EVject, a company that has been in the spotlight recently, first gained attention after being sued by Tesla over the safety of its ‘breakaway’ charging connector for EV drivers. The connector allows drivers to disconnect from EV chargers and drive away in emergencies without having to step out of their vehicle.
The Inspiration Behind the Breakaway Connector
According to EVject founder Kreg Peeler, the inspiration behind the connector came from the realization that electric vehicles are disabled while charging at public stations. Peeler stated:
“We came into existence because we kept hearing about this problem where it’s not just Teslas, but all EVs. Any electric vehicle plugged in at a public charger is disabled while charging.”
Tesla’s Lawsuit
Tesla filed a lawsuit against EVject earlier this year, alleging that the breakaway connectors are “dangerous” and pose a high safety risk. The company claimed that the connectors have no over-temperature protection and may overheat when charging. However, after EVject agreed to include a thermal sensor in the product, Tesla dropped the lawsuit.
A Boon in Disguise
Although the lawsuit cost EVject $30,000 to retrofit the connectors with thermal sensors, Peeler believes that the market exposure and awareness gained from the situation was worth the cost. He stated:
“It’s about $30,000. But overall, we think the market exposure and the awareness we got out of it was probably worth that.”
Partnership Opportunities
The lawsuit has thrown EVject into the spotlight, with several companies showing interest in the company’s connector device, including German automaker Volkswagen. EVject is now looking forward to showcasing its products to Volkswagen in March.
Future Plans
EVject has shipped 3,500 of its breakaway connectors to date and is looking to scale up its production volume. The company also has ideas for new products to develop once it has sufficient cash flow. Peeler stated:
“By 2030, we want to have sold millions of units and have the company be worth a billion dollars. So that’s five years away. Or get acquired somewhere along the way. If Volkswagen or Tesla came in and made us a good offer, we would seriously consider it.”
Conclusion
The potential partnership between Volkswagen and EVject is an exciting development in the electric vehicle industry. With EVject’s innovative breakaway connector and Volkswagen’s commitment to electric vehicles, this partnership could lead to significant advancements in the industry. As the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, companies like EVject and Volkswagen are poised to play a major role in shaping the future of the industry.