ZiGGY: Robotic EV Charging Demo at DFW Airport

The rapid expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) has highlighted the pressing need for new and improved EV charging technologies. Existing charging systems, although effective, often struggle to meet the growing requirements and face challenges such as long charging times, limited availability, and compatibility issues. Developing new EV charging technologies has become crucial to ensure widespread adoption and address these limitations.

ZiGGY—a robotic EV charger developed by EV Safe Charge—is one of these cutting-edge EV charging technologies that pave the way for a cleaner, greener, and more accessible transportation ecosystem. ZiGGY can be called upon through a mobile app or the in-vehicle infotainment system, and it will promptly arrive at the designated parking spot to secure it for plug-in charging. ZiGGY can return to its home base to recharge using a combination of grid, battery, or solar energy as needed.

“Airports must meet the growing demand for travelers owning EVs to easily charge while they fly,” stated Caradoc Ehrenhalt, founder and CEO of EV Safe Charge. “In evaluating potential technologies for their demonstration, DFW chose to display the tech offered by ZiGGY due to its innovative flexibility to reach every car in a parking lot, not just a few spaces. We look forward to working with DFW with the goal of identifying more options to service their expanding EV-driving traveler base, and we are thrilled to be part of this historic moment.”

This airport demonstration is the first of its kind anywhere. DFW’s Innovation and Planning teams will host a series of EV charging demonstrations from May through August. “Finding the right technology solutions to meet DFW’s future challenges is a major focus for our team,” stated DFW Executive Vice President of Innovation Paul Puopolo. “We know that electric vehicles will be a big part of the future of transportation, and we are leaning into emerging technology now so that we are prepared to meet the needs of the airport community well into the future.”

The following video shows how ZiGGY works:

By leveraging mobile charging robots like ZiGGY, EV owners can conveniently access charging services without requiring permanent charging stations at every parking spot. This flexibility can significantly reduce retrofitting costs and make EV charging more accessible in existing parking structures. Innovative solutions like the ZiGGY robot offer promising alternatives that can help overcome these financial barriers and contribute to the broader adoption of electric vehicles.