ChargePoint and Eaton announced a station-level DC fast-charging platform designed to deliver up to 600 kW for passenger EVs and pave the way for megawatt-class charging for heavy vehicles. The system is modular, aims to cut installation and operating costs, and targets initial deliveries in the second half of 2026 across North America and Europe.

Why this matters

Shorter stops: For vehicles that can accept higher power, 600 kW reduces dwell time and improves bay turnover.

Smarter sites: Integrating power electronics with the site’s electrical backbone can shrink the footprint and simplify expansion with batteries or solar later on.

Clearer planning window: A stated delivery timeline allows charge-point operators and fleets to begin grid discussions, budget planning, and layout design now.

How the platform is positioned

Building-block power: The site is built from power modules that can be directed to different bays based on demand or combined for very high power when a truck arrives.

DC-centric layout: More coordination happens on the DC side of the site, which can reduce conversion losses and make it easier to add on-site storage.

Grid interaction ready: The design anticipates vehicle-to-grid and facility support functions, enabling peak shaving and backup power where rules and hardware permit.

Implications for different stakeholders

For site hosts and CPOs

Grid first: High-power bays are only as good as the upstream connection. Start utility engagement early, including transformer sizing, protection settings, and demand charges.

Bay mix strategy: Most traffic is well served by 150–300 kW bays. Add a smaller set of 450–600 kW bays for high-voltage cars and time-critical users to keep queues moving.

Construction approach: Prefabricated skids and modular cabinets can shorten some on-site work, but utility upgrades and permits remain the critical path.

For fleets and logistics

Megawatt on-ramp: The roadmap supports practical high-power charging for heavy trucks at depots and selected corridors, narrowing the gap with diesel turnarounds.

Human factors: Higher currents mean thicker, cooled cables and heavier connectors. Plan for assist arms, robust holsters, and quick-swap wear parts to protect uptime.

For drivers

More predictable sessions: Smarter power management should reduce power swings during charging and allow better off-peak pricing as operators align energy use with tariffs.

Workersbee perspective and recommendations

As a supplier of DC connectors and cable assemblies, we focus on turning headline power into reliable daily operation:

Choose the right cooling
At 350–600 kW and above, liquid-cooled cable sets and serviceable gun-head modules move from nice-to-have to must-have. Match cooling capacity and conductor size to your climate and expected duty cycle. For hot regions and highway sites with long peak periods, add margin.

Design for maintainability
Define quarterly checks for contact wear, seal condition, coolant cleanliness, flow rate, and pressure drop. Stock spare front-end modules and seals at busy locations. A 30-minute swap is far cheaper than a day of reduced power.

Validate communication early
High-power sessions are unforgiving of handshake glitches. Run interoperability tests with the vehicles you expect most often, including ISO 15118 features, to avoid drop-to-low-power events during the most valuable minutes of a session.

Stage upgrades
Pilot one high-power lane at a representative site before scaling. Track delivered energy, true peak duration, thermal throttling thresholds, and connector wear. Use those measurements to finalize the bay mix across your network.

Risks and watch-outs

Timeline vs. field reality: A 2026 target still depends on utility upgrades, local approvals, and supply chain stability. Build contingencies into rollout plans.

Vehicle limits: Not every vehicle can use 600 kW. Real-world times depend on battery size, voltage, and thermal design. Model average delivered power, not just peak numbers.

Thermal bottlenecks: As cabinet ratings climb, the practical limit often moves into the cable and handle. Under-spec cooling leads to throttling, not faster turns.

Action checklist for the next 60 days

Map your bay mix for 2026–2028 projects: majority mid-power, minority ultra-high-power.

Start a utility pre-study covering capacity, interconnection options, and demand charge exposure.

Request connector and cable specifications that align with your hottest expected ambient and duty cycle, including recommended spare kits.

Schedule interoperability tests with your local fleet partners and the top models in your region.

Build a maintenance playbook with inspection intervals, coolant procedures, and swap times for wear parts.

This announcement signals a shift from bigger single chargers to smarter, site-level systems. The winners will treat power blocks, storage, grid capacity, and cooled cable hardware as one plan, not four separate purchases. Do the grid homework early, design for maintainability, and reserve ultra-high-power for the users who truly need it. That is how higher headline power becomes a dependable experience at the curb.