Electric cars are taking over the roads, but they need a robust charging infrastructure to keep them going. A German company, Rheinmetall, has created a clever solution to charge electric vehicles. They call it the Curb Charger.
What is the Curb Charger?
The Curb Charger is a modular block made of stainless steel and aluminum. It’s 80 kg heavy and has all the necessary equipment to charge an electric car with up to 22 kW of power. It’s got a 4G modem, Ethernet port, RFID reader, and a screen. You can control it using a smartphone app, RFID card, or QR code.
The Curb Charger is installed at ground level, so it doesn’t have a cable. Drivers need to bring their own. This might sound weird, but it’s something drivers are already used to when charging their cars in urban areas.
How does it work in winter?
The Curb Charger has an IP68 rating, which means it can withstand being submerged in water for at least 30 minutes. The electronic components are sealed, and the casing has built-in drains, so it can keep charging cars safely even in heavy rain. If the water level rises, a sensor cuts off the power. The charger also has a built-in heating system to keep it ice-free in freezing temperatures.
Rheinmetall tested four of these street chargers in Germany over the past year. The results were impressive: the chargers were active over 99% of the time and provided more than 2800 charging sessions in all kinds of weather.
Is this the future of charging?
The Curb Charger is a smart solution to the problem of charging electric cars in urban areas. It’s discreet, efficient, and can withstand the elements. As more people switch to electric cars, we’ll need more innovative solutions like this to keep them on the road.
- Modular design for easy installation and maintenance
- Up to 22 kW of charging power
- Controlled using a smartphone app, RFID card, or QR code
- IP68 rating for protection against water and dust
- Built-in heating system for winter conditions
The Curb Charger is a step in the right direction towards a more sustainable and efficient charging infrastructure for electric cars. As the world continues to shift towards cleaner transportation, we can expect to see more innovative solutions like this in the future.