Start of "OPCAT" Management System service for commercial EV ~Promoting the spread of EVs through smart charging using AI~

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. ("Chubu Electric Power") and Aakel Technologies Inc. ("AAKEL") have jointly developed a charging management system ( that enables optimal charging with a quick charger for commercial electric vehicles ("EVs") such as route buses and delivery trucks.
Today, Chubu Electric Power will start receiving applications for the "OPCAT" system service which is to be launched at the end of October.

Amid the urgent need to electrify commercial vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality, the number of business sites that install multiple charging facilities is increasing. This has increased the economic burden on customers, due to increased costs for enhancing power facilities and rising electricity charges (contracted electricity) resulting from concentration of charging.

To solve these issues, from 2022, the two companies have been demonstrating and developing an EV charging management system that efficiently charges the amount of electricity required for operation by combining real-time vehicle data, such as EV operation plans, location information and battery level, with facility power demand forecasts and electricity charges by time zone and automatically generating charging schedules for multiple EVs deployed using AI.

Introduction of OPCAT will make it possible to optimally control the charging of multiple EVs, reduce power consumption of the entire facility (peak cut), and shift charging to times when electricity charges are low (peak shift), thereby minimizing economic burdens such as expansion of power facilities and rising electricity charges (contracted power) associated with the introduction of EVs.
Additionally, optimal charging based on an operation plan contributes to improving the vehicle utilization rate through quick charging and reducing CO₂ emissions due to further vehicle electrification.

Chubu Electric Power and AAKEL will contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society together with the society and customers by solving issues and improving the environment for further spread of commercial EVs through the provision of OPCAT.

<Comments on the project>

• Kazuaki Ishikawa, Manager, Business Creation Division, Chubu Electric Power

In the "Green Growth Strategy Through Achieving Carbon Neutrality in 2050", the government has set an action plan to achieve the comparable level of convenience as gasoline vehicles by 2030 by installing 150,000 charging stations including 30,000 quick chargers for public use, aiming to promote the wider use of electric vehicles. In line with this, it is anticipated that the number of quick chargers will also increase for commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks as part of electrification efforts.
In such an environment, we believe that the "OPCAT" system, AAKEL's unique technology which enables comprehensive management and automation of smart charging and complex operational management for EVs, holds a competitive advantage in the market.
By collaborating with AAKEL, we aim to address challenges and enhance the infrastructure for further spread of commercial EVs. We hope to have as many customers as possible adopt this technology and contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.

• Ryoji Miyawaki, President & CEO, AAKEL

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the shift to EVs is a matter that companies and local governments must address. Under such circumstances, companies and local governments that are leading the way in introducing EVs are facing issues especially when it comes to charging, which has prevented them from switching to EVs.
To solve these issues, it is necessary to acquire the status of the vehicle in real time and optimally manage the vehicle and charging. To achieve this, we have developed a solution for EV charging and vehicle management in quick chargers with Chubu Electric Power. I am very happy and humbled that our company was selected in the comparative demonstration with companies in Japan and overseas.
We look forward to working with Chubu Electric Power to dispel concerns about the introduction and operation of commercial EVs in quick chargers, thereby contributing to the spread of EVs for companies and local governments.

<Reference1>Overview of Chubu Electric Power

<Reference2>Overview of AAKEL