Abstract This paper summarizes Contained Energy, LLC's (CEL's) 2 year work effort to produce a DCFC single cell with a minimum performance of 120 W.L−1 at 50% efficiency. It explains the challenge of high temperature that is required to get the power densities necessary to produce feasible-sized operational units and also explains problems encountered with partial oxidation of the carbon at those temperatures which causes low efficiencies. Finally, in an attempt to balance these two opposing parameters, CEL introduces a novel ceramic DCFC concept, reviews lessons learned and makes recommendations for future DCFC work.