EVBox and Smappee to roll out solar-powered smart charging
Global charging station manufacturer EVBox and smart energy management pioneer Smappee are rolling out smart charging products globally under a new multi-year agreement.
L-R: Peter van Praet (CCO EVBox), Stefan Grosjean (founder & CEO Smappee), Kristof Vereenooghe (CEO EVBox)
The deal will offer fleets, drivers and cities access to the new EVBox Smart Charging solution, which enables the speed and time taken for charging to be varied according to a number of factors, including available grid capacity, location owner requirements, and the needs of the driver.
EVBox already offers a number of smart features located inside its charging stations, including the ability to set a maximum capacity on a charger (‘peak shaving’), and distribute available energy capacity proportionally over multiple active charging stations (‘load balancing’).
The new EVBox Smart Charging solution builds on this by adding a module to the electrical panel that allows owners to safely balance the energy usage of their charging station with other appliances in the building.
In particular, the dynamic load balancing will avoid overloading the grid during peak hours and ensure the most efficient use of available power capacity.
The EVBox Smart Charging+ solution builds on this by allowing users to connect the solar power they generate to their home charging station, making charging sessions both self-sufficient and sustainable. Drivers can get real-time data on charging, as well as all other electricity consumption and solar production through a complimentary mobile app.
The mobile app also shows associated costs and analyses energy usage over time. Based on those insights, EV drivers can make informed changes in their energy and charging behaviour, giving them full control over their energy usage.
The EVBox Smart Charging solution is CE / UL certified, available across Europe now and will be offered in the US by the end of 2019. It is compatible with all EVBox BusinessLine and HomeLine stations, and will also be compatible with the new Elvi stations arriving later in 2019.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for nearly 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.
