Partnering to Develop the First Portable EV Fast Charger
Open Road engaged EMERGE to assist with the development of the first portable fast-DC charger for electric vehicles (EVs), eliminating one of the major pain points associated with EVs. Access to the technical expertise of EMERGE faculty, students, and advanced laboratory and testing facilities enabled the company to move the product from concept to market.
Problem
EVs are limited by range and the perception that no matter how much charge a vehicle has, it is not enough. The need is to develop a portable fast charger that can be moved to where the charge is convenient or needed (similar to the idea of a portable gas can).
Solution
Open Road engineers worked with EMERGE to develop the initial product specifications, prototype and test the product, and design the final product for market. Goals included:
- Designing a safe portable DC to DC high power converter for interfacing between the battery and the EV. The main issues to overcome include size power requirements and thermal management, as well as the required compact size.
- Designing a battery management system to ensure proper and safe operation of the system, i.e., to protect the battery from damage during charging.
Results
The partnership gave OpenRoad access to the technical expertise of the faculty, students, and advanced laboratory and testing facilities at the Advanced Machines and Power Electronics Design Lab (AMPED) and Mobility Research Center (MRC) at EMERGE member Kettering University. The partnership allowed OpenRoad to move the product from concept to market.