Nissan and Easelink develop automated EV charging system to improve V2G utilization

Austria-based Easelink has developed a hands-free, automated conductive charging system. Engineers at Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) have been studying vehicle-to-grid technology for over a decade.

Now the two organizations are working together on a UK-based research project that combines bidirectional AC charging with automated conductive charging technology.

NTCE’s field data from more than 40 global V2G projects indicates that drivers are less likely to plug in their vehicles as the battery’s state of charge increases. This behavior reduces vehicle availability for utilities and grid operators seeking to use EV batteries as an energy resource during periods of peak demand.

An automated charging system removes the need for driver action by connecting the vehicle whenever it is parked, regardless of battery state. It stands to reason that increasing the amount of time vehicles remain connected to the grid can improve the commercial returns from V2G participation.

Easelink’s Matrix Charging system consists of a connector integrated into the vehicle’s underbody and a charging pad installed in the parking space. When the vehicle is positioned above the pad, a flexible bellows automatically lowers to establish the charging connection.

“Our experience from field deployments has shown that the user’s charging behavior remains a key factor hindering the full exploitation of V2G’s potential,” said Kazuyuki Sakamoto, Director of Advanced Research and Engineering at NTCE. “Even highly engaged EV drivers do not consistently plug in once battery levels are sufficient for daily use. Automated charging addresses exactly this challenge: the vehicle connects whenever it is parked, without requiring any driver action.”

Nissan and Easelink are co-founding members of the Matrix Charging Interest Group, along with Audi and Voyah. The group’s work complements the ISO 15118-20 communication standard, which defines communication between EVs and charging infrastructure. Even if manufacturers comply with the standard, there can be implementation differences that result in certified systems not being fully interoperable. The Matrix Charging Interest Group aims to align key technical parameters across manufacturers to improve interoperability as automated charging is adopted more broadly.

“Our collaboration with NTCE is built on a shared belief that seamless EV integration is essential for a sustainable and renewable energy future,” said Hermann Stockinger, founder and CEO of Easelink. “The know-how and learnings we develop together flow directly into the jointly formed Matrix Charging Interest Group, where they are translated into technical specifications as a basis for a global industry standard.”

Source: Easelink