California-based Enteligent is taking pre-orders for a DC-to-DC EV fast charger that can be paired with solar to minimize emissions.
Pitched as an alternative to Level 2 AC chargers, the Enteligent TLCEV T1 EVSE eliminates energy losses from DC-AC-DC conversion losses that would otherwise be a factor if installed at a location without a dedicated power source for the charger, the company said.
This setup, which Enteligent claims is a world first, allows for DC fast charging installations at sites that previously had lower-power Level 2 charging. And if chargers are connected to solar installations, Enteligent claims, there’s no need to connect them to the grid. This cuts down on permitting and other complications while ensuring EVs are charged exclusively with renewable energy, further lowering their carbon footprint.
Enteligent said its hardware can support fast charging at up to 12.5 kw, and is available with Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) or CCS-1 connectors. This setup can now be pre-ordered with a refundable $250 deposit, which will be applied toward an “early bird” price of $2,249.
Enteligent also announced that it had supplied a 25-kw DC-to-DC bidirectional charger to a “large logistics company” to charge electric deliver vehicles, and had raised $6 million for further commercialization.
Solar-powered bidirectional charging could provide the capability for EVs to act as an emergency backup power source. Such capability is already with the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck for residential applications, while General Motors has established an entire energy business unit to take advantage of the bidirectional charging that will soon be available across its EV lineup.
