Megawatt Charging System (MCS)

To satisfy the market demand of the Truck and Bus industry to charge electric heavy-duty vehicles within a reasonable time, a new solution for high-power charging is needed.

CharIN White Paper Megawatt Charging System (MCS)

To give an answer to global challenges like CO2 reduction and energy saving, the automobile industry has been accelerating the development and commercialization of electric vehicles (EV), and hybrid electric vehicles. But climate-friendly mobility is not just limited to passenger cars. Most of the goods are transported by trucks, ships or planes, a different dimension if we think about clean transportation. Due to size and weight of these transport options, user-friendly and quick High Power Charging is the key to increase the acceptance of e-mobility also in this area.

To satisfy the market demand of the Truck and Bus industry to charge electric heavy-duty vehicles within a reasonable time, a new solution for high-power charging is needed. It will help meet climate and sustainability goals and offer maximized customer flexibility. Not just the truck industry will benefit from this solution. Other applications like Maritime and air vessels may use this charging system to fulfil their needs, too.

Therefore, batteries with larger capacities need to be taken in consideration. To charge those large capacity batteries in comparable times as today available or even faster, the charging power needs to be increased. Besides the charging voltage also the charging current needs to be increased to boost the charging power.

The larger charging current lead to either larger conductor cross sections for the cable assembly according to existing standards or additional measures in the cable assembly both still allowing for manual charging by the customer/ driver without the help of a supporting machine or robot.

CharIN MCS Label

CharIN and the Megawatt Charging System (MCS)

In 2018, CharIN initiated the Task Force "Megawatt Charging System (MCS)" to invent a holistic system approach based on the Combined Charging System CCS. The CharIN Megawatt Charging System (MCS) Task Force represents the whole value chain of the Heavy Duty Vehicles industry segment which ensures that all perspectives are considered.

Today, they constitute an integral part of the CharIN Focus Group "Charging Connection" since also light electric airplanes, ferries, and other marine vessels go electric, the work of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) group is essential in the field of extended applications.

CharIN helps the industry create a common solution for charging their electric heavy-duty vehicles within a reasonable time.

MCS Connectors & Inlets from CharIN Members

Please use your mouse to zoom (mouse wheel back/forth) or to rotate the visualization by 360 (click and hold the left mouse button). Members in alphabetical order (fltr).

Stäubli Electrical Connectors AG

Stäubli Electrical Connectors AG

As more EVs hit the road in long-distance and heavy-duty applications, charging these larger capacity batteries within a reasonable time has been a significant challenge.

Your cookie settings configuration disallowes media embeds

Open cookie settings

MCS Connector

Your cookie settings configuration disallowes media embeds

Open cookie settings

MCS Inlet

Read more

To overcome this obstacle, the global association Charging Interface Initiative e.V. (CharIN) has been working with industry leaders, including Stäubli, on developing the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard, to promote interoperability as the global standard for charging commercial vehicles of all kinds.

The Stäubli Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is designed around the CharIN task force specifications and with a special emphasis on robustness and easy handling. It allows for quick and user-friendly charging, enabling drivers to charge their electric heavy-duty vehicles manually without the need for supporting machines or robots.

With larger conductor cross-sections for the cable assembly according to existing standards, the MCS system also enables faster charging times and increased customer flexibility. This makes it an essential component in the push towards sustainable transportation.

Stäublis product page here.

CharIN MCS Construction Layout

First of it’s kind public electric truck charging site in Portland, Oregon. Partnership between Portland General Electric and Daimler Trucks North America (PGE & DTNA). The place is prepared for installation of MCS charger and Battery Storage.

Download here "CharIN MCS Construction Layout" (pdf)

Recommendations and requirements

CharIN - MCS Pin Assignment (Connector side)
The following requirements for the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) are currently discussed:
  • Single conductive plug
  • Max 1.250 volt & 3.000 ampere (DC)
  • Ethernet + ISO/IEC 15118-20
  • Touch Safe (UL2251)
  • On-handle software-interpreted override switch
  • Adheres to OSHA & ADA (& local equivalent) standards
  • FCC Class A EMI (& local equivalent)
  • Located on left side of the vehicle, roughly hip height
  • Capable of being automated
  • UL (NRTL) certified
  • Cyber-Secure
  • V2X (bi-directional)
CharIN White Paper "Megawatt Charging System (MCS)"

The CharIN Task Force "Megawatt Charging System (MCS)" was formed with the following Purpose Statement:

“Work out requirements for a new commercial vehicle high power charging solution to maximize customer flexibility when using fully electric commercial vehicles. The scope of the technical recommendation is to be limited to the connector, and any related requirements for the EVSE, the vehicle, communication, and related hardware.”

The standard focuses on Class 6, 7, & 8 commercial vehicles, but could easily be used for buses, aircrafts, or other large battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with huge battery packs and ability to accept a >1MW charge rate.

The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) shall comply with the holistic system approach of the Combined Charging System CCS.

With respect to the vast amount of CCS engineering expertise a maximum utilization of existing CCS building blocks and its related standards secures quality and reduces time to market. Compatibility will be a key success factor for market introduction and market stability.

Megawatt Charging System (MCS)
Megawatt Charging System (MCS)

Thank you sponsors!
The NREL test event was sponsored by the Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Daimler Trucks North America, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates, and CharIN e.V..

Megawatt Charging System (MCS): Successful connector test event at NREL

On September 23-24, 2020, another milestone in developing compatible inlet and connector designs for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles was reached.

At the facilities of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), cross-industry representatives tested, provided feedback and evaluated the compatibility of inlet and connectors for megawatt chargers. Among them were leading OEMs, utilities, equipment manufacturers, and component suppliers.

Read more

This event enabled seven vehicle inlets and eleven charger connectors to test their designs together. NREL’s facilities offered a convening location to compare components across the seven different manufacturers represented with prototypes in the hardware evaluations with another six manufacturers participating virtually. Features like the fit, the ergonomics, the easy connection and disconnection, and the thermal performance of the connectors and inlets were tested and evaluated by the participants. These are valuable results for optimizing, further developing the standard, and to ensure consistent performance across connector and inlet designs. The event was followed by a virtual CharIN Megawatt Charging System (MCS) Task Force meeting to review the evaluations.

The common goal of this event was to support the creation of a global Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard to ensure the compatibility of connectors and inlet hardware from different manufacturers. Especially the American CharIN member community contributed with the organization of this event and the valuable feedback to further development of an industry standard for megawatt chargers. The new CCS based standard will streamline market introduction and encourage market stability.

Contact person

Semih Tetik

Project Manager
Check out our newest Position Paper!
CharIN / NREL MCS Connector Testing Report
Download

Cookie settings

We use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience. They also allow us to analyze user behavior in order to constantly improve the website for you. Privacy Policy

Accept all Reject all Save settings