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ChargePoint for Fleets
ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked solutions for charging electric vehicles (EVs), announced the expansion of its fleet management product line. A new suite of software solutions is available for both mixed fuel and all-electric fleets to streamline their operations as well as lower their total cost of ownership, easing the transition to electric mobility.
The fleet application suite is designed to simplify the management of both all-electric and mixed-fuel fleets. The platform has three core software solutions: charging station management, vehicle telematics, and mobility services such as over the road session reimbursement and roaming. These deliver end-to-end capabilities for fleet managers, help lower cost of ownership, drive higher uptime and performance, and can be implemented as a complete package or as individual solutions.
“We understand the concern fleet operators have over the investment needed to transition fleets from liquid fuel to electric, including the cost of the infrastructure needed to charge EVs,” said Michael Hughes, Chief Revenue Officer at ChargePoint. “By bringing a wide scope of fleet management applications under one platform, we are helping fleet operators identify and realize significant savings to their total cost of ownership. This software gives them better control over and visibility into their fleet operations, as well as the ability to decrease operating expenses over the ownership cycle.”
ChargePoint’s fleet software platform is designed to work with a broad array of charging station manufacturers and any electric vehicle. The platform’s comprehensive suite of features enables fleet managers to do the following:
- Automate schedules to ensure charging occurs at the lowest electricity rates
- Optimize route readiness
- Gain insights by location
- Have site-level visibility which ensures operational readiness
- Track metrics for ESG goals
- Gain real-time alerts to maximize charging station uptime
- Maximize EV fuel savings with advanced energy management tools
With open API and developer partnerships, ChargePoint’s fleet management suite can fully integrate with the tools fleet operators already use to run their operations such as 3rd party telematics, route planning, dispatch and maintenance systems.
The suite’s native telematics capabilities are purpose-built for electric vehicles and their chargers. This enables fleet operators to access deeper performance insights which optimize battery health, vehicle state of charge, and the performance of their electric fleet. With ChargePoint, fleet managers can benefit from EV-specific features such as critical data captured by EV charging stations and vehicles, real-time visibility into vehicle location, and battery telematics that can proactively detect issues at an early stage.
For fleet operators that have over the road charging needs, the platform enables them to manage charging activities no matter where their drivers need to go — at work, on-route or at home — with seamless mobile integration. This integration can occur on the ChargePoint mobile app, or another mobile application via ChargePoint APIs. Drivers across North America and Europe have on-the-go access to more than 750,000 charging ports on the ChargePoint network and can even manage payment through integrations with fuel card providers. For take-home fleets, the platform enables reimbursement of electricity dispensed at home.
TurnOnGreen, Inc. (“TurnOnGreen” or the “Company”), previously announced the expansion of electric vehicle (“EV”) charging infrastructure across multiple hotel properties in the United States and Canada. Today, the Company revealed that it has initiated projects at an additional 19 hotels and successfully activated 80 EV charging stations at 32 hotels across North America, thereby bolstering the Company’s EV charging infrastructure in response to the expanding Electric Vehicle market. The projects feature multiple high-power, networked EVP700G and EVP1100WG Level 2 EV chargers. Users can activate these chargers via the TurnOnGreen App, RFID cards, or by scanning a unique QR code displayed on each EV charger.
Nuvve V2G for Blue Bird in Martinsville
Nuvve Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: NVVE), a global technology leader accelerating the electrification of transportation through its proprietary vehicle-to-grid (V2G) platform, and Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, have replaced the Martinsville Independent School District (ISD)’s diesel fleet with five Blue Bird Vision electric buses, five Nuvve Level II chargers and the innovative AI-powered Nuvve FleetBox 2.0 charge management software.
Martinsville ISD is now officially the first Texas school district to boast an all-electric school bus fleet, according to the Texas Electric School Bus Project, a nonprofit that tracks school transportation electrification in the state. Blue Bird’s Vision electric, zero-emission school buses can carry a maximum of 71 students for up to 120 miles on a single charge. Based on Nuvve’s advanced battery charging infrastructure offerings, the buses require only a small portion of the day to fully recharge.
Suzuki Invests in Inmotive
Inmotive announced that Suzuki is investing in its company, further supporting its Ingear™ 2-speed EV transmission development. The investment is via the Suzuki Global Ventures (SGV) fund, which was established in October 2022 and aims to accelerate the co-creation of activities between start-ups and Suzuki in addition to creating new businesses and business models.
This investment follows the signing of a joint development agreement (JDA) between the two companies in January 2023. The JDA specifies how Inmotive’s Ingear 2-speed EV transmission is developed to extend range and reduce cost for future Suzuki electric vehicles. To date, the JDA with Suzuki is progressing according to plan and all deliverables have been met.
“Having Suzuki as a partner has been a tremendous opportunity for the commercialization of the Ingear and we are excited to have the company extend its support of our eco-friendly technology with their recent investment,” said Paul Bottero, CEO, Inmotive. “It is through collaborations and investments like this that we will be able to bring our vision of accelerating the global evolution to affordable zero-emission mobility to life.”
Factorial Factory in Methuen
Factorial Inc. (Factorial), an industry leader in the development of solid-state battery technology for electric vehicle (EV) applications, announced the opening of its new battery manufacturing facility in the Boston suburb of Methuen, Mass. The state-of-the-art facility represents a significant step in scaling up the production of Factorial’s innovative solid-state battery technology for EVs. An opening ceremony will be held at the facility in Methuen at 11:00 am EDT today, featuring remarks from Governor Maura Healey and Methuen Mayor Neil Perry.
The new facility represents a $50 million investment and is expected to create over 150 local jobs. Located in the greater Boston area, Factorial’s operations remain close to its newly opened R&D facility and corporate headquarters advancing the production of Factorial’s solid-state battery technology for its automotive partners. The current footprint will accommodate up to a 200MWh assembly line, which is expected to be the largest solid-state battery assembly line in the U.S.
“Factorial continues to drive the battery industry forward and this milestone is no exception,” said Joe Taylor, Executive Chairman of Factorial and Former Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Automaker demand for American-made batteries is high to produce electric or hybrid vehicles that qualify for incentives. Our facility will manufacture automotive-sized solid-state batteries at pre-production speed and volume, illuminating a clear path to mass production and reaching economies of scale.”
Factorial’s proprietary FEST® (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) quasi-solid-state batteries are designed for higher energy density and safety compared to lithium-ion batteries. As Factorial Energy scales up solid-state battery production, the company maintains its commitment to drive sustainability and develop technology that powers the EV revolution.
EVSCS Granted $1.88 Million from CEC
EVCS, one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network operators on the West Coast, announced it has been awarded $1.88 million from the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Reliable, Equitable, and Accessible Charging for multi-family Housing (REACH) program. EVCS will use the funds to install 2 DC fast chargers and 245 Level 2 chargers at multi-unit dwellings in Southern California, serving low-income and disadvantaged communities.
This funding marks another significant milestone in EVCS’ commitment to expand access to reliable and affordable EV charging across the West Coast, focusing on maximizing convenience for residents living in multi-family housing. Back in May, EVCS also announced they were awarded $1.9 million from the CEC’s Rural Electric Vehicle (REV) program, which will support the installation of 30 fast chargers in Northern and Central California.
Women Want Safer Charging
Geotab Inc. (“Geotab”), a global leader in connected vehicle technology released new research which indicates that charging station safety is a consideration among women, and could be hindering electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Canada and the United States (US).
The research, which surveyed more than 1000 men and women in Canada and the US respectively, indicates safety concerns, such as well-lit, less remote charging stations, may be a key consideration in EV adoption in both Canada and the US. Of the survey respondents, 46% of Canadian women and 33% of US women are considering an EV as their next vehicle, while actual EV ownership statistics reveal a stark disparity. In Canada, men account for 74% of EV owners1, and in the US, 72% of EV owners are men2, indicating there are barriers for women in embracing EVs.
Geotab’s research established a compelling correlation between safety concerns surrounding charging location and EV ownership, revealing notable gaps between intent to purchase and actual adoption.
Canadian Women’s Concerns:
- 30% of women surveyed express concerns about the overall safety of EV charging locations.
- Nearly half of women surveyed noted easily accessible, well-lit charging stations in less remote areas would help convince them to purchase an EV.
- 20% of women surveyed are also more likely to consider increased security around charging stations as a convincing factor for their next vehicle purchase.
US Women’s Concerns:
- 43% of women surveyed have safety concerns regarding EV charging stations.
- Approximately 40% of women surveyed noted the importance of accessible, well-lit charging stations in less remote areas would influence their EV purchase decision.
- 21% of women surveyed consider increased security around charging stations as a factor that could influence their next vehicle purchase.
“The lack of consistency in charging infrastructure along with concerns for personal safety may help explain in part, why women make up a minority of electric vehicle owners,” said Sherry Calkins, Vice President, Connected Car & Platform Solutions at Geotab. “Safety is also one of the most cited concerns of women working in the commercial vehicle industry, including trucking, especially when it comes to truck stops and rest areas. As we strive to attract more women to the industry, at a time when commercial fleets are moving towards EV adoption, it is important to consider these issues in order to avoid creating new barriers in the industry.”
The research also indicates that younger age groups (18-34) exhibit the most interest in EV ownership, with 53% of US and 55% of Canadian respondents in this age group expressing a strong desire to own an EV. However, factors such as the cost of EVs may be limiting actual adoption, since Canadian EV drivers tend to be older with at least 50% of Canadian EV drivers aged 55 years or older and the average age of a Canadian EV driver being 51.3 years3. The same is true in the US, where people aged 55 and older make up 53.6% of EV owners4.
bp Buys Fast Telsa Chargers
bp (NYSE: bp) announced a deal in which bp pulse, bp’s EV charging business, will acquire ultra-fast charging hardware units from Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) for $100 million. The investment will facilitate the expansion of the bp pulse public network across the US, while also enabling support for EV fleet customers by deploying chargers at their private depots. The introduction of Tesla’s chargers to the bp pulse network is the first time the hardware will be purchased for an independent EV charging network.
The roll-out is planned to begin in 2024 and locations will include key sites across the bp family of brands, including TravelCenters of America, Thorntons, ampm; and Amoco, as well as at bp pulse’s large-scale Gigahub™ charging sites in major metropolitan areas and at third-party locations, such as Hertz locations, as part of previously announced collaborations. The first installation sites have been identified in Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago; and Washington D.C.
Tesla’s chargers will also be deployed at select bp pulse fleet customer depots. By pairing bp pulse’s industry-leading, intelligent charge management software, Omega, with Tesla’s fast and reliable chargers, bp pulse gains the distinctive capability to oversee the entire charging process for EV fleets, providing a comprehensive solution for its fleet customers.
“Strengthening the bp pulse network with Tesla’s industry-leading hardware is a major step forward in our ambitions for high speed, open access charging infrastructure in the US and advances our ambition to delivering an exceptional customer experience,” said Richard Bartlett, global CEO of bp pulse. “Combined with our vast network of convenience and mobility sites on and off the highway, this collaboration with Tesla will bring fast and reliable charging to EV drivers when and where they need it.”
The Tesla ultra-fast chargers, which have an output of 250 kW, will be branded, installed and operated by bp pulse. The chargers will be fitted with Tesla’s ‘Magic Dock’, which is compatible with both North American Charging Standard (NACS) and Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors. This enables EVs from other major vehicle manufacturers to use the Tesla chargers on the bp pulse’s network, regardless of whether they use CCS or NACS ports. To further improve user experience, the Tesla chargers will support use of the Plug and Charge protocol, which simplifies and automates payments. As is Tesla’s current policy, third-party operated ultra-fast chargers meeting Tesla’s reliability and functionality requirements are featured in Tesla’s vehicle UI and apps, and bp pulse expects to uphold those requirements on its network.
Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure said: “At Tesla, we’re driven to enable great charging experiences for all EV owners. Selling our fast-charging hardware is a new step for us, and one we’re looking to expand in support of our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. We appreciate bp’s partnership in this area – it’s the right step towards a more sustainable future.”
“This is another example of how bp pulse is collaborating with leaders across the industry, in areas including real estate, charging technology and automakers, to advance EV infrastructure growth across the US, and to deliver the fast and reliable charging experience we know our customers demand.” Said Sujay Sharma, CEO bp pulse Americas.” We remain open and committed to expanding alliances with EV industry leaders even further and we look forward to welcoming the growing number of EV drivers across the country to our network.”
In addition to this deal with Tesla, bp pulse aims to continue deploying additional fast and reliable charging points at high-demand locations, such as airports, major metropolitan areas, and bp-owned and properties along Alternative Fueling Corridors. Furthermore, bp has been awarded grant funds through programs like National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) and California Energy Commission (CEC) to provide charging infrastructure at sites in California, Pennsylvania, Colorado; and Kentucky.
In February 2023, bp announced plans to invest $1 billion in America’s EV charging infrastructure by 2030 with an aim of investing $500 million in the next two to three years. Our five transition growth engines – bioenergy, convenience, EV charging through our charging business bp pulse, hydrogen, renewables and power – made up around 30% of bp’s total investment in 2022, up from around 3% in 2019.
RIZON HVIP, EPA & CARB
RIZON, the newest brand of Daimler Truck commercial vehicles, has achieved full homologation in the United States, clearing the way for the sale of its class 4 and 5 medium-duty electric trucks nationwide.
With series production underway, the first shipments of vehicles are now arriving in California, where customers can take advantage of a $60,000 baseline incentive per vehicle through the California Air Resource Board’s (CARB) Hybrid and Zero-emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).
RIZON recently received both Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification and dual CARB Executive Orders and is in full compliance with the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
The first deliveries of vehicles are set to commence in Q4 of 2023 through dealer networks in California.
RIZON trucks are exclusively distributed by Velocity EV, which is a part of the Velocity Vehicle Group, an established name in the commercial vehicle industry with around 80 global outlets. Their deep knowledge and experience make them a leader in the transition to electric commercial vehicles. Velocity EV will be appointing additional RIZON dealers to provide a seamless network across the United States.
With RIZON’s selection of series-production zero-emissions trucks in classes 4 and 5, customers can begin to decarbonize vehicles in their fleet through four model variants – the e18L, e18M, e16L, and the e16M.
RIZON Trucks are ideally suited to urban and last-mile deliveries and routes of up to 150 miles per day. They support a versatile mix of configurations suitable to each customer’s unique requirements that include box trucks, flatbeds, stake beds, refrigerated, and other body types.
Sustainable commercial transportation is a top priority for Daimler Truck, and the RIZON brand plays an important role in achieving its goals.
RIZON is Daimler Truck’s ninth, and newest brand and represents its dedication to zero-emission transportation. The brand and its trucks were announced to the public for the first time during the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in May of 2023, in Anaheim, California.
The class 4 and 5 medium-duty battery-electric vehicles, ranging from 15,995 up to 17,995 lbs. in gross vehicle weight (GVW), can run from 75 -110 miles (for M size variant with 2 battery packs) to 110 -155 miles (L size variant with 3 battery packs) on a single charge*.
RIZON trucks are capable of being charged by two types of battery charging systems: DC Fast Charging (via CCS1 connector), and less expensive Level 2 AC Charging (via J1772 connector), which makes the transition to e-mobility even easier.