Charging infrastructure provider XCharge has introduced its GridLink DC fast charger with integrated battery storage to the European market, following earlier deployment in North America. The company presented the system at the Intercharge Network Conference (icnc) in Berlin.
The GridLink delivers up to 194 kW of charging power while drawing a maximum of 44 kW from the grid, with the remainder supplied by a 215 kWh battery pack. The system targets logistics operators, dealerships, and petrol stations, enabling high charging capacity at locations with limited grid connections.
“The concept of chargers with buffer storage is not new. But with GridLink, we offer a solution that is flexible and tailored to our target groups,” said Albina Iljasov, Head of Europe at XCharge. She added that the system, already certified for North America, has now received CE certification for use in Europe. “Our product is significantly more advanced in terms of safety features than current European regulations require.”
The unit’s battery system, developed in-house by XCharge, consists of 15 replaceable packs, each with its own cooling plates and sensors to monitor temperature and gas formation. In an emergency, a 35-litre water tank can flood the system to prevent or extinguish fires. The batteries are kept below 37°C to extend service life.
Weighing around three tonnes, GridLink requires a stable foundation but can also be installed with an industrial socket for flexibility. Iljasov said the system is aimed at bridging grid expansion delays, which can take more than a year in some regions. “Many cannot afford ten 400 kW chargers with a dedicated transformer. GridLink offers a bridging solution,” she said.
The company said the system will also appeal to petrol retailers seeking to retain customers, as well as rural or semi-urban areas with limited grid access. The European version will be produced in China, while North American units are manufactured in the United States.
XCharge said it expects strong interest at the Berlin conference, with GridLink positioned as a long-term replacement for its Net Zero Series. “We want to show that e-mobility is not just about large charging hubs with megawatt connections. With GridLink, we bring fast charging wherever it is needed,” Iljasov said.
Source: Electrive
