On June 14, EV Safe Charge, a leading provider of flexible electric vehicle (EV) charging technology, unveiled ZiGGY™, its mobile EV charging robot. This robot will bring EV charging to parking facilities, shopping and entertainment centers, fleet operators, hotels, and property owners. It is a cost-effective charging solution that overcomes the limitations of stationary EV chargers that need costly electrical infrastructure. Interestingly, ZiGGY also has a digital ad server that can generate advertising revenue for the facility and display personalized information.
“Strong EV sales and emissions reduction goals are creating a more sustainable future, but EV charging infrastructure isn’t keeping up,” said Caradoc Ehrenhalt, Founder & CEO of EV Safe Charge Inc. and ZiGGY’s inventor.
“Strong EV sales and emissions reduction goals are creating a more sustainable future, but EV charging infrastructure isn’t keeping up,” said Caradoc Ehrenhalt, Founder & CEO of EV Safe Charge Inc. and ZiGGY’s inventor. “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.”
An EV can summon ZiGGY using a mobile app or in-vehicle infotainment system. It will arrive wherever the vehicle is parked and reserve the spot for plug-in charging. The robot will return to its home base recharging from the grid, battery or solar energy, or a combination of them. It will also be chosen for offsite charging if no infrastructure is available for desired onsite. ZiGGy is equipped with two extra-large screens, which are information kiosks or interactive advertising displays. Additional income can be generated for the parking facility operators through these displays. EV Safe Charge will lease ZiGGy to offer ‘Charging as a Service’ to facilities and provide technical support and maintenance for the robot. Facility operators can direct vehicle owners to the app for payments or provide charging as an amenity. ZiGGY eliminates the need for parking operators to block spaces for permanent EV charges.
“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,” Ehrenhalt added. “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 and welcoming design for its charging robot, so they engaged award-winning industrial design studio Box Clever. The Box Clever team designed ZiGGY’s exterior and created a holistic UX and brand identity for the robot.
Box Clever’s Founder and Creative Director, Bret Recor said, “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 will be the first company to bring a mobile EV charging solution featuring a digital and communication advertising option. ZiGGY will enter production in 2023, and the company is accepting reservations for ZiGGY today.