CARB HVIP for Workhorse W56 Electric
Workhorse Group Inc. (Nasdaq: WKHS) (“Workhorse” or “the Company”), an American technology company focused on pioneering the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, today announced the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) determined the Company’s W56 electric vehicle (“EV”) is eligible for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (“HVIP”).
The HVIP incentive program reduces cost barriers for EV ownership in California to help transition the state to zero emissions. Through the HVIP incentive program, vehicle purchasers and participating dealers are eligible to apply for a base voucher of $85,000 per W56 purchased.
The W56 is Workhorse’s first fully designed, purpose-built Class 5/6 model chassis platform. The Company began production of the W56 in September 2023 and recently received its first fleet purchase order for W56 step vans in California.
“The receipt of HVIP approval from CARB for the W56 is the next step for Workhorse to unlock growth opportunities and build market share in the EV step van segment,” said Workhorse CEO Rick Dauch. “We are continuing production of the W56 and have strategically expanded our regional dealer network in California and other states where we expect CARB mandates will be adopted. We have held numerous positive product demonstrations in California, and customer interest for the W56 is strong. With the HVIP approval and capacity to build up to 5,000 W56 units per year, Workhorse is well positioned to advance our product roadmap and drive growth.”
Additional information about the W56 can be found on Workhorse’s website.
Worksport & NeuronicWorks
Worksport Ltd. (Nasdaq: WKSP; WKSPW) (“Worksport” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has formed a strategic partnership with NeuronicWorks Inc., a Toronto-based high-tech custom electronic product development and manufacturing company, to manufacture and assemble the COR battery system in preparation for the system’s anticipated Alpha release. Along with supplying Worksport’s circuit boards for the COR hub, NeuronicWorks will perfect the construction of the full unit.
COR’s Alpha release, which will allow real-world testing and first-hand user experiences, is intended to be a pivotal step towards the manufacturing of the COR system in Canada, and eventually launching it using both international and domestic parts. Working together, Worksport and NeuronicWorks intend to implement a rigorous quality control process to ensure the highest quality standards.
“The partnership with NeuronicWorks is very important for our vision of a ‘Made in North America’ product,” said Rafael Oliveira, Worksport’s Chief Technology Officer. “We will be able to consistently observe NeuronicWorks’ manufacturing our COR battery system. In addition, the physical proximity of Worksport and NeuronicWorks in the Toronto area allows for a deep synergy. It’s exciting to have such a strong partner in the development of mobile microgrids and portable power sources.”
“Selecting a high-tech manufacturing partner like NeuronicWorks is a big step for Worksport on the road to the eventual market introduction of the revolutionary and world-beating SOLIS solar light truck cover and its companion COR battery system,” said Worksport CEO Steven Rossi. “We are thrilled to be partnering with such a distinguished electronic engineering leader and benefit from its substantial track record in bringing to market highly advanced proprietary products. Assembling the COR system in Canada in partnership with this leading electrical engineering company is a testament to our commitment to quality and sustainability. By bringing assembly to Canada, we have further strengthened our position in the renewable energy sector.”
“We are proud to be involved with breakthrough, revolutionary products, such as Worksport’s COR battery system and its companion SOLIS solar truck cover,” said NeuronicWorks CEO Titu Botos. “Innovation and creativity are what drives our team of talented designers and engineers, and we are very excited to be actively engaged in the development of Worksport’s COR portable battery system. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to continue innovation in the field of cleantech and green energy.”
onsemi PIMS for Bidirectional Charging & ESS
onsemi announced the availability of nine new EliteSiC Power Integrated Modules (PIMs) enabling bidirectional charging capabilities for DC ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers and energy storage systems (ESS). The silicon carbide-based solutions will dramatically improve system cost with higher efficiency and simpler cooling mechanisms that can reduce size by up to 40% and weight by up to 52% compared to traditional silicon-based IGBT solutions. With more compact, lighter charging platforms, designers will have all the key building blocks that are needed to quickly deploy a reliable, efficient and scalable network of DC fast chargers that can charge electric vehicle batteries up to 80% in as little as 15 minutes.
According to J.D. Power’s 2023 Electric Vehicle Consideration Study, nearly half of U.S. consumers note the reason for not purchasing an electric vehicle is the access to charging and the ability to do so quickly, to ensure the driving experience is as easy and seamless as with a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. In the U.S., the availability of EV chargers needs to quadruple by 2025 and 8x by the end of the decade to keep up with demand¹ and ensure drivers have equitable access to public charging stations.
In turn, this rapid increase in demand for electricity will also put a tremendous strain on current electrical grids, potentially overloading them. To mitigate this problem, bidirectional charging has emerged as a key solution to implement vehicle-to-grid which allows both regular battery charging and the ability to use an EV as an energy storage system to power your home when needed.
This solution helps enable a DC fast charging network and vehicle-to-grid power transfer systems, addressing access and speed with its ability to recharge a vehicle faster than other methods that take hours or even days.
How It Works: onsemi offers the most comprehensive portfolio of PIMs to address the key topologies on the market. This gives designers the flexibility to pick the right PIM for power conversion stages in their DC fast charging or energy storage system applications. To accelerate the design cycle, advanced piecewise linear electrical circuit simulation (PLECS) models through our Self-Service PLECS model Generator and application simulation with the Elite Power Simulator of this portfolio will also be made available to designers.
For each module, onsemi uses die from the same wafer to ensure more consistency and reliability so designers don’t have to use discretes from different suppliers, which can lead to varying performance results. In addition to its reliability, this module portfolio offers the following benefits:
- Uses the Gen3 M3S SiC MOSFET technology which offers the lowest switching losses and highest efficiency in the industry
- Supports key topologies such as multi-level T-type neutral point clamp (TNPC), half-bridge and full-bridge topologies
- Supports scalable output power from 25 kW to 100 kW, enabling multiple DC fast charging and energy storage systems platforms including bidirectional charging
- Industry-standard F1 and F2 packages with the option of pre-applied Thermal Interface Material (TIM) and press fit pins
- Enables optimal thermal management, avoiding system failure due to overheating
- Full SiC modules offer energy conservation by minimizing power losses, directly translating to cost and energy savings
- Offers more robustness and dependability, ensuring consistent operations
Nikola Sales in 2023
Nikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, via the HYLA brand, in 2023 produced 42 and wholesaled 35 Class 8 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
“What an effort by our dedicated and passionate team, to create — and deliver — what we believe is the only U.S. designed and assembled Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck on the road today,” said Nikola CEO Steve Girsky. “Our pioneering spirit is what made it possible to wholesale these 35 trucks to our dealers for customers in the U.S. and Canada. We thank our employees, customers and partners for this achievement, and look forward to delivering more trucks in 2024.”
Of the seven trucks produced but not wholesaled, three are being used in an extended field test with a fleet partner, two are in continued validation and engineering and two are being used for service training/customer demos.
Nikola’s FCEV features a range of up to 500 miles and an estimated fueling time as low as 20 minutes.* The company believes its truck is among the longest ranges of all commercially available zero tailpipe emission Class 8 trucks, with versatile applications ranging from drayage and intermodal to metro-regional truckload and less-than-truckload to certain specialized hauling use cases.
“Our goal is to introduce a better, cleaner way to deliver goods to the North American market in a reliable package,” said Girsky. “Our FCEV customer pilot programs have shown strong results, with truck uptime at 98%**—crucial for efficient fleet usage.”
Assembled in Coolidge, Ariz., the FCEV commenced serial production on July 31, 2023, with the commercial launch on September 28.
Electric Fire Truck in Mesa AZ
Mesa’s all-electric fire truck is officially in service. The pumper truck, stationed at Fire Station 221 in southeast Mesa, will reduce toxin exposure for firefighters as part of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department’s commitment to implementing cutting-edge health and safety practices. The truck, manufactured by E-ONE®, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc., is the first fully electric fire North American style engine in Arizona and will support the City of Mesa’s Climate Action Plan and goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 by helping to reduce the department’s carbon footprint.
“I’m an advocate for electric vehicles—it’s a more efficient technology and shifting City vehicles from gas-powered to electric is another step we can take toward reaching our Climate Action Plan goals,” said Mayor John Giles. “We look forward to this as a study in the potential cost-savings and efficiency of electric vehicles in City operations. This is further testament to Mesa’s investment in public safety and our Mesa Fire and Medical Department’s strong tradition of innovation and leadership in the state and the nation.”
The new fire truck excels at sustainability and performance with low to no carbon emissions, less noise pollution, range extension for prolonged power needs and life-long batteries. It can pump four hose lines at 750 gallons per minute for four hours on a single charge – allowing for continuous emergency response, when needed.
“The communities this electric fire truck will serve were built over the former GM Proving Grounds – where concept vehicles were tested. Eastmark is the focus of the innovation mindset in Mesa. It is reflected in our street names like Ampere Avenue, Innovation Way, South Electron, and Inspiration Parkway. It seems only fitting Southeast Mesa is home to this first innovative fire apparatus,” said District 6 Councilmember Scott Somers.
Station 221 is equipped with an electrical charger capable of fully recharging the fire truck in approximately 3 and a half hours. The fire station, which opened in 2021, was designed and built to keep firefighters healthy and safe. Safety measures include positive pressure airflow to keep contaminants out of living areas, exhaust capturing systems to remove vehicle exhaust in the bays while fire trucks are running prior to leaving the station and a decontamination area which now includes showers for firefighters to remove contaminants prior to entering living areas.
“We are proud of what today signifies. As a department, we are taking a unique step towards improving the health and safety of our personnel,” said Fire Chief Mary Cameli. “Every innovative step that contributes to the overall health and safety of our personnel is a step in the right direction. As a department, we are fortunate to be part of a city that uses data and research combined with technology and a willingness to test ideas and analyze the results. Trailblazing, the use of technology like this truck to help reduce the risks to our crews exemplifies the Mesa Way.”
“On behalf of Fire Truck Solutions, E-ONE and REV Fire Group, we are delighted that City of Mesa and Mesa Fire and Medical have chosen the E-ONE to support the city’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,” said REV Fire Group President Mike Virnig. “Thank you to the City of Mesa and Mesa Fire and Medical for your partnership.”
Funding for Mesa’s all-electric fire truck is from 2018 bonds approved by voters and the City’s General Fund.
Electric Era Referral Program
Electric Era Technologies, a leading technology provider of EV fast charging stations, announced its first-of-its-kind referral program to allow EV drivers and site hosts to get paid for referring eligible site hosts for its PowerNode EV fast charging stations along major highway corridors throughout Washington, Oregon, and California. Eligible site hosts receive additional monthly payments for use of their parking spots.
“With our new referral program, consumers and convenience retailers are finally behind the wheel of helping increase the number of reliable EV fast charging stations where they’re needed most along West Coast highways.”
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“We are seeing EV demand and sales surge, and we’re working to reduce one of the primary barriers to EV adoption, access to reliable EV charging station locations for drivers. Our referral program is powering a grassroots movement to build our network of tens of thousands of EV fast charging stations across America,” said Quincy Lee, Founder and CEO of Electric Era. “With our new referral program, consumers and convenience retailers are finally behind the wheel of helping increase the number of reliable EV fast charging stations where they’re needed most along West Coast highways.”
PowerNode provides an end-to-end commercial service that delivers EV refill on an accelerated timeline without costly grid updates and high utility bills. The charging stations are battery-backed and leverage a proprietary, vertically-integrated software system for intelligent energy management and integrated reliability features. PowerNode can even serve as a backup power supply to certain retail sites in the event of a power outage.
Plaid Pantry CEO Jonathan Polonsky commented on the ribbon cutting of the convenience store chain’s first commercial install of a PowerNode fast charging station in this video. Electric Era is currently installing its PowerNode fast charging station at seven sites, including five sites near the I-5 corridor through Washington, Oregon, and California. The company showcases its commitment to data transparency by displaying live site reliability metrics on its website.
The referral program offers EV advocates and small business owners up to $1,500 each for a referral which leads to a successful installation.
Program Information:
Referral partners should first fill out the referral program form on Electric Era’s website, then follow the directions. Ideal sites for a PowerNode fast charging station meet the following criteria:
- Gas station, convenience store or quick service retailer
- Located within one mile of a major highway
- A minimum of twelve parking spaces
For full details on the PowerNode referral program please visit the Electric Era referrals page. Follow Electric Era Technologies on LinkedIn and X for the latest news and updates.