Smart opens first own HPC charging station in China

Smart has put its first own ultra-fast charging station into operation in Shanghai. The charging station, designed for 800-volt electric cars, is located in Shanghai and offers up to 480 kW of power. This suggests that Smart is preparing the introduction of new 800-volt electric cars.

According to several media reports, the 800-volt technology at Smart could first be used in an electric van called Smart #5 from 2025. The Smart #3 and Smart #1 models launched so far are known to be based on the SEA platform with 400 volts. Although this also supports 800 volts, the van in question will probably be based on the PMA2+ platform, which Geely and Volvo are developing.

The first Smart-owned charging station in China offers 600 amps (up to 700 A in the short term) and up to 480 kW of power, according to an official company statement. The terminal is liquid-cooled and, according to the press release, can recharge 400 kilometres of electricity for appropriately equipped vehicles within eight minutes. The station is located at one of the largest Smart Centres in the region.

Additional Smart-owned charging stations in China are being planned. “With the user at the centre, Smart will continue to actively explore the feasibility of the brand’s self-powered charging network to provide users with a more efficient, convenient and reliable charging experience for all-electric travel,” the company announced.

At the same time, Smart states that it has delivered 70,000 Smart #1 and Smart #3 vehicles since the market launch.

mbpassion.de, smart-emotion.de, jesmb.de (all in German), media.smart.com (in Chinese)