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by Lio 1381 days ago
I think the headline is stressing the wrong thing.

Whilst it's true that most available cars[1] have an upper charging limit well below the common charging station max of 250kW, not all charging stations are created equal.

There's a lot of smaller charging points that have to be small because the grid can't supply 250kW so you only get 50kW or 9kW.

Even if you do have the grid capacity to supply a few high current points you might be able to double the number with localised energy storage. Flattening that peak demand when all points start charging the same time.

Right now there's a lot of contention and queuing for those high capacity stations at certain times of day.

As long as the cost of an energy storage system, regardless of how it works, is lower than the cost of expanding the grid locally it's a viable option.

1. e.g. Audi eTron can only charge at a max of 150kW and the rate drops off as the battery fills.