Researchers develop the first mobile charging system for electric vehicles

The Instituto Tecnológico de la Energía (ITE) in Spain has developed the first mobile charging system for electric vehicles. This system allows users to charge their vehicle from any plug -not just from a specifically designed one- as long as it has been previously authorised by an electric power company.

The PREMISE project aims to update the recharging process and make it quicker through a mobile system, one that no longer requires installing a charging point but can use a normal household plug.

The security of the system was one of the challenges overcome by the partners both in the field of operation of the networks, as in possible fraud of energy. These issues have been solved through the accurate identification of both the user and the authorised supply point and checking that it is an electric vehicle that is being recharged.

The project's main elements have consisted of the creation of an authorised charging point so that the distribution company can supervise and control the action and the creation of a mobile recharge suitcase that permits the connection to the network and the access to the power supply.

The system has been validated recently at ITE's facilities in Valencia using the first PREMISA prototype and a Renault Fluence electric vehicle.

The project has been developed by Uriarte Safybox, Zigor Corporation and the Instituto Tecnológico de la Energía and has received a grant of 800,000 euros from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, through FEDER funds.