HPCForEVs · Project

Ultra-Fast EV Charging Using Low-Power Grid Connections at 30% Lower Cost

transportPilotedTRL 7

Imagine pulling into a gas station — but instead of pumping fuel, you plug in your electric car and it's fully charged in the same time it takes to fill a tank. The trick is a built-in battery buffer that stores energy slowly from a regular power line, then blasts it into your car at 350 kilowatts when you need it. That means charging station operators don't need expensive high-power grid upgrades. It's like having a water tower that fills slowly overnight so everyone gets strong pressure in the morning.

By the numbers

350 kW

Charging power delivered from low-power grid connection

30%

Cost reduction vs. current fast chargers at launch

44%

Cost reduction at scale by 2023

25 million

Chargers needed in Europe

€600bn

Estimated European charger market value

€500m

Projected global revenue in six years

€2.47M

EU contribution to the project

The business problem

What needed solving

Electric vehicle adoption is held back by two problems: charging takes hours instead of minutes, and installing ultra-fast chargers requires hugely expensive high-power grid connections. This means charging station operators face prohibitive infrastructure costs to offer the speed that drivers need, creating a bottleneck for large-scale EV rollout across Europe.

The solution

What was built

The project built and tested a 350 kW Buffer-High Power Charger (B-HPC) — a patented system that uses an integrated battery buffer to deliver ultra-fast charging from standard low-power grid connections. Three demo solutions were produced for pre-marketing and sales preparation.

Audience

Who needs this

EV charging point operators expanding their fast-charging networksFuel station chains adding electric vehicle charging to their sitesCommercial fleet operators electrifying delivery and logistics vehiclesReal estate developers installing charging infrastructure in parking facilitiesGrid operators managing power distribution for EV charging demand

Business applications

Who can put this to work

EV Charging Infrastructure

any

Target: Charging point operators and fuel station networks

If you are a charging network operator dealing with massive grid connection costs for ultra-fast chargers — this project developed a buffer-based 350 kW charger (B-HPC) that delivers the same charging speed using low-power grid connections. The system is projected to be 30% cheaper than current fast chargers, dropping to 44% cheaper at scale. With approximately 25 million chargers needed across Europe, this directly cuts your capital expenditure per site.

Utilities and Grid Operators

enterprise

Target: Regional electricity distribution companies

If you are a grid operator struggling with peak load spikes from ultra-fast EV chargers threatening grid stability — this project built a buffer system that draws power slowly and steadily from the grid, then delivers 350 kW bursts to vehicles. This means low stress on the grid and significantly lower initial grid installation costs, letting you approve more charging stations without expensive infrastructure upgrades.

Fleet Management and Logistics

mid-size

Target: Commercial fleet operators transitioning to electric vehicles

If you are a fleet operator worried that switching to electric trucks or vans means hours of downtime for charging — this project demonstrated a 350 kW charger that refuels an EV in the same time as a conventional car. The lower total cost of ownership and ability to install at existing facilities with standard grid connections means you can electrify depots without rebuilding your power infrastructure.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much cheaper is this compared to existing fast chargers?

According to the project data, the B-HPC is 30% cheaper than current state-of-the-art fast chargers at launch, increasing to 44% cheaper by 2023 as it scales with large volume manufacturing. The cost savings come from eliminating expensive high-power grid connections.

Can this scale to cover large charging networks?

The project was specifically designed with scalability in mind — both technology and business model. The buffer approach means each unit needs only a low-power grid connection, removing the main bottleneck for large-scale rollout. The project targets a European market of approximately 25 million chargers.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

Nerve Smart Systems holds a patent on the B-HPC (Buffer-High Power Charger) technology. The company plans commercialization through both own-label sales and license agreements, projecting €500m in global revenue over six years. Licensing opportunities may be available for manufacturers and operators.

What charging speed does this actually deliver?

The B-HPC delivers 350 kW of charging power, which the project describes as equivalent to fueling a conventional car in terms of time. This is achieved by using a battery buffer that accumulates energy from a low-power grid connection and releases it rapidly during charging sessions.

Has this been tested in real conditions?

The project built and tested a 350 kW High Power Charger and produced three demo solutions intended for pre-marketing purposes. The project ran from August 2017 to July 2019 under the SME Instrument Phase 2, which funds prototype development and market demonstration.

What grid infrastructure is needed to install this?

The key advantage is that the B-HPC uses low-power grid connections to deliver high-power charging. This means significantly lower initial grid installation costs compared to conventional 350 kW chargers that require dedicated high-power lines. Exact grid specifications are not detailed in the available project data.

Is this compliant with current EV charging standards?

Based on available project data, the charger targets the 350 kW power level which aligns with the CCS (Combined Charging System) standard used across Europe. Specific certification details are not mentioned in the project documentation.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project run entirely by Nerve Smart Systems, a Danish SME. With 100% industry participation and zero academic partners, this is pure product development — not research. The company received €2.47M in EU funding under the SME Instrument Phase 2, which is specifically designed to help innovative SMEs bring near-market products to commercial readiness. The absence of university or research partners signals that the underlying science is already mature and the focus is on engineering, manufacturing scale-up, and market entry.

How to reach the team

Nerve Smart Systems APS (Denmark) — a Danish SME specializing in smart energy systems. Contact through SciTransfer for a qualified introduction.

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing or partnership with this EV charging technology? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the development team and provide a detailed technology brief.

Order a report on this topic More in Transport & Mobility