By ATN
Summary: SUNCAR AG has launched the MEGAFLOW1500, a vehicle-side DC fast-charging interface designed to simplify integration of Megawatt Charging System (MCS) technology into heavy-duty vehicles and machines. The modular system combines the charging inlet, high-voltage switching, safety devices, measurement and monitoring functions, and vehicle communication into a single package.
Key engineering takeaway: The MEGAFLOW1500 addresses the vehicle-side gap in the MCS ecosystem by packaging the high-voltage components, protection systems and communication capabilities needed for megawatt-level charging into an integrated interface with optional active or passive cooling. An optional charging controller handles MCS-standard communication and coordination between vehicle and infrastructure, reducing the development burden on OEMs who would otherwise need to engineer these subsystems individually.
Why it matters: Much of the industry focus around MCS has centred on charging infrastructure, but vehicles cannot access maximum charging power without equally capable on-board interfaces. A standardised, off-the-shelf vehicle-side solution lowers the barrier for commercial vehicle and off-highway OEMs to adopt MCS, which is particularly important given that heavy-duty electrification depends on minimising charging dwell times to remain operationally competitive with diesel.
SUNCAR develops the MEGAFLOW1500 to integrate MCS charging into commercial vehicles
Megawatt charging is considered a key technology for the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles and machines. While charging parks and megawatt charging stations are attracting most of the attention, the vehicle-side implementation often remains in the background. SUNCAR AG, based in Switzerland, is closing this gap with a DC fast-charging interface for use in vehicles, which is now available. It simplifies the integration of MCS-based megawatt charging technology for vehicle manufacturers.
Infrastructure alone is not enough
The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is being developed as an international standard for ultra-fast charging of heavy-duty vehicles, construction machinery and other high-performance machines. So far, discussions often focus on charging infrastructure outside the vehicle. In this area, the market already offers various solutions. However, for practical deployment in the field, equally powerful, safe and standards-compliant solutions are also required on the vehicle side.
Without suitable vehicle-side interfaces, maximum charging power cannot be implemented reliably. Vehicle manufacturers must therefore integrate high-voltage components, protection and monitoring systems, and the necessary communication capabilities into their vehicles to enable MCS charging.
Vehicle-side DC fast-charging interfaces as an enabler
SUNCAR has extensive experience in the development and production of vehicle-side charging interfaces based on the Combined Charging System. With the MEGAFLOW1500, the company now introduces a vehicle-side DC fast-charging interface that supports vehicle manufacturers in integrating MCS charging technology. The solution was designed for use in electric vehicles and machines and combines key functions for high-power charging according to the MCS approach in a modular system.
The DC interface includes the charging inlet, high-voltage switching and safety devices, measurement and monitoring functions, and internal communication functions with the vehicle control system. Depending on the configuration, it supports passive or active cooling and is designed for demanding environmental conditions in off-highway and commercial vehicle applications.
Optionally, the interface can be equipped with a charging controller that supports MCS communication in accordance with relevant standards and manages the coordination between vehicle and charging infrastructure.
Simplified integration for vehicle manufacturers
With this interface, SUNCAR supports vehicle manufacturers in integrating MCS charging technology into development, pilot, or production vehicles. The vehicle-side DC fast-charging interface provides the technical foundation for implementing MCS charging safely, with monitoring and in compliance with standards.
“Megawatt charging discussions often focus on charging parks and infrastructure. In practice, however, the vehicle side determines whether the technology can actually be used,” says Stefan Schneider, Managing Director of SUNCAR AG. “With the MEGAFLOW1500, we provide vehicle manufacturers with a solution that significantly simplifies the entry into MCS charging technology and supports different vehicle concepts.”
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