AtomEV
SAY GOODBYE TO RANGE ANXIETY
Not within range of a fast charger? No problem - simply plug your electric vehicle's charging cable into AtomEV (our portable smart meter), plug that into any standard 3-pin UK power socket, open the app, and charge. It will monitor exactly how much energy has been used, and AtomPay (our back-end payment solution) will rapidly compensate the energy provider via bank transfer.
MX3 CS HOMEPAGE
PLUG IN WHEN YOU'RE NOT WITHIN RANGE OF A FAST CHARGER
AtomEV is not aiming to replace fast charging technology. It will enable EV drivers to plug in and charge from any standard 3-pin power socket whenever a fast charger is not available.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Simply follow this process to instantly gain access to a nationwide network of energy providers when you're on the go - say goodbye to range anxiety!
The FirstPlug your EV's power lead into AtomEV.
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The SecondPlug AtomEV into any 3-pin power socket.
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The ThirdConnect it to the Internet then charge and pay.
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Simply plug your electric vehicle's charging cable into AtomEV and then plug it into any UK 3-pin power socket. You may need an extension lead (not included) depending on the distance between the vehicle and the power socket. AtomEV must be connected either via wifi (if available) or mobile hotspot. Open the AtomEV app and follow instructions to commence and finish the charging and payment process.
GET STARTED
You can start by signing up to our mailing list and joining our waiting list. That way you will be among the first to get notified when the AtomEV app becomes available. Before joining you will be asked to enter some details about yourself. If you're an EV driver (energy consumer) you'll need to provide a payment method. Energy providers will be asked to set their price per KWh and method of payment acceptance.
FURTHER DETAILS
Current Aims and Future Direction
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We designed AtomEV to be as simple as possible. That's why we decided to enable energy providers to participate without even needing to set up an account. Energy consumers do however need to be onboarded and we do need to charge an upfront fee to cover costs associated with the hardware. The good news is that we are working on ways to reduce or even remove the upfront cost. This could be via government subsidies or by forging strategic partnerships with vehicle manufacturers. Perhaps one day all new and pre-owned EVs will come with an AtomEV as standard!
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We wanted to make AtomEV as portable as possible because we would eventually like our community to carry one around with them wherever they go. The current version is aimed at EV users, so size and weight is less of an issue. Future versions will be the size or a smartphone charger, so it will fit inside a jacket pocket or laptop bag. This will enable it to be used to pay for power consumed by any electrically powered device from consumer electronics to personal transportation equipment such as ebikes, escooters, and Segways.
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Features and Benefits
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As previously mentioned, one of the most compelling features of AtomEV is that it is portable so can be taken anywhere and plugged into any standard UK 3-pin power socket. One of the key benefits is that 3-pin charging points are likely to be found even in remote locations miles from a city centre or fast charging station. Another benefit is that if a fast charging station is fully occupied or out of order, a 3-pin socket could be easily found and used as an alternative.
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Another intended benefit is that in many cases AtomEV charging points will be cheaper than fast chargers. However, the price is set by energy providers so the cost per KWh will be based on supply and demand. Market forces will therefore determine the price (not us). Finally, AtomEV uses blockchain technology. This means cryptocurrency in addition to GBP can be used to pay for energy. Please read the section below that explains how this will benefit you and enhance the product.
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Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
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Blockchain is the game-changing technology that makes cryptocurrency possible. It is beneficial because it removes the need for trusted intermediaries. Trusting a single centralised entity such as a financial institution or big technology corporation to process and validate transactions is inefficient and often creates conflicts of interest. Blockchain enables a distributed network of nodes to process transactions in a way that is more efficient and removes the risk of manipulation and bottlenecks. Giving control to one single entity just doesn't make sense, but prior to the advent of blockchain there was no alternative.
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Using blockchain to process and record transactions enables us to provide our users with a tamper resistant record that can be accessed by both energy consumers (buyers) and energy providers (sellers). It removes the need for trust as both parties can view exactly how much energy was consumed, and the price paid per KWh. Increasingly cryptocurrency is being chosen as a way to pay for goods and services instead of sovereign currencies. Enabling funds to be transferred between two entities directly (without an intermediary) usually reduces costs and the time it takes for funds to be transferred.
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The Importance of Early Adopters
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We hope the value that AtomEV offers will be enough to incentivise early adopters to spread the world. Metcalfe's law states that the value of a network is proportional to the square of users connected to the system. This is why technologies such as the telephone, fax machine, mobile phone, Internet, and email only became useful when a critical mass of people started to use it. It became more valuable as more people joined the network. The problem is that it can be difficult to persuade anyone to be first to join, especially if there's an upfront cost. We have solved this problem by ensuring AtomEV offers value to solo users from day one.
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However, early adopters will need to go through a few additional steps before plugging in and paying. We don't think this will be a problem because early adopters will start by using sockets owned by friends, family, and acquaintances. Energy providers will only need to enter their details once, and permission will no longer be required as the bill payer will be automatically compensated whenever their sockets are used. The more people that become on-boarded as energy providers the easier plugging and paying will become. Over time we hope that the friction of obtaining permission and onboarding will eventually become unnecessary.
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The Power of Community
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Our aim is to become a positive change agent and an active member of a far larger community than the one we are attempting to build. We want to join all the individuals, associations, government institutions, corporations, and startup ventures that are already working hard to make transportation more eco-friendly. For example, there are already companies that are finding ways to enable households to share their charging points with their neighbours. That's very valuable, but isn't what we are working on.
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In addition there are a growing number of very well-financed companies and government departments that are installing fast chargers in urban centres. AtomEV does not aim to compete with community projects or charging solutions intended for the home, office, or locations within heavily populated areas. Our community will primarily be made up of energy providers that are located in remote areas, and EV users that live and travel to sparsely populated regions that lack fast charging infrastructure.
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How we Compare with Other Apps
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As EV adoption increases and charging infrastructure grows, more charging apps are being launched. This is something we most definitely welcome! Firstly, the growing need for products and services provides clear evidence that EVs are becoming more popular. Secondly, competition is ultimately a good thing.
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It encourages progress and is what makes companies strive to improve their products and services for the betterment of the end user. Our primary goals are to make driving an EV less stressful and enable anyone to earn extra income by making the existing 3-pin charging infrastructure available to EV drivers.
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The following is a theoretical example of a user journey between an energy consumer and an energy provider.
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#1 The EV driver (energy consumer) needs to charge, but is not within range of a fast charger.
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#2 The energy consumer opens the AtomEV app and looks for the nearest AtomEV 3-pin locations.
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#3 If one is found, the app will provide details relating to where the socket can be found and the price per KWh.
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#4 As the energy provider has already been on-boarded the energy consumer can simply plug in without asking permission first.
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#5 If there is not a registered socket within range, the energy consumer will need to find one and ask permission.
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#6 The energy consumer will need to explain that they would like to plug in and use AtomEV to compensate them.
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#7 Once the price per KWh is agreed, the energy provider will need to share their bank acc no and sort code.
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#8 Once entered and submitted, charging will commence. Payment is made when disconnected.
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How we Compare with Fast Chargers
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AtomEV is not intended as a substitute for dedicated EV chargers. Using it to plug into a 3-pin socket is slow compared to dedicated fast chargers, and far slower compared to ultra fast chargers. In some cases AtomEV may even cost more as the price per KWh is set by our energy providers.
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AtomEV has been designed as an interim solution intended for emergency charging or when a fast charger is not within range. Over time we hope that AtomEV will become less relevant, and eventually unnecessary. However, it will take years for a ubiquitous fast charging network to become available.
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Elly, Glasgow
"My motivation for joining the community was to become an energy provider. I can't drive yet, but I really care about the environment so want to help promote EV adoption"
Jane, Torquay
"AtomEV has given me the courage to bite the bullet and get my first EV. My primary concern was being stranded alone with a flat battery. Now that's something I no longer worry about"
Jack, London
"I recently passed my driving test, and was annoyed that my parents traded in their old car for an EV because finding somewhere to charge can be a hassle. Now I use AtomEV to charge when I'm staying round my mates"
Clem, York
"I'm a freelance production assistant and travel extensively for work-related assignments. I hadn't considered switching to an EV because of the lack of charging infrastructure. AtomEV may change my mind"