This is part of a collection of case studies that focus on creative charging solutions for EV drivers in multifamily housing. For more information and the full collection, visit our Charging Solutions for EV Drivers in Multifamily Housing hub.
Challenge
For EV drivers in cities, charging can be difficult to access for various reasons. Installing chargers in cities can be time-intensive and expensive, or they can be challenging to site and get a utility connection to the grid. Even once installed, traditional chargers are bulky and may not blend well with streetscapes. How can cities scale rapid, cost-effective charging?
Objectives and solutions
it’s electric, a New York-based company, has leveraged a creative and simple solution to power a charger by tapping into excess electric capacity in a nearby building. This approach to using existing infrastructure and grid connections to power curbside chargers across cities can save time and money, enabling rapid EV charging installation at scale. it’s electric developed public charging with the intention of it being a permanent replacement and solution for a home charger.
it’s electric partners with property owners seeking to install chargers on their property’s curbs. it’s electric powers their chargers using the spare electrical capacity from existing buildings, which they confirm with the property owner. During their short, two-day installation process, they run a shallow conduit from the building’s electrical panel to the new charger, which is located at the curb. The installation process is much quicker than the average curbside charger, even though they still have to get the appropriate permits from the city. The chargers are also separately metered so that the electrical usage can be billed separately and paid to the utility by it’s electric.
it’s electric chargers are all Level 2 and available to the public 24/7 all year. The chargers have been carefully designed to blend better with cityscapes by occupying less square footage and visual space, and to be tough enough to survive being located at the curb. it’s electric is also the first U.S. company to apply a smart design principle that works in Europe: detachable cables (also known as the bring your own cable (BYOC) model).
it’s electric owns, operates, and maintains the chargers at no cost to the property owner. In fact, it’s electric offers a revenue share with the property owner. Through their initial partnerships, it’s electric is learning that property owners enjoy that they don’t have to manage the parking for chargers. The revenue share for host property partners is $ 0.06/kWh. This comes out to between $ 700-$ 3400 (based on utilization) per year per charger that goes back to the property owner.
For the driver, the process is simple. Drivers download the it’s electric app, join the network, and request a cable, which it’s electric provides at no cost to the driver. Each driver receives their own charging cable with a connector that matches their vehicle, which can be attached to it’s electric’s chargers. Importantly, their model does not require a membership. Once the driver receives their cable, they can charge at it’s electric chargers. Pricing of charging varies by city. The price is set by it’s electric and the city where the charger is located, and they typically recommend a time-based pricing model with time-of-use rates. This creates both an incentive to unplug the car when it’s done charging and encourages overnight charging by offering a lower nighttime rate. For the first it’s electric charger installed in Boston, charging costs $ 1.50 per hour at night (9 pm-6 am) and $ 3 per hour during the day (6 am-9 pm).
Elements for Success
- By leveraging existing buildings to power charging, it’s electric eliminates time-intensive and costly steps to install chargers. Additionally, their ability to approach property owners with a simple, cost-beneficial solution helps convince building owners that EV charging is an asset.
- The detachable charging cable is designed for cities, where vandalism is often a concern, because charging cables left outside are at risk. With a detachable cable, it’s electric doesn’t have to provide multiple connector types on the chargers themselves. What’s more, it’s electric designed their chargers (including the detachable cable) specifically for the city curbside. The chargers are low-profile and sleek, so they blend seamlessly with cityscapes.
References
- it’s electric
- These Startups Are Finally Bringing EV Chargers to America’s Cities – WSJ
- Breaking Barriers: A Startup Changes The Game For EV Charging In Cities
- Boston and its electric launch the next generation of Urban EV charging
Recap:
Charger type: Level 2 charging
Charging type: Public
Problem solved: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology
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The post it’s electric, a New York-based company, is partnering with property owners and installing public curbside charging with a twist appeared first on Plug In America.
