EDTA 2008: This is how ChargePoint's public electric car charging station will work
Click above image to see a step-by-step gallery of the Chargepoint ystem
Back in May, California-based Coulomb Technologies announced the "smartlet" public electric vehicle charging system. At this week's EDTA conference in Washington, DC, Coulomb has a working prototype on display (it was charging a converted Prius from Green Gears) and we got a step-by-step explanation of how the system will work.
Basically, each subscriber will have an RFID card that talks to the Smartlet. By holding the card, which will have a picture of a key on it, to the space on the charging station where the lock icon is, the system realizes who's plugging in their car and gets ready to charge it. By plugging in your cord and making the connection, a few things happen. First, the system notes that a connection has been made. If this connection is stopped before the owner returns with their card (either by an accident or vandalism), a text message or email is sent to the owner notifying them of the disruption. This will prevent someone else from coming up and stealing your juice by putting the cord into their own car. The plug door on the smartlet locks to prevent accidential disruption and accidents. This door only unlocks when you return with your card, at which time the charging stops and you're on your way. See what we mean in the gallery below.
[Source: Coulomb Technologies]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paulwesterberg 5:52PM (12/04/2008)
The prius already has a keyless system based on rfid. It would be pretty sweet if the ignition key could be registered with this system(for a plugin prius) so you didnt need to carry a separate card.
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rob 6:19PM (12/04/2008)
And the problem with just swiping your debit or credit card, or sending a text message from your phone is?
I really don't want to carry around yet another piece of plastic that's only useful with one company...
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smartone 6:59PM (12/04/2008)
Wow so simple and in just 8 hours you will have a fully charged vehicle ready to drive.
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Chris M 6:57PM (12/04/2008)
One problem with the RFID card is the possibility of someone else with one of those walking by at the wrong moment and getting billed by accident.
Another problem is the possibility of high tech thieves stealing the code with a portable RF device, unless the card was kept in a RF shielded wallet.
A better proposal would be to keep the account info in the car itself, and transmit that info securely through the plug-in power cord. Much less likely to have the account stolen by tech thieves, and you'd never have to worry about misplacing or loosing the "charge card".
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Brn 10:58AM (12/05/2008)
This is the kind of crap that you use to pay for a washing machine in an apartment building. They suck there too.
Take my quarters (washing machine) or take my credit card (ChargePoint). I don't want to play your pointless game.
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Mike Harrigan 6:22PM (12/05/2008)
I'm from Coulomb Technologies and wanted to answer some of the questions asked on the blog:
1. integrate with Prius key: Yes. We are working with OEMs to allow our system to read their RFID tag or include our RFID tag somewhere within their fob.
2. on using a credit card: we will accept credit cards through a remote payment station or by calling a toll-free number. To minimize the cost of the unit as well as the cost of individual credit card transactions we chose to use a subscription model and bill monthly.
3. RFID problems. You have to be *really* close - like within a fraction of an inch to activate so accidental reading and phishing will be very difficult if not impossible. WRT having the car authenticate, the plug is inaccessible (behind a locked door) until the user is authenticated. This is done to prevent damage due to vandalism, bad weather, etc. as well as safety.
4. 8 hour charging. Sure if your battery is completely depleted and you are charging at 110v. Much better if you need a partial charge or can charge at higher power (e.g.: 220v/30a). Besides, would you rather be able to charge in 8 hours or not at all?
5. Pointless game. OK. That's your choice. For those who don't have a garage or need to charge during the day this is the answer to a real problem. Most people like the idea of having an option to charge their plug-in car in places other than a home garage.
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Brn 10:20PM (12/05/2008)
My comment about a pointless game had nothing to do with charging, but to do with the payment method. Letting me call some 800 number to use a credit card to add money to an account that let's me use this thing is pointless. Letting me swipe my credit card at the charging station makes a lot more sense.
The only reason to force me through an alternate payment maze is that you (Coulomb) get a benefit. Perhaps it's the float on the money or perhaps it's a way of locking the user into your system. Whatever reason, it's a negative benefit to the user.
Chris M 9:34PM (12/09/2008)
Thanks for addressing our concerns. I was unaware that an RFID could be restricted to a very short range, some RFID tags can be read over much longer distances (Fastpass toll payment systems, for example)
I can certainly understand why you'd want to "lock the door" to prevent vandalism and weather damage. Does the car owner provide the connecting cord, or does the cord and plug extend out from the charge point? If the connecting cord comes with the car (it would make sense, to plug into standard outlets!) then the RFID tag could be attached to the plug end of the cord, making it much less likely to be misplaced or forgotten. Hmm, perhaps a cord reel could be built into the car itself...
Mike Harrigan 12:59PM (12/10/2008)
More from Coulomb:
1. Brn, it's not nearly as nefarious as you think. Credit card readers are expensive. We're trying to create a charging station that is inexpensive for the parking property owner to buy & install. Also credit card transactions are expensive so we'd like to accumulate usage and have a single monthly transaction for each customer rather than 20 or more transactions per month. Anything we do that costs money ends up costing the customer more money since we would pass those costs on. We do envision a "central pay station" that is similar to what many cities use for parking. The central pay station could accept credit cards and/or cash. It would server several nearby Smartlet charging stations.
2. Chris M.: For 110v charging the customer provides the electrical cord which has a standard 110v 3-prong plug on one end and whatever the car requires on the other. For 220v charging (in the U.S.) the National Electric Code currently requires that the electrical cable be permanently attached to the charging station. The end of the cable that plugs into the car is a special connector that is in the process of being standardized through the SAE. It is called J1772 and there are at least two manufacturers that will be making the connectors. When Coulomb starts shipping 220v capable units they will offer both 110v and 220v to accommodate all possible cars. The 220v cable with j1772 connector will be permanently attached and we have a design that retracts the cable when it is not being used in order to protect it.
vfx 5:09PM (12/09/2008)
I agree with not wanting another plastic card. The RFID tag key idea is best. If that's not possible them maybe one of the gas station swipe fobs or the small supermarket type keychain cards.
I also hope that cell phones don't erase them like I have had happen.
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