eMotorWerks Takes EV Charging To Next Level With New Peer-To-Peer EV Charging Network

eMotorWerks has announced a new strategic partnership with the Share&Charge blockchain transaction platform that enables any eMotorWerks charging station owner to charge for use of their station. The innovation unlocks previously nonexistent functionality in the stations and turns every compatible eMotorWerks charging station into a potential money-making opportunity.

The solution uses the Share&Charge smartphone app as the frontend for the service, which allows station owners to configure various station details — including the cost of charging and hours of operation. On the flipside, EV or PHEV drivers in need of some quality time at a charging station can use the app to find nearby EVSEs (EV charging stations).

The solution launched this week in a limited pilot in California where owners of devices supercharged by eMotorWerks’ JuiceNet can opt into the program. Registrations will initially be restricted, as the solution is vetted at scale with numerous devices supported. In addition to EVSE manufacturers with integrated JuiceNet functionality, the program will be available to all owners of JuicePlug charging adapters, which, with just a quick addition to any existing J1772 charger, add intelligence and extra functionality — including the new P2P charge to charge functionality — to previously “dumb” appliance chargers. In parallel to charging station owner registrations, the system also opens to drivers looking to use privately owned and activated JuiceNet charging stations.

eMotorWerks was looking for a solution to the ever-present issue of the high cost to install public charging stations that include the ability to bill for the services provided. It found the Share&Charge solution to be the perfect fit.

“One common issue we see in the growth of EV adoption is ‘range anxiety,’ which stems from an overall lack of charging stations for some shorter-range EVs currently on the market. To accelerate the EV revolution, we must increase the number of charging options available,” says Val Miftakhov, CEO of eMotorWerks. “By allowing individuals and companies both small and large to make their stations accessible to the public, and be paid for their use, station owners gain the opportunity to have their station pay for itself over time, while drivers can feel confident in knowing they’ll always have enough charge to get where they are going.”

The new solution is powered by Share&Charge, which was spawned out of the Innogy Innovation Hub — the disruptive startup-focused arm of Innogy SE, a heavyweight German energy company. innogy developed the solution to facilitate secure blockchain-based payments and marks the first peer-to-peer charging network to use the robust blockchain technology in North America. Dietrich Sümmerman of Share&Charge shared that the solution enables completely new levels of EV charging station coverage:

“By establishing networks of individuals willing to share their EV charging stations, we are opening up more charging options to EV drivers, while at the same time ensuring station owners are compensated accordingly.”

The Share&Charge solution is already in use in Germany, with the eMotorWerks implementation the first in North America when it launches on August 1st, 2017. For more information about eMotorWerks, head over to the official eMotorWerks website or shoot them an email to sign up to participate in the new program.