Charging network operator Electrify America and fleet charging company Stable Auto are launching a robotic charging pilot for self-driving vehicles in San Francisco.
The pilot will aim to charge autonomous EVs without human intervention using robots attached to 150 kW DC fast chargers. Vehicles can park anywhere within a designated parking space and the robot will automatically make the connection.
The charging facility, which is scheduled to open in early 2020, will be Stable’s first commercial autonomous charging site.
Stable will oversee the overall project, providing its robotic technology and scheduling software. Electrify America will evaluate the hardware, network, operations, and billing of Stable’s charging systems, and will provide two 150 kW DC fast chargers for initial development.
Rohan Puri, co-founder and CEO of Stable, said, “Our models have shown dramatic improvements to fleet utilization and operating cost-per-mile when fleet vehicles are paired with automated infrastructure in strategically chosen locations. For the benefit of our cities and ultimately of our planet, we are excited to introduce this new charging paradigm alongside Electrify America.”
Wayne Killen, Director of Infrastructure Planning and Business Development for Electrify America, said, “We believe that reliable, high-power electric vehicle charging infrastructure is essential for the accelerated adoption of EVs in the US, and recognize that foundational solutions like DC fast charging can be adapted for different charging needs. Autonomous vehicles will play an important role in the future of driving, particularly with fleets, and tailored charging options for self-driving EVs will be critical to develop that effort.”
Source: Electrify America