Hangzhou Pilots Mobile Charging Robots, Enabling EV Charging in Older Residential Communities
Difficulty charging electric vehicles in older residential communities and the occupation of existing charging spaces have long been pain points in property management. Hangzhou Cuiyuan District 1 has trialed a new solution – "mobile charging robots," which have received positive feedback from residents after a month of operation. The robot is rectangular, 0.95 meters wide, 1.9 meters long, and 1.4 meters high, equipped with large intelligent displays on both ends and four wheels at the bottom, with a several-meter-long charging cable and gun coiled at the rear. One fast charging pile is equipped with two charging guns, capable of simultaneously charging two robots.
Mr. Zhang has used the robot charging service multiple times. He said: "A few minutes after placing the order, the robot came by itself, charged using fast charging next to my car, and it was done quickly. It's particularly suitable for emergencies. Although the price is a bit higher than slow charging, I'll definitely use it when needed."
Ms. Jiang drives a Tesla Model Y and has also used the service multiple times. She said: "To protect the battery, I set it to stop charging at 80%. I feel the mobile charging robots in the community are faster than the fast charging piles outside. For the same charge, it can be five to ten minutes faster."
Currently, the mobile charging service in Cuiyuan District 1 is managed by the property management company. The actual operation is much simpler than imagined: security personnel use a remote control to maneuver the robot to the designated location, contact the car owner to unlock the vehicle, and charging can be completed.