Many people (this AC included) are holding off on a BEV purchase until charging (on long trips) is about as fast/convenient as a gasoline fill up. Mercedes-AMG appear to have shown this capability in a convincing way, as described here, https://www.pmw-magazine.com/news/engine-technology/f1-inspired-concept-amg-shatters-records-and-drives-around-the-world-in-eight-days.html and also here, https://www.motortrend.com/news/mercedes-amg-gt-xx-concept-ev-records-nardo
From the first link,
Mercedes-AMG has demonstrated the performance of the Concept AMG GT XX [a fastback sedan shaped car] under long-distance, extreme conditions, breaking a total of 25 long-distance records. The Concept AMG is powered by AMG.EA architecture drivetrain technology, set to enter production next year.
Among the records smashed [on 12 km long high speed test track at Nardo] was a record for the greatest distance covered by an electric vehicle in 24 hours. The technology platform traveled 5,479km (3,404 miles), surpassing the previous sub-4,000km (2,485 miles) record by 1,518km (943 miles) – a 38% increase.
The tests also included AMG's 'drive around the world in eight days.' Drivers maintained a constant speed of 300km/h (186mph), stopping only to recharge at power levels averaging around 850kW. After each charging stop, the vehicle accelerated back to 300km/h (186mph) for eight consecutive days. According to analyses, the 300km/h (186mph) speed offered the optimal balance between track speed and charging stops, delivering the fastest overall time.
[...]
The concept vehicle produced over 1,000kW (>1,341hp) using three motors in high-performance drive units. Two axial flux motors on the rear axle operated continuously, while a front booster motor activated as needed for extra power or traction.The high-performance battery is a new development from Affalterbach, inspired by Formula 1. It uses newly developed cylindrical NCMA cells, which offer efficient cooling and an energy density of over 300Wh/kg [according to one web source, gasoline is 13000 Wh/kg].
The battery cells were directly cooled by an electrically non-conductive oil, regulating the temperature of over 3,000 cells for even heat dissipation. This supported the battery's high continuous power. Operating at over 800V reduced the weight with lighter cables and shortened charging times, while thermal management ensured optimal cell temperature for maximum performance under extreme conditions. The AMG charges at over 850kW across much of the charging curve. In five minutes, it can add about 400km [~250 miles] of range (WLTP).
Looks like at least some cars will be ready long before the US infrastructure--only recently have I read about anyone proposing megawatt charging stations.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 29 2025, @01:50PM (1 child)
The MT link notes that Mercedes used small diameter cells to build the battery pack, higher surface-to-volume ratio means better cooling (by non-conductive oil circulation) for the inside of each cell. This seems like a big part of their ability to maintain high charge and discharge rates over very long time span (days of the "Round the World" record).
From memory, this is just the opposite of recent Tesla batteries which are larger diameter for cost saving, rolling up less cells per car and also easier assembly with fewer cells & connections in each battery.
(Score: 4, Funny) by Username on Friday August 29 2025, @04:37PM
Could be pencil thin and 10 ft long. I imagine a stack of hearingaid batteries welded together to make 800v.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by mcgrew on Friday August 29 2025, @02:44PM (1 child)
holding off on a BEV purchase until charging (on long trips) is about as fast/convenient as a gasoline fill up
If you travel frequently this would be a godsend. But expect the new fast chargers to be even more expensive than today's EVs because your manufacturer will have to pay Mercedes for the patent fee. I haven't driven farther than 217 miles in a day for years, so my Ioniq does me fine. It makes the trip with no problems.
Electricity at a public charger is almost as expensive as gasolime, and fuel cost is one of the EV's many advantages.
...maintained a constant speed of 300km/h (186mph)
My car has a 115 mph governor, but it will beat a police car in the quarter mile.
The "patriotic" Defense Secretary Hegseth carries an American flag in his jacket's snot rag pocket.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 29 2025, @03:59PM
Press the third button from the left, hold for 5 seconds. Then turn on the right turn light and have it emit 3 signals. Let your windshield wiper perform 7 turns. Finally, set your audio volume to 80% for 3 seconds, then 30% for 4 seconds. Now, press down your gas pedal full throttle.
(Score: 2) by Username on Friday August 29 2025, @04:44PM (3 children)
I'm used to electronics that take 120v ac, convert to 60v DC by diode bridge, then through some kind of regulator. 120v ac to 800v DC, I have no idea how I'd do it, and it sounds scary. Charging batteries at like, 1kv, that's almost static electricity. What kind of insulation do these have? How bad would the arcing be if you unplug it while charging? What happens when the oil leaks out exposing the conductors? What kind of electrical clearance do you need for 800v at whatever amps?
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 29 2025, @05:24PM (2 children)
> 120v ac to 800v DC
Pretty sure that high power public chargers connect to the power grid. Distribution voltage (power lines) are much higher than 120vac. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power_distribution [wikipedia.org] which notes local power lines vary from 2 kV to 33 kV
Just saw a press release that the next version of the NACS (standardized version of the Tesla charging plug) has been redesigned for 800 or maybe 1000 VDC.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 29 2025, @05:30PM (1 child)
ps. The high power public chargers include signaling over the cable. The high voltage doesn't turn on until the car and the charger have done some handshaking. For Tesla, the plug is locked into the car until an unlock sequence is performed, here's a short video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTWSMsxGxXc [youtube.com]
(Score: 4, Informative) by pTamok on Friday August 29 2025, @09:46PM
There are electrically-operated locks on the sockets at each end of a charging cabled that lock the cable in place. The high voltage components cannot be energised without the locks being activated. If you defeat those those locks, the pin contact surfaces have different lengths so that the control connection disconnects first on removing the plug from the socket. Loss of the control connectivity automatically de-energises the high-voltage components. In addition, the plugs are shrouded so that any disconnection arc is contained within the insulation.
The design is not utterly foolproof, but it is more robust than standard household plugs and sockets.