Beam Global has deployed four EV ARC off-grid charging systems for a community electric vehicle carshare pilot in Greater Boston.
The systems combine solar generation, onboard battery storage, and Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging without requiring a utility connection. This allows charging infrastructure to be installed without trenching, electrical construction, transformer upgrades, or lengthy grid-interconnection work.
Each EV ARC system generates and stores electricity onsite and can charge two vehicles simultaneously. Beam says each unit can generate enough energy to replenish up to 265 miles of EV driving range per day, depending on solar conditions, vehicle efficiency, and system configuration.
Onsite energy storage also separates the timing of solar generation from vehicle charging demand. Stored energy can be supplied when vehicles return from trips or when solar output is limited, while avoiding additional load on the local electric grid.
The pilot will evaluate whether off-grid solar-plus-storage systems can support shared EV fleets in locations where conventional charging infrastructure may be delayed or impractical. The CommunityEV Carshare pilot is operated by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and uses electric vehicles from Zipcar. The charging systems are located in communities that have traditionally had limited access to carsharing services.
The deployment illustrates how charging infrastructure can be matched to vehicle duty cycles rather than maximum charging power. Zipcar reports a median trip distance of 25.5 miles for its Boston EV fleet, allowing vehicles to recover energy between relatively short trips while parked.
The EV ARC systems are being rented by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council rather than purchased outright. The pilot supports Massachusetts’ broader effort to reduce transportation emissions and expand access to electric mobility.
Filed Under: Charging, Technology News