Eaton and ChargePoint have announced a new ultrafast EV charging architecture for public networks and fleets, which could help deal with ongoing grid constraints.
There’s a long history of EV charging points sitting idle while they await a grid connection, with motorway service stations often a prime example of sites that desperately need to install new EV chargers, but often face power constraints. Eaton and ChargePoint believe that their new solution could help in those situations.
The solution, dubbed the ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton, combines chargers and end-to-end power infrastructure in a bid to scale EV charging despite grid constraints. It is vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capable, delivers up to 600kW for passenger EVs and can support megawatt charging for heavy-duty vehicles.
Eaton says the modular DC grid design can be deployed with around 30% lower capital expenditure, in a 30% smaller footprint, and with up to a 30% reduction in ongoing operational costs versus other available solutions. The companies position the approach as a way to integrate onsite renewables, battery storage and vehicle batteries, with the system coordinating assets and participating in local energy markets to cut fuelling costs. At scale, and with utility participation, the architecture could also help balance the wider electricity grid.
“Accelerating electrification at scale hinges on industry-changing technology from trusted manufacturers that can be deployed faster while achieving new levels of reliability and efficiency at a significantly lower cost,” said Paul Ryan, Vice President and General Manager of energy transition at Eaton.
“Our partnership with ChargePoint is an accelerator for innovation in electrification, with novel technology today and into the future that makes going electric the smart choice.”
ChargePoint said the new platform is designed to lift performance while improving economics for operators. “The new ChargePoint Express architecture, and particularly the Express Grid variant, will take DC fast charging to levels of performance and cost not previously imagined. This latest technological breakthrough further demonstrates our commitment to deliver innovation,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint.
“Combined with Eaton’s end-to-end grid capabilities, ChargePoint is delivering solutions to help EVs win on pure economics, regardless of tax incentives or government support.”
Eaton will custom-engineer each Express configuration and deliver comprehensive power infrastructure as site-ready packages, with an option for skid-mounted solutions to speed installation, reduce ancillary equipment and simplify connections to the grid and distributed energy resources. The firm also plans to commercialise solid-state transformer technology within the next year, following its acquisition of Resilient Power Systems Inc., to support DC applications in EV charging and beyond.
The ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton, will be available to order for select customers in North America and Europe in the first quarter of 2026, with deliveries slated for the second half of 2026.
