December 18, 2024
SunFuel is expanding beyond destination charging by collaborating with Fortum Charge & Drive (Glida) to tackle challenges in highway EV charging and redefine the user experience through innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology.
Challenges in Highway Charging
- Low-Powered Fast Chargers:
- Current chargers mostly offer 30 kW or 60 kW speeds, leading to long wait times.
- Example: Charging a 59 kWh battery at 30 kW takes approximately 2 hours.
- Standalone Chargers:
- Installing multiple DC chargers in one location remains financially unviable due to low utilization and ROI constraints.
- Lack of Amenities:
- Basic infrastructure often overlooks user experience and ancillary services, leaving much to be desired.
Collaborative Solutions
SunFuel’s Focus:
- Experiential Charging Hubs: Aesthetic, user-friendly hubs with monetization opportunities through retail and amenities.
- Touchless Charging: Upcoming One-Tap-Charging (OTC) Cards for seamless, phone-free charging.
- Brand Collaborations: Partnerships with complementary brands to enhance highway charging experiences.
Glida’s Focus:
- Superfast DC Chargers: Offering speeds up to 200 kWh, drastically reducing charging times.
- Charge-Thru Technology: A seamless, app-free authentication system for quick plug-and-charge functionality.
- Global Expertise: Leveraging European market insights and strong technological capabilities.
Benefits for EV Users
- High-Speed Charging: Chargers delivering up to 200 kWh for minimal downtime.
- Reliability: Redundancy through multiple chargers and smart operations for maximum uptime.
- Premium Experience: Enhanced charging environments with retail, hospitality, and other highway amenities.
- Seamless Access: Multiple authentication methods, including Charge-Thru and the upcoming OTC Card.
Focus on Destination Charging
With evolving expectations in luxury hotels and premium destinations, the partnership also brings Fast DC Chargers to meet the demand for larger EV batteries and quicker charging speeds. AC chargers remain an option, but fast charging is now a priority for high-end establishments.
Driving into 2025
This partnership between SunFuel and Glida combines platform-thinking, cutting-edge technology, and user-focused innovation to create a transformative EV charging ecosystem. From highway hubs to destination charging, the collaboration ensures EV users can enjoy faster, more reliable, and premium experiences.
