Latest news with #QuincyLee
Malaysian Reserve
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Malaysian Reserve
Don't Sweat It: New Electric Era EV Chargers Help Cut Carbon Emissions and Save Energy, So You Can Keep Cool This Summer
Electric Era's patented battery backed power-conditioned DC fast chargers eliminate peak grid load for more energy efficient charging and reduced utility grid impact and energy costs. SEATTLE, Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As sweltering summer heat waves crisscross America, one EV charging company is doing its part to be a good neighbor and helping homeowners stay cool by using 70% less peak energy to charge vehicles at nearby stores and shopping malls. That's important as the average homeowner will shell out nearly $800 this summer to stay cool – a 6% increase over last year. It's a vicious cycle as electric utilities scramble to meet peak demand by building more carbon-emitting peaker generators, passing costs on to customers. To help mitigate peak power demand and save nearby utility customers money on their energy bills, the Seattle-based Electric Era EV charging system manufacturer developed a patented battery-backed DC fast charger that cuts peak power consumption up to 70% – enough to give back the equivalent of 700 homes worth of power. 'No matter what you drive, whether it's an EV or gas vehicle, homes and businesses shoulder the costs to expand the electric grid. That's why we designed our EV chargers to significantly reduce the impact on the local energy grid,' said Electric Era CEO Quincy Lee. 'Our goal is to cut the carbon emissions that lead to higher summer temperatures without having a negative financial impact on the communities we serve.' Serving Local EV Customers Without Increasing Electric CostsMinimizing peak power demand was top-of-mind last year when the State of Washington and the Snohomish County Public Utility District (SNOPUD) evaluated competing level-3 charging options to use for the state's Climate Commitment Act program. They chose Electric Era for their first co-funded DCFC installation in Arlington, WA, in part, because the company was able to install an eight-stall 200 kW charging system using existing electric infrastructure. Not only did that save nearby rate payers money, it also dramatically reduced the amount of time it took for Electric Era to install the chargers – from years to just eight months. It also cut operating costs upwards of 70% for EV charge site developer Skycharger, by drawing power from both the battery and the grid simultaneously to cut peak demand charges. 'The project's use of innovative battery technology made it possible to provide power to the chargers without the need for increased capacity or expensive upgrades,' utility spokesperson Aaron Swaney said. '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.' Shave the Peaks, and Save the Ice CreamThe 'secret sauce' behind Electric Era's DC fast chargers is the battery-backed power conditioning that shaves off peak energy loads when customers charge their cars with a low state of charge (near empty for gas cars). Peak power is what electric utilities design for – and it's what drives up nearby electric utility costs, and adds months, if not years, to the time it takes to install Level-3 DC fast charging systems, which is critical to expanding EV use in the U.S. The idea of peak power reduction is not new, but making it work successfully from the charger location is, and many states are looking into what they call 'grid supportive transportation electrification' to use power conditioning systems like Electric Era's to minimize grid expansion expenditures and to use less high carbon-emitting peaker power plants. A 2023 Distribution Grid Electrification study by the California Public Advocates (CPA) Office estimates that expanding the state's electric grid to support EV charging alone might cost up to $51 billion over the next decade, however, those costs could be cut in half by shifting EV charging away from peak demand times and using power conditioned EV chargers to 'shave off' peak power loads. Load balancing is expected to become a key ingredient to breaking down the barriers to EV adoption by mitigating the impact of EV charging on the nation's antiquated electric grid – and further slowing the cycle of carbon emissions causing record summer temperatures, leading to more energy consumption and higher electric costs for consumers and small businesses. 'The notion that the nation's electric grid cannot handle the load of EVs is another myth that's ready to be busted,' Lee said. 'Yes, we can have lower carbon transportation and we can also have air conditioning and cold ice cream – it doesn't need to be an either-or proposition.' About Electric EraWith a vision to accelerate the world into the electric era of zero-emissions transportation through rapid innovations and market disruption, Electric Era is the only full-service EV charging solutions provider focused on the rapid deployment of highly reliable Level-3 DCFC systems at retail locations to grow and extend their retail space. Electric Era's patented battery-backed charging architecture and bespoke, private-label charging solutions deliver industry-leading power and reliability in a package that dramatically reduces installation time and energy costs. Learn more at Electric Era on X: @ElectricEraTechFollow Electric Era on LinkedIn: Linkedin/company/electric-era
Newsweek
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
AI-Enabled Electric Vehicle Charging Coming This Year
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Electric Era debuted the first artificial intelligence-enabled electric vehicle fast-charging stations this week. The technology is designed to deliver a more personalized charging experience courtesy of the company's Retailer AI software platform. The Retailer AI platform features a voice-activated user interface to bring personalized concierge experiences and retail engagement opportunities to life. "From the start, we looked at every opportunity to give our retail customers a richer EV charging experience that helps them use the refueling point of contact to grow their customer base and their business," Electric Era founder and CEO Quincy Lee, a former SpaceX engineer, told Newsweek. "I see Retailer AI as an extension of that, as a blank palette that retailers can use to design and activate their ultimate branded EV charging experience that reflects their brand identity and ability to engage with their customers in a more meaningful way," he said. Retailer AI aims to be a brand extension for retailers including convenience stores, grocers and restaurants. Users can order from the electric vehicle charger's screen. A large information screen uses AI technology to share messages to users. A large information screen uses AI technology to share messages to users. Electric Era The experience begins when an electric vehicle driver pulls up to an Electric Era charging station. In addition to typical charging station functionality, the station's AI technology can find restaurants, shopping centers and points of interest nearby, all while the screen displays the charging vehicle's vitals. "As an EV owner, I drive to unknown places often, and I look for charge locations that I can take advantage of my downtime to take a break, maybe find something to eat, or stop at a nearby store to get something I need," Lee said. "Having Retailer AI, drivers get a personal assistant that 'knows' who they are, their current situation, and engages them in a conversation to help them optimize their charge time productively. AI is as endless as our imagination, which is why we feel it's the ultimate platform for our retailer customers to leverage to better serve their customers and extend their retail space into the parking lot," he said.
