Charging infrastructure · Storage + fast charging

Battery-buffered fast chargers (DC/DC)

Fast charging where the grid can't keep up: an integrated battery storage buffers the charging power – making high-power charging possible even at sites with a limited grid connection, without costly grid expansion.

The concept

The storage charges slowly – your vehicle fast

Conventional DC fast chargers draw their entire charging power from the grid the moment a vehicle charges. That is exactly the problem at many sites: the grid connection can't supply the peak power, and expanding it up to a dedicated transformer costs time and a lot of money.

Battery-buffered fast chargers solve this dilemma: an integrated battery storage charges continuously at low power from the existing grid connection – or from your photovoltaic system. When a vehicle arrives, the storage releases the energy again as high-power DC fast charging. Grid draw and charging power are decoupled.

  • Consistently low grid draw instead of costly load peaks
  • High DC charging power at the vehicle – despite a small connection
  • DC/DC: solar power and stored energy flow efficiently into the vehicle battery without multiple conversions

How it works

1. Buffer: The storage charges at the power the grid connection can supply anyway – around the clock, including at night or from PV surplus.

2. Release: During charging, the storage delivers the buffered energy at high power directly as direct current to the vehicle.

3. Recharge: After the charging break, the storage automatically fills up again – ready for the next vehicle.

Your benefits

Fast charging without grid expansion

No costly grid expansion

In many cases the existing grid connection is sufficient – a new transformer or medium-voltage connection is unnecessary or much smaller.

Peak shaving

The storage smooths the power draw (peak shaving). This lowers demand charges and protects against costly load peaks in the commercial tariff.

PV integration

Solar power from your own roof or solar carport charges the storage directly – your vehicles fuel up on renewable energy from the site.

Fast installation

Without lengthy grid connection procedures, the system is ready for use much faster – compact units can be set up and connected quickly.

In comparison

Conventional DC charger or battery-buffered?

Which solution fits depends above all on your grid connection – and how quickly you want to start.

Conventional DC fast chargerBattery-buffered fast charger (DC/DC)
Grid connectionHigh connection capacity required, often transformer/medium voltageExisting connection is often sufficient – storage buffers the peak load
Grid expansionComplex and cost-intensive depending on the siteUsually unnecessary or much smaller
Implementation timeDepends on the grid connection procedureShort – compact systems, fast commissioning
Load peaksFull charging power is drawn directly from the gridSmoothed grid draw, peak shaving included
PV couplingPossible, via the grid or on the AC sideDirect: PV charges the storage, storage charges the vehicle (DC/DC)
Ideal forSites with a strong grid connection and high charging frequencySites with a limited connection, a PV system or time pressure

Does your site have sufficient connection capacity? Then you'll find everything important on our fast chargers (DC) page.

Application scenarios

Typical sites for battery-buffered fast charging

Businesses with an existing connection

Car dealerships, workshops, logistics and trade businesses whose grid connection is insufficient for conventional fast chargers – but which need fast charging right away.

Rural and peripheral locations

Sites away from strong grids – for example on country roads, in commercial estates or in rural areas, where grid expansion would be disproportionately expensive.

PV sites

Businesses with their own photovoltaic system or solar carport that want to upgrade their solar power into charging electricity and maximise self-consumption.

For battery storage we rely on strong partners such as Käfer Batteriesysteme GmbH, which develops and manufactures powerful, modular energy storage solutions for industry, commerce and real estate.

Elli Flexpole Plus fast-charging station in front of a modern building
OfferSpecial price on request

Current offer

Fast charging without costly grid expansion

Elli Flexpole Plus: the battery-buffered DC fast-charging station delivers up to 150 kW per charging point on a standard low-voltage connection – without a transformer station, installed in just a few days. Now available at an attractive special price – on request.

Not enough grid connection for your charging plans?

We'll check whether a battery-buffered fast charger can make your site fast-charge-capable without grid expansion – get in touch with us.