XCharge is taking a significant step forward by establishing a production facility in the United States, specifically in the city of Kyle, Texas, through its subsidiary, XCharge North America (XCharge NA). The facility will focus on manufacturing DC fast chargers to cater to the growing electric vehicle (EV) market in the region.
The initial phase of the Kyle facility will encompass approximately 325 square metres (equivalent to 3,500 square feet) and is planned for expansion to a spacious 1,858 square metres (around 20,000 square feet) in the coming years. XCharge NA has chosen to set up operations in an existing building situated in an industrial park in the Kyle area.
Strategically positioned between Austin and San Antonio, Kyle offers a strategic location for XCharge NA’s domestic operations. Aatish Patel, President and Co-founder of XCharge NA, expressed enthusiasm for the choice of Hays County, where Kyle is located, due to its scalable facilities and land availability. Moreover, he highlighted the potential for collaboration with the local community, including institutions like Texas State University, to create employment opportunities.
XCharge North America boasts a range of charging solutions, such as the C6 DC charging station capable of delivering up to 150 kW of power. Additionally, they offer the Net Zero series, a fast-charging solution capable of providing up to 210 kW of power for simultaneous charging of two electric vehicles. Notably, the Net Zero series is equipped with batteries from BYD, serving as buffer storage, and features a Battery2Grid function, allowing surplus energy to be sold back to the grid during peak periods when the battery is sufficiently charged.
While the announcement does not specify which charging ports will be available on the Texas-made charging stations, it’s essential to note that the CCS1 standard is a prerequisite for accessing federal funding in the USA. In recent months, several automakers announced their preference for Tesla’s NACS for their electric vehicles in North America, prompting many charging pole manufacturers to consider offering NACS options in the future.
Despite this trend, Aatish Patel emphasized XCharge NA’s commitment to developing and providing cost-efficient, innovative EV solutions. It appears the company is not referring to the NACS standard, as their solutions are tailored to address US grid constraints, ultimately increasing the accessibility and viability of electric vehicles as a sustainable transportation option. With this strategic move, XCharge is poised to make a notable impact on the EV charging infrastructure landscape in the United States.
