Electric Vehicle Direct-Current Hub (EVDCH)
RockeTruck, Inc.
Recipient
Escondido, CA
Recipient Location
40th
Senate District
76th
Assembly District
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
During 2025, the team made significant progress advancing the design and demonstration readiness of the medium-voltage DC (MVDC) architecture that converts MVAC grid power into MVDC for fast EV charging. Core system components, including the solid-state transformer (SST) and charging system converter, moved through detailed design, thermal analysis, and initial sizing to support high-power operation. In parallel, an in-house medium-voltage test lab was set up for component testing and validation, and key long-lead and critical components were also procured or placed into manufacturing.
The Issue
Today’s electric vehicle charging systems rely on AC power distribution to EV chargers, which requires installation of line frequency transformers and AC/DC power converters. AC power distribution imposes limits on efficiency and scalability, while also complicating the integration of DC-based distributed energy resources that can support the grid. The potential to mitigate these problems by adopting DC power distribution has been recognized, but limitations on power electronics technology and reliance of existing EV chargers on AC power input have prevented DC power distribution from being implemented on a meaningful scale.
Project Innovation
This project will develop and demonstrate an innovative medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) power distribution architecture to convert medium-voltage alternating current (MVAC) power from the grid to MVDC power, which is then distributed to direct current fast chargers. The key components of the proposed Electric Vehicle Direct Current Hub (EVDCH) architecture will be a solid-state transformer, a network of charge station converters to interface with the electric vehicles being charged, and a power distribution network connecting these components via a MVDC distribution bus. This innovative architecture will then be demonstrated at a charging station serving medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Project Benefits
Develop and integrate an efficient, high-performance direct current hub architecture for electric vehicle charging. Demonstrate that DC distribution enables more efficient and cost-effective EV charging than AC systems. Show that integrating distributed energy resources further enhances the benefits of DC distribution.
Key Project Members
George Santamaria
Subrecipients
Southern California Edison
CSU Los Angeles
Zeem Solutions
Coalition for Clean Air
Match Partners
Southern California Edison
RockeTruck, Inc.
Zeem Solutions
