Optional 150KW voltage booster

[LotusPhil]

Hi everyone,
Im ploughing through the Porsche approved used Taycans website and am curious as to whether the 150KW voltage booster option is something thats integrated into the car or a cable with a clever box built in? Many used Taycans dont seem to have this option so I wondered whether I could buy the booster from Porsche if I bought a car without one. The Porsche dealership I was in this week didnt really want to answer any questions once they realised I didnt want to buy a new one.
Thanks
Phil

Sponsored

 

[bn8959]

It’s part of the main battery controller and very difficult if not impossible to retrofit.

 

[tigerbalm]

It’s part of the main battery controller and very difficult if not impossible to retrofit.

The main battery controller gets swapped out when a main battery (rare event) is getting replaced – as it sits on top of it. I wonder in these swaps – is their the opportunity to upgrade then?

I always wondered why in theory they offered the 22kW AC upgrade (which is behind the frunk) but never offered a DC voltage booster upgrade.

 

[Porsche-Guru]

I guess it is not a retrofit that Porsche expects many customers to go through... hence no clear design requirement to support the same.

I believe as per Euro and UK regulations (either already in place or soon upcoming) all Fast Chargers need to support the 800V architecture anyway... and I am sure Porsche and other manufacturers would have insight of these regulations.... so a 150kW adaptor booster in manufacturers minds is almost redundant in the future.

Not saying that it is not required, because with the (slow and pathetic) pace of EV infrastructure development in the UK.... there are going to be plenty of older chargers where the 150kW booster makes sense. Especially, if Tesla opens up all their chargers to others.

 

[LotusPhil]

Great thankyou for your help
Phil

 

[daveo4EV]

Hi everyone,
Im ploughing through the Porsche approved used Taycans website and am curious as to whether the 150KW voltage booster option is something thats integrated into the car or a cable with a clever box built in? Many used Taycans dont seem to have this option so I wondered whether I could buy the booster from Porsche if I bought a car without one. The Porsche dealership I was in this week didnt really want to answer any questions once they realised I didnt want to buy a new one.
Thanks
Phil

Tesla Superchargers are 400V - if you want the option to charge "fast" at them you'll want the booster - or you'll be limited to 50 kW when using a Tesla Supercharger.

 

[gusone]

The question is really "how often will you use a Tesla supercharger?". If a lot then you need the booster otherwise it's 48kw or 90 mins going from 20%-85%. I actually like using my local Tesla charger as it's in a nice area. I just have to bring 2 coffees as I didn't opt the booster. DOH!

 

[LoremIpsum]

In North America (which is not where OP is, but in case any fellow Yanks run across this thread), it's worth considering given the recent developments with regards to both Tesla adding CCS adapters to some of their Supercharger sites, but also how a bunch of other automakers have decided to adopt the Tesla-style NACS plug.

It's no sure thing that Volkswagen Group will follow suit, given they underpin Electrify America, but if they do this is a good option to have specced.

Some of the states over here have also started tying funding to having NACS plugs installed at charging sites, plus VAG is increasingly in the minority of automotive makers who are sticking exclusively with CCS1 (or at least have not jumped on the bandwagon yet).

 

[LotusPhil]

Happily I’ve sorted the issue but finding a car that not only has the booster installed but all the variations of cables too so I’ll have no excuse for running out of “fuel”

 

[BigBob]

Happily I’ve sorted the issue but finding a car that not only has the booster installed but all the variations of cables too so I’ll have no excuse for running out of “fuel”

I wish i had optioned the 150kw DC booster. But in reality the majority of my charging is done at home overnight, with the odd motorway services thrown in. So really depends how often you would be charging away from home. Annoyingly it's seemingly impossible to find out if a 150kw charger is 400v or 800v until you're there (then you can have a look at the little info plate on the machine).

Tesla is the biggest loss i guess.

As for my £1,300 22kw AC charger.... I wish i could take it out and flog it on ebay, as not been used in over a year (ever).

Sponsored