When people compare EV chargers, the conversation often starts and ends with one number: kilowatts.
Power matters. But after more than a decade of developing and operating charging infrastructure, GridCars has learned that a dependable network is built on much more than headline charging speed.
Will the charger still be operating years from now? Can it be repaired quickly? Are spare parts available locally? Can the supplier support it? Can the software be adapted to the network? And does the company deploying it understand what happens after commissioning?
These questions shaped our decision to become the exclusive Southern African distributor for the Infypower product range.
PROVEN IN SOUTH AFRICAN CONDITIONS
GridCars has deployed more than 150 Infypower DC chargers. Many of our 180 kW systems have now been operating in the field for approximately six years.
They can be found at demanding public locations including Engen Tugela North on the N3, Astron Colesberg on the N1 and Langeberg Mall in Mossel Bay.
These are not laboratory installations. They operate in real South African conditions, supporting long-distance travel every day.
Across the GridCars network, we process more than 15,000 charging sessions each month. Over the past ten years, the network has delivered more than 10 GWh of energy.
What has impressed us most is how little intervention the Infypower equipment has required. The systems require minimal platform upgrades and have delivered lower maintenance requirements than we originally expected.
That is what “proven” should mean: not a brochure claim, but years of dependable field operation.
WHY HARDWARE SELECTION REQUIRES EXPERIENCE
GridCars has evaluated more than 20 charging platforms. We have supported two principal DC product families in South Africa and have replaced chargers from several brands that failed technically, commercially or through a lack of local support.
A low purchase price can become very expensive when a product is difficult to maintain, the supplier is slow to respond or replacement components are unavailable.
Infypower is internationally recognised for power electronics, and its hardware is trusted by leading automotive manufacturers. Just as importantly, the company has consistently provided GridCars with fast technical support and a willingness to develop solutions for our market.
GridCars designs the required functionality, and Infypower implements GridCars-specific firmware at the factory. This enables secure offline authorisation, fully activated AutoCharge, remote diagnostics, advanced energy management and continued charging during certain communication interruptions.
The result is not simply a factory charger carrying a GridCars logo.
It is a GridCars Infypower product configured for the realities of operating a network.
THE 120 kW PLATFORM: THE RIGHT BALANCE FOR NETWORK REFRESH
The new 120 kW dual-connector charger will be the principal platform used in the GridCars network refresh.
It is well suited to replacing the 60 kW chargers commonly installed during the earlier development of South Africa’s public network. It provides a significant increase in charging speed without requiring every site to be rebuilt around very high electrical capacity.
The charger uses four modular 30 kW power blocks. Each module can be assigned dynamically to either CCS2 connector according to vehicle demand.
One vehicle can receive the full available 120 kW, while two vehicles can share the power intelligently.
Each connector is rated up to 300 A, subject to available power and vehicle demand. The platform supports vehicles from 150 V to 1,000 V, carries IP55 and IK10 protection, supports OCPP 1.6J and is OCPP 2.0.x ready.
It also includes the GridCars functions that matter in real operation: offline authorisation, AutoCharge, remote monitoring and a maintainable modular architecture.
For typical fuel-station and highway sites, it offers an excellent balance of speed, compatibility, serviceability and electrical practicality.
480 kW FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF HIGH-POWER SITES
Not every location is limited to 120 kW.
GridCars has identified sites where the electrical infrastructure and expected vehicle mix justify significantly higher power. We plan to deploy the 480 kW integrated platform at selected locations later this year.
The system can deliver up to 480 kW of total power, with high-current connector options up to 500 A or 600 A. Liquid-cooled cables support sustained high-power charging, while efficiency above 97% reduces losses at scale.
Its large display creates a better user interface and opportunities for site information, branding and commercial content.
This platform is intended for premium highway hubs, high-utilisation public sites and locations serving the next generation of high-performance passenger and commercial EVs.
Beyond this, the GridCars Infypower range extends to 800 kW split systems, with a next-generation 1.5 MW split platform on the roadmap for heavy commercial applications.
TRUSTED BY DEMANDING CUSTOMERS
Selected GridCars products passed a demanding Eskom tender and technical evaluation.
Our equipment is also used by leading fuel companies and automotive brands including BMW, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota.
These organisations evaluate safety, electrical performance, communication standards, serviceability, supplier capability and long-term support.
Their confidence reinforces what our own operating experience has demonstrated.
ONE CHARGER OR ONE THOUSAND
The greatest GridCars advantage is not any single specification.
It is the combination of proven equipment, local technical capability, network software, field support, spare parts, deployment experience and long-term operational knowledge.
We are also working with Infypower toward local manufacturing capability as the Southern African business case develops
Whether the requirement is one charger or one thousand, GridCars has the technology and experience to develop the network.
We do not simply supply charging equipment.
We understand how to make charging infrastructure last.