Kiwi
Charge Inc
When: November - December, 2024
* Dates are subject to change
Where: 3 locations
- Vaughan Joint Operations Centre: November 20-21, 2024
- Father E. Bulfon Community Centre: December 11-14, 2024
- Vellore Community Centre: December 18-21, 2024
Ward: 1, 2, 3
Project Partner:
- City of Vaughan • Facility Management
- City of Vaughan • Policy Planning & Special Programs
- City of Vaughan • Transportation and Fleet Management
Portable Level 2 EV Charging
To increase the convenience for EV owners without current charging stations;, improve understanding of where and when portable EV charging is most needed; and gather insights into the feasibility of using portable units to supplement the City's existing charging infrastructure. The demonstration will also gather data on user satisfaction and usage patterns.
NOTE: A team will be on-site during the operation hours.
Purpose:
EV Demand Study with a portable Level 2 EV charging unit to gather data insights on charging demand, charging speed, usage etc. at City facilities.
Expected Outcomes:
Data of the charging sessions, including: evaluating demand at city facilities for future planning, analysis of car types, charging activity.
Inform the City to improve availability and convenience of EV charging.
Schedule
The Kiwi Charge unit is expected to be available to the public at:
- Nov 25 - Dec 1, 2024 - Father Ermanno Community Centre, 8141 Martin Grove Rd, Woodbridge
- Dec 2 -8, 2024 - Vellore Community Centre, 1 Villa Royale Ave, Woodbridge
Company Description:
Kiwi Charge is looking to accelerate the deployment of EV charging infrastructure by eliminating the cost-prohibitive initial infrastructure costs. We are reimagining the charging experience through our Charging-as-a-Service model. We specifically help EV owners in existing buildings that lack the charging infrastructure due to high retrofit costs and low EV adoption. We bring the charger to them. As EV adoption increases in these buildings, we are developing an autonomous charger that can navigate the parking lot and charge multiple vehicles without any human intervention. At Kiwi Charge, we are building the technology to ensure EV charging is accessible to all.
EV Charging Innovation
About the Portable EV Charger
A portable Level 2 EV charging unit will be used for this demonstration project. The units can be transported to various locations and used to charge EVs on the spot.
Users complete an anonymized survey, select a charging unit, and follow the instructions. Tesla drivers are required to bring their adaptor. During the demonstration, the charging unit is monitored and managed by the company’s onsite team.
The study aims to enhance EV charging accessibility by providing portable charging units that can be deployed in areas with limited charging infrastructure. By offering flexible, on-demand charging options, the demonstration will provide data to determine if this type of technology can help reduce range anxiety for EV drivers, particularly in underserved or high-traffic areas, thereby promoting broader EV adoption.
Most EVs with standard charging ports should be compatible with the portable charging units. Tesla vehicles are compatible with their adaptor.
In exchange for your charging service, users will need complete a survey, and then can connect to the Kiwi Charge station. The Kiwi Charge team will also be available on site to assist with any questions or issues during the demonstration.
The user app will collect data such as charging session information, and location data.
Users will be asked to fill in an anonymized user survey for their first charge to be free.
The demonstration will have free charging available for users first charge. Users will be able to access on-demand charging during the operational hours of the demonstration when they submit an anonymized survey.
After the first free charging session, Kiwi Charge may offer free or discounted charging sessions for future charging sessions.
Expected outcomes include increased convenience for EV owners, improved understanding of where and when portable EV charging is needed for the City of Vaughan, and insights into the feasibility of using portable EV charging units.
The demonstration will also gather data on usage patterns to provide insights on the charging stations in the City.
Providing access to EV Charging aids in enhancing local air quality, reducing noise pollution and mitigating the impacts of climate change through reducing emissions at the point of use.
Yes, you can use the portable EV charging unit if your vehicle is compatible with the service.
The portable EV charging units will be available for a specified period during the demonstration, typically lasting a week at each location. It is a temporary demonstration.
The demonstration will be available in the parking lots of Father E. Bulfon Community Centre December 11-18, 2024 and Vellore Community Centre December 18-21, 2024.There are two available spots for vehicles.
The data will be used to analyze charging patterns, identify high-demand areas and improve service delivery. Additionally, it will inform the City and about the demand for EV charging services at the demonstration locations, potentially guiding future infrastructure planning.