FreeWire Deploys Next Generation Ultrafast Electric Vehicle Charging at Convenience Stores

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FreeWire Deploys Next Generation Ultrafast Electric Vehicle Charging at Convenience Stores
First Battery-Integrated Ultrafast Electric Vehicle Charger Installed at ampm in California

LODI, Calif., Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FreeWire Technologies, a pioneer in flexible and future-proof power solutions, has announced the deployment of Boost ChargerTM at an ampm fuel and convenience store in Lodi, California. Boost Charger is the first battery-integrated ultrafast electric vehicle (EV) charger deployed in the US. By using the integrated battery as a buffer, Boost Charger is able to "boost" the existing power at the site, thus delivering the highest power output in the region while enabling widespread deployment at any commercial location.
FreeWire_BoostCharger_ampm.jpg

FreeWire Deploys Next Generation Ultrafast Electric Vehicle Charging at Convenience Stores
Boost Charger easily connects with ampm's existing infrastructure, allowing the system to be installed in hours without requiring expensive new grid power supply. Boost Charger can be powered from a single-phase connection and installed in places that previously could not support higher power demand.
"Fueling stations and convenience stores have had very few options to provide EV charging until now," said Arcady Sosinov, CEO of FreeWire Technologies. "With Boost Charger, EV drivers can get 100 miles of range in 10 minutes, and businesses can drive more revenue from new visitors to their store – all at a dramatically lower cost."

As a fueling station along two major highway thoroughfares in California's Central Valley, the ampm site is an ideal placement to offer publicly accessible high-speed charging. California remains the top market for EV sales at just under 50% share of the total US volume.

"We are always seeking ways to provide new, innovative services for our customers," said Kevin Kapala, COO, ampm. "Offering ultrafast electric vehicle charging at our ampm stores supports our brand promise of delivering ultimate convenience."

ampm boasts over 1,000 stores in five states and is owned by bp America, Inc., a subsidiary of bp. bp ventures first invested in FreeWire Technologies in 2018, which supports bp's wider strategy to accelerate a global revolution in mobility and redefine the experience of convenience retail. The installation of the Boost Charger in Lodi, California, is the first of its kind, and FreeWire expects to expand to additional locations this year and throughout 2021.

Boost Charger supports CHAdeMO and CCS connectors, which are compatible with all battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and Tesla models with an adapter. Driver payments can be made through the EV Connect network, RFID, or credit card. Residents and EV commuters can fully charge any BEV in just minutes, with convenient access to the co-located ampm.

About FreeWire Technologies, Inc.
FreeWire Technologies merges beautiful design with convenient services to electrify industries formerly dependent on fossil fuels. FreeWire's turnkey power solutions deliver energy whenever and wherever it's needed for reliable electrification beyond the grid. With scalable clean power that moves to meet demand, FreeWire customers can tackle new applications and deploy new business models without the complexity of upgrading traditional energy infrastructure.

About ampm
For over 40 years, ampm has been serving customers through a network of 1,019 locations across Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The franchisee-based retailer is proud to be among the first U.S. convenience stores affiliated with retail fuel stations, and now ultrafast electric vehicle charging.

Source: PRNEWSWIRE
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While it isn't at all clear what this thing does the implication is that it has a large battery that can be charged at a slaw rate from a modest grid connection. Say its a 100 kW battery and the biggest circuit the store owner can supply is 27 kW (the maximum input this unit can accept). In 3 hours that would charge a 100 kWh battery from 10 - 90%. Now a car comes along wanting a 50 kWh charge. Presumably the battery delivers that at Level 3 (DC - maximum 120 kW) in well less than an hour and the first customer is on his way. Now along comes a second. He also wants 50 kWh but the battery was depleted from 90% to 40% by the first customer and thus cannot deliver the full 50 kWh. What happens at this point? Does the charge continue at Level 2 through the J1772 part of the CCS plug? Does the CCS standard allow using both parts of the connector in this way? Or does the charge just terminate?

In any case while this system may serve BEV at Level 3 from a mains connection that won't support Level 3 it can only do so if its customers are relative few and far between.
 
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While it isn't at all clear what this thing does the implication is that it has a large battery that can be charged at a slaw rate from a modest grid connection. Say its a 100 kW battery and the biggest circuit the store owner can supply is 27 kW (the maximum input this unit can accept). In 3 hours that would charge a 100 kWh battery from 10 - 90%. Now a car comes along wanting a 50 kWh charge. Presumably the battery delivers that at Level 3 (DC - maximum 120 kW) in well less than an hour and the first customer is on his way. Now along comes a second. He also wants 50 kWh but the battery was depleted from 90% to 40% by the first customer and thus cannot deliver the full 50 kWh. What happens at this point? Does the charge continue at Level 2 through the J1772 part of the CCS plug? Does the CCS standard allow using both parts of the connector in this way? Or does the charge just terminate?

In any case while this system may serve BEV at Level 3 from a mains connection that won't support Level 3 it can only do so if its customers are relative few and far between.

FreeWire’s Boost Charger is a powerful battery-integrated electric vehicle charger. Easy to connect with existing infrastructure, it can be set up without costly construction or permitting. With 160 kWh of battery capacity and 120 kW output, Boost Charger is ready for current and next generation EVs. Boost Charger enables ultrafast charging using the same infrastructure as L2 chargers at up to a 40% lower cost of installation versus other fast chargers. Deliver high-quality power while significantly reducing demand charges with Boost Charger’s battery-integrated platform.

Boost ChargerTM

Ultrafast Charging Without the Additional Infrastructure

The FreeWire Boost Charger is a powerful battery-integrated DC charger for EVs. Easily connecting to existing electrical infrastructure, it can be set up without costly construction or permitting. With 160 kWh of battery capacity and 120 kW output, the Boost Charger is ready for current and next generation electric vehicles. Recharging with up to 27 kW from the grid, the Boost Charger enables ultrafast charging using the same infrastructure as L2 chargers and up to 40% lower cost of installation versus comparable fast chargers. Deliver high-quality power while significantly reducing costly demand charges utilizing the Boost Charger’s battery-integrated platform.

page2image56138656



Electrical Specifications
Output Power Output Connectors
Charge one vehicle up to 120 kW or two vehicles up to 60 kW each Dual-port: CHAdeMO and CCS
page2image62404480

Output Voltage (DC)200 V – 500 V
Energy ChemistryLithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide
Energy Capacity160 kWh
Electrical Specifications (Input)
PowerUp to 27 kW
Voltage (AC)3Ø Y 208 V 1Ø 240 V
Current3Ø: 100 A service, 80 A typical 1Ø: 150 A service, 120 A typical
Frequency50 / 60 Hz ± 1%
Mechanical Specifications
Dimensions

Communications
145 cm (57.2") W x 100 cm (39.3") L x 242 cm (95.2") H
4G LTE
Weight1,588 kg (3,500 lbs)
Operating Temperature-20° C (-1° F) to +55° C (131° F)
Environmental RatingIP 54
Screen61 cm (24") ruggedized LCD touchscreen
 
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ajdelange

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That doesn't answer my question. What happens when a vehicle arrives wanting more charge than remains in the battery? Does it fall back to Level 2?

Throughout rural Quebec mnay villages have an information center with at most a 50 kW DC charger. This scheme could work very well at such locations and clearly at convenience stores with limited charging traffic. Very clever.
 


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That doesn't answer my question. What happens when a vehicle arrives wanting more charge than remains in the battery? Does it fall back to Level 2?
Good Question. More details are needed.

This scheme could work very well at such locations and clearly at convenience stores with limited charging traffic. Very clever.

I agree. Getting the buildout on charging stations is needed for the influx of EV's that are coming.
 

Crissa

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What happens when you arrive any any vending machine and you want more than it has remaining?

Seems like it would know how much charge it has left and you'd be left hanging like a driver arriving at a hydrogen station and the pressure was too low.

Or pulling up and finding the soda machine empty.

-Crissa
 

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I think this is a great idea, the frequency of use public chargers get in my neck of the woods this thing will do just fine! I hope to see some soon.
 

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The way I see it, this could work if you install multiple at a site, and there is a real time connection or app that tells potential customers the amount of charge available before they arrive. If you had say, 8 of these at a station, I bet there would be plenty of juice for the run-rate they'd see. If a location is constantly low on available charge, supply and demand would suggest someone put in another recharge station nearby.
 

Crissa

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The convenience stores that have charge points near me rarely see anyone plugged in unless there's a power outage somewhere.

I think this is a great way to make sure there's a place to plug in; they could charge a premium and people wouldn't care. Just being able to charge within a couple blocks of your buddy's house would make trips easier.

I know I don't take my bike out to some areas because I'd have to go a mile or two out of my way to charge, and that's ridiculous. We need these and J-plugs everywhere so cheap, short-range EVs are decent options, too.

-Crissa
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