WeCharge: EV charging management system that can be operated in large parking areas

WeCharge is expected to develop further by supporting usage-based billing

FujimotoI have conducted studies on communication within the ICT Technology Group. I was tasked with software development for Eco.Web5, the controller in WeCharge. Our company is responsible for the development of the system that performs charging management, and Ubiden, a joint development company, is responsible for the development of the system that directly interacts with customers. Our company worked with Ubiden in the demonstration business related to EV charging on Awaji Island of Hyogo Prefecture and Teshima Island of Kagawa Prefecture, so we decided to work together on the development of WeCharge as well.

YoshidaRegarding the EV-related business, I participated in a project to convert all vehicles for business to EVs by 2030 (EV100). With the use of such development experience , I was tasked with the WeCharge server that collects charging information from Eco.Web5 and provides the charging management in the cloud. The controller part was developed by the Strategic Technology Institute, while the cloud part was developed by the GX Solution Business Division, utilizing their respective expertise.

Fujimoto In housing complexes, such as condominiums, the parking area is often a common use space, so a billing system is required where users of EV chargers pay only for the amount they use. There are two billing methods for EV charging: time-based billing, depending on charging time, and usage-based billing, depending on the amount of charging power.

The EV charger used by the general public mainly employs time-based billing on the basis of charging time, but the feeling of unfairness may result from the difference in charging speed, depending on the difference in EV vehicle type or the state of the on-board battery. With the Specified Measurement System (April 2022) in which the requirements for the examination of the watt-hour and other meters were relaxed as an impetus, WeCharge was developed to support not only the time-based billing but also usage-based billing through the incorporation of SmaMe manufactured by Toshiba Toko Meter Systems Co., Ltd. Supporting the usage-based billing in which the price is determined on the amount of charged power can contribute to the further widespread use of the EV charging infrastructure.

Development of a dedicated simulator in the test in which multiple EVs are simultaneously charged

YoshidaIn the EV100 project to convert business vehicles into EVs, the distribution board housing the controller, breaker, and other components was oversized for general use. Therefore, in WeCharge, introducing Eco.Web5 and SmaMe as the controller and power amount measurement, respectively, achieved miniaturization of the distribution board. Moreover, it is essential that the EV charging system continues to operate 24 hours a day, every day. As a result, we searched for ways to design for long-term operation and conducted verifications over and over again to build a service that could be operated stably over a long period.

FujimotoIn the development of the controller, we performed an experiment in which the simultaneous connection of multiple EVs was simulated. It did not go well at first, and I was aware of the difficulty in actually providing a large current. In addition, I was able to complete the operation check and evaluate communication by making full use of the newly developed simulator.

Providing a carbon-neutral future through the spread of charging infrastructure suited to scenes of EV charging use.

FujimotoWhen I found our quick charger on the street, I told my child proudly that my company manufactured the device. I feel rewarded by developing products that are useful to the world and playing a part in the development of EV charging infrastructure.

YoshidaDuring the development of WeCharge, I had the fun of engaging in a project that no one had yet achieved. In addition, it was encouraging to be able to communicate sincerely with our business partner Ubiden. I think that thanks to that we were able to complete to create a quality product.

FujimotoThe Japanese government set the goal of increasing the rate of electric vehicles to new vehicle sales in passenger vehicles to 100% by 2035, and I think it becomes more essential to expand the use of EV charging facilities like WeCharge. We also believe that the introduction of WeCharge will enable apartment owners and residents to realize the benefits of increased asset value for their homes.

Since EV charging facilities are required as infrastructures in the age to come, we are continuing the development of EV charging systems. WeCharge may be possible to be deployed for not only basic charging at housing complexes but also destination charging at commercial facilities where users stay for a few hours. Takaoka Toko offers a lineup of chargers that support a variety of scenes of EV charging use for basic charging, destination charging, and in-route charging. From now on, we would like to strive to conduct research and development to support the usage-based billing service for not only basic charging but also destination charging (medium-capacity quick charger).

YoshidaWeCharge has been introduced into condominiums as well as other basic charging facilities, such as commuting destinations. I heard that it has been introduced to universities, and teachers commute via EVs. In comparison to the internal combustion engine vehicle requiring fueling at a gas station, EVs are very convenient because they only need basic charging at a condominium where a user lives or the place where the user commutes. In the future, it would be ideal for EV charging facilities to be introduced to parking areas in all condominium. With the aim of the realization of carbon neutrality in 2050, we will also provide advanced technologies and services from now on.