Lincoln Electric: Bringing Fast Charging to Places the Grid Forgot!

TL;DR: Lincoln Electric, teaming up with Edge Energy and DC America, has unveiled a new 100 kW DC fast charging platform that doesn't require a 3-phase power connection. This innovation is a huge deal, making high-speed EV charging accessible and affordable for businesses and municipalities in locations with limited grid infrastructure.

Meta: Lincoln Electric introduces a 100 kW DC fast charging solution that bypasses the need for costly 3-phase power, accelerating EV infrastructure deployment.

Alright, let's talk about the unsung heroes of the electric revolution: the folks making sure we can actually charge these bad boys. And today, Lincoln Electric — yeah, the welding equipment giants, stick with me — just dropped a solution that's gonna make a lot of small businesses and rural communities shout, 'Hallelujah!' They've partnered with Edge Energy and DC America to bring us a 100 kW DC fast charging platform that doesn't need that heavy-duty, expensive, and time-consuming 3-phase power.

Now, for those of you who aren't electricians, most high-powered DC fast chargers are like a thirsty sumo wrestler at a buffet: they need a lot of juice, fast. And that usually means a 3-phase power line, which is usually only found in big industrial spots. Getting that installed at your local diner or small business? That's months, sometimes years, of waiting, permits, digging up streets, and a bill that'll make your eyes water. This new system? It sidesteps all that.

Powering Up the Underserved

Imagine you're a small business owner, you wanna put in a fast charger to attract EV drivers, but the utility company tells you it'll cost you a small fortune and take forever to upgrade your grid connection. That's a dream killer right there. But with Lincoln Electric's new modular design, which installs on a skid, you can get up to 100 kW of DC fast charging output with standard single-phase power. That's like getting a gourmet meal from a food truck: quick, efficient, and way less hassle.

Shaun Shuler, CEO of Edge Energy, put it perfectly: "By unlocking fast charging in places where it was previously impossible, we’re helping communities and companies embrace the EV transition with greater speed, flexibility, and efficiency." This isn't just about charging cars; it's about leveling the playing field, making EV adoption possible in places that were previously left in the dark, literally.

From Welding to Watts

Now, you might be thinking, 'Welding company making EV chargers? What's next, a comedian doing serious news?' But hear me out: Lincoln Electric knows high-voltage equipment like I know a good joke. They've been in the game for over a century, dealing with serious power. So, bringing that electrical expertise to EV charging? Makes perfect sense.

This new platform is actually a smart follow-up to their earlier foray into the EV space: a portable, self-contained 50 kW DC fast charger designed to rescue stranded drivers. They're not just dipping their toes in the water; they're diving in headfirst, bringing practical, robust solutions to the charging infrastructure challenge.

What’s Next

Orders for these single-phase collaborative charging platform skids are open now, with units expected to roll out in the final days of 2025. This could be a game-changer for expanding EV charging beyond major corridors and urban centers. It means more chargers in more places, sooner and cheaper. For fleet operators, small businesses, and municipalities looking to electrify without breaking the bank or waiting an eternity, this is a breath of fresh air. We might just start calling them the 'EV Charging Experts who also happen to know a thing or two about welding!'

This is the kind of innovation that makes the electric future shine brighter than my sequined jacket. You gotta love it!