The German Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) will be testing the ubitricity charging infrastructure system with a street light charging point on its front door step in central Berlin. The system socket integrated in a street light on Markgrafenstraße was officially opened for operation today by VDA Managing Director Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn and ubitricity Managing Directors Knut Hechtfischer, Dr. Frank Pawlitschek and Dr. Rupert Stützle.
“By the end of next year, German automobile manufacturers will introduce 16 new electrified series models. Demand is rising notably. It is key to now support this broad supply by a swift roll-out of charging infrastructure. ubitricity can importantly contribute to this with its infrastructure system including street light charging points,” VDA CTO Dr. Eichhorn explains his decision to take part in the technology test of the Berlin-based start-up.
“EV users need a simple and widespread charging infrastructure”, Dr. Rupert Stützle, ubitricity CTO, highlights. “We are very excited to be working with VDA”.
ubitricity is cooperating with market leading partners in the development of an infrastructure solution reducing infrastructure costs for EVs by up to 90%. The simple ubitricity system socket can be installed anywhere EV users chose to park their car – at home, at work or at on-street charging spots. Its compact size allows for efficient integration in street lights. The ubitricity infrastructure system relies on mobile metering technology. This reduces both initial investment and installation costs of infrastructure installations and monthly rates for operation and billing. Domestic and international field testing is on-going since 2012. The Berlin technology test is an important milestone to ubitricity with a view of the up-coming commercial release in late 2014.
Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA)
The German Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) represents approximately 600 companies of the automotive industry in Germany, cooperating to research and produce solutions to a sustainable and secure mobility of the future. The VDA nationally and internationally promotes the interests of the entire German automotive industry. It can bank on a strong power base of members consisting of automobile manufacturers, suppliers and manufacturers of trailers, special bodies and buses. Unlike in many other countries, they are organized under one association, resulting in decisive advantages for the German automotive industry through direct dialogue and rapid decision-making. In the interest of all its members, the VDA is active in all areas of the motor traffic industry like economic and transport policy, technical legislation, quality assurance and taxation. In addition, resource efficiency as well as the protection of the environment and the climate.
ubitricity Distributed Energy Systems GmbH
ubitricity was founded in Berlin in 2008 by Knut Hechtfischer and Frank Pawlitschek to provide an affordable infrastructure solution for electric vehicles. By relying on mobile smart meters, infrastructure costs can be reduced by up to 90%. Charging points are reduced to simple system sockets, as metering and communication technology is integrated in the charging cable. Moreover, direct supply to the mobile meter ensures a free choice of energy supplier, product and tariff for EV users, as well as smart charging following a fluctuating supply from renewable energy generation. Domestic and international field testing with market leading partners is on-going since 2012 in preparation for the commercial launch of the system by the end of 2014.
