FLO’s New DC Charger Juices EVs Fast
A new DC fast-charging product from FLO can juice up most electric vehicles to 80% in 15 minutes.
At Distributech International this week in San Diego, Canada-based EV charging company FLO introduced its new direct current (DC) fast charger. Dubbed “FLO Ultra,” the modular Level 3 (L3) charger features two ports in a recyclable aluminum enclosure. FLO claims it can juice up most EVs to 80% within 15 minutes, providing up to 320 kilowatts (kW) for dynamic power-sharing or 500 kW when multiple charging stations are connected.
FLO offers a range of charging products for commercial and residential customers. Image used courtesy of FLO
FLO Ultra joins the ever-growing fast-charging market, competing with the likes of ChargePoint, Tesla, EVgo, Electrify America, and others.
The United States Department of Transportation says DC fast chargers typically have power outputs ranging from 50 kW to 350 kW and take 20 minutes to an hour to charge battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
While competitive with those benchmarks, FLO Ultra touts added flexibility with options for parallel or pull-in parking on either side, easy installation, a motorized cable management system, and an onboard computer to identify potential issues. FLO’s performance warranty also promises a minimum uptime of 98%.
FLO Ultra is expected to hit the market in 2024 and meet the standards of the U.S. government’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) initiative, a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded program that distributes $5 billion to states through 2026 for highway charging projects.
FLO Ultra DC fast charger. Image used courtesy of FLO
FLO Expands Production, Adds New Partners
FLO operates one of the largest charging networks in the market, with more than 75,000 Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations across North America and over 1 million charging sessions every month. Beyond that, the company serves residential customers with its “FLO Home” Level 2 charging station and its “CoRe Series” for workplaces and multi-unit housing buildings. For commercial customers, it markets its “SmartTWO Series” of L2 public charging stations designed for urban settings and its SmartDC fast-charging stations for stores, malls, gas stations, and other retail locations. FLO also offers software to help operators and service providers manage EV charging.
FLO’s charging network tops 75,000 stations across North America. Image used courtesy of FLO
The company was founded in 2009 but has expanded significantly over the last few years, attracting more than 220,000 members amid the rapid rise in electric car adoption. In 2021, FLO announced it had surpassed 50,000 charging stations sold, including 1,000 DC fast chargers.
After adding 25,000 more stations since then and expanding its product lineup, it is now looking to expand its U.S. footprint. By the end of the decade, EVs in the U.S. are projected to account for more than half of car sales, according to BloombergNEF.
Eyeing more reach in the American market, the Québec-headquartered company recently opened its first U.S. production plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan, where it expects to produce over 250,000 EV chargers. In 2022, it also secured contracts with several major industry players, including General Motors (supplying 40,000 L2 chargers for a dealer charging program), Hydro-Québec (supplying up to 7,500 L2 chargers through 2026), and Imperial (developing charging options for Esso- and Mobil-branded gas stations).
