 702 Smart Drive Pro Edition (select models) – all of these vehicles claim to be built on 800V high-voltage platforms.

Of course, there are many more models based on 800V architectures, but we won't list them all here.

Image: Overview of models supporting 800V architectures

Source: Screenshot from ChargerLAB's editorial team, sourced from New Energy Outlook

In contrast, while Tesla, the benchmark brand for electric vehicles, is renowned for its Supercharger network, it primarily uses a 400V architecture. However, Tesla's V3 Superchargers can deliver up to 250kW of power, enough to fully recharge a Model 3 in a short time.

Let's delve deeper into the technical details and potential effects of the 800V high-voltage platform.

The 800V platform typically requires an advanced battery management system to monitor and control battery status, utilizing higher voltage-tolerant semiconductor materials like silicon carbide (SiC) to enhance efficiency and reliability. It also necessitates new charging interface standards, like an improved version of CCS (Combined Charging System), which can withstand higher voltages and currents, ensuring safe fast charging. To accommodate higher voltages, inverters and motors must also undergo upgrades.

In terms of effects, according to announcements from these brands, the 800V platform's primary selling point is significantly reduced charging times, a huge advantage for long-distance travel. Moreover, higher voltages enable greater power output, resulting in faster acceleration and more responsive driving, enhancing the overall driving experience.

2. Grandiose announcements, harsh realities

While it all sounds wonderful, reality is often harsher than ideals. Many car owners have found that the 800V high-voltage platform doesn't live up to the hype in practical use.

Take Mr. Zhang, a Porsche Taycan owner, for example. He was full of expectations for the Taycan's fast charging capabilities when he purchased it, but later discovered that charging speeds dropped significantly if he didn't use officially recommended stations. Especially in winter, the long battery preheating time in cold weather led to actual charging efficiency far below expectations.

Mr. Zhang tested the Taycan at an 800V DC charging station and found that its high-voltage charging power could reach 320kW or higher, enabling a charge from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes. The Taycan also supports slow charging, with an official recommendation of approximately 8 hours from 0% to 100%. The contrast between fast and slow charging is stark.

Xiao Sai (pseudonym), a Ji krypton 007 owner in Shanxi Province, faces a similar dilemma. While his Ji krypton 007 supports 800V fast charging, he struggles to find compatible charging stations in his city. "Most of the time, I still rely on ordinary 400V charging stations, making the 800V function somewhat redundant," he says.

Image: Ji krypton 007

Source: Screenshot from New Energy Outlook, sourced from the internet

He encountered similar challenges during a long-distance trip. "I thought the 800V fast charging would save me a lot of hassle on the road, but due to a lack of sufficient 800V charging stations along the way, I still wasted a lot of time," he laments. Owning an 800V car but finding no practical use for it feels like Guan Yu, the famous general, wanting to wield his mighty blade but unable to find it.

Xiao Sai explains that his Ji krypton 007 can reach a maximum charging power of 200kW at a supercharging station, enabling a charge from 10% to 90% in just 22 minutes. This power and speed are truly impressive.

However, if he uses a 380V home charging station, it takes approximately 11 hours to fully charge, while a 220V home charging station takes around 14 hours. The portable charging station that comes with the Ji krypton 007 has a power of 7kW, taking roughly the same time as home charging stations to fully charge the vehicle.

In addition to infrastructure issues, environmental factors also pose significant challenges. Liu Wei (pseudonym), a BYD Han EV owner from Hebei Province, found that low temperatures severely impacted charging speeds when using 800V fast charging in winter. "In sub-zero temperatures, the battery takes a long time to preheat to a state suitable for fast charging, making actual charging times far exceed the manufacturer's advertised figures," he says.

Image: BYD Han EV

Source: Screenshot from New Energy Outlook, sourced from the internet

Liu Wei also mentions that even when finding an 800V charging station, actual charging power may not meet expectations due to grid limitations or improper maintenance of the charging station, greatly detracting from his experience.

These cases demonstrate that while the 800V high-voltage platform theoretically offers significant charging speed improvements, it still faces many challenges in practical applications. Firstly, infrastructure development lags behind, with most public charging stations still operating at 400V and lacking sufficient 800V compatibility. This means that even if vehicles are capable of fast charging, they cannot reach their full potential without compatible charging facilities.

Secondly, extreme weather conditions can impact performance. In cold environments, the chemical reaction rate of lithium batteries slows down, affecting charging speeds. Although manufacturers have implemented various measures to improve this, such as heating systems, their effectiveness is limited. Furthermore, grid limitations and improper charging station maintenance are common issues, leading to actual charging powers falling short of expectations.

Nevertheless, many car owners remain hopeful about the 800V high-voltage platform. They believe that with technological advancements and infrastructure improvements, it will gradually become mainstream.

Chen, a Tesla Model 3 owner, is eagerly anticipating the 800V platform. While he finds the current 400V system adequate, he looks forward to Tesla introducing an 800V platform in the future. "After all, who doesn't love faster charging speeds?" he says.

3. Enjoy a cup of coffee while your car fully charges – it's not just a dream

With technological advancements and infrastructure improvements, the 800V high-voltage platform is expected to become mainstream in the coming years. This means more models supporting 800V fast charging will emerge on the market, making electric vehicles more competitive, surpassing fuel-powered vehicles in both performance and convenience.

For the 800V high-voltage platform to truly become mainstream and deliver substantial benefits to consumers, the industry and stakeholders must work together to address challenges. Greater investment in charging networks is necessary, particularly in urban centers and along highways, to install more 800V fast charging stations. Private sector participation should be encouraged, and subsidy policies implemented to lower entry barriers for operators.

Image: State Grid's 800V fast charging station put into operation in Beijing

Source: Screenshot from New Energy Outlook, sourced from the internet

Automakers must continually optimize their product designs, particularly in terms of battery management and thermal control strategies for different climatic conditions. For instance, Porsche has adopted an advanced thermal management system in the Taycan that automatically preheats the battery before charging to ensure optimal charging performance.

Furthermore, strengthening cooperation with suppliers to jointly advance research and development of key components is crucial to reducing costs and improving reliability. Establishing a unified standard system is equally important. Only when brands are compatible can a scale effect be achieved, attracting more users to adopt these vehicle types.

Once these obstacles are overcome, the 800V high-voltage platform will undoubtedly significantly enhance the driving experience. For ordinary consumers, the 800V platform offers more than just faster charging speeds; it represents a transformation in lifestyle.

Imagine being able to fully charge your electric vehicle in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee and continue your journey. More importantly, as more people shift to clean energy transportation, society as a whole will move towards a more environmentally sustainable future.

In this era of constant change, technological advancements continue to drive forward our lifestyles. While the 800V high-voltage platform still has some shortcomings, its potential cannot be ignored. Whether luxury car buyers seeking ultimate performance or ordinary families prioritizing practicality, the 800V platform heralds a new chapter. Therefore, the 800V high-voltage platform is not a waste of money but a technology worth anticipating.

As consumers, we should embrace new technologies with an open mind and hope that manufacturers will continue to improve, bringing us better products and services. After all, good technology exists not just for show but to make our lives better.