EV, Battery & Charging News: IBM, Tervine, ACM, Clarios, Altris, 25M, Lion Electric, InductEV, EVgo, Toyota, EVCS, StoreDot & REE

In electric vehicle battery and charging news are IBM, Tervine, ACM, Clarios, Altris, 25M, Lion Electric, InductEV, EVgo, Toyota, EVCS, StoreDot & REE.

IBM, Tervine & ACM Open Source for Charging Networks

IBM,  Terbine and the American Center for Mobility (ACM) announced the establishment of an industry-wide open-source platform to provide interoperability testing for vehicle and charger manufacturers, charging network operators and others who make up the “EV Ecosystem.” The initiative’s goal is to eliminate many of the problems plaguing the electric vehicle charging landscape.

“It’s not enough to simply switch plug formats if we want EV charging to be as seamless and dependable as pumping gas has been for decades,” said Brenda Cucci, Senior Partner for Global Sustainability with IBM. “The industry needs a means to continually test all the elements involved with the ‘electron supply chain’ as software and hardware get updated, to ensure that consumers and commercial drivers have confidence in charging infrastructure. This is about accelerating the migration to zero-emission vehicles and the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” Cucci continued.

The Interoperability Clearing House (ICH), developed by technology providers IBM and Terbine, will enable manufacturers of both vehicles and chargers to test their latest software at ACM’s main facility in Michigan as well as virtually. Leveraging state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, the platform is intended to bring ongoing cross-product testing to the EV industry and will be open to participants from around the globe.

“It’s time for the EV industry to have a platform for ensuring that everything works together all the time,” says Reuben Sarkar, ACM CEO. “We are the ideal organization to offer that service to companies and government agencies wanting a neutral and open environment for testing.”

A prevailing issue for EV drivers is synchronization errors caused by incompatibilities between the vehicles and the charging units. With Over-The-Air (OTA) software updating becoming common amongst vehicle and charger manufacturers, the problems with interoperability are increasing. The problems multiply as more EV and charging unit models come onto the market.

“Regardless of which connector the chargers and vehicles have – such as the Tesla-created North American Charging Standard, the physical plug is only one element, said David Knight, CEO of Terbine. “Most of the complexity is with how companies interpret the underlying ‘handshake’ protocols and other Realtime synchronization issues. The Interoperability Clearing House is intended to alleviate these issues that are scaring buyers away from moving to electric vehicles.”

Clarios & Altris for Sodium-Ion Battteries

Clarios, a global leader in advanced low-voltage battery solutions, and Altris, a pioneer in sustainable sodium-ion battery technology, announced they have created an innovative partnership aimed at developing low-voltage sodium-ion batteries for the automotive industry.

Every vehicle, including hybrid electric and electric vehicles, requires a low-voltage energy source to power critical systems and functions. As hybrid and electric vehicles continue to evolve, the low-voltage network is being asked to support an increased number of software-based functions such as steer-by-wire, break-by-wire, autonomous functions, and enhanced in cabin experiences.

This transformation is leading automakers to explore multi-battery solutions that include lithium-ion, absorbent glass mat (AGM) lead-acid batteries, and other chemistries for some of the world’s most iconic vehicles. While lead-acid batteries represent the best example of a circular economy in the world, and lithium-based products continue to evolve, Clarios chemistry agnostic and circular approach has become of strategic importance.

Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries are inherently sustainable and easy to recycle, made from salt, wood, iron, and air. The materials used to produce Na-ion cells are abundant and available – free from conflict minerals and toxic elements. The new joint collaboration program aims to develop an Na-ion battery with a potential of up to 60 volts to support automotive applications in both new vehicles and for aftermarket replacements, that also can complement a multi-battery low-voltage system configuration.

“Clarios brings extensive experience with low-voltage systems within the automotive sector and will play a leading role in defining and optimizing the specifications for the sodium-ion cells,” said Federico Morales Zimmermann, vice president and GM, Global Customers, Products and Engineering at Clarios.

Altris, a leader in sodium-ion cathode material and battery cell technology, will focus on the development of Na-ion cells specifically adapted to the needs of the low-voltage automotive battery market.

“Altris wants to bring the world better, safer and truly sustainable sodium-ion batteries. We’re continuously investigating new applications where our technology can make significant impact at massive scale. As such, we’re very excited to team up with Clarios who share our strong ESG focus, to develop low-voltage cells for the automotive industry. With this partnership, we’re able to access every third vehicle driven globally and accelerate the green transition”, said Björn Mårlid, CEO of Altris.

The long-term goal is to develop a detailed production plan for low-voltage battery systems using these Na-ion cells. The companies believe the mass production of Na-ion batteries would represent an important advancement in automotive battery technology and an important step in supporting the circularity goals of the automotive industry.

The companies have agreed not to disclose financial details of the development agreement.

25M New Battery Separator for ESS

24M unveiled a transformative new battery separator — 24M Impervio^TM — that promises to redefine battery safety for electric vehicle (EV), energy storage systems (ESS) and consumer applications. This proprietary technology enables unprecedented safety advancements for lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries that will facilitate the prevention of catastrophic fires and massive recalls caused by metallic dendrites (i.e. dendrites from metal contamination introduced during the production process), electrode misalignments or lithium dendrites. 24M Impervio^TM achieves these results by obstructing metallic dendrite formation, as well as by measuring battery performance thereby enabling early fault detection.

“The sweeping safety improvements demonstrated by 24M Impervio^TM are essential to meet the growing demand for EV and ESS, which rely on next-generation battery technologies,” said 24M CEO Naoki Ota. “It will open up a whole new world of growth for battery-driven applications by eliminating the fear of catastrophic safety failures.”

“For many years safety challenges have limited the commercial viability of the most promising next-generation cell chemistries,” commented 24M Chief Scientist and MIT Professor Yet-Ming Chiang. “The ability to prevent dendrites and detect internal faults that 24M Impervio^TM has shown can enable the commercialization of a new class of large area, high energy density batteries based on lithium-metal and silicon-dominant chemistries.”

While lithium-ion continues to be the preferred battery chemistry, it’s been plagued by safety challenges, including the formation of dendrites — metal structures that can build up on the anode surface potentially shorting the battery cell, which can lead to fires. The 24M Impervio^TM technology prevents this with a fail-safe approach to battery safety by:

• Dendrite prevention: Starts at the source with a proprietary separator technology that impedes the growth of dendrites.
• Early fault detection: 24M Impervio^TM continuously monitors the cell and can detect a potential short before it occurs and enables a safe discharge and shutdown of the individual battery cell. This will also prevent the mass recall of products by pinpointing defective products and recalling only those.
• Integrates with lithium-metal and conventional lithium-ion batteries: 24M Impervio^TM offers the same safety benefits for conventional lithium-ion and lithium-metal cells as it does for 24M SemiSolid^TM cells.

Preliminary Testing

24M internal comparison tests of baseline cells, NMC/graphite cells without Impervio^TM, against identical cells with Impervio^TM, demonstrated the significant safety advantages of the Impervio^TM cell.

In one test, the cathode of the baseline and Impervio^TM cells were each intentionally contaminated with ~1% stainless steel. This caused the baseline cell to short immediately after formation, while the Impervio^TM cell, under the same conditions, suppressed the stainless steel dendrite and surpassed 800 cycles with a capacity retention of over 83%.

In a second test, the baseline and Impervio^TM cells intentionally exposed copper on the anode to stimulate the formation of a lithium-metal dendrite. This led to a rapid soft short of the baseline cell, while the Impervio^TM cell suppressed the lithium-metal dendrite and delivered stable coulombic efficiency during cycling — meaning no soft short between the cathode and anode.

24M expects to fully demonstrate mass production of Impervio^TM by the end of 2024 and introduce it to the market in 2025 or 2026. 24M is currently working in collaboration with volume production partners and license partners for initial product launch.

This latest 24M innovation comes on the heels of the company’s launch of its transformative electrode-to-pack battery technology — 24M ETOP^TM — which sets the foundation for unmatched system energy density. With the introduction of these new technologies, 24M is moving beyond its core technology — the 24M SemiSolid^TM and Unit Cell manufacturing platform — and offering a revolutionary technology set that enables a better energy future.

To learn more about these innovations and more, visit 24-m.com or these upcoming industry events:

• February 19 to 22 at NAATBatt 2024 Building Capacity Conference

Grant for 97 Electric School Buses from Lion Electric

The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) (“Lion” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, was awarded a grant for 97 school buses and related charging infrastructure, representing a total of $38 million, as part of the U.S. EPA’s latest round of awards under the Clean School Bus Program.

With this latest round of awards, the EPA has more than doubled the funding amount initially announced in April 2023, thereby allocating nearly $1 billion to 67 applicants. Based on the EPA, these awards are expected to facilitate the purchase of over 2,700 clean school buses in 280 school districts serving over 7 million students across 37 states.

Approximately 70% of all units awarded under this round of the program have been directly granted to school districts, financial entities and third-party contractors, representing attractive potential for additional opportunities for Lion.

“The ongoing investment from the federal government for cleaner school buses will tangibly contribute to the well-being of our children and communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and increase the number of electric school buses on American roads. Congratulations to the EPA and all the recipients, who will soon experience the many benefits of transitioning to zero-emission school buses,” said Nicolas Brunet, President of Lion. “We continue to assist our clients with the funding opportunities that are available, and we are proud to manufacture purpose-built all-electric school buses in Joliet, Illinois, which are currently being deployed across the United States.”

In addition to this round of financing, the EPA is currently accepting, until January 31, 2024, applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program. The agency expects to award at least $500 million in funding under this round by April 2024.

Lion provides districts and operators with a dedicated team of grant specialists to assist them in applying for and securing future funding opportunities, including under the Clean School Bus Program. Lion’s support also includes financing assistance with LionCapital Solutions, charging infrastructure with LionEnergy, driver/maintenance/safety training from Lion’s BrightSquad and proprietary EV telematics with LionBeat.

Lion’s applications submitted in connection with this round of the program were prepared in collaboration with selected school districts. Lion will continue to work closely with the applicable school districts in order to complete the milestones required under the program and execute purchase orders with such school districts. For additional information on the Clean School Bus Program and the awards granted thereunder, please refer to the EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/clean-school-bus-program-awards.

InductEV & DMS Scale

EVgo Supports Free Toyota bZ4x Charging for a Year

EVgo Inc. (NASDAQ: EVGO) (“EVgo” or the “Company”), one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs), announced an extension of its agreement with Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (Toyota) to provide drivers who purchase or lease a new 2024 bZ4x with one year of complimentary fast charging on EVgo’s nationwide network.

First announced in February 2022, the ongoing collaboration between EVgo and Toyota to offer complimentary charging helps boost range confidence for EV drivers by unlocking access to EVgo’s owned and operated public fast charging network with stations from coast to coast.

“The expansion of our agreement is a testament to the convenience and accessibility of the EVgo network, as well as to our ongoing commitment to automaker collaborations that help spur the mass adoption of EVs throughout the country,” said Maggie Tallman, Senior Vice President, Business Development at EVgo. “Our collaboration with Toyota gives even more EV drivers access to our industry-leading charging network and the ability to plug in across the U.S.”

First-time EV drivers buying or leasing the bZ4X can also access EVgo’s customer support team, the EVgo Charging Crew—available 24/7—for help with account setup and commonly asked questions about charging.

“Charging is an essential part of owning an EV, and we’re pleased to offer our customers who purchase or lease our bZ4X vehicles the convenience and accessibility made available by EVgo,” said James George, General Manager of EV Charging Solutions at Toyota Motor North America. “Our ongoing collaboration with one of the nation’s largest public fast charging companies enables us to grant bZ4X drivers access to EVgo’s extensive nationwide network.”

IBAT Deployes MDLE Plant

International Battery Metals Ltd. (the “Company”) (CSE: IBAT), is pleased to announce the signing of a term sheet for deployment of our modular direct lithium extraction plant (the “MDLE Plant”) with a customer (the “Customer”) in the western United States.  Our MDLE Plant utilizes our proprietary selective absorption media minimizing the use of chemicals, reducing by-product waste, and recovering over 98% of our process water. The Customer is a significant producer of metals and minerals including the production of battery grade lithium carbonate.  Pursuant to the terms sheet, IBAT will immediately begin mobilizing the MDLE Plant to the Customer’s site where it will be integrated into existing production facilities.  The initial targeted production, following commissioning, is approximately 4,000 metric tons per annum of lithium carbonate with the goal of increasing this production to over 8,000 metric tons per annum by optimizing the MDLE Plant.  The integrated system will represent the first commercial direct lithium extraction operation to go online in North America.

EVCS & Presto Parnter

EVCS, one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network operators on the West Coast, and Presto Charging, a leading EV charging software platform, proudly announced their strategic partnership. Presto’s EV customers, such as fleets, mobility providers, and businesses, will now have direct access to EVCS’ network of over 1,000 chargers on the West Coast.

Through the Presto app, fleets will be able to locate EVCS sites, access live status information of chargers’ availability, and initiate charging sessions, making the fast charging experience convenient, reliable, and seamless. Presto’s fleet customers can benefit from special rates at EVCS locations via Presto’s charging offers. Today, EVCS locations in California are available on the Presto app, with Washington and Oregon locations set to be available within the coming months. The partnership marks a significant step toward a more accessible and integrated electric vehicle charging ecosystem for all customers.

These efforts are supported by Noodoe, EVCS’ chargepoint management system and EV charging cloud services provider. Noodoe has demonstrated world-class OCPI implementation and successfully integrated the system to ensure seamless roaming between EVCS and Presto.

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