Megawatt charging technology advances for electric heavy-duty vehicles

The heavy-duty electric vehicle sector is advancing with the introduction of Megawatt Charging System (MCS) technologies designed to reduce downtime for trucks and buses.

At the IAA Transportation trade fair in Hannover, Taiwanese company Zerova unveiled its new MCS charger, capable of delivering up to 1.44 MW of power. The system utilizes a satellite charging platform where the power electronics are separated from the charging stand, allowing for flexible installation in depots. The unit supports currents up to 1,500 A and can be configured with either MCS or CCS connectors.

Simultaneously, German manufacturer MAN has commenced serial production of tractor units equipped with MCS technology. MAN’s system offers charging power of up to 750 kW, which is double the 375 kW limit of the current CCS standard. For MAN’s eTGX or eTGS models with a 534 kWh battery capacity, this technology enables a charge from 20% to 80% in less than 30 minutes, potentially allowing charging to occur during mandatory driver breaks.