eMobility / Stress test
eMobility / Stress test
At Full Speed
The charging ‘nest’ on the premises of the Mladá Boleslav plant has been stress-tested by Component Production
t the beginning of February, 12 ENYAQ iV cars arrived at the charging stations in front of the V19 facility, also known by the nickname Prior. Led by Pavel Hanák, the PKV – Project Management and Pre-Series Component department tested how the full simultaneous operation of all the local charging points would work. “We thought that since we were testing new electric cars, it would be a good idea to test the infrastructure as well. In other words, what will the simultaneous charging at all the points in one location do? Will it somehow affect the distribution network or data transmissions? And how will everything go?” explained Hanák. Charging from 12 connectors was tested simultaneously on six Siemens combined 22 kW chargers for slow charging with alternating current (AC) and 50 kW chargers for fast connectors with direct current (DC). Thus, the maximum charging power was 432 kW; however, because of the conditions (e.g. the outside temperature and the car charge status), it was only used to a maximum of 75 percent.
We organised a meeting of 12 test drivers and tested the full load of chargers at the V19 facility. In addition, our colleagues from ŠKO-ENERGO succeeded in measuring the behaviour of the power grid when fully locally loaded.
Pavel Hanák
PKV – Project Management and Pre-Series Component Centre
“The load test presented an excellent opportunity to verify the electrical-technical properties and variables, such as inrush currents and transients, which we expected when planning the charging infrastructure construction. Thanks to the appropriately selected technology with above-standard specifications, the performance of the chargers is gentle on the distribution system. Therefore, there is no risk of interference that would negatively affect the production sections in the area”, according to David Hošek from the ŠKO-ENERGO Charging Infrastructure Planning and Project Management department.
Three hundred electric cars tested
It was also an opportunity for some drivers from the 300-car test fleet of ENYAQ iV company cars to meet and discuss their existing – albeit very recent – experience with the new model. “We also want to let everybody know that there is no need to worry about the operation of electric cars; we already have adequate infrastructure with slow and fast charging on the plant premises, which is growing at a considerable rate”, Hanák added. Another charging nest, similar to the one at the V19 facility, is located at the C23 OCTAVIA restaurant, and individual DC chargers are in operation in front of the M6 Engine Room and behind the C26 facility, among others. This year, we plan to deploy an additional 14 stations, which will also be grouped into nests – at the health centre, ŠKODA Academy, IT Point and the new Paint Shop. The Kvasiny and Vrchlabí plants will not be short-changed either. ED
Kateřina Kramešová
PSI-P – Production System
The ENYAQ iV is great. I especially like the interior design and the display, and I appreciate the smaller turning radius and acceleration. I also tried predictive cruise control, which takes speed limits into account and slows down to comply with them. It works flawlessly. Charging at work runs smoothly, and I haven’t yet faced a situation when a charger wouldn’t be available. Outside the plant, I use various mobile applications. I had recharged with the MyŠKODA Powerpass card (see the Driving into the Future 2020 annex) at the E.ON station, and during a longer trip to visit my parents, I used the free-of-charge slow 22-kilowatt charging provided by ČEZ.
Jan Míchal
VVM/3 – Sales Systems and Processes
In the first two weeks or so, I drove about 1,000 kilometres with my ENYAQ iV. Regarding its driving properties, workmanship, interior and design, I must say that this car is great – in my opinion, the most beautiful car we’ve produced to date. One certainly has to think differently than with a conventional car; however, with planning, there isn’t much difficulty, and even longer routes can be completed.
Let your colleagues recharge
The number of electric cars is increasing; however, from time to time, their users find that the spots at the charging points are blocked by drivers of cars with internal combustion engines. “I would like to ask drivers of cars with petrol and diesel engines: Please don’t park in these spots. At the start of the electromobility era, it’s important that all of us learn this right from the get-go. It’s about decency and consideration; moreover, by blocking a spot reserved for another type of car, you are also violating the regulations”, says Hanák.