EV Safe Charge, a provider of flexible electric vehicle charging technology, has unveiled ZiGGY, its mobile EV charging robot.
ZiGGY will bring EV charging to parking facilities, shopping and entertainment centers, hotels, fleet operators and property owners, providing cost-effective charging, overcoming the limitations of stationary EV chargers without the need for costly electrical infrastructure.
In addition, ZiGGY’s digital ad server can generate advertising revenue for the facility and display customized information.
Caradoc Ehrenhalt, founder and CEO of EV Safe Charge and ZiGGY’s inventor, says: “Strong EV sales and emissions reduction goals are creating a more sustainable future, but EV charging infrastructure isn’t keeping up.
“ZiGGY is a flexible and simple solution for virtually any office, mall or apartment complex to help meet growing charging needs of its tenants and guests without expensive, time-consuming infrastructure and installation investment, if it’s even possible.
“In many cases, especially in older buildings, adding EV chargers isn’t an option until now.”
ZiGGY will be summoned to an EV via mobile app or in-vehicle infotainment system and will arrive at the vehicle’s parking space, ready to reserve the spot for plug-in charging.
ZiGGY is able to return to its home base for recharging from grid, battery or solar energy, or a combination of these. ZiGGY can also be chosen for offsite charging if no infrastructure is available or desired onsite.
ZiGGY is equipped with two extra-large screens that serve as informational kiosks or interactive advertising displays – an additional income generator for parking facility operators.
EV Safe Charge will lease ZiGGY to deliver “Charging as a Service” to facilities and provide ongoing technical support and maintenance.
Facility operators will have the option to direct vehicle owners to the app for payment or to provide charging as an amenity. Parking operators will no longer need to block spaces for permanent EV chargers because ZiGGY can serve all parking spaces.
Ehrenhalt says: “We created ZiGGY in response to growing demand for flexible EV charging solutions from our customers, and to help support the global transition to a cleaner, greener, all-electric mobility future.
“By helping drivers to overcome charging anxiety, one of the barriers to mass EV adoption, ZiGGY is enhancing the EV charging experience for everyone.”
EV Safe Charge wanted an exciting, modern, welcoming design for ZiGGY and engaged award-winning industrial design studio, Box Clever.
Using their expertise, the Box Clever team worked on the design of ZiGGY’s exterior, while also creating a holistic design experience including the UX and brand identity design for ZiGGY.
Bret Recor, Box Clever’s founder and creative director, says: “Through our work on the design and branding of ZiGGY, we are delighted to be contributing to a transformative innovation that will help advance a clean energy future. We are excited to continue our design work with ZiGGY on this shared mission.”
EV Safe Charge is poised to be the first company to bring to market a mobile EV charging solution featuring communication and digital, interactive advertising. ZiGGY is currently scheduled to enter production in 2023.
The company is taking reservations for ZiGGY now.
Sites already on board for using ZiGGY include Holiday Inn Express in Redwood City, CA, Opera Plaza in San Francisco and The William Vale, a luxury hotel in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood.
David Lemmond, general manager of The William Vale, says: “We delight in finding opportunities to introduce our guests and neighbors to next-level amenities and technology.
“ZiGGY is perfect for the growing demand for easier charging solutions. ZiGGY will introduce our entire community to just how convenient charging your EV really can be without substantial infrastructure updates.”
EV Safe Charge has been funded through angel investors, including Sand Hill Angels, and is raising additional capital in a seed round to finance the production and marketing of ZiGGY.
Capstone Financial Group, the leading international investment bank in the automotive/mobility space, is conducting a competitive bidding process for the purchase of a minority interest in EV Safe Charge.
Prospective bidders are expected to be institutional investors who have expressed to Capstone an interest in the EV industry.
Carl Norman, president of Capstone Financial Group, says: “We are thrilled to introduce the investment world to ZiGGY, and feel it will be well received by the market as it represents a cost-effective alternative that simplifies the EV charging infrastructure.
“ZiGGY was invented and developed by leading experts in EV charging, robotics, industrial design and engineering.
“We look forward to ZiGGY moving into production and to partnering with parking operators, office and residential landlords, hotels, event venues and more to support the future of flexible charging needs.”
