KADRA Launches Fast Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

Together with representatives from BMW, who showcased the i3 – full electric and i8 – hybrid models, the possibility of opening a collaboration opportunity in the Romanian electric car market was analyzed.

Over 2 million electric cars are on the roads worldwide, and according to APIA, by the end of December 2016, 1,183 electric and hybrid vehicles were sold in Romania, compared to 496 vehicles in 2015. Regarding the number of charging stations, there were less than 100 in Romania last year. This is also the main reason why those who want a new car avoid purchasing one based on electricity, even though they pollute much less and have lower maintenance costs.

The most important categories of charging stations are: Home, Business, and Public. There are normal, fast, and ultra-fast charging stations, depending on the power developed and the time required for charging, thus promoting the transformation of cities into Smart Mobility spaces.

The price for such a charging station varies depending on the type of application and the power developed and can range from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of euros.

Fast charging stations “Home” – are easy to install and have a power 8 times greater than a normal socket. They operate at temperatures between -25 and +60 degrees, and the energy consumption is no higher than that of a regular household appliance. In Europe, the average household’s electricity consumption is approximately 3,500 kWh per year. Based on an average distance of 15,000 km per year, an electric car would require 3,000 kWh annually.

We consider an average charging cost in Romania for any EV of approximately 7 cents (EUR) per kWh. Suppose your electric car has an empty battery and a battery capacity of about 12 kWh. In most cases, your car should be able to reach approximately 60 – 80 km with a single charging session. EV charging would total 12 x 0.07 = 0.84 EUR. The energy consumption per km would not exceed 0.014 – 0.01 EUR.

BUSINESS range charging stations include one or two charging points and are specially designed for the commercial market, being the most popular charging solutions across Europe. This type of station was the one discussed by Parkomatic representatives at the aforementioned event with Pony Car Sharing – a short-term car sharing service in Cluj-Napoca.

Currently, the company offers only two electric cars for use, the reason being the lack of a charging network for them. Pony has chosen an innovative system in Romania for car rental. The user opens a mobile app, searches for the nearest available vehicle, reserves it, and then opens it using the Pony Car app. The user finds the vehicle key and the fuel card in the glove compartment. At the end of the trip, the person who used the car closes it again through the app, and the corresponding amount is deducted from the account declared upon registration in the system.

A third type of charging stations are public ones. The offered solution has become a recognized starting point in public parking lots, workplaces, public areas, and even on streets. The station requires minimal maintenance, and through Smart Charging services, efficient energy distribution is possible. The station allows for tariff adjustment, maintenance, and software updates remotely. Authorities are also trying to stimulate this market through government programs. According to the Ministry of Environment, the subsidy granted under the “Rabla Plus” program for 100% electric cars is, this year, 10,000 euros, or more precisely, 45,000 lei.