StoreDot, Xos, IRA, Terraline, PG&E, Canoo, Tenneco, ONE, DTNA and Stem.
In this Article
StoreDot Traces Chain with Circulor
StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging battery technology for electric vehicles, has partnered with Circulor, the leading supply chain traceability solution, to track the provenance and CO2 emissions of the raw materials used in its battery cells and its manufacturing cells process in order to prove responsible, sustainable, and ethical sourcing.
StoreDot is pioneering faster charging times and increased reliability by developing cell technology capable of delivering 100 miles on a five-minute charge by 2024. In parallel to driving greater electric vehicle demand through longer range and shorter charge times, StoreDot is also concentrating its efforts on sustainable products, working with Circulor on creating transparent battery supply chains to provide full traceability for global automotive manufacturers and support them in meeting regulatory requirements.
StoreDot and Circulor’s collaboration has already begun, and the two companies are implementing Circulor’s traceability solution to follow upstream battery material production and the corresponding embedded carbon emissions. This information will give StoreDot transparency and will enable the company to make such information available to EV OEM customers and regulators who are requiring information regarding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts.
StoreDot has also joined the German government’s “Battery Pass” project as an associate member alongside Circulor, which is a founding consortium member and leads the technology workstream. The two companies will continue to work within the project to strengthen industry collaboration and prepare for the enactment of the EU Battery Regulation.
Loomis Buys 150 More Xos Trucks
Xos, Inc. and Loomis have signed a purchase order for 150 additional armored electric vehicles in the U.S. market. Currently, Loomis operates 20 armored electric vehicles from Xos.
Loomis has been implementing armored electric vehicles in its fleet operations since 2019 when its first armored EVs manufactured by Xos were deployed. Loomis’ largest climate impact comes from transportation and the company is therefore committed to reducing its fleet emissions. This order for additional EVs in the US is an important step to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels.
After a difficult year dealing with electric vehicle (EV) availability and supply chain shortfalls, the U.S. EV market will rebound in 2023 and beyond, predicts Lars Thomsen, a world-recognized futurist speaking on behalf of Juice Americas Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Swiss-based Juice Technology AG – the market leader in portable chargers for electric vehicles (EVs). Consumers will have more model options to choose from and efficiencies in batteries and charging will continue to expand making EV adoption more attractive.
Study Shows IRA Helps EV Adoption
Thomsen, who is considered one of the most influential experts on the future of energy, mobility and smart networks, sees a number of factors driving EV adoption. “The Inflation Reduction Act and high gas prices, along with a lot of new compelling products across the board, have created a new momentum for the EV adoption in the U.S.,” says Thomsen. “In many segments, EVs are the better choice for vehicles, not just for ecological, but also for economical and performance considerations. EV charging infrastructure is expanding as well in the U.S. but needs to catch up with the speed of rising demand.”
Five key trends Thomsen says will influence EV adoption in 2023 and beyond are:
- EV Affordability. More affordable, mid-priced, mid-range EVs using cheaper and less critical material burdened LFP-Battery-Technology will enter the U.S. and European markets. China will quickly become one of the biggest export countries for these types of vehicles, driving availability up. By the end of 2023 EV sales will increase 25%, and double that number over the next two years.
- Economical Energy. Near term, electricity and gas prices have risen, but long term, the trend towards more renewable forms of electricity generation will continue. Over time energy costs will decline by using renewable energies and “smarter” energy grid management. This will benefit e-mobility adoption.
- Global competition. China will change from an importing to an exporting country for automobiles, increasingly taking market share in Europe, the U.S., Asia, Oceania, and India. China could gain up to 20% market share by 2027. In key components such as battery, electronics, AI and autonomous driving, the Chinese seem to be not only further ahead, but faster. Numerous classic OEMs in Europe and the USA will have a hard time competing against this opponent. For the EV consumer it means more choices, and more technical innovations – a purchasing incentive.
- Charging Advancements. Driving an EV is getting even easier. Along with improved battery longevity, the charging infrastructure and charging options are making strides. Both charging times and charging rates are going up. We already see the parity point at which long trips can be done in about the same time as with ICE vehicles, where the drivers and passengers will require more time for their breaks, meals, and rest stops than the EV needs to recharge. For example, charging times at DC-Fast-Chargers will hit about 20 Minutes from 10% to 80% State of Charge (SoC) for most new vehicles, coming very close to the effective time ICE vehicles typically spend at gas stations and on long trips. Also, EV owners have the option of portable chargers they can use at home or on the road to supplement fixed charging stations.
- Vehicle Practicality. Efficiency innovations are increasing range, charging performance and usability of EVs as a better and cheaper option for most driving needs and profiles. Almost all new EVs now allow for road tripping of 600+ miles per day with two meal/charging stops in between. As a daily commute vehicle, most individuals will need no more than a single charging session of less than 30 minutes per week – for less than half the cost it would take to fill up with gas.
Increased global competition and innovation and price options will drive the EV market growth over the next decade. However, aligning supply and demand continues to be a challenge. “Right now, demand for EVs exceeds most production capacity of many manufacturers and adds to their need for critical parts over the next two years,” says Thomsen.
In parallel, Thomsen says, charging infrastructure will have to keep pace with EVs. “The demand in all three areas of charging infrastructure (highway, destination, and home) is rising exponentially. Suddenly, money is to be made by building up public charging infrastructure, because there are customers that use and pay for it. This changes the game: We believe there will be a race for the most lucrative and best solutions that will turn a profit.”
Solo AVT Changes to Terraline
Terraline, formerly known as Solo Advanced Vehicle Technologies (Solo AVT), the vehicle hardware company revolutionizing the freight transportation industry, today announced the Tangra LH1, its clean sheet, human-operated battery-electric Class 8 truck with 500+ miles of range. Alongside announcing the expansion of its product line, Solo AVT has changed its name to Terraline. Since its founding in 2021, Terraline has achieved significant milestones including the design and development of the SD1 truck, as well as the successful initial testing of its battery-electric drivetrain and drive-by-wire system. Coupling the immediate industry need for a decarbonization solution and the electrification benefits that are accessible today with a human-operated truck, Terraline plans to deploy test vehicles with customers this year. The Tangra LH1’s clean sheet design enables Terraline to rapidly accelerate the benefits of electrification for the freight industry while concurrently facilitating a world in which future trucks can also be operated autonomously.
The launch of the Tangra LH1 supports Terraline’s higher purpose to rapidly address emissions generated by freight transportation. Terraline’s customers are seeking near-term decarbonization solutions and recent incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have generated even greater urgency. Over the past year, Terraline has seen first-hand the appetite for its all-electric Class 8 truck and, with the launch of the Tangra LH1, seeks to decouple the adoption of its trucks from the parallel, but independent, path to autonomous trucking being pursued by other companies. Rebranding to Terraline is representative of this more immediately applicable solution to the industry’s most pressing issue, decarbonization.
Stem & ChargePoint
Stem (NYSE: STEM), a global leader in AI-driven clean energy solutions and services, announced its joint eMobility offering with ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CHPT), a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Stem and ChargePoint are developing a joint offering that will aim to help generate economic, environmental, and resilience benefits for owners, developers, and operators of EV charging stations. The offering is expected to integrate Athena®, Stem’s clean energy platform, on-site energy storage, and ChargePoint’s Express Platform to help drive cost savings and maximize value now and over the lifetime of the assets. The joint offering, plus support from Stem energy experts, will help asset owners navigate federal and state processes for securing funding incentives offered through the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program for added EV charging asset value that could offset up to 80% of project costs, where available. Beyond NEVI-qualified projects, all commercial EV charging sites with high energy demands will be able to leverage the joint offering to help maximize operational savings while providing backup power for resiliency.
PG&E Pre-Owned $4k Rebates
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced the
launch of its Pre-Owned Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program, providing qualified residential customers up to $4,000 when purchasing or leasing a pre-owned EV. The program aims to distribute more than $78 million to promote the adoption of EVs and make EV ownership more affordable for all customers.
Current PG&E electric customers may qualify to receive a $1,000 or $4,000 rebate, based on household income, when purchasing or leasing an eligible pre-owned all-electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid EV. To take advantage of the offer, interested customers must successfully submit a rebate application within 180 days of the date of purchase or lease.
Canoo Tested by US DoD
The Defense Innovation Unit awarded Canoo (NASDAQ: GOEV), a high-tech advanced mobility company, a contract to supply battery modules for analysis and demonstration. This award supports the U.S. Department of Defense focus to incorporate scalable and adaptable capabilities in tactical environments.
Canoo’s proprietary battery system ismodular to support different vehicle configurations and engineered to provide industry leading energy density. The system is designed to be flexible and compatible with cells from leading battery providers and engineered to evolve with changes in cell size and chemistry as the industry matures, scales and reduces costs.
This contract follows Canoo’s delivery of a Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) to the U.S. Army in November, and its selection to provide NASA with crew transportation vehicles to support the Artemis lunar landing missions.
Tenneco New Test for H2 Powertrains
Tenneco has established new test facilities for hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines at its Powertrain test centers in Burscheid, Germany, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. These two test cells specifically dedicated to hydrogen ICEs enhance the company’s globally integrated ICE test capabilities, supporting original equipment (OE) engine and vehicle manufacturers as they decarbonize the ICE. By adding H2-engine testing, Tenneco is well-positioned to provide technology solutions that can help to accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions of future combustion engine generations to achieve global climate goals faster.
ONE Funded
Our Next Energy Inc. (ONE), a Michigan-based energy storage technology company, today announced it has closed a $300 million Series B capital raise at a post-money valuation of $1.2 billion.
“We are transitioning from a startup funded by venture capital to a manufacturer fueled by growth capital. That’s important in this environment where urgent demand for U.S. based cell manufacturing is on the rise, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, in a true public-private partnership.” said said Mujeeb Ijaz, CEO & Founder of ONE.
ONE Circle is the company’s first battery cell factory. Located in Van Buren Township, Michigan, the factory’s exterior construction was completed in December 2022.
DTNA Partner with Love’s
Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), the largest truck manufacturer in North America, and Love’s Travel Stops (Love’s), America’s leading travel stop network, today announced an exclusive strategic partnership to provide select services for Freightliner vehicles at approved Love’s Truck Care and Speedco, a member of the Love’s Family of Companies, locations across the country.
Beginning this spring, authorized Love’s locations will provide light mechanical warranty repair work, roadside warranty emergency services, and approved field service and recall campaigns for Freightliner trucks. With more than 400 Love’s Truck Care and Speedco locations, those approved for providing service offerings, will work directly with their local Freightliner dealer to ensure parts availability, quality repair work, easy warranty claim filing and to help get Freightliner drivers back on the road quickly.
Marelli BMS
Marelli has been awarded an important contract to supply its Battery Management System (BMS) – a core component of electric vehicles design, also regarded as the “brain” of the battery – for the future BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) small-medium cars of a major global carmaker, from 2026.
Within the project, Marelli will provide both the hardware and the boot loader software of the Battery Management System for segment A, B, and C full electric vehicles. The supply represents a significant achievement in terms of production volumes.
Koura for Kanto
Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business Koura announced that it has signed a technology licensing agreement with Kanto Denka Kogyo for lithium hexafluorophoshate (LiPF6), a critical lithium-ion battery material. The agreement provides Koura with access to Kanto Denka Kogyo’s world-class technology and industry expertise in commercial LiPF6 production.
Currently, there is no large-scale production of LiPF6 in North America. With significant growth of the U.S. electric vehicles market, demand for lithium-ion batteries and materials is increasing. Orbia is working to secure North America’s supply of key battery materials and recently announced the first U.S. manufacturing plant for LiPF6 in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, partially funded by a $100 million U.S. Department of Energy Award.
As the operator of the world’s largest fluorspar mine, Koura is working with industry partners and researchers to convert the material into a wide range of advanced battery materials, including electrolyte salts, binders and high-performance electrolyte additives for lithium-ion batteries. Koura’s unique ‘mine-to-market’ vertically integrated position, expertise in fluorine technology and investment in recycled and alternative sources of Lithium enables the business to tackle today’s challenge of the domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries.