A New Solution for Off-Grid EV Charging
Yotta Energy clean energy startup based out of Austin, Texas, has been making waves in the solar field since its founding in 2017. Its newest product, which was launched in September of 2022, is seeking to provide off-grid charging for electric vehicles across the US. This product, the Yotta REV, is a deployable EV charger that is entirely powered by solar. These rapidly deployable chargers can be installed in 48 hours, use bifacial solar modules, and are grid optional. The REV is designed for year-round use and in all weather climates. Shipped in a standard shipping container, it has a vast amount of potential for deployment overseas in areas that experience large-scale power outages.
Yotta’s REV comes in 3 options — Slant, Core and Core XL. REV Slant has a 7.2 kW solar array and starts with a 25 kWh battery. REV Core has a 15 kW “butterfly” design solar array and 50 kWh of battery storage (up to 200 kWh). The Core version is capable of providing 240+ miles of charge per day. Core XL offers a 34 kW butterfly solar array and 100 kWh of battery storage (up to 600 kWh). It can provide 560+ miles of charge per day. REV Core has a standard set of two 48A chargers, while Core XL has four 48A chargers.
REV Core has been deployed in several locations across the US. One of them can be found in downtown Austin, being used for EV charging. Earlier in March 2023, this same unit supported one of the South by Southwest events by powering a few food trucks. Several other REVs are being used simultaneously as EV charging stations and power sources for off-grid standalone structures (greenhouse and recording studio). While it was primarily designed as an off-grid EV charging station, REV Core has a vast array of applications. It can be used as a power generation facility during natural disasters or grid outages, giving it a variety of uses for municipalities and emergency services. Groups that work in remote locations, such as wildland firefighters, miners, construction workers, and researchers, are all among potential users.
One of the organizations which may be particularly interested in the REV Core is the National Park Service. Under the mandate to electrify their vehicles, the need for electric vehicle chargers in remote areas will only increase. Particularly for large parks with off-grid campsites, having a reliable and durable charging station will increase park visits. Major municipalities around the US have also shown interest in the REV Core as a way to prepare for the growth of electric vehicles. While many municipalities that are electrifying their fleets are simply connecting to the power grid, there are several situations in which a REV Core station is better equipped. For instance, if the bus station or lot is far from a power grid, a large deal of trenching is required. Permitting, trenching, and electrical work, when combined with having to pay for power, may quickly add up to far more than the city is prepared to spend. In this case, the REV Core is a perfect alternative.
In conversation with Anton Miasoiedov, the REV business development and sales lead at Yotta Energy, he described how the idea stemmed from a need to charge electric vehicles off the grid. “Today, it’s nearly impossible to visit National Parks and remote areas with an EV. We are working hard to solve this challenge.” As America continues the transition to electric vehicles, there will need to be more than just an EV charging corridor across main roads. Perhaps the butterfly structure of the REV Core will solve this for us.
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