Another EV Charging Pillar

[Peter_Hall]

This morning we have been busy getting ready a further EV charging pillar ready for despatch.

Another site which Tesla and other companies chargers are available on one forecourt. This has got to be the way forward for EV charging.

Because of the different chargers on site and batteries along with solar we had to 'double meter' most of the feeds. The PM5111 meters giving billing MID readings with RS485 connections along with customer specific meters (which are not MID) to work with the Tesla side which are TCP/IP connected.

Throw in inter-tripping and G99 protection on the battery and solar suppliers it adds up to quite a complex panel. 

[AlexandreBoulet]

@WillPeel Interesting example in the UK. Do you have other examples in UK with multiple chargers? What are the constraints faced by the providers?

[Peter_Hall · Accepted solution]

Hi Alexandre,

The idea of multiple chargers is a very new concept in the UK. Up to now providers have had their own site with App, subscription or RFID cards to pay. A big step back from credit card payment for fossil fuels!

This new idea is that there are slower chargers combined with HPC (High Power Chargers up to 350kW) and Tesla chargers all combined on one site. With a new idea - Credit card payment... The setup is close to a petrol station but with rather nice rest areas to boot.

This seems to be the way forward and the future. Combine all connector types (Type 2, CCS and Tesla) on one site and pay with a credit card. Pretty simple attractive idea. Plans are in the pipeline for a lot more of these types of stations.  

[AlexandreBoulet]

Thanks @Peter_Hall, very interesting example and I guess we will see more of this concept popping up in other countries. Still a lot to do in this area as #eMobility starts getting more traction.
@victorarce & @Enrique 

[J_Travostino]

Thanks a lot @Peter_Hall for sharing your experience with the community on such a trendy topic as EV electrical distribution solutions.

[Enrique]

Hi @Peter_Hall ,

Very nice example and, as you said, simple but great idea to combine different chargers with different power for different user needs. I guess this will be particularly good close to residential areas where individuals might not own a parking slot but they want to become green by driving an EV. Typically fast or ultra fast charging is expensive. You are ready to pay when you need 200 kms in 10 minutes, but when you are at home you can wait 3 hours to get the same charge and you should pay much less...

What could be for you the key enabler to make sure all is possible at the same time? My thought is only a cloud software platform that allows charge point management + interoperability of different brands and charging networks + bidirectionnal communication to EV owners through an APP to let them book in advance a slot and give an alarm when car is ready + smart charging capabilities (plug&charge, and V2G one day).

Thanks!