Project Summary

“DockChain” is a prototype unit for charging electric vehicles, it provides the speed and operational benefits of rapid DC-charging with the cost of equipment normally associated with slower AC-charging.

Project Achievements

Activities • Go Even built a physical daisy-chain system with a connector box (which attaches to a standard DC charger) and 6 rapid charge point terminals. Tested successfully on multiple electric cars and powered up to 200 amps. • The microelectronics (inside each terminal) and our software gave visibility of the battery status of all vehicles plugged into the chain. They safely managed the charging sequences. Each vehicle remained in a happy hold state until we passed it to the source rapid charger to take their turn in the ‘queue’.

Conclusions

• The prototype worked as planned. A true DC charge point multiplier. • DockChain can be added to most existing rapid chargers already installed. • Through the project we discovered new safety considerations, user/ design/ install considerations, new applications and features that can aid fleet operators. • The impact of DockChain can be enormous, removing the investment dilemma for many operators presented with the current constraints of rapid chargers and comparing them to slow charging solutions.

Next Steps

The TRIG project has opened a range of commercial opportunities for Go Eve. We have customers wanting to pilot DockChain in public transport, distribution, car retail, office and apartment buildings. We will be designing a compact DockChain with higher power capabilities. For which we will obtain both European and US certification then move to mass production and taking orders. Our software will evolve to give new ways to manage the charging on a chain. E.g. prioritise specific EVs or reacting to power price changes.