There’s something I’ve always wondered about these rapid charging ideas.
Let’s assume the technology is developed by which a LOT of electricity can be taken on by the battery.
The charger still has to provide that immense amount of juice in a short period. What kind of power connection can do that? Not household current.
To recharge the Tesla’s 85 kwh battery in 10 minutes, it would have to feed in 510 kw. Is that right? My understanding of the relationships here is a little vague.
Seems like a LOT of juice. What size cable would be needed to handle such a load?
Would seem to create pretty significant safety challenges, though those can be handled with good engineering.
I think you got it about right. Current Tesla superchargers are 400V 250A service. Reports suggest that it will recharge the battery to 80% in about 40 minutes for a p85 model. From what I've read the chemical makeup of the battery may not let them charge any faster. Lithium Ion doesn't like extreme cold or extreme hot. The Tesla's have heating and cooling systems for the battery to overcome those conditions. If they charge any faster the heat is likely to overwhelm the cooling system and shut down charging.