Electric Era, a Seattle-based manufacturer, introduces an innovative battery-backed DC fast charger design. This technology aims to ease growing worries from states and utility companies. High-power EV fast chargers can significantly strain the grid during peak energy demand. For instance, one new 150 kW+ EV charger can consume enough energy to power up to 1,000 homes. This issue worsens alongside record-high summer temperatures, pushing electricity demand even higher.
Easing Grid Pressure Amid Rapid EV Growth
Electric utilities face immense pressure. Homeowners, for example, spend nearly $800 to stay cool this summer, a 6% increase from last year. This compounds the challenge from surging EV adoption. A 2024 U.S. Department of Energy study predicts 30 to 42 million electric vehicles on American roads by 2035. Upgrading the nation’s electric grid could cost as much as $2 trillion over the next decade.
Electric Era’s patented battery-backed DC fast charger directly addresses this strain. The system cuts peak power consumption by up to 70%. This effectively returns the equivalent of 700 homes’ worth of power to the grid.
Homes and businesses pay to expand the electric grid, no matter what vehicle you drive,” said Quincy Lee, CEO of Electric Era. “We designed our chargers to significantly reduce their impact on local energy grids. This means EV charging can grow faster without needing billions more for new electric infrastructure. We simply use more energy-efficient chargers that eliminate peak power use.“
A Smart Approach to Power Balancing
Many states now explore load balancing or ‘grid supportive transportation electrification.’ They incentivize EV charging systems that use power conditioning, like Electric Era’s battery-backed solutions. This strategy helps minimize costly grid upgrades. It also reduces reliance on high carbon-emitting peaker power plants.
Consider California, for example. A 2023 study by the California Public Advocates Office estimated electric infrastructure spending could reach $26 to $51 billion over the next decade. This cost varies based on substation construction, EV charging revenues, and peak load charging intensity.
Power conditioning significantly limits peak load during high-demand periods. Automakers also contribute with grid-connected smart charging. These technologies shift EV charging to low-demand times, such as overnight or when renewable energy generation is high. Data from the California Public Advocates (CPA) illustrates the impact: without power conditioning, peak energy demand between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. could more than double. This would require up to 22 GW more power generation in California. However, the CPA report suggests between $25 billion and $35 billion in costs could be saved in California alone by shifting EV charging or using power-conditioned chargers to “shave off” peak loads.
Benefiting EV Customers, Reducing Costs, and Cutting Emissions
Electric Era’s technology proved valuable in Washington State. There, the State and Snohomish County Public Utility District (SNOPUD) selected an eight-stall Electric Era charger for their first co-funded DCFC installation in Arlington, Wash. A key reason: the system provides power without requiring the utility to add new capacity or transmission lines.
This choice saved nearby ratepayers money. It also drastically cut installation time for Electric Era’s chargers, from years to just eight months. Furthermore, it lowered operating costs by over 70% for Skycharger, an EV charge site developer. The system draws power from both the battery and the grid simultaneously, reducing peak demand charges.
“The project’s use of innovative battery technology made it possible to provide power to the chargers without needing increased capacity or expensive upgrades,” said utility spokesperson Aaron Swaney. “We’re thrilled that Electric Era will help us support EV customers in our service area with minimal impact on our residential and business customers.”
Load flexibility, a core feature of Electric Era’s battery-backed EV chargers, helps states and energy providers. It reduces charging load and thus saves customers billions in energy costs. Additionally, activating fewer gas and oil-fired peaker plants during peak demand means lower overall carbon emissions.
“The notion that the nation’s electric grid cannot handle the load of EVs is another myth ready to be busted,” Lee asserted. “Yes, we can have lower carbon transportation, and we can have air conditioning and cold ice cream – it doesn’t need to be an either-or proposition.“
Electric Era aims to accelerate the world into an electric era of zero-emissions transportation through rapid innovation and market disruption. The company offers full-service EV charging solutions. It focuses on quickly deploying highly reliable Level-3 DCFC systems at retail locations, expanding their utility. Electric Era’s patented battery-backed charging architecture and bespoke, private-label solutions deliver industry-leading power and reliability. This package dramatically reduces installation time and energy costs.
