In this Article
Fisker Ocean to Appear at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Fisker Inc. passionate creator of the world’s most sustainable electric vehicles and advanced mobility solutions — will bring the all-electric Fisker Ocean to Pebble Beach Automotive Week at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance from August 18-21, 2022.
Pebble Beach Concours is the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. The Fisker Ocean will be at Concours Village, the ideal location to exhibit the latest technology and features of the five-passenger, emissions-free SUV, starting at $37,4991 for the Sport trim. The media and public are welcome to visit the Fisker show stand at Forest Lake Road and Stevenson Drive to see the production-intent version of the Fisker Ocean, previously exhibited at various locations in the U.S. and Europe.
Xos Gets Chassis Order from AUSEV
Xos, Inc., a leading fleet services provider and manufacturer of Class 5 through Class 8 battery-electric vehicles, announced it has secured a purchase order from AUSEV Pty Ltd (“AUSEV”) for one stripped chassis and has started conversations on working towards a manufacturing and distribution partnership in Australia. Upon receiving the stripped chassis, AUSEV will collaborate with Xos engineers on design and manufacturing issues specific to the Australian right-hand drive (“RHD”) market.
Ruan Orders 1- Hyliion Hypertruck ERX
Hyliion Holdings Corp. (NYSE: HYLN) (“Hyliion”), a leader in electrified powertrain solutions for Class 8 semi-trucks, announced that leading transportation management provider Ruan has ordered 10 units backed by deposits to secure Hypertruck ERX™ production slots.
With nearly 4,000 trucks and 300 operating locations nationwide, Ruan is one of the top 10 privately-owned transportation and logistics companies in the country. A proponent of alternative fuels, the Hypertruck Innovation Council member was an early adopter of CNG fueled trucks, logging millions of miles per year on natural gas power and reducing millions of pounds of carbon emissions. The order comes after Ruan’s visit to Hyliion’s headquarters and a successful Hypertruck ERX Ride and Drive experience.
Volkswagen ID.4 Production Begins in Chattanooga
Volkswagen of America (VWoA) started of production of its all-electric ID.4 compact SUV in Chattanooga, Tenn., the company’s first electric vehicle assembled in the United States.
The ID.4 is Volkswagen Group’s most popular all-electric model, with 190,000 units delivered to customers globally since its launch in 2021. Volkswagen aims to ramp up ID.4 assembly in Chattanooga to 7,000 vehicles per month later this year, with the goal to further increase output through 2023. Consumers can expect vehicles to be delivered as early as October 2022. Initially, the American-assembled ID.4 will be available in either rear-wheel- or all-wheel-drive 82kWh battery form. In addition, a rear-wheel-drive version with a 62kWh battery will go into production later in 2022, with a lower MSRP.
Livent & GM Parnter for Lithium from South America
— Livent and General Motors Co. announced a significant multi-year sourcing agreement in which Livent will supply GM with battery-grade lithium hydroxide made primarily from lithium extracted at Livent’s brine-based operations in South America. Lithium hydroxide is crucial to GM’s plans to make higher performance, higher mileage EVs. The lithium hydroxide from Livent will be used in GM’s Ultium battery cathodes, which will power electric vehicles such as the recently revealed Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC HUMMER EV and Cadillac LYRIQ.
Livent will provide battery-grade lithium hydroxide to GM over a six-year period beginning in 2025. Over the course of the agreement, Livent will increasingly supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide to GM from its manufacturing facilities in the U.S., with the goal of transitioning 100% of Livent’s downstream lithium hydroxide processing for GM to North America. The agreement is expected to help secure supply for GM while assisting Livent in expanding its North American capabilities.
Both GM and Livent share a commitment to responsible operations and sustainable supply chains through industry and multi-stakeholder platforms. General Motors is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), joined the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) in 2021 and plans to become carbon neutral in global products and operations by 2040. Livent is actively engaged in an IRMA third-party assessment, has a gold rating from EcoVadis for sustainability and has announced a goal of overall carbon neutrality by 2040.
Infineon & Delta 3-in-1 Integrated System
Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) and Delta Electronics, a Taiwan-based global leading provider of power and energy management solutions, have developed a three-in-one-system that integrates solar, energy storage and charging of electric vehicles. Thanks to bidirectional inverters, the electric car is not only charged, but can also be used as a buffer storage or as household emergency backup power. More and more cars are equipped for this. Looking ahead, bidirectional energy flows coulf also be used to realize new vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) solutions.
EV Connect In US GSA BPA
In proud support of the ongoing electrification of the U.S. government’s 650,000-vehicle fleet, EV Connect is announcing that its products and services are now included in the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for federal acquisition of best-value electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) and ancillary services. Under the BPA and through its approved partners, ABM, Ameresco, District Fleet, PLEMCo, and Verdek, government customers and Federal contractors will be able to select EV Connect to acquire the EV infrastructure required to support the Federal government’s climate and fleet electrification objectives. In turn, EV Connect will help its partners simplify the process of implementing EV infrastructure for their federal customers by offering turnkey EV charging solutions encompassing charging stations, installation, site preparation, station activation, station management software, support, ongoing maintenance, and more.///
San Diego G & E Electric School Buses with V2G from Nuvve
San Diego Gas & Electric announced that it has successfully deployed an innovative technology that enables eight electric school buses to put electricity back on the grid when needed such as on hot summer days. A collaborative effort between SDG&E, the Cajon Valley Union School District and locally based technology company Nuvve, this is the first vehicle-to-grid (V2G) project to become operational in Southern California, helping to advance clean air and climate goals while also bolstering grid reliability.
This is also the first V2G project to come online in the nation, following the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) vehicle-to-everything (V2X) initiative announcement in Los Angeles in April. SDG&E, which started on the project prior to the announcement, is a signatory to the department’s V2X memorandum of understanding (MOU). The agreement is designed to bring together resources from DOE National Labs, state and local governments, utilities, and private entities to unlock the potential of bi-directional charging to increase energy security, community resilience, and economic growth while supporting the nation’s electric system.
As part of the five-year pilot project, SDG&E installed six 60kW bi-directional DC fast chargers at Cajon Valley’s bus yard in El Cajon. The pilot was celebrated at an event on Tuesday, July 26 with project partners and San Diego County District Two Supervisor Joel Anderson.
“This pilot project is a great example of our region being at the forefront of testing and adopting innovative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen the electric grid,” SDG&E Vice President of Energy Innovation Miguel Romero said. “Electric fleets represent a vast untapped energy storage resource and hold immense potential to benefit our customers and community not just environmentally, but also financially and economically.”
On average, cars are parked 95% of the time. California is home to 1.1 million EVs, the largest concentration of EVs in the nation. Starting in 2035, all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California are required to be zero-emissions. Many local agencies and local companies are working to transition to electric fleets under SDG&E’s Power Your Drive for Fleets program, which provides infrastructure support. In addition to Cajon Valley, SDG&E is also working with San Diego Unified and Ramona Unified School Districts on V2G projects.
The Mobility House & Endera Partner for Smart Chargin
The Mobility House and Endera have partnered to bring the benefits of electric vehicles and smart charging to commercial transportation through an integrated technology offering. Endera designs, sells and services commercial electric vehicles and charging stations, while The Mobility House’s charging and energy management system, ChargePilot, optimizes charging to ensure vehicle readiness and reduce operating expenses. The companies have already delivered their fully-integrated electric shuttles and smart charging solution to two parking operators – ACE Parking and Aladdin Airport Parking – both servicing the San Diego International Airport.
“Commercial transportation is an important segment for reducing carbon emissions on the road, and we see tremendous potential in electrifying the way people get to and from their destinations,” said Endera CEO John Walsh. “The Mobility House is a perfect complement to our fleet services, together offering highly intelligent transportation to customers at the lowest cost of ownership.”
ACE Parking’s electric fleet, which includes 32 Endera shuttle buses, six BTC DC 50 kW chargers and two Proterra DC 60 kW chargers, became operational in February 2022 and averages 5,000 miles driven per day shuttling passengers to and from the San Diego Airport. With The Mobility House’s smart charging and energy management system ChargePilot, ACE Parking is estimated to save $16,000 a year versus unmanaged charging, based on San Diego Gas & Electric’s EV-HP pricing plan. For Aladdin Airport Parking, a fleet of eight Endera shuttles, four BTC 50 kW chargers and two Delta 25 kW DC wallbox chargers were most recently implemented in June 2022.
ChargePoint to Charge Across Town California
California-based ChargePoint, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network, announced a partnership with Charge Across Town and the State of California to deploy hundreds of EV chargers at multifamily properties like apartment buildings and condo complexes across the state. Providing EV charging infrastructure at multifamily buildings will make it easier and cheaper for Californians living in apartments and condos to charge at home, helping them make the transition to electric mobility.
BrightView Buys 100 Chevy Bolt EUVs for Fleet
As part of its ongoing effort to convert its fleet of vehicles to electric, BrightView (NYSE: BV), the nation’s leading commercial landscaping company, announced the purchase of 100 electric-powered Chevrolet Bolt EUVs that will be put into service across the country, beginning this month. With the deployment of these new cars, BrightView’s management fleet is now comprised of nearly 400 electric and hybrid vehicles.
Over the next four years, the company’s aim is to convert its fleet of 3,000 field managers’ vehicles to electric and hybrid. Today’s announcement – and similar enterprise efforts – is a part of BrightView’s overall environmental sustainability strategy of reducing its carbon footprint and becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
“As a company dedicated to developing, designing, and maintaining the best landscapes on Earth, we are continually seeking sustainable solutions that minimize our impact on the environment,” said Andrew Masterman, BrightView President and Chief Executive Officer. “The addition of electric and hybrid vehicles is yet another example of our commitment to investing in the future of our planet and achieving our environmental goals.”
BrightView’s Sustainability Journey
BrightView’s quest toward carbon neutrality began more than 10 years ago and continues today by incorporating sustainable practices into its everyday operations to help protect and preserve the environment. These measures include, but are not limited to:
- Continuing to electrify its fleet of 11,000 vehicles to reduce emissions
- Converting gas and two-cycle landscaping equipment to battery power
- Utilizing smart technology in irrigation systems to reduce water usage
- Moving its real estate infrastructure to green and sustainable energy
This summer Volvo Cars is bringing its mission of environmental sustainability to the legendary Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, California, open now through September 2, 2022.
For nearly a century, artists have showcased their work at the Festival of Arts, while the Pageant of the Masters meticulously re-created famous works of art as Living Pictures featuring real people.
This year Volvo Cars created a Living Picture based on its own masterpiece: the pure electric Volvo C40 Recharge compact luxury SUV. Instead of people, however, plants and flowers arranged in the shape of the car’s sleek profile represent the Swedish automaker’s commitment to a more sustainable planet.
Made with a variety of more than 20 kinds of live plants and flowers native to Southern California, including the colorful bouquet and calming scents of lavender and sage, the Volvo C40 Recharge art piece is intended to provide visitors a full sensory experience.
Attendees will have an opportunity to enter a drawing for a 2022 C40 Recharge, provided by Volvo Car USA to the Festival of Arts. Proceeds from the entries will support the Festival of Arts’ mission to provide art education programming and art scholarships to local high school students.
The winner will be announced August 27 during the Pageant of the Masters Celebrity Benefit, hosted by Priscilla Presley.
“We are grateful for Volvo Car’s partnership and continuing support of the arts,” said Festival of Arts President David Perry. “Volvo’s commitment to a more sustainable future is admirable. The living plant art display is not only clever, but also a wonderful reminder that native flowers and plants are a more green-friendly choice.”
“As Volvo Cars continues on its path to a more sustainable future, the C40 Recharge Living Picture brings our sustainability goals to life through art,” said Aleck Brownstein, Sales and Marketing Director, Volvo Cars Western Region.
ConnectDER Supplies Adapter for Siemens
ConnectDER, a company enabling consumers to decarbonize their homes by easily adding new electric service capacity, will supply Siemens with a proprietary plug-in adapter for electric vehicle chargers. The new device will enable electric vehicle (EV) owners to charge EVs by connecting chargers directly through the meter socket, a convenient and efficient location available on every home. By bypassing a home’s electric service panel, the adapter will save an estimated 60 to 80 percent of the charger installation cost by avoiding the need for electric panel upgrades.
Based on ConnectDER’s innovative sensing and controlling adapter platform, this wholly new EV home-charging technology will be designed and manufactured by ConnectDER exclusively for Siemens. By allowing for a simple, 15-minute EV charger install, the technology eliminates the need for complex and prohibitively expensive installations. Nearly half of US home panels would need upgrades to allow the installation of a typical Level 2 charger, typically a 7-11kW device requiring 40-60 Amps on a 240V line. This is a major roadblock for EV adoption, especially for low-and moderate-income homeowners. The adapter will be offered exclusively through Siemens.
Whit Fulton, CEO of ConnectDER said: “We are very excited to partner with Siemens, obviously one of the strongest and most storied electrical infrastructure providers on the planet. If we’re going to meet ambitious decarbonization targets, we simply must accelerate the adoption of EVs — the installation of EV chargers is a huge part of that equation. This technology saves homeowners thousands of dollars in electrical costs and will help make the move to electric vehicles considerably easier.”
Siemens is a global leader in EV charging solutions, and its procurement of ConnectDER’s meter adapter technology is the latest in the company’s strategic plan to meet growing EV demand and increase transportation electrification job opportunities at all levels in the United States. Siemens eMobility solutions include AC and DC chargers deployed in all 50 states that range from in-home chargers to depots to charging infrastructure systems that power electrified bus lines in some of the largest cities in the country. According to a recent report by Juniper Research, home EV charging integration is expected to grow by some 390% over the next five years. Largely driven by lower cost and convenience, the market for home chargers is expected to exceed $16 billion in 2026, up from $3.4 billion in 2021. However, the pace of EV growth has left electricians and homeowners struggling to keep up and to find cost-effective solutions for integrating into older homes.
Another recent survey, identifies the average age of an American home at about 40 years, with homes in the Northeast averaging over 60 years. Most of those homes were built when the demand for electric service rarely exceeded 100 Amps. According to energy research firm, Pecan Street, service panel upgrades are frequently required to support the additional energy demand of new electric products like EVs, heat-pumps, and other smart appliances, representing a $100 billion impediment to residential electrification and the energy transition. ConnectDER’s innovative meter adapter platform helps bridge that gap, especially for underserved low and moderate income populations that more frequently live in older homes.
AUTOCRYPT’s Q Charger (Model: ACO-100 BTW) at a Parking Garage
The Q Charger is a charger designed for shared usage, and users can scan the unique QR code located on each charger via AUTOCRYPT’s charger information app, after which payment will be processed within the app using the registered payment card. The charger’s built-in authentication module securely verifies the user’s identity and payment status before approval for charging. All payments will then be received by the charge point operator (CPO) or the owner of the charger, who is responsible for the electricity bill.
“Our goal is twofold: Make chargers more available and make the charging experience more enjoyable for EV owners. For the millions of residents here in Korea who live in apartments, a lack of chargers has been a critical barrier to EV adoption. Deploying our smart-billing chargers in apartment and office buildings is a fast and efficient way to bring reliable EV charging to those who need it,” said Daniel ES Kim, CEO of AUTOCRYPT. “Furthermore, the OCPP 1.6 certification validates the safety, security, and durability of our chargers. We look forward to enhancing charging availability in shared parking spaces across the globe.”
AUTOCRYPT’s Q Charger project is a sub-component of its comprehensive EV information and charging platform EVIQ, an integrated digital platform that connects EV owners and CPOs through big data, enhancing the experience of both EV charging and charging station management.