No more heavy cables for EV charging
Heavy cables take up space when it comes to recharging electric vehicles (EVs) at home. Coming back tired after a long day is not the time to be wrestling with the recharging system for a car. Park and go is the aim of most users. The EU-supported DazePlug project is doing what it can to reduce a small barrier to the uptake of EVs. It has developed a wall-mounted system that connects to an onboard unit to create the first automatic conductive EV charger. “The company behind the project is Daze and it’s passionate about making EVs the consumer’s first choice. Making the charging system less awkward is one way to do so,” says project coordinator Giacomo Zenoni. The project set out to change the current user experience involving bulky and dirty cables that need to be handled daily.
Refining conductive charger designs
The novel charger is app controlled and involves a wall-mounted box and an onboard plate, along with a robotic arm. As Zenoni explains: “We are particularly happy with the way the system uses dynamic power management. This means that the maximum amount of energy is delivered: It ensures that the energy in your home is distributed in the most efficient way without overloading.” The project wanted to take these components and refine them further. The team installed several prototypes on various vehicles, allowing for valuable feedback from car manufacturers. “These insights have been instrumental in ensuring the system’s reliability and compatibility across a range of vehicle models,” he adds.
The EU support helps DazePlug position itself in the market
One of the most significant challenges Daze faced during the development of the innovation was working closely with car manufacturers to establish a new standard for under-vehicle connectors. Meeting the needs of both carmakers and end users required substantial collaboration and innovation. “The culmination of this innovation is evident in a remarkable achievement: A prototype of Maserati’s latest flagship car, the GranTurismo Folgore, is being charged via the DazePlug automatic charging system,” says Zenoni proudly. The company has also secured a key strategic agreement with a major manufacturer, positioning the company to participate in a crucial request for quotation process scheduled for January 2025. “This step highlights Daze’s growing influence in the automotive industry,” he adds. This is evidenced by recent agreements with a supplier, specialising in automotive components, which will see the system go into mass production. Zenoni is positive about the device’s potential. “This partnership not only supports the scaling of production but also underscores the readiness of DazePlug for broader market distribution.” The next phase involves moving into mass production and offering the automatic charging station globally through car manufacturers as an optional feature for their customers.
Keywords
DazePlug, EV, electric vehicle, robotic, dynamic power management, conductive charger
