Heliox pilots its new Flex Pro 480 kW DC fast EV charger with King County Metro

Heliox, a Siemens subsidiary, has launched a pilot programme for its new Flex Pro 480 kW DC fast charger in collaboration with King County Metro, the public transit agency serving the Seattle metropolitan area. The trial aims to evaluate the charger’s performance in a real-world transit environment, supporting King County Metro’s diverse fleet that includes buses, trolleys, and water taxis. This partnership highlights the growing emphasis on electrification within public transportation systems to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency. The Flex Pro charger is designed to deliver up to 480 kW of power while occupying a compact footprint of just 12 square feet, making it well-suited for high-density transit depots. It supports CCS1 charging at 250 amps and offers compatibility with inverted pantograph chargers at 250 or 600 amps. This flexibility allows transit operators to rapidly recharge vehicles during short turnaround times or provide off-shift charging through multiple pantograph connections and plug-in dispensers, accommodating up to six vehicles simultaneously. Heliox has incorporated advanced power management features into the Flex Pro system, including dynamic and static power sharing options. Dynamic power sharing optimises the distribution of available power across charging points in real time, while static sharing offers predictable output for greater control over charging sessions. The modular architecture ensures resilience, allowing charging to continue at reduced capacity if a power module fails, and the system is backward-compatible with existing Heliox Flex dispensers, supporting future expansion. The Flex Pro charger comes with a 24-month warranty and preventative maintenance services, and it is available in both Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliant and non-compliant versions. This pilot with King County Metro will provide valuable insights into the charger’s operational capabilities and its potential to support the electrification goals of transit agencies. The project underscores Heliox’s commitment to delivering scalable, reliable charging solutions tailored to the evolving needs of electric public transport fleets.