As the electric vehicle (EV) market accelerates, car rentals and dealerships face both challenges and opportunities in adapting to the needs of electric mobility. Portable DC EV chargers are proving to be a game-changer, offering flexibility, convenience, and efficiency in managing EV fleets. Here, we explore how these innovative charging solutions are transforming operations for car rental businesses and dealerships.
What is DC Charging?
DC charging, or direct current fast charging, bypasses the EV’s onboard converter by delivering electricity directly to the battery. This results in significantly faster charging times compared to alternating current (AC) chargers.
Key Features of DC Charging
- Speed: DC chargers can replenish an EV battery to 80% in just 20–40 minutes, depending on the charger’s power rating and the EV’s battery capacity.
- Use Cases: Ideal for high-demand settings like public charging stations, fleet operations, car dealerships, and rental agencies where fast turnaround times are critical.
Portable DC Charging
Portable DC chargers add a layer of mobility, allowing businesses to bring fast charging to where it’s needed most—whether it’s in parking lots, off-site events, or high-demand areas.
The Key Difference Between AC and DC Charging
While AC chargers rely on the vehicle’s onboard charger to convert electricity, DC chargers handle this conversion internally. This distinction has important implications for speed and efficiency:
AC Charging Rates Depend on the Vehicle
Even if an AC charger is rated at 22kW (32A, 3-phase), the charging speed depends on the vehicle’s onboard charger. For instance:
- Tesla Model 3 and Model Y: Limited to 11kW on AC, even when connected to a 22kW charger.
- BYD Atto 3: Limited to 7kW (32A, single-phase).
This means that installing a high-powered AC charger doesn’t necessarily lead to faster charging unless the vehicle can support it.
DC Chargers Overcome These Limitations
By converting power internally, DC chargers deliver consistent, high-speed charging regardless of the EV’s onboard limitations. This makes them invaluable for businesses that prioritise speed and flexibility.
The Growing Need for DC Fast Charging in Rentals and Dealerships
With the surge in EV adoption, car rental companies and dealerships are managing larger fleets of electric vehicles. Unlike traditional gas-powered cars, EVs require reliable charging solutions to remain operational. While fixed DC fast chargers are excellent for stationary setups, portable DC chargers add a layer of flexibility that’s becoming increasingly essential.
Car Rentals
Car rental businesses are uniquely positioned to benefit from portable DC chargers, especially in the following ways:
- Flexible Fleet Management
Portable DC chargers allow rental companies to quickly charge EVs wherever they are parked, reducing the logisitical challenges of moving cars to fixed charging points.
- Enhanced Customer Experience
With portable chargers, rental companies can ensure EVs are fully charged upon pickup, offering customers a seamless rental experience.
- Faster Turnaround Times Portable DC chargers support fast charging, ensuring vehicles are ready for the next customer in a fraction of the time, even in high-demand periods.
Dealerships
For dealerships, the ability to efficiently manage EV inventory and deliver exceptional customer service is critical. Here’s how portable DC chargers contribute:
- Always Ready for Test Drives
Ensuring that vehicles are charged and ready for test drives enhances the customer experience and increases sales opportunities.
- Streamlined Delivery Process
Portable chargers allow dealerships to charge EVs during delivery preparation, ensuring vehicles are fully charged for immediate use by customers.
- Event Ready Mobility Portable DC chargers make it easy to showcase EVs at off-site events, trade shows, or pop-ups without being tethered to permanent infrastructure.
Benefits of Portable DC Chargers
Cost-Effectiveness
Portable DC chargers eliminate the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades, making them an ideal choice for small-to-medium-sized businesses looking to scale EV operations.
Mobility and Versatility
Unlike fixed units, portable chargers can be moved between locations, catering to dynamic operational needs; whether it’s managing overflow parking or providing temporary charging during events.
Quick Deployment
Portable chargers can be deployed without extensive planning or installation, making them an ideal choice for rapidly scaling EV operations.
Featured Product: The Kempower Movable DC Charger
The Kempower Movable DC Charger is the ultimate solution for businesses seeking versatility and reliability in EV charging. Designed to meet both temporary and semi-permanent charging needs, this plug-and-play mobile charger is transforming how dealerships, events, and industrial sites approach EV charging.
The Kempower Movable T500 is the perfect charging solution for dealerships and car rental businesses, offering unmatched versatility and ease of use. For heavy-duty needs like truck charging, the Kempower Movable T800 is your go-to option, delivering powerful performance for larger vehicles; an excellent choice for workshops managing customer deposits, providing backup charging solutions, or conducting trials with temporary setups.
If you’re a dealership or business looking for a flexible charging solution, get in touch with us today, and our team will be happy to assist you!
Empower Your Business with Kempower
The Kempower Movable DC Charger is available exclusively to sparkies and electrical contractors on the JET Charge Partner Store. Equip your projects with the best in EV charging technology and deliver unmatched value to your clients.
Overcoming Challenges with Portable DC Chargers
While portable DC chargers are transformative, businesses must consider a few factors:
- Power Requirements: Ensure the availability of adequate power sources to maximise charging efficiency.
- Capacity Planning: Evaluate the charger’s capacity to handle the fleet’s needs, especially for high-volume rental or dealership operations.
Driving Success with Portable DC Chargers
While AC chargers are often the go-to solution for residential or low-usage scenarios, they aren’t always the best fit for every business. Portable DC chargers provide a practical, flexible, and scalable solution for car rentals and dealerships to manage their evolving needs. Businesses that invest in these chargers today will be better positioned to thrive in the electric mobility era.
Whether it’s ensuring EVs are ready for the next customer at a rental agency or enhancing the buying experience at a dealership, portable DC chargers are reshaping the landscape for car rentals and dealerships. By adopting these innovative solutions, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and deliver the convenience, speed, and reliability that EV customers expect.
Looking to power up your commercial EV projects? Access the Kempower Moveable DC Charger on the JET Charge Partner Store—a wholesale store designed for sparkies ready to lead the way in EV charging!