CERAWEEK: Diversity found among approaches to EV charging infrastructure

Four different ways of maintaining power for electric vehicles — ranging from wireless charging to battery swapping — were advocated in a March 9 panel discussion about challenges for EV charging infrastructure.

Speakers during the session, titled "The Challenges Facing EV Charging Infrastructure in the Decade Ahead," included:

• Douglas Alfaro, general manager for North America for Wallbox Chargers, which facilitates residential charging and energy optimizing solutions for minimizing grid power demand
• Robert Barrosa, director of sales, business development, and marketing for Electrify America, an EV public charging network
• Alex Gruzen, CEO of WiTricity, which is developing wireless charging systems
• Levi Tillemann, vice president for policy and international outreach at Ample, which provides autonomous robotics and smart-battery technology to quickly replace vehicle batteries

Grid impacts

Alfaro said his company is exploring ways for power infrastructure to endure the expected widespread adoption of EVs.

"What are we going to do when all these vehicles plug into the grid at the same time?" Alfaro said. "If you look at where battery electric vehicles are today ... you have 13 times more [storage] than the entire stationary storage business. ... We see utilities as a key partner in developing standards for each connection but also for making possible the 'go-to' strategies for return on investment for bi-directional charging."

Wallbox is participating in pilot projects across Europe charging batteries when prices are low and discharging when prices are high, not just to minimize residential costs but also to maintain frequency, Alfaro said.

Barrosa said the EV industry and the power sector needs to develop and standardize charging systems

"Consumers want to ... charge their car in 10-20 minutes, and they don't want to have to fumble with too many things," Barrosa said. "For us, we're trying to build the most open network possible. We're sort of the Android of EV charging."

EV charging systems not only need to be standardized regarding connecting to the grid but also by payment systems, for example, Barrosa said.

"It's something ... I think the industry has struggled with, but I think now in the next 12-24 months, we'll see [a] drastic improvement in that area," Barrosa said. "For the longest time, manufacturers have been trying to get to certain economies of scale."

'Infinite-range car'

WiTricity has worked with SAE, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, to develop a wireless vehicle charging standard, Gruzen said.

WiTricity seeks to make EV ownership and charging seamless, transparent, and reasonably priced, Gruzen said, which contrasts with the current experience for EV owners, who tend to have higher incomes, charge their vehicles at their own homes, and face tough decisions about how to make long-distance trips.

If wireless charging becomes standard, Gruzen said, "For the majority of people, it will be like having an infinite-range car." Charging stations would only be used for long-distance trips, he said.

Another aspect of wireless charging would be "autonomous charging," when vehicles would automatically interact with charging infrastructure when it is parked within range.

"Whenever you park, you are charging," Gruzen said.

Battery swapping

However, Ample's Tillemann said charging systems remain too slow for widespread EV adoption. At the fastest EV charging station in San Francisco, Tillemann said, raising the power level to 60% takes 45 minutes. At various retail charging stations, charging costs range from the gasoline equivalent of $6 to $20/gal, Tillemann said.

"So, in summary, I love my electric car," Tillemann said. "I hate charging it, and battery swapping is a great solution."