Comparison of EVSE Charge Management Systems for Limited Electrical Infrastructure

The installed cost of EV charging stations can vary widely depending on site specific conditions and the number and type of EV charging stations (EVSE) to be installed. The cost can exceed $10,000 per EVSE if panel or switch gear upgrades are needed or if trenching is required. These infrastructure costs can pose a significant barrier to EV adoption for fleet operators or for employers who wish to provide EV charging for employees. Smart EVSE can play a role in managing the infrastructure and installation cost of EVSE. Such products can enable charging when there are limitations in electrical capacity. Three types of smart EVSE are tested and compared: 1) fully autonomous/local control, 2) networked/cloud managed control, and 3) a hybrid of local and cloud managed control.