INNOVATION: Automated Electric Vehicle Charging at the Detroit Smart Parking Lab
As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to soar, use cases focused on where, when, and how automated fleets and vehicles will charge themselves are being explored. One charging option is to adapt automated parking opportunities into automated charging opportunities. Companies like HEVO, are now testing some of these automated charging technology concepts in the Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL).
HEVO, a Brooklyn-based EV charging startup, has been using its time at DSPL to test and validate its prototype wireless fleet charging system for both automated fleet and consumer uses within the parking structure environment. HEVO’s platform uses a compact polyphase electromagnetic coil technology first developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oakridge National Laboratory. This system will allow for fast, SAE J2954 standard, ultra-high-efficiency wireless charging. Paired with CAV and power management technologies, this innovation could facilitate entire automated fleets to charge themselves by simply parking over charging pads until fully charged, and then driving to a traditional parking space.
A modified version of this system is also being tested at DSPL for consumer use that will enable parking structure owners with more options in monetizing their facilities with an auto-park, charge and pay model, as they adapt to automated and electrified vehicle technologies. HEVO Founder & CEO Jeremy McCool says, “The prototype installation at the DSPL shows how the system can work in real time.” The Lab acts as an enabler in moving automated charging solutions from concept, into reality.
Test and validation of these technologies were conducted in the Detroit Smart Parking Lab, an initiative by The State of Michigan, Ford, Bedrock and Bosch, and operated by the American Center for Mobility. If you are interested testing your innovations at the DSPL, visit here: https://americanmobstg.wpengine.com/detroitsmartparkinglab/