XCharge launches 480 kW C7 fast charger for European operators
XCharge (Nasdaq: XCH) has unveiled the latest generation of its C7 direct-current (DC) fast-charging station at Power2Drive Europe in Munich, offering a peak output of 480 kW per unit. The upgraded hardware targets charge point operators seeking high-throughput infrastructure for public forecourts, commercial fleet depots, and retail car parks. EnBW, the operator of Germany's largest public fast-charging network, is already using the C7 and has formally listed XCharge as a supplier, providing the product with a credible reference deployment at European scale.
XCharge did not disclose unit pricing, contracted volumes with EnBW, or the total addressable pipeline for the C7 in Europe. The company describes the upgrade as an evolution of an established platform rather than an entirely new product.
What has changed
The engineering focus of the new C7 centres on system-level reliability at high power outputs. XCharge says the unit incorporates a redesigned multi-layer electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) shielding concept, improved isolation of key internal components, and an adaptive thermal management system that adjusts cooling fan speeds dynamically in response to module temperature, ambient conditions, and power draw. The company argues that 480 kW output makes thermal management a critical system constraint, not an add-on.
On connectivity, the C7 supports OCPP 2.0.1 (the open protocol standard for charge-point management), ISO 15118 Plug and Charge (which allows automatic vehicle-to-network authentication), and TLS 1.3 encrypted communications with secure over-the-air software updates. VDV 261 compatibility is included for integration with German public transport mobility platforms. The physical design features a barrier-free dual-outlet layout and liquid- or air-cooled high-power cables.
Co-chief executive Albina Iljasov said demand across Europe for "high-performance DC charging infrastructure that can be operated efficiently, easily integrated, and used in a user-friendly manner" is driving the product roadmap. She described the C7 update as a consistent advance on a proven solution rather than a step-change in architecture.
Market context
Europe's public fast-charging market is growing rapidly under pressure from the EU's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which mandates minimum charging capacity at intervals along the Trans-European Transport Network and sets targets for urban and motorway charging pools. AFIR creates direct demand-side pull for high-power, operator-grade hardware of the type XCharge is positioning the C7 to address.
The competitive field for 150-plus kW DC fast chargers in Europe includes ABB E-mobility, Alpitronic, Kempower, and Tritium, alongside Chinese-heritage suppliers such as BTC Power and Star Charge. The 480 kW output class is at the higher end of the current commercial range and is primarily relevant for high-dwell-time locations such as motorway service areas and depot charging where vehicle queuing costs are significant. Alpitronic and Kempower have both released products targeting similar power levels in the past 18 months.
XCharge's EnBW reference is commercially significant. EnBW has been one of the most active infrastructure investors in German public charging, and a formal supplier listing typically implies volume procurement commitments, though XCharge has not disclosed terms. For investors, the relationship offers evidence of operator-grade product acceptance in a market where total cost of ownership and uptime guarantees matter as much as peak kilowatt figures.
Policy path
Beyond AFIR, the European Commission's revised Renewable Energy Directive and the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System to road transport from 2027 are expected to accelerate fleet electrification timelines, increasing the volume of commercial and logistics operators seeking fast-charging solutions. The German government's charging infrastructure investment programme continues to co-fund public charging, reducing operator risk on new site roll-outs.
XCharge will need to convert the Power2Drive showcase into disclosed order flow and demonstrate sustained uptime performance at EnBW sites to build the European operator relationships that determine whether the C7 scales from reference deployment to volume product.