Enhancing EV Charging Accessibility with Kiwi Charge

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity among Canadians, especially in urban settings like apartments and condos, charging accessibility remains a significant challenge. Many potential EV owners are deterred by the lack of charging infrastructure in multi-tenant buildings, leading to questions about how they can charge their vehicles without solely relying on public charging stations. Kiwi Charge, a pioneering company founded by Abdel Ali, aims to address this issue with an innovative autonomous charging solution designed explicitly for high-density residential areas.

Kiwi Charge introduces a self-navigating robot, akin to a Roomba, which autonomously manages the charging process for EVs. Each EV owner is given a charging cable connected to their vehicle. They simply need to insert one end into the car's charging port and allow the other end to hang out of the trunk. The robot then automatically attaches and detaches the cable, facilitating a seamless charging experience without any manual intervention. Users can control the entire process through a dedicated app, enhancing convenience and user-friendliness.

The concept for Kiwi Charge emerged from Ali's personal experience when he faced difficulties due to the absence of charging stations in his building. Recognizing that this was a widespread issue, he set out to create a workable solution. In 2023, Ali was advised to join the Innovation Factory's Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM), an accelerator program backed by the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). CITM supports innovators in developing smart and electrified transportation solutions and provided valuable mentorship and resources for Ali to refine his business model.

Ali expresses gratitude for the support received from CITM, noting the accessibility of the leadership team and the fruitful brainstorming sessions that led to impactful introductions to organizations like OVIN. Through these networks, Kiwi Charge gained connections to potential partners, such as Fyelabs and Neuronicworks, significantly influencing their growth trajectory. The guidance from CITM’s Innovation Advisors also helped Ali's team identify strategic gaps and funding opportunities essential for scaling their operations.

In 2023, Kiwi Charge participated in CITM’s Innovation Challenge, receiving mentorship that enabled them to present their micromobility solution effectively to Parsons Corporation. The challenge offered unique opportunities to connect with government agencies, academia, and private sector corporations, ultimately leading Kiwi Charge to win the competition, paving the way for potential sales opportunities with major industry players.

Currently, Kiwi Charge is making strides toward significant milestones. The team has filed a provisional patent for their technology, which is pending approval, and they have successfully refined their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and proof of concept for their autonomous charging units. Presently, the MVP is being piloted in several residential buildings.

In collaboration with Mohawk College’s IDEAWORKS, assisted by CITM, the Kiwi Charge team has further developed their software, moving closer to market readiness. Their mobile app is set for deployment on both Android and iOS platforms. Ali reveals that Kiwi Charge is currently operational in three residential buildings, with an active waitlist for additional communities interested in adopting their solution. Looking ahead, the team is focused on expanding their market reach, enhancing their technology and app, and exploring partnerships to unlock new opportunities in the EV charging landscape.