EV Charging System Addresses Challenges Faced by Fleet, Multifamily Property Owners

Huntersville, N.C.-based Atom Power launched the PURPL electric vehicle (EV) charging solution that charges vehicles directly from the circuit breaker and incorporates unique energy management technology to keep electricity costs low. These capabilities provide utilities, cities, property, and fleet owners with a dual solution to increase access to EV charging and upgrade electrical infrastructure needed to meet transportation electrification goals.

“Atom Power is on a mission to enable the electrification of everything,” said Ryan Kennedy, CEO, Atom Power. “Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a natural application of our third-generation solid-state circuit breaker platform because it provides real-time energy management needed to keep utility bills low and reduce the infrastructure required to accommodate EV charging at multifamily and commercial facilities.”

Utilities in states such as California and New York have “charge ready” and “make ready” programs to increase electric vehicle adoption by offering rebates to property owners to reduce the costs of adding EV charging infrastructure at their buildings. Because PURPL charges EVs directly from the circuit breaker, not from electronics in the charging pedestal at the vehicle, PURPL is an infrastructure solution that can support the goals of these “make ready” utility programs far beyond traditional infrastructure equipment.

The trend to mainstream transportation electrification extends to cities as well. Major cities such as Atlanta and Seattle have passed “make ready” policies that require EV infrastructure (i.e., circuit breakers, electrical panels, and chargers) to be planned for at the time of new construction.

PURPL also addresses common pain points related to large-scale EV charging installations for fleet owners and at multifamily buildings. When multiple chargers are used at these locations, it increases electricity demand. If the demand exceeds the historic “peak demand,” electricity costs increase dramatically. If not managed properly with a capable infrastructure-based EV charging system, it can mean the difference between charging one EV for $18/month or $476/month. Atom Power’s Energy Management system can sense demand changes within seconds versus 15-minute gaps for traditional charging solutions.

Additionally, because PURPL charges EVs directly from the breaker, the charging station itself does not contain expensive electronics; it’s simply a metal tube or wall box with a charge plug and cable. If a charging pedestal becomes damaged, the cost to replace it is $400 to $500 instead of thousands of dollars.

NYC multifamily EV charging projects

Prior to the official launch, Atom Power secured the largest single-contract, multifamily electric vehicle charging project in New York City. The contract was originally for 355 EV chargers and has since increased to more than 500 chargers.

One multifamily building in Queens, New York City, is installing 90 PURPL charging solutions. Adding EV charging will increase the building’s electricity demand, and when a building’s demand exceeds the historic peak demand, electricity costs increase. Because people tend to start charging their vehicles after work between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Atom Power’s modeling shows the electricity needed to charge 20 EVs will, in fact, exceed peak demand for significant periods of time throughout a given month.

However, PURPL’s energy management technology keeps additional costs to the overall utility bill low by maintaining electricity demand from EV charging below the building's peak demand. Charging these 20 EVs will result in only an additional $989 charge on the building’s monthly utility bill versus potentially $10,148 without energy management integrated into EV charging infrastructure.