XCharge North America’s GridLink Earns Honorable Mention in Fast Company’s 2025 Innovation by Design Awards
XCharge North America (“XCharge NA”), the North American subsidiary of XCHG Limited (NASDAQ: XCH), has announced that its flagship battery-integrated DC fast charging solution, GridLink, received an Honorable Mention in Fast Company’s 2025 Innovation by Design Awards. Recognized in the Best Design North America category, GridLink stands out as one of the most innovative charging and energy integration solutions developed for the rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) market.
This distinction places XCharge NA among a select group of companies that are redefining how design, technology, and sustainability intersect. The announcement also coincides with a major milestone for its parent company, XCHG Limited, which unveiled a new technical center in Madrid earlier the same day—underlining the company’s commitment to global research, development, and market expansion.
Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards: A Prestigious Recognition
Now entering its 14th year, the Innovation by Design Awards are one of the most influential design competitions in the world. Organized by Fast Company, the program celebrates the designers, innovators, and organizations that tackle today’s most urgent challenges while anticipating future needs.
Judging criteria go beyond visual appeal, taking into account:
- Originality and innovation – pushing boundaries of design and technology.
- Practical application – solving real-world problems for users and communities.
- Sustainability – minimizing environmental impact while creating scalable solutions.
- Cultural significance – shaping industries and influencing consumer behavior.
- Business impact – driving measurable growth and market change.
In 2025, honorees were chosen by a panel of leading designers, executives, and Fast Company editors, reflecting both creative and commercial excellence.
Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company, explained:
The Innovation by Design Awards celebrate bold ideas and work that proves design is a true driver of business and societal progress. This year’s honorees show how creative thinking can unlock new markets, build stronger organizations, and deliver meaningful impact at scale.”
Against this competitive backdrop, XCharge NA’s GridLink earned its place as a forward-thinking solution that merges the worlds of energy infrastructure, EV charging, and grid resilience.
What Makes GridLink Stand Out
At its core, GridLink is more than just a DC fast charger. Unlike conventional chargers that solely pull electricity from the grid, GridLink is battery-integrated, meaning it can:
- Store energy when demand on the grid is low or when renewable energy is abundant.
- Release energy during peak times, easing strain on the electrical grid.
- Deliver reliable fast charging to EV drivers while supporting grid stability.
This dual functionality positions GridLink as both an EV charging solution and a distributed energy resource (DER). As the adoption of electric vehicles grows and demand for clean power surges, this technology could play a vital role in reducing emissions, offsetting peak demand, and modernizing North America’s energy infrastructure.
For EV drivers, GridLink also delivers a user-centric experience. Beyond high charging speeds, the design focuses on reliability, intuitive operation, and visual appeal. This combination of technical sophistication and design thinking reflects why it earned recognition in Fast Company’s design-focused awards program.
Industry Context: The Challenge of EV Charging and Grid Demand
The growth of EV adoption in North America presents both opportunities and challenges.
- EV adoption is accelerating: By 2030, the U.S. alone is projected to have 30–40 million EVs on the road, requiring a vast network of fast and reliable charging stations.
- The grid is under pressure: Energy demand is expected to rise significantly as transportation electrifies, placing new strain on an aging power infrastructure.
- Renewables integration is key: Solar, wind, and other clean energy sources are growing, but they are intermittent—requiring solutions that can store and dispatch power effectively.
Traditional charging infrastructure often lacks the flexibility to manage these dynamics. This is where battery-integrated solutions like GridLink emerge as game-changers—smoothing fluctuations, supporting renewable integration, and enabling utilities and businesses to deploy EV charging without overburdening the grid.
Leadership Perspective
Aatish Patel, president and co-founder of XCharge NA, expressed pride in the recognition while emphasizing the company’s broader mission:
It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by Fast Company for our innovative design improving EV charging infrastructure and grid resiliency. When we set out to create GridLink, we wanted a solution that both looked appealing and delivered a reliable, innovative, user-friendly experience so drivers would feel confident when plugging in.”
He highlighted that in less than a year since launch, XCharge NA has deployed dozens of GridLink chargers across North America, demonstrating rapid adoption and real-world validation of the technology.
Patel added that the award serves as motivation to continue refining and scaling the product—both in North America and globally.
Global Expansion and Parent Company Momentum
XCharge NA’s success is part of a broader narrative for XCHG Limited, its publicly listed parent company. The announcement of the new Madrid technical center underlines the company’s growing global footprint and investment in R&D.
With operations spanning Europe, Asia, and North America, XCHG Limited is positioning itself as a leader in high-power charging and energy integration solutions—a sector at the heart of the global energy transition. The Madrid center is expected to focus on next-generation charging hardware, software integration, and grid-focused solutions, complementing innovations like GridLink.
The Broader Impact of Design in Energy and Mobility
XCharge NA’s recognition is not only about technology—it is about the role of design in shaping the future of energy and mobility.
Historically, charging stations were viewed purely as utility hardware. Today, design encompasses:
- User interaction – intuitive interfaces and seamless charging experiences.
- Urban integration – chargers that enhance rather than clutter cityscapes.
- Sustainability – using materials and processes that align with climate goals.
- Business models – creating financially viable charging solutions for operators, fleets, and communities.
By winning acknowledgment from Fast Company, XCharge NA demonstrates that design and engineering together can solve real problems while delivering products that inspire confidence and adoption.
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc.
