Cheap automatic charger for electric cars created by French startup Gulplug
Charging an electric vehicle without manual intervention is no longer a science fiction idea. Induction charging systems are actively developing now, but they are still expensive. A French startup has come up with a much simpler and cheaper solution. The charging point developed by the company is called “P-Plate” or “selfplug”. In this case, the system connects the vehicle to the terminal using an automatic magnetic lever.
The device, developed by the young company Gulplug Grenoble, allows you to charge your car using a fully self-contained magnetic cable. The system is simple: after parking in the garage, the retractable articulated arm, located under the rear of the vehicle, automatically locates the connector of the dedicated terminal. It is enough to place the machine about forty centimeters from the base to ensure the connection.
According to the designer, the device can be installed in a few hours on any electric vehicle or hybrid, and its pedestal is connected to a regular household outlet. Thus, it can be charged at a power of 3 to 7 kW in a single-phase network and up to 22 kW in a three-phase mode. The solution may be liked by a large number of manufacturers and motorists due to its cost, and it will be lower than the “psychological threshold of 1000 euros”. Gulplug even hopes to sell its invention for between € 500 and € 600 in mass production over the long term.
The company has already interested Volvo, which has allowed it to equip the hybrid XC40 with such a device. Several German manufacturers have also expressed their interest in the start-up, one of them even decided to equip one of their premium cars with such a charger. This is how it looks in the video:
Source: ecotechnica.com.ua