I thought it would be fun to envision what the Robotaxi charging network will look like. My vision for the future:
TLDR: 380V DC global standard, fixed platform sans moving parts and with cooling plate.
Let's start with likely objectives: Scalable, High Throughput, Safe, Reliable, Resilient, Low Cost, Energy Efficient, Geographic coverage.
Here is how I think the objectives might be achieved:
What's do others think the Robotaxi charging network will be?
"Tesla Robot Taxi" by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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TLDR: 380V DC global standard, fixed platform sans moving parts and with cooling plate.
Let's start with likely objectives: Scalable, High Throughput, Safe, Reliable, Resilient, Low Cost, Energy Efficient, Geographic coverage.
Here is how I think the objectives might be achieved:
- Scalability: Mass manufactured off board/stationary charger modules no more than a few stations per module. Maybe delivered like superchargers in a row as many as can fit on a trailer, pre manufactured and ready to drop and connect. Deploy without necessarily investing in new transmission which means it needs to directly connect and self adjust in any major country to standard 380-480V 50-60Hz 3 phase.
- Reliability: No movable cables or other moving parts of any kind.
- Coverage: Expand each location gradually as Robotaxis deploy.
- High Throughput: Built for as fast a charging speed as the batteries can reasonably tolerate without too much degradation or heat loss, to maximize throughput per real estate footprint.
- Resilience and Redundancy: Withstand various challenges such as extreme weather conditions and brownouts/blackouts, by having a few smaller locations per city rather than one large. Indoor locations or at least roof cover for less exposure to the elements. This will also make it easier to wash and clean the cars as they charge.
- Cost and energy efficiency: Since there will be more vehicles than chargers, it is obviously cheaper to put the rectifier and charger on the stationary side. This means the cars will be DC only, like the Tesla Semi. Shortest possible cables in the car, i.e. connect under the car close to the battery. A pedestal or subway 3rd rails of equal height of the vehicles’ ground clearance with no moving parts, 3 contact surfaces for +, - and ground. The vehicle mass minus suspension could be responsible for correct pressure by making pedestal slightly higher than ground clearance. If the three contact points sufficiently encircle the vehicle COG, contact could be achieved without any spring loaded contacts. Ground connector could do double duty as heat transfer plate/heat exchanger to unload the internal HVAC and so increase efficiency and longevity. Since there needs to be liquid cooling in the charger already, should be easy to arrange. No voltage step up. That means < 380 V max battery voltage.
- Safety, Security and Cybersecurity: Zero tolerance for electrocution. Hardened computer systems so that connectors are energized only when a vehicle is charging. Mid/under car platform could be larger than the connector plates to prevent anybody from crawling under and touching energized connectors.
- Strategic Placement: Locate charging stations near high-demand areas such as airports, train stations, and city centers, as well as along intercity routes.
- Energy Management: A balance act between throughput, time varying cost of electricity, available ‘green’ electricity and on site batteries. In many cases on site batteries may be more cost effective than extra real estate, i.e high throughput in a small footprint even if the grid can't support momentary power requirements.
- Final note: The reason I'm not bringing up inductive plates like they have at BEV bus stops is that a robotaxi needs to be able to run longer than between bus stops and along non pre determined routes which then negates the benefit of inductive plates. Unless you blanket the whole road which seems more expensive than sufficient battery for the day or maybe rush hour. Could have some small battery cars to last rush hour and some large to last the day and road trips.
What's do others think the Robotaxi charging network will be?
"Tesla Robot Taxi" by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog Feed thumbnail
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