The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) has set a new standard for accessibility and payment at public charging stations through QR codes.
Initially, dynamic QR codes were planned to mitigate the risk of fraud associated with static ones.
However, the interpretation of this regulation has become more flexible, allowing for the use of static ones as long as they meet specific security and readability criteria.
“We are working on a QR code for AFIR, which we would like to install on wallboxes in the near future,” Hardy Barth tells Mobility Portal Europe.
When scanned with a mobile phone, these codes enable drivers to quickly and efficiently select their payment method.
This not only streamlines the process for the end-user but also offers significant economic advantages for Charge Point Operators (CPOs) by reducing the costs associated with installing and maintaining traditional transaction terminals.
And this is not the only innovation from the German company.
Hardy Barth is also addressing the demand for bidirectional charging solutions, a growing trend in the eMobility market.
This technology allows electric vehicles (EVs) to function as decentralized energy storage units, contributing to the stabilisation of the electrical grid.
However, the implementation of this technology faces significant challenges in Germany due to current legislation and the lack of compatible infrastructure for alternating current charging stations.
This means that its implementation is still in its early stages.
“Our hardware would normally be ready for this, but due to various issues, such as legal constraints and the lack of communication between vehicles, the technology cannot currently be implemented,” the firm states.
Nevertheless, the federal government has launched a joint project with BiFlex-Industrie to develop bidirectional stations with custom hardware and open communication interfaces.
This effort, supported by a roadmap from the Advisory Council of the National Charging Infrastructure Control Centre, aims to standardise these solutions and facilitate their widespread adoption.
Experts predict that the first commercial applications for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) will be available from 2025, with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) applications coming to market shortly thereafter.
What is Hardy Barth’s eMobility strategy?
The company stands out for its focus on developing intelligent charging stations that integrate with a wide range of photovoltaic systems and offer multiple variants for different needs.
From the cPµ2 wallbox for the private sector to the cPH2 and cPP2 chargers for public areas, Hardy Barth provides solutions tailored to a variety of applications.
It is also in discussions with various inverter manufacturers to ensure compatibility with its products, including RCT, Fronius, Kostal, SMA, GoodWe, and Sungrow.
Its ChargeController (Salia platform) is ISO15118 ready.
This is installed at each point in its stations, allowing wallboxes to communicate with EVs in the future, a capability that will be essential for the implementation of bidirectional charging.
Simplifying installation is another priority.
The inclusion of a five-port switch in its dual chargers simplifies the implementation process and reduces the need for additional wiring.
“As a manufacturer of charging stations, you want to constantly develop, incorporate more valuable features to satisfy your customers, and differentiate yourself from the competition,” the company indicates.
It is worth noting that its sales organisation operates through a three-tier system, meaning it primarily sells to wholesalers, who in turn distribute the products to installers in various countries.
The stations are mainly installed in Germany and Austria, though they have also been supplied to France, Switzerland, Croatia, Portugal, Romania, and the Czech Republic.
Hardy Barth at the forefront of eMobility transformation
At the recent Intersolar fair, the manufacturer showcased its latest application for charging point control, designed to facilitate access and data management.
In the next step, this app will also be available as a cloud version to make remote monitoring even more efficient.
And not only does it offer eMobility solutions, but it also incorporates them.
The firm exclusively uses EVs for its field staff.
At present, it still has a combustion engine vehicle, which it hopes to replace with an electric one in the future.
