America got used to Grande and Venti, and we can adjust to this too.
There are discussion threads on the Internet about people debating whether "ultra" or "hyper" is the larger prefix going back at least a decade. We understand the technical reasons people pick sides in these discussions—etymology vs. common usage, for example—but the simple fact is that in the U.S., the difference between hyper and ultra is not exactly set in stone.
This brings us to Electrify America's announcement this week that it will rebrand its DC fast-chargers for electric vehicles so that it's easier for EV drivers to plug into the charger that best suits their car. The names for the two highest-level chargers are, drum roll please, Hyper-Fast and Ultra-Fast.
For some people, the names themselves will explain which is higher, but for the rest of us, the good news is that EA's similar names can be ignored if you pay attention to colors and icons. Here's how they differ:
Hyper-Fast stations are indeed the most powerful DC fast-chargers. They have a power delivery of up to 350 kW and will use green signs with three lightning bolt icons. When an EV that can accept these higher charging speeds uses a Hyper-Fast charger, it can "provide about 20 miles of driving range per minute of charging depending on the EV's charging capability." Many EVs can accept power above 150 kW these days, including the Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, Hummer EV, BMW i4 and iX, Rivian R1T and R1S, Kia EV6, or Hyundai Ioniq 5.
That threshold is important because EA's Ultra-Fast stations will offer power delivery of up to 150 kW. If your car can't accept rates higher than 150 kW, don't plug into a Hyper-Fast station. Instead, look for the teal color and two lightning bolt icons of the Ultra-Fast stations. Again depending on the car's charging capability, Ultra-Fast stations can add around nine miles of range to a compatible EV for each minute they're connected.
The first 350-kW charging station in the U.S. was installed in 2017, before many EVs that could take advantage of this increased speed were on the market. Now that the cars have arrived—and more are on the way—understanding the difference will make it easier for EV drivers to refill their cars while on the go. Electrify Canada will also use the new names, and the two companies said they hope the new nomenclature will help establish a universal standard. If so, it's apparently time to just memorize how these names work.
Or not. EA is also introducing new "Balanced" chargers to its network to help keep energy flowing. These new Balanced chargers will be installed in pairs, with each plug sharing a power cabinet. All Balanced chargers will be capable of 350-kW charging, but if two EVs plug in at the same time, they can provide each EV with up to 150 kW. But, if the neighboring stall is unused, then one of the Balanced chargers can provide 350 kW.
There's also an in-between level. So, for example, if someone plugs in a Kia Niro EV (max fast-charging speed: 85 kW) at a Balanced station and there's already a higher-charging EV on the other stall, the software may be able to allocate the remaining power to this second EV.
4 Federal Depts. Want to 'Decarbonize' U.S. Roads
DOT Approves $900M to Build Up EV Infrastructure
Ranking the Best EV Luxury SUVs
Volkswagen ID. Xtreme Is an Off-Road ID.4
Rivian and Mercedes Agree to EV Van Joint Venture
2024 Chevy Equinox EV Aims at Heart of the Market
Jeep's First U.S. EVs Are Recon and Wagoneer S
Buick to Buy Out Dealers Not Wanting to Sell EVs
Ezra Dyer on Tesla's New Reality
Ariel Hipercar Is an EV With a Turbine Engine
Interview with an Electric Car
Mach-E Pricing Increases as Order Banks Reopen
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
©Hearst Autos, Inc. All Rights Reserved.