VM Visit XCharge Hamburg: Sustainable Growth, Closer to Europe
It is an inconspicuous small industrial area in Hamburg Eppendorf, where the charging solution specialist XCharge, founded in China in 2015 by two former Tesla managers, has set up its European headquarters and has also been operating a test center since October. The Hamburg test facility supplements the test lab in Madrid, which opened in 2023. The founders' idea at that time was to offer a brand-independent counterpart to Tesla Superchargers, from which they simply hoped for further dissemination. There should also be a generally accessible HPC charging network, according to the vision. Thus, the startup developed into an established provider in China and is listed on the US NASDAQ stock exchange as a provider of powerful and battery-integrated charging solutions for electric vehicles, which now also wants to conquer Europe. They aim to advance the development of electromobility in Germany and further strengthen relationships with European customers and partners, it is said.
When speaking with the Europe head Albina Iljasov, who has already gained extensive electromobile experience at Eon Drive and EV Box, it is supposed to be controlled, sustainable, and profitable growth at all times, and she does not want the manufacturer to be understood as a "budget brand" under any circumstances. They start with a clearly sorted and manageable portfolio, consisting of three products that cover the entire HPC range with the reliable, proven "base station" C6 as a 150/200-kW "standalone" solution, the brand new "state of the art" C7 (soon also as a C7 Slim version), and the battery-backed Net Zero, yet offering countless customization options, not just externally, but also in terms of "inner values," as Iljasov emphasizes.
Credo: The hardware is unified as much as possible to achieve high scalability and then adapted individually as much as possible. High reliability and durability, as well as functionality and ergonomics, are prioritized, according to the HPC expert. The current lull in the electric market is felt more like a slight "dent," with orders being slightly postponed but not canceled. The demand for and the execution of building a stock of HPC charging infrastructure is too great, especially among the main customers, 80 percent of whom are CPOs, but also includes commercial vehicle manufacturers like Volvo or Ford, public transport operators like BVG, logistics companies like Schachinger, or even Madrid airport.
Practice Makes Perfect
In front of the headquarters in the Hanseatic city, a Net Zero is representatively set up, housed in a cupboard-like facade containing either a 233 or 466 kWh battery storage, which can be tapped with up to 210 kW power through two connections. However, on this cold day, we don't reach this with an ID.3 by far. The system recharges from the grid with 60 kW via a "normal" high-voltage connection and requires no complex low-voltage connection or grid expansion. There is an Eco-Mode in which energy is stored during times of lower electricity prices, and recently the Net Zero is also grid-supportive with V2G and suitable for connecting a PV system. The concept of buffered HPC chargers is considered the first choice for bridging and the transition period into the coming electric age, says Iljasov, especially when a strong grid connection is not available, such as at gas stations like a customer in Spain, in underground garages, or on commercial areas like bus depots or logistics yards.
The goal, not only with the Net Zero, is to achieve the highest possible added value in-house, in line with the Tesla model, meaning developing and manufacturing most components themselves. Of course, they reliably use plugs from Huber + Suhner or Phoenix Contact, and so far, the batteries for the buffer storage from the Chinese electric industry leader BYD. However, in the medium term, they also want to bring the battery packs, including battery management systems, under their own control and only source the cells externally, Iljasov explains. This would make them even more flexible in adapting the technology to the respective needs.
```Different Countries, Different Chargers
And these are also very different from country to country in Europe. Iljasov only has to mention the beautiful word "calibration law," with a meaningful look. The French counterpart to the German one, in turn, is the LNE certification of Smart Meters. For the USA, the system is NACS-compatible. Thus, the manager could list the specifics from each country, which can be more easily adapted with the help of the Hamburg test center. But also, the wishes of manufacturers like Volvo Trucks, who wanted a pre-conditioning of the cabin for their e-trucks - and got it. And of course, they have also developed the new C7 to be accessible, so that wheelchair users can also operate it. Iljasov proudly explains that her employees weekly inquire with customers about the status and any suggestions for improvement, as she herself was heavily involved in sales until recently.
Iljasov sees a rapid response to customer wishes demonstrated by the development of a slim version of the C7-HPC charging station presented at the Power2Drive fair in Munich. Many operators had said that 400 kW of power was impressive, but they needed a solution that took up less space but could do nearly as much. Thus, a C7 Slim version with 240 kW power (or 6 x 40 kW modules) will soon be on the market to meet these needs. Iljasov speaks of "co-creation" with the customers. Her skill is to bundle all these requests and forward them to the development department in Beijing accordingly.
E-Mobility Will Prevail
The effort is worth it, the West-East HPC specialist is sure: More and more electric vehicles are on German roads, and the demand for a reliable charging infrastructure is increasing daily. Additionally, scenarios like charging stations, commercial centers, e-buses, and fleets with different power limits, charging requirements, and use cases require flexible solutions for specific needs, they outline.
```Iljasov says: “With the opening of our test facility in Hamburg, we are fulfilling our promise to bring more value creation to Europe. It is especially important for us to better understand our European customers and be able to meet their needs. This measure will enable us to work even more closely with them and develop tailored solutions for the European market.”
Ensuring Compatibility
A main focus of the test laboratory is ensuring compatibility with the latest electric vehicle models, considering not only passenger cars but also e-trucks and e-buses. Customers have the unique opportunity to experience the charging stations live on site and test them together with XCharge Europe. An expert team is available for consultation and to answer all questions. "We want to offer our customers a genuine 'hands-on' experience," says Iljasov.
"They can see, feel, and experience for themselves how our charging stations work and how easy they are to operate."
Additionally, the screen cover on the C7 is indeed made of armored glass, which is supposed to be highly vandal-proof. Optical adjustments to the respective operator's corporate identity can also be realized, from the paintwork to the LED coloring, as they see themselves more as a "White Label" provider, according to Iljasov.
A small spare parts warehouse with the most important components can also be found at the location in Eppendorf. This allows for quick reactions if something breaks down. Looking ahead, they plan to gradually expand their own R&D activities in Hamburg. And of course, there is already a training room for employees. It was recently so well attended that they almost reached their limits again. But for Iljasov, this is a good sign. As are the silver balloons in the cozy communal room that spell out the company name. They symbolize anything but a "hot air balloon." Rather, that XCharge won't run out of air anytime soon. It's admittedly a test of patience: like assembling the Net Zero Lego version that the manufacturer has as a giveaway. So everyone can have an HPC charger at home.
```Translated automatically from German.Elektromobilität , Newsletter Elektromobilität , IAA Mobility , SUVs und Geländewagen , Hybrid , Antriebsarten, Kraftstoffe und Emissionen , Oberklasse- und Sportwagen , Carsharing , Autonomes Fahren (Straßenverkehr) , Ladeinfrastruktur , Verkehrspolitik , Formel E , Brennstoffzellen , Fahrzeug-Vernetzung und -Kommunikation , Fahrzeuge & Fuhrpark , Automotive-Messen & Veranstaltungen , Pkw, Kompakt- und Mittelklasse , Minis und Kleinwagen , E-Auto-Datenbank, E-Mobilität-/Automotive-Newsletter, E-Auto-Tests