Systems, methods, and devices for increased charging speed of lithium-based battery packs

A method for charging a battery pack, the method comprising:

• connecting the battery pack to a battery pack charger;
• providing a charging current to one or more lithium-ion battery cells of the battery pack using an over-voltage charging profile, the over-voltage charging profile including a first charging current level, the first charging current level being greater than a predetermined maximum charging current for the battery pack;
• charging the one or more lithium-ion battery cells to a voltage exceeding a predetermined maximum charging voltage limit for the one or more lithium-ion battery cells;
• and
• stopping the charging current after the voltage exceeds the predetermined maximum charging voltage limit.

A battery pack charger for charging a battery pack, the battery pack charger comprising:

• one or more battery pack receiving portions for receiving and interfacing with the battery pack, the battery pack including one or more battery cells;
• a power control module configured to provide power to the one or more battery pack receiving portions;
• and
• a controller connected to the power control module, the controller configured to:
• provide a charging current to one or more battery cells of the battery pack using a stepped charging profile, the step charging profile including a first charging current level, the first charging current level being greater than a predetermined maximum charging current for the battery pack, and
• step down the charging current to a second charging current level when a voltage of the one or more battery cells increases to a predetermined voltage value.