Products & Technology

ParkPod Charging Stations – Leading in Many Ways

Because you want few problems and many benefits, we deliver California-designed, German-engineered turnkey commercial systems for charging of electric vehicle of all types, from any manufacturer. Our systems are technical and economical leaders (see also Capital Effectiveness) and you can fully control and configure them for your specific business goals (see also Control of Your Business). ParkPod Hardware and Software is available now for customer-ready pilot projects, so that you can develop an in-depth understanding of their real-life value potential and your business-specific optimization possibilities. All with very limited investment.

Technology

Our technology is as much as possible "off-the-shelf", consisting of proven components whose functionality, safety, reliability and economics reflect the most up-to-date performance available anywhere. Of course we also crafted a number of key components in-house, to be able to offer truly leading overall solutions. Ease-of use, adaptability and economics were at the center of our efforts.

Standards

Our systems comply with all currently applicable industry standards, a few of which are still being finalized by different standard-setting organizations as you read this. Some of our products even feature built-in standard redundancies, covering more than one possible industry standard to prepare your business for several possible scenarios of eventual mainstream adoption, and limiting your obsolescence risks. As you would expect from a technology leader, we will continue to closely follow on-going standardization and market adoption of critical technologies for the benefits of our customer base.

System Components – Charging up with ParkPod

The ParkPod system was developed primarily to charge electric vehicles such as battery electric vehicles (BEV's) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV's). Key system components include:

• Charging Devices – ParkPods
• ID Cards – Customer cards for user authentication (RFID, credit card format, read-write privileges for operator, can be deleted for system configurations with vehicle/grid communication option)
• Software – System administration, system communication/networking, data analysis and integration with your IT or that of third parties (e.g. energy utilities)
• Gateways – Network communication interfaces, server- and Internet connectivity

ParkPods

A ParkPod unit is a networked charging device with all key functional units fully integrated. This includes power electric modules, user authentication/user operating interface, charging cable connection, intelligent control technology and network communication.

The software-enabled administration of ParkPods is offered with an operator-adaptable architecture. This readies our systems for the needs of a large variety of parking lot owners and operators. The definition of user groups and sub-groups allows for customer segment-specific access rights (e.g. charging intervals, price points, priority etc.). Price calculation is driven by charging intervals.

Two versions of ParkPods are available now, a single-lot charging station and a dual-lot charging station. Quads, serving up to four vehicles at once will be available soon.

Key Hardware Features:

• Status indicator:

  A widely visible, LED-powered indicator on top of the unit indicates the unit's status (available, connection safe and ready, charging in progress, charging completed, error etc.) The unit's top cover also features a visual "instruction manual" allowing simple and safe operation by end users

• Customer authentication/activation:

  Users authenticate by holding an RFID smart card close to the LED-powered indicator. Different colors signal successful authentication, safe connection and initiation of charging.

• Networking:

  All ParkPods of a local group are communicating in a local wireless network. An additional communications gateway connects this local group to the Internet or a local server. This modular design accommodates any existing or future network configuration easily

• Future-proofness:

  Extendable for V2G (Vehicle to Grid), billing through energy utilities etc. ParkPod's hardware is already configured to host most conceivable future functionality. A large part of upgrades consists of nothing more than uploading of new software or firmware releases, which can be performed remotely over the Internet.

• Power Connection,

  Choice of one or several:

  • SAE J1772-2009 (US)
  • CEKON oder CEEplus (Europe)
  • Schuko (Europe)
  • IEC 62196 (Europe)
  • Household receptacle (US)

• Safety:

  • GFCI
  • Line protector
  • Flexible equipment compliant with local regulations/standards

• Power choices:

  US:

  • 120VAC / 16A
  • 208/240VAC / 30A

  Europe:

  • 2kW (1x240V,10A AC), 3kW (1x240V,16A AC)
  • 7kW (1x240V,32A AC), 21kW (3x400V,32A AC)

• Options:

  • Power-LED lighting all around
    • to highlight ads, company logos etc.
    • to illuminate receptacles for safe operation in the dark
  • Vehicle communication (compliant with applicable standards)
  • Power coupling lock (compliant with applicable standards)

• Options:

  • CE, UL (pending)

Software

ParkPod Software is a comprehensive suite, covering end user operation functions, operator administration (local and central), communications and data transfer (internal, external) as well as interfacing/integration with critical functions of third parties (e.g. auto OEMs, energy utilities).

Key Software Features:

• Database enabled client/server solution
• OS MS Windows 7 / MS Windows XP Professional
• Ergonomic user menus with expanded tree hierarchy
• User guidance
• Complex rights management, all rights can be granted user specific, several user classes enabled
• Integrated reporting tools for complex protocol definitions, unlimited number of protocols or export formats can be defined, including different languages
• Support- and remote maintenance software, realized though Internet connectivity
• Input masks with expanded plausibility checks
• Integrated data base access
• Expandability through modular system design
• Foreign language support (online language switching, Standard: German and English, user installed extensions possible)
• Statistical data analysis, by ParkPod unit or customer

Gateway

The gateway wirelessly connects a local group of ParkPod units with a network and thus with administrative (server) applications and third-party (cloud) applications. Over 200 ParkPod units can be connected to one gateway. A PC-LAN can be directly connected to the gateway. Depending on the local installation requirements, the gateway comes in a weatherproof casing.

Service and Maintenance

Upon request, we offer professional installation on your premises. The only prerequisite is standard power wiring, routed to the location of the ParkPod unit. Please contact us to discuss installation details with our experienced electricians.

ParkPod installations are by and large low maintenance. Wear, if it occurs at all, should be limited to mechanical components, such as power couplings. Even this minimal wear can be limited further through preventive maintenance. During installation and commissioning we will show you how.