Irish-UK company Go Eve, the firm behind the DockChain technology for charging electric vehicles (EVs) has teamed up with DC charging solutions business Zerova Technologies Europe in a new partnership.
The aim is to combine the innovative DockChain system with Dutch firm Zerova’s high-power EV charging units to better serve owners of zero-emissions cars who are looking to replenish their vehicles’ battery packs.
DockChain expands EV charging from single DC unit
This latest collaboration between Go Eve and Zerova means DockChain is now compatible with the high-power DS Series chargers from the Amsterdam-based outfit.
DockChain is an innovative ‘slave unit’ charging system pioneered by Go Eve. It allows a single DC charging unit to power up a number of vehicles in a car park, without them having to wait for the cables coming from the charging unit to become free.
Instead, the Go Eve tech forms a ‘daisy chain’ of compact charging terminals, each allocated to parking spaces in the car park, which can piggy-back off the main DC unit.
This is a practical solution for large public parking sites that require EV charging facilities, such as offices, hotels, depots and garages, without them having to install multiple DC charging units.
Instead, the EVs all hook up to the Go Eve supplementary units, which are wired into the main charger via a spine cable, and then the DockChain software prioritises based on settings in the system, including the possibility to charge on a first-come, first-served basis, or to charge cars with the lowest battery levels earlier.
It allows for a better use of the main DC charger, plus a potential reduction in the overall grid requirements for relevant locations.
‘Seamless, scalable fast-charging globally’
John Goodbody, the co-founder of Go Eve, said of the new partnership: “Zerova’s DockChain approval ensures we can now offer a seamless, scalable fast-charging solution globally.
“This partnership enhances the EV charging experience for drivers and provides operators with an intelligent, flexible infrastructure choice. Expect to see DC fast charging installed in many more locations from now on.”
He went on: “This partnership builds on a year of real-world success, with proven reliability across multiple sites in the US and Europe.
“Together, Zerova and Go Eve have already successfully deployed our systems across four sites, charging a broad range of vehicles, including both cars and vans.
“This real-world experience highlights the reliability and versatility of our combined technologies in diverse applications. For businesses and property owners seeking to upgrade their EV charging infrastructure, this partnership delivers a proven, scalable solution.”
From Zerova’s side, Bruno Guenka, the senior marketing manager for the company, added: “We are excited to partner with Go Eve to bring this innovative solution to the market. Our DS Series chargers, combined with Go Eve’s DockChain technology, offer a unique and efficient charging experience that meets the growing demands of EV users.”
Clever cascade charging control
DockChain cannot increase the DC rate of charging at any site it is installed but instead reduces downtime between charging sessions from one EV to another, while also negating the need for the EV requiring charge to physically move closer to the charging unit itself, in order to employ its tethered cables.
It will still only charge one EV at a time on the DockChain, rather than dividing the power between all units (which would drastically slow down charging times for all EVs connected to the system), but it will seamlessly switch from one EV to another once the appropriate battery level is reached in the first vehicle on the chain.
Go Eve, which last year obtained European CE mark certification for the DockChain charging technology, was founded in 2021 as a joint spin-out company of University College Dublin (UCD) and Imperial College London.
The company, which is commercialising the patented DockChain technology, is headquartered at NovaUCD in Dublin, and also has offices in the UK and the US.