Communication controller for megawatt charging now in production

Vector Informatik has begun the production of a series of communication controllers for the Megawatt Charging System (MCS). vSECC.MCS, which was showcased for the first time at Power2Drive in Munich in May 2025. It is aimed at charging infrastructure manufacturers developing production ready MCS solutions over the coming years.

As the heavy-duty transportation sector transitions to electrification, notably higher charging capacities are needed compared to conventional systems. MCS is designed to rapidly recharge large vehicle batteries during short downtimes, such as legally mandated driving breaks. A key enabler of this process is communication between the charging point and the vehicle, handled by the communication controller.

The market launch of the series follows approximately one year of field testing with pilot customers. The controller was deployed under real-world conditions across various system environments, and customer feedback was incorporated into product refinement. The EMC tests on the final prototypes were successfully completed, clearing the way for series production. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2025.

The controller supports charging powers of up to 3.75MW. Using MCS, a typical truck battery can be charged to 80% in around 45 minutes. The communication interface is based on the international ISO 15118-20 standard and uses Ethernet-based communication. The connector system complies with the IEC TS 63379 technical specification. In addition to MCS, vSECC, it also supports the Combined Charging System (CCS), offering backward compatibility with existing vehicles and allowing two vehicles to charge simultaneously at a single station.

The series builds on the same hardware platform as the company's proven CCS controller, vSECC, and shares a common firmware base. This enables existing designs to be easily extended and new MCS systems to be developed quickly.

"With vSECC.MCS, we are bringing a field-proven communication controller for MCS into series production. Our development focused on robust communication, seamless system integration, and fast availability. Thanks to our close collaboration with pilot customers, we were able to tailor the product closely to real-world requirements," said Dr Omar Abu Mohareb, product manager for Communication Controllers at Vector.

vSECC.MCS is part of the company's e-mobility portfolio for charging infrastructure. The company also provides a range of additional solutions, including controllers for charging stations and wallboxes, the charging and load management system vCharM, and vSECClib software libraries for communication protocols. Together, these products support the efficient implementation of intelligent, grid-friendly charging strategies.