US carmaker General Motors (GM) and German automaker BMW have jointly tested the use of DC fast charge station and confirmed that the deployment could offer electric vehicles (EVs) an 80% charge in 20 about minutes.
The move brings both firms a step closer to being able to offer their first EVs including the Chevrolet Spark EV and the BMW i3, which benefit from the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) new industry standard for DC fast charging.
GM advanced vehicle commercialization policy director Britta Gross said: "This unprecedented cooperation among OEMs and equipment suppliers demonstrates the maturity of this important technology that will help speed the adoption of electric vehicles around the world."
Complying with SAE standard, the new combined AC and DC charging was developed by various suppliers including ABB, Aker Wade, Eaton and IES.
The new combined AC and DC charging or combo connector facilitates using DC Fast Charging through a single charge port on the vehicle.
Additionally, the system allows rapid electricity flow, which will help making EVs' more convenient to use for customers with limited access to overnight charging at home.
BMW of North America manager of connected e-Mobility Cliff Fietzek said, "Our goal with this cooperation was to ensure that DC fast charging stations be available to provide BMW i3 customers the premium fast charging experience in time for the arrival of the BMW i3."
According to GM and BMW, the early confirmation of DC Fast Charge hardware and software would speed up efforts to launch SAE Combo DC Fast Charge infrastructure in the following months.
GM is planning to launch the DC Fast Charge option a few months following the launch of the Spark EV in California and Oregon during 2013 summer.
