The technology behind electric vehicles (EVs) and automated parking systems has advanced tremendously, promising to revolutionize how we drive and park our cars.
And while we’ve yet to reach the technology level of Orbit-City (the hometown of George Jetson and his family), challenges posed by the use of Electric Vehicles are causing many to rethink how we plan our cities.
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) in the US alone has surged 250% over the past five years. EVs now make up 4% of the cars on the road.
Robotic Parking Systems park cars more efficiently and in half the space of traditional parking lots. They are safer and greener as well. But what may not be known is that Robotic Parking Systems facilities fill a massive need in the infrastructure necessary for wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles.
In a Robotic Parking System, EV charging stations are integrated into the parking spots, making it easy and convenient for EV owners to charge their cars while parked (Technical Specifications here). Automatic parking systems can help increase EV adoption by making charging more accessible. (For more information see Emerging technologies & Automatic Electric Vehicle Charging – Frequently Asked Questions.)
The cost and efficiency of EV charging in traditional concrete parking structures – or on lots and streets for that matter – fall far short of what a Robotic Parking System provides. In a Robotic Parking System, EV charging stations are integrated into the parking spots, making it easy and convenient for EV owners to charge their cars while parked. This can help increase EV adoption by making charging more accessible.
There is much more though…:
It is called “Utilization Rate”.
Because, and in contrast to a conventional charging station, the Robotic Automatic charging does not need to rely on the driver to physically show up and remove the EV in order to free-up the charging station for the next user, the Robotic System does this job automatically and instantly. Therefore, the charging station is utilized 100 %. And because we eliminate the human delay factor, we estimate that only 60% of the originally conventional planned EV charging infrastructure is required in a Robotic System.
Considering all other factors being equal, the Robotic Automatic EV charging saves 40 % of CAPEX.
The above statement is backed up with the following key technical advantages of such Automated EV charging system:
- Optimized Utilization Factor
- Efficient Space Management: With an improved utilization factor, the parking system can accommodate more vehicles in a given space, which directly reduces the need for additional infrastructure like charging stations.
- Less Idle Time for Charging Stations: Due to better vehicle flow and quicker turnover, EV charging stations will be used more efficiently, resulting in fewer stations being required to handle the same volume of electric vehicles.
- Cost Savings
- Lower Infrastructure Costs: Reducing the number of charging stations from 116 to 70 means significant cost savings in the installation, wiring, and maintenance of these stations. This reduces both upfront capital expenditure and ongoing operational expenses.
- Lower Electrical System Load: Fewer charging stations reduce the load on the electrical grid and lessen the need for expensive upgrades to electrical infrastructure. This means lower utility costs and avoids overburdening local energy resources.
- Reduced Space Allocation: By having fewer charging stations, less physical space is needed for electrical cabinets, transformers, and related equipment. This frees up space for additional parking or other amenities.
- Environmental Benefits
- Energy Efficiency: A more efficient parking system reduces energy consumption per vehicle. With fewer charging stations, there’s less power wastage from idle stations, contributing to energy efficiency.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Fewer stations also mean reduced manufacturing and shipping emissions, as well as less construction-related environmental impact.
- Enhanced User Experience
- Reduced Wait Times: Better utilization of EV charging stations means fewer queues and wait times for users needing to charge their vehicles. With faster turnaround times, users will experience more convenient access to charging.
- Optimized EV Demand Handling: The system’s ability to manage EVs more effectively allows you to accommodate a similar number of electric vehicles without requiring as many stations, ensuring the facility meets user demand without overbuilding.
- No Need to Return for Vehicle Movement: Unlike traditional EV charging stations where drivers must return to move their cars after charging, the automated system handles this process seamlessly. Once the vehicle is fully charged, it is automatically moved to a non-charging parking spot, freeing up the charging station for the next user.
- Convenience for Users: This feature ensures that users don’t have to monitor their charging status or rush back to move their cars, offering unparalleled convenience, especially in time-sensitive situations.
- Optimized Use of Parking Space: The system intelligently manages both charging and non-charging parking spaces, ensuring that vehicles are parked in the most efficient locations. This not only improves user experience but also maximizes the utilization of the parking facility.
- User-Friendly and Hassle-Free: From the moment users park their vehicles, they can leave with peace of mind, knowing that the system will handle both charging and relocation automatically. This offers a frictionless parking experience, which is particularly appealing to busy professionals and EV owners.
- Future-Proofing
- Scalable Design: With 70 charging stations in place, there is room to scale up in the future as the demand for EV charging increases, without the initial need to over-invest. This provides flexibility as EV adoption grows.
- Adaptive to Technological Advances: By installing fewer charging stations now, the facility will be better positioned to adopt newer technologies in the future, such as faster or wireless charging, without having to retrofit or replace a large number of outdated charging stations.
- Competitive Advantage
- Cost-Effective Solution: Offering a parking system with fewer, but well-utilized, EV charging stations gives a competitive advantage over other parking solutions that may require a larger, more expensive charging infrastructure.
- Appealing to Sustainability Goals: Many businesses and developers are focused on sustainability. By showcasing how the system is designed to use fewer resources (electricity, infrastructure) while still meeting EV demand, it becomes more attractive to eco-conscious clients and stakeholders.
- Regulatory Compliance
Meeting EV Requirements Efficiently: Many regions have regulations mandating a minimum number of EV charging stations. By showing that your system requires fewer stations due to improved efficiency, you may be able to meet or exceed regulatory requirements while optimizing costs
Filling Up and Charging Up are NOT the same
The critical challenge in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles is how we “fill up” / “charge up” our cars. Charging challenges are divided into time, availability, and cost.
Each of these three categories requires a change in existing infrastructure and a change in behavior on the part of consumers.
Since Robotic Parking Systems facilities can enable every parking spot with unlimited EV charging, these automatic parking systems provide an infrastructure solution as well as a solution to the problem of changing consumer behavior.
“Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you’ll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others. ”
― Jacob M. Braude
1. EV Charging Time
There are three levels of EV charging.
Level 3 / DC Fast Charging, the fastest charging option, takes 30 – 60 minutes. However, routinely using this fast-charging option can hurt an EV’s battery. Depending on the make of the car, it can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 to replace, so taking care of them is important.
Level 2 chargers, like the ones used for an oven or clothes dryer, can charge an electric vehicle in 3 hours.
Level 1 chargers which use a standard 120-volt connection available in any household outlet, take 20 – 50 hours to charge a vehicle.
No matter what level it is, however, the time it takes to charge an EV is much longer than the average 2 minutes it takes to fill up a gas tank.
To deal with the length of charging time required, EV owners generally charge their cars at home at night. This overnight charging process is relatively simple for individuals living in a single-dwelling home.
For millions of others who live in apartments and condos, the time and logistics of charging EVs can be much more complex and even impossible. As a result, many must consider alternative charging locations such as the workplace or public charging stations to consider purchasing an EV.
Apartment complexes, office buildings, shopping centers and any entity providing parking benefit considerably from the construction of automatic parking systems which offer its users Level 2 charging (3 hours to charge). The parking and charging solution offered by Robotic Parking Systems satisfies a tremendous need for EV drivers, better than any other method.
Lastly, the time required to charge EVs poses a challenge for all EV owners taking long trips. The extra time and the lack of availability of chargers mean that careful planning for long trips is required, a behavior change that will be easier for some.
In public charging stations, drivers must disconnect and move their EVs immediately when charging is complete so other customers can access the charger. Robotic Parking Systems chargers however, have no time limitations so EV drivers to take their time in returning.
2. EV Charging Station Availability
Some concrete parking garage structures have several parking spaces with dedicated EV stations. Additionally, shopping markets and other types of businesses have begun to partner up with EV charging companies to allow charging stations to be placed on their properties. As a result, applications have been created to make it easier for EV owners to locate charging stations.
Whether a driver charges their car at an EV charging station in a concrete parking structure or one situated at a business, one thing is true: when their charge is complete, drivers are expected to disconnect their vehicles immediately and move their cars so other customers can access the charger. In some places, drivers may even be ticketed for leaving their car in an EV charging space while not actively charging.
To allow for the additional time involved with charging their vehicles, EV drivers must adopt a new behavior—they must monitor the time while their vehicle is charging and ensure that they can return to their vehicle to either leave or move it when it has completed charging.
Patrons storing and charging their vehicles in a Robotic Parking System face no such time restrictions, allowing them to carry on with their daily business, unhindered by the need to schedule a return to their car to move it.
The cost to install a single sidewalk EV charging station is about $50,000. A singe station in a concrete garage is about $15,000. An EV station in a Roboting Parking System is only $8,000.
3. Electric Vehicle Purchase and Charging Cost
Not only is the purchase cost of EVs 33% higher than gas-powered cars, but there is also a high upfront cost for the Level 2 chargers made by most current EV users.
Level 2s can charge EVs in three hours, much faster than the 20-50 hours required from the Level 1 charge provided by a standard household plug. The average cost for equipment and installation of a Level 2 charger for a home is $1100.
For EV owners with access to one of our automatic parking systems, the investment in Level 2 charging equipment could become unnecessary, making EVs more accessible to a significant portion of the population.
For cities and developers, the cost of providing charging stations varies greatly depending on the venue. For example, the cost to install a sidewalk charger is around $50,000. On the other hand, adding a charging station in a concrete garage is about $15,000 while adding a charger to a parking place in a Robotic Parking System costs around $8000.
Changing Behavior in the move from Gas to EV
People don’t change their behavior unless it makes a difference for them to do so.
– Fran Tarkenton
To make the paradigm shift from gas to EV, consumers will need to change their behavior to adjust for the time, availability and cost of operating an EV.
The researchers behind The Behavior Change Wheel, identified three key contributors to behavior:
Capability: can the individual physically and mentally engage in an activity
Motivation: is the individual energized to engage in an activity
Opportunity: do factors in the environment allow one to engage in an activity
Items one and two are both internal contributors to each individual and are influenced by education, and modeling, among other things.
Item three, opportunity, has everything to do with the external environment and the infrastructure that is established. Government, city planners, developers and EV companies play a huge role in putting EV-friendly infrastructure in place.
Not only do consumers need to change their behavior, businesses, developers, and municipalities do as well. For example, when considering parking, in the past developers had limited options: a lot or a concrete parking structure. Today, Robotic Parking Systems offers a third option, a flexible and scalable option that will continue to serve as transportation technology evolves. However, the option of automatic parking systems is very new to many developers.
Policies and tax incentives are being implemented across the US to encourage consumers to drive EVs and businesses to offer EV charging stations. In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act came into law which contains numerous clean energy incentives, including tax credits for the purchase of EVs and charging equipment as well as tax credits for businesses.
Future structures will provide twice the parking in half the space and provide both a parking and a charging solution to EV owners.
The combination of EVs and automatic parking systems creates a more sustainable and efficient future for transportation. Thanks to subsidies for EV charger installation and tax incentives, this combination also has economical benefits. Providing Level 2 EV charging stations in each parking spot, with a seamless transition once vehicles are done charging (meaning EVs drivers don’t have to race back to their cars to prevent being ticketed!) makes it easy and convenient for EV owners to charge their cars while they are parked. This can help increase EV adoption by making charging more accessible and convenient.
As these technologies continue to evolve, we expect to see more developers and municipalities opting to solve their parking issues with automated parking facilities, making it even easier for people to switch to EVs and enjoy the benefits they offer.
For more information on how automatic parking systems could help with your parking development project, click on the link below. One of our Robotic Parking Systems experts will design custom fully automated parking plans for your project at no cost and no risk to you.