Bluedot and Volkswagen.
In this Article
NACS Adapters for Ford in Spring 2024
Last year, Ford announced that its EV customers would gain access to Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada beginning in Spring 2024. As that moment approaches, Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said today that eligible Ford EV customers will soon be able to reserve a complimentary Fast Charging Adapter.
The Fast Charging Adapter will provide Ford F-150 Lightning, and Mustang Mach-E owners access to Tesla’s V3 and above Superchargers. Ford will start to transition to the NACS charge port from 2025, removing the need for an adapter for direct access to Tesla Superchargers.
Cox Automotive EV Battery Solutions in GA
Committed to being the world’s best battery health innovator and end-to-end solutions provider for electric vehicles, Cox Automotive today announced the opening of its new EV Battery Solutions service center in Conyers, Ga. The growth of Cox Automotive’s global EV battery service network in the Southeastern United States comes at a time of rapid EV growth in the state of Georgia, with EV facility investments from various automakers and battery manufacturers.
“The geographic expansion of our EV battery service network reinforces our dedication to both our customers and the growth of the new and used electric vehicle market in the U.S.,” said Lea Malloy, AVP of EV Battery Solutions, Cox Automotive. “As the global leader of integrated battery caretaking services, we provide flexible capacity and logistics expertise that frees OEM resources to focus on new product development and customer engagement that is essential to further driving EV growth.”
From successfully managing the industry’s largest recall with remarkable efficiency and safety, to offering solutions to swiftly address emergency battery-related incidents for OEMs and dealerships across the U.S., Cox Automotive is the undisputed leader in EV battery lifecycle management.
EV Battery Solutions by Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive supports practices that enable the extension of EV battery first lives and end-of-life reuse and recovery treatments. This includes a variety of storage, logistics, diagnostics, repair and remanufacturing services being conducted at the company’s global EV battery service facilities in Oklahoma City, Okla., Belleville, Mich., Las Vegas, Conyers, Ga., Ede, Netherlands, as well as select Manheim operating locations.
Revoy EV Add-on for Transition to EVs for Trucks 70-90% Reduction in Emissions
Revoy, a simple and truly viable solution to decarbonize the trucking industry, today announces the launch of the Revoy EV, a simple add-on for fleets that enables an easy transition to full EV without alterations to trucks or trailers. Pioneering a new sector of commercial trucking EV solutions, Revoy’s technology improves fuel efficiency from 6 – 8 mpg to 20 – 35+ mpg, representing a 70 – 90%+ reduction in emissions. Economically, adding a Revoy EV to a tractor enables companies to save thousands of dollars in fuel per truck annually, inclusive of Revoy fees.
Currently, commercial trucks and fleets account for 6.7%¹ of all of the United States’ GHG emissions. Revoy is helping reduce this and propel businesses towards net zero goals. Revoy EVs are on the road today actively decarbonizing trucks, and are expanding to more areas this year.
“Trucking contributes 6.7% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US. The current approach of wholly replacing diesel engines with batteries and electric motors is too abrupt of a transition for such a critical and underappreciated part of our economy,” said Ian Rust, CEO and founder of Revoy. “EV tractors are more expensive to purchase and recharge compared to diesel, and no driver can spare the time to stop and charge for hours. Luxury passenger vehicles are not engineered to generate ROI and depreciate quickly. Making commercial vehicles the same way poses a risk to any fleet that adopts them. Revoy has engineered an electric commercial vehicle that is built as an asset first. The entire vehicle is swappable in under five minutes, so no waiting on a charge, and can operate on any trucker’s existing vehicle with no modifications.”
Revoy handles all infrastructure and charging, and its adaptable technology offers ease of use, saved time, low upfront costs, and ongoing fuel benefits. Revoy allows truckers to drive up to 235 miles on electric power using a 525kWh LFP battery pack.
Solving for sustainability in the trucking industry is complex, but simplicity is at the core of Revoy’s innovation. Revoy’s EV technology is adaptable and easy to apply to existing fleets, with the option to use as needed. The process is simple: trucks visit a Revoy swap station, where an attendant swaps the Revoy EV while the driver relaxes in the truck or shops inside.
Revoy’s EV technology addresses the sustainability and competitive business needs of trucking fleets and companies committed to net zero goals through the following:
- Dramatic MPG Improvement: At 235 miles of range, Revoy can take a 6 – 8 mpg truck to 20 – 35+ mpg. At a shorter range, for example 150 miles, mpg can exceed 30 – 40 mpg. This is a transformational step change in fuel efficiency.
- Electric Range Extension on Electric Trucks: Revoy allows truckers to drive up to 235 miles on electric power using a 525kWh LFP battery pack, and can be “recharged” nearly instantly with a Revoy swap. Long charges or battery-destroying fast charges are no longer necessary. An 800kWh long-range version will be coming out in May 2024.
- No Time Wasted On The Road: Revoy electric vehicles instantly convert any diesel truck into a hybrid, easily attaching to the fifth wheel automatically. Truckers can swap at an available station for a fresh battery in less than five minutes, which is 90% faster than traditional EV charging. Fleets can share Revoy EVs based on subscription tier for immediate savings, without the risk.
- Zero Payload Impact: The Revoy EV has no impact on payload. Trucks encountering loads that are too heavy to accept the extra battery weight can revert to diesel in minutes by dropping the Revoy EV.
- Compliant with Length Laws: The Revoy EV requires no additional CDL endorsements and is compliant with all length restrictions on the national highway network.
- Safety Features Built Into Every Vehicle: Revoy offers intelligent auto-correction to prevent rollovers, flipping and jackknifing. The Revoy EV has an extra set of brakes to automatically engage more stopping power when driving down mountains, blind spot detection and automatic reversing with intelligent computing from a series of sensors with notifications through Revoy’s mobile app.
Revoy was founded by Ian Rust, an innovator, founder and mechanical engineer with over 12 years of experience in clean transportation and sustainability, and is backed by YCombinator, Transition Global, and Liquid2 Ventures. The team includes over 100 years of experience from GM, Tesla, Embark Trucks, Waymo, and the European Space Agency, among others. Revoy’s technology is made in the USA, FMVSS compliant, and compliant with all length and weight (bridge and GVW) regulations.
Range Energy Powered Trailers Approved by CARB
Range Energy (Range), the hardware company bringing powered trailers to the commercial trucking market, announced that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) updated the point-of-sale incentive value for its 53-foot electric trailer, the RA, from the original $80,000/unit to up to $120,000/unit through the Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) Voucher Project. In July 2023, Range became the first trailer electrification platform to be accepted into CORE, marking a huge milestone for the commercial trucking industry as it looks to accelerate decarbonization efforts.
“Becoming eligible for CORE proved that trailers truly matter in the transition to electric, and that CARB recognizes the meaningful impact electric powered trailers can have on reducing the emissions of the commercial trucking sector,” said Ali Javidan, Founder and CEO of Range. “Increasing our trailer platform’s incentive value by $40,000 further solidifies that position, and makes Range a realistic near-term solution for fleet owners and operators to deploy zero emissions equipment.”
Range is accelerating the electrification of commercial transportation through the development of powered trailers for the heavy duty freight market. Range’s electric-powered trailers hook up to any diesel-powered truck today, doubling its gas mileage while cutting NOx emissions by 67 percent.
CORE, part of the state-wide initiative California Climate Investments, is designed to help California fleet owners and operators deploy zero emissions equipment, providing a streamlined voucher process by which they can receive funding to offset the cost of cleaner off-road equipment as well as develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. As Range leverages the flexibility of its platform to include battery capacities up to 300 kWh, the CORE program voucher amount was extended to cover Range’s full product lineup.
Lyten Granted $4Million by DoE for Lithium Sulfur Battery Tech
Lyten, Inc., a supermaterial applications company and leader in 3D Graphene materials, announced today it has secured a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) to accelerate the manufacturing of its advanced lithium-sulfur battery technology.
The grant, awarded by the DoE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy / Vehicle Technologies Office, specifically targets lithium-sulfur technologies that can alleviate offshore supply chain risk for EV batteries and increase EV driving range. Utilizing abundantly available and low-cost sulfur, the lithium-sulfur chemistry has the potential to deliver greater than twice the energy density of lithium-ion NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) chemistries. Additionally, the chemistry does not require critical minerals such as nickel and cobalt in the cathode or graphite in the anode, enabling a locally sourced, locally manufactured EV battery.
The DoE grant awards for lithium-sulfur follow the passage of National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law last month with bi-partisan support, which will prohibit the U.S. Defense Department from buying batteries produced by China’s largest manufacturers starting in October 2027. This ban reinforces the urgency to accelerate the development and rapid scale up of rechargeable cells with alternative battery chemistries, like lithium-sulfur, that offer localized supply chains for strategic defense applications and high energy density to support mobility and transportation electrification.
“We are encouraged by both the Department of Defense and Department of Energy’s support for alternative battery technologies, in particular breakthrough technologies like lithium-sulfur that are critical to establishing energy security and supply chain independence,” said Dan Cook, CEO and co-founder of Lyten. “The U.S. has an opportunity to gain the lead in technological breakthroughs necessary to overcome barriers holding back mass scale electrification.”
The DoE award is supporting both private industry and university research as part of this round of funding for lithium-sulfur. For this grant, Lyten is working with Stanford University, the University of Texas-Austin, and industrial partner Arcadium Lithium (formed via merger of Livent and Allkem). Separately, Lyten is a subrecipient on a DoE grant awarded to Purdue University to improve modeling capabilities for lithium-sulfur cells.
Lithium-sulfur is a chemistry known for decades to potentially hold two to three times the energy density of lithium-ion but was not envisioned to come into the market until the 2030s due to material science challenges. Lyten has accelerated this timeline by using its 3D Graphene material to develop a sulfur-graphene composite cathode. In June 2023, Lyten opened a semi-automated, lithium-sulfur pilot line producing pouch and cylindrical cells on its 145,000-square-foot campus in Silicon Valley and will begin to deliver non-EV cells commercially in 2024.
In 3Q 2023, Lyten announced it had raised $200 million through a Series B round, bringing total investment up to $410 million to scale 3D Graphene applications and lithium-sulfur battery manufacturing. Lyten investors include a broad range of industry leaders, including Stellantis (third-largest auto manufacturer in the world), FedEx, Honeywell, and Walbridge.
Exro Buys SEA Electric
Exro Technologies Inc. and SEA Electric Inc. (“SEA” or “SEA Electric”) announced that they have entered into an agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the acquisition of SEA by Exro (the “Transaction”). This business combination is expected to strengthen Exro’s technology offerings while accelerating revenue growth and Exro’s path to profitability. Following completion of the Transaction, the combined company (the “Combined Company”) will continue to operate under the name Exro Technologies Inc. and trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) under the ticker symbol “EXRO”.
The Combined Company aims to accelerate and modernize electrification with a patented, blue chip validated technology platform. SEA Electric produces the SEA-Drive propulsion technology that controls all the components that electrify a vehicle. When integrated with the Exro Coil DriverTM, the complementary technologies provide an end-to-end solution with enhanced performance and improved total cost of ownership for commercial vehicles. SEA’s technology has been validated by large blue chip OEM customers with multi-year commitments from Mack (Volvo) and Hino (Toyota). Together, Exro and SEA target delivery of more than 1,000 propulsion technology systems to these OEMs in 2024, with aggregate revenues forecasted to be more than C$200 million for the calendar year 2024 Combined with an asset-light business model focused on technology, these targets provide for a defined path to profitability within 12 months of completing the Transaction.
The Combined Company will bring Exro’s next generation technology to the full spectrum of e-mobility platforms including passenger vehicles to large commercial trucks and beyond. Together, Exro and SEA will aim to secure the short-term with a strong order book while maintaining a continued focus on disruptive innovation with next generation electric motor and battery control technologies backed by more than 60 patents and patent applications.
Upon completion of the Transaction, Sue Ozdemir will remain as Chief Executive Officer, Tony Fairweather will join Exro as the Chief Product Officer, and Darrell Bishop will become Chief Financial Officer. The board of directors of the Combined Company will consist of up to nine members with Rod Copes serving as Chair and the remaining directors comprised of representatives from both Exro’s and SEA’s current boards of directors.
Dept of Energy/Transport Awards AMC, CharIN & Argonne National Lab $2.9 Million
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has awarded the American Center for Mobility (ACM) and subrecipients CharIN and Argonne National Laboratory, a grant of $2.9 million to help aid America’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and accelerate a resilient EV charging network.
This project will enhance and expand the electric vehicle (EV) charger testing environment at the American Center for Mobility (ACM), located at Willow Run, in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. By leveraging both private sector contributions and federal funds, ACM and its partners plan to expand current and evolving EV testing and certification capabilities at the Willow Run test facility. A focus will be on increasing the number of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI)-compliant DC fast charger (DCFC) equipment and implementing rigorous testing methods for EV charger operability and interoperability.
“The proliferation of new EVs and EV charging stations as well as over-the-air software updates is spurring the need for more interoperability testing,” says Reuben Sarkar, CEO of ACM. “The industry needs a centrally located test bed in the heart of automotive country with a market representation of DC Fast Chargers.”
The Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN) is the largest global EV charging industry alliance dedicated to realizing the goals of universal charging standards using CCS, MCS, ISO 15118, and SAE J3400. CharIN members span the whole value chain of EV charging and is open to all interested parties, including leading companies from the automotive sector, charging industry, and other associated industries.
According to Erika Myers, the Executive Director of CharIN North America, “CharIN is delighted to support the development of this crucial high-powered EV charging test facility at the American Center for Mobility. With over 60 CharIN members now headquartered in the United States, along with many of our other 330+ global members moving operations to the United States, demand for interoperability and conformance testing is quickly outstripping the supply offered by CharIN’s bi-annual testing events, which have been hosted for over seven years in North America and globally. In addition to year-round testing at this facility, we are delighted to make this a permanent site to host CharIN Testivals, which encourages peer-to-peer learning, networking, and equipment interoperability testing.”
Argonne experts will contribute their expertise in interoperability testing, test procedure development and deep understanding of EV charging communication standards.
“Argonne has a long-standing history of successful collaborations with ACM and the automotive industry in Michigan more broadly,” says Thomas Wallner, Director of Argonne’s Transportation and Power Systems Division. “We are excited to support this critical effort towards improving the EV charging experience.”
National Car Charging Contract for DC Fast Charging from DGS
The nation’s largest and most experienced independent electric vehicle (EV) charging station reseller and installer, National Car Charging (NCC), announced today that they have been exclusively awarded a multi-year charging station procurement contract for non-networked DC fast charging infrastructure with the State of California through the California Department of General Services (DGS).
“We’re incredibly honored to be selected to support the State of California as they continue to electrify their fleets,” shared Jim Burness, CEO and founder of National Car Charging. “California has long been the frontrunner in EV adoption, and as a native Californian, I am especially proud to help the state continue its leadership in transportation electrification.”
The California Legislature recently appropriated general funds to DGS Office of Sustainability (OS) to support the installation of EV charging infrastructure. Through DGS’ rigorous RFP process, National Car Charging was selected to be the exclusive non-networked DC fast charging provider for the state.
Having long led the country in EV adoption, California accelerated their build out of the state’s clean energy infrastructure in 2022 in an effort to achieve their world-leading climate goals of having net-zero carbon emissions and 100% clean electricity by 2045.
To accelerate this transition and help reach the goal to install 250,000 chargers, the state is investing more than $10 billion for zero-emission cars, trucks, buses and infrastructure as part of the historic $52-plus billion California Climate Commitment.
“California doesn’t just set big goals – we achieve them. Yet again, we’re showing the world what real climate action looks like. We’re deploying EV chargers to communities most hurt by pollution and fast chargers along some of our most traveled highways. This is the future of transportation – and it’s happening right now all across California.” Governor Gavin Newsom, 9/18/2023
National Car Charging will be fulfilling the contract with Kempower DC fast chargers whose products are known globally for their quality, durability and >99% uptime.
“With precision accuracy, high-efficiency power delivery, and full circle technical support, Kempower chargers offer unprecedented reliability and flexibility,” said Tim Joyce, president of Kempower North America. “Wherever your journey may take you, we’re thrilled to say that Kempower’s innovative technology ensures a hassle-free charging experience. The future of EV charging is now here across California and beyond!”
Headquartered in Finland, Kempower recently opened their U.S. plant in Durham, N.C. The new plant will produce the Kempower Power Unit, Kempower Station Charger, Kempower Movable Charger, and Kempower Satellite DC fast charging solutions (level 3) – all of which will be available to public entities and qualifying non-profits throughout the State of California.
“At NCC, we offer a vast portfolio of highly-vetted products; however, we chose Kempower for California because of their quality, small footprint and modularity,” Burness shared. “They’re also ideal for California because of their unprecedented uptime and their ability to withstand the climate extremes. Their products are extremely versatile and can charge a wide variety of vehicles including cars, medium and heavy trucks, school and transit buses, heavy equipment, emergency vehicles, watercraft and more.”
National Car Charging isn’t new to the public charging arena. Over the last decade they’ve installed stations for nearly every business channel and more than 60 percent of their current work is in the public space. NCC has been awarded EVSE procurement contracts in seven other states including their home state of Colorado and been selected to participate in more than eight different public and private cooperative buying programs throughout the country.
NCC has installed more than 11,000 EV charging ports across 48 states, 1,100 clients and dozens of business channels. In addition to Kempower, the NCC team will bring tremendous experience to California as the state expands its electrified fleet. The three (3) year exclusive non-networked DC fast charging procurement is active as of December 20, 2023.
For more information about National Car Charging and Kempower Satellite and Power Unit products, visit nationalcarcharging.com/kempower.
ChargePoint Shows Rapid Rates of EV Charging Needed
ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), today released new data that illustrates the growing demand for EV charging as passenger and commercial fleet EV sales continue to increase at a rapid rate, with EV sales hitting record high numbers in the U.S. last year. Across the ChargePoint network globally, there was a 53% increase in annual charging sessions, dispensing over 1 TWh of energy in 2023, a 70% increase year-over-year.
“Increased utilization pressure across all commercial segments demonstrates that EV charging has gone from a perk to necessity for businesses, their employees, and their customers,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “With more EVs on the road, drivers are looking for reliable and accessible charging where it’s most convenient for them, whether that’s pulling off the side of the highway to charge and grab snacks, or plugging in for a few hours while they’re at work. It is clear that charging infrastructure must scale more rapidly alongside the consumer and commercial adoption of EVs.”
On the ChargePoint network, global utilization outpaced active port growth across all commercial sectors in 2023. BloombergNEF predicts EV sales could reach nearly 2 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2024, meaning charger utilization will continue to grow with a clear need for more infrastructure to meet EV drivers’ charging needs. In North America, fueling & convenience locations, typically high powered charging hubs along major highways, saw a 109% increase in charging sessions year-over-year, compared to approximately 47% year-over-year increase in active ports. As the return to office trend continues to grow, workplace charging stations saw approximately 64% increase in charging sessions year-over-year, compared to approximately 22% increase in active port growth. Additionally in workplace settings, the average number of active drivers per port increased 21%.
Other segments that saw notable session growth in North America in 2023 include corporate fleets, with charging sessions increasing approximately 83% from the prior year compared to approximately 54% increase in active port count; and multifamily commercial properties.
Ecolab Selects FordPro
Ecolab—a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions—selected Ford Pro™, Ford’s commercial division, to accelerate the electrification of its sales and service fleet, targeting complete North American fleet electrification by 2030.
Ecolab’s and Ford’s business relationship, forged nearly 100 years ago, is expanding on the heels of a new commitment to create positive impacts, progress toward carbon neutrality and advance sustainable growth.
Electrification of Ecolab’s North American fleet begins in California with the conversion of its sales and service vehicles to EVs by 2025. Ecolab will purchase and deploy more than 1,000 Ford F-150® Lightning® Pro trucks and Mustang® Mach-E® SUVs, creating what is anticipated to be the largest all-electric sales and service fleet in California. Ford Pro offers a full suite of charging and telematics software that Ecolab will use to help the business maximize vehicle performance and fleet productivity.
The move to EVs is a crucial step in Ecolab’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions globally by 2050.
LeapCharger Advances EV Prototypes
LeapCharger Corporation (OTC: LCCN) (“LeapCharger” or the “Company”), an electric vehicle (EV) charging company with disruptive and innovative technology providing eco-friendly and sustainable solutions, is proud to announce it has formalized and finalized its strategic decision to commission the development of cutting-edge EV sedan and SUV prototypes. This bold move is set to position LeapCharger as a trailblazer in the evolving landscape of sustainable transportation.
In a bid to stay ahead of the curve and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly mobility solutions, LeapCharger has partnered with top-tier automotive design and engineering firms to craft prototypes that showcase innovation, efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. The decision to invest in EV sedan and SUV prototypes aligns seamlessly with the company’s vision of offering diverse, high-performance electric vehicles to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of consumers. The Company intends to partner with several large EV manufacturing firms to develop these vehicles in an effort to maintain quality control and produce high quality vehicles. Our design prototypes are expected in short order, following which we expect to develop and produce our EV line without delay.
LeapCharger envisions several long-term benefits arising from this strategic initiative:
1. **Market Expansion:** By diversifying its product portfolio, LeapCharger aims to penetrate new markets and cater to a broader consumer base, further solidifying its position as a key player in the EV industry.
2. **Technological Advancements:** The development of sedan and SUV prototypes will not only showcase LeapCharger’s commitment to innovation but will also push the boundaries of EV technology, fostering advancements that could have far-reaching implications for the entire industry.
3. **Sustainable Mobility Solutions:** As the world increasingly embraces sustainable practices, LeapCharger is poised to play a pivotal role in providing eco-conscious consumers with reliable, high-performance EV options, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.
4. **Strategic Partnerships:** Collaborating with esteemed design and engineering partners on this venture will not only enhance LeapCharger’s expertise but also foster valuable relationships that can fuel future collaborative efforts and projects.
LeapCharger Corporation remains steadfast in its mission to revolutionize the electric vehicle sector, and the decision to order EV sedan and SUV prototypes marks a significant milestone in this journey. The company invites industry stakeholders, partners, and enthusiasts to stay tuned for updates on this exciting initiative, as LeapCharger propels towards a future of sustainable, cutting-edge mobility.
“LeapCharger is making this strategic growth move to enable the Company to expand, at a rate that is much faster than initially anticipated. Entering the EV car sector gives us flexibility as we continue to expand our EV charging network, thereby allowing us to offer more products and services to our customers,” declared Praveenkumar Vijayakumar, CEO of LeapCharger.
Additional information regarding the design of our EV prototypes will be released as it becomes available. For the most current information and updates, please visit our social media pages, all of which are listed at the bottom of this release.
ECD Automotive Design Web-Based Custom Configurator
ECD Automotive Design, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECDA), the world’s largest Land Rover and Jaguar restoration company, known for its bespoke luxury Land Rover Defenders, Range Rovers and Jaguar E-Types, announces the launch of its best-in-class web-based custom vehicle configurator. The configurator, available today on our website, is a design tool that allows the user to customize and visualize their dream vehicle from any computer, tablet or phone in the comfort of their own home. It is an answer to growing demand by clients to be able to virtually build their customized vehicle as many times as they would like on their own schedules before stepping foot in the ECD design studio.
Tom Humble, Chief Experience Officer and Co-Founder of ECD, stated, “This isn’t your standard web-based vehicle configuration tool. When we designed it, we kept the user experience in the forefront to ensure not only user friendliness, but also to elevate its abilities exponentially. Our goal is always to continue to enhance the user experience by listening and responding to client needs.”
ECD’s system provides more configuration options, compared to other admirable top-level vehicle configurators, such as for the Aston Martin DBX, including 3-D visualization from an infinite number of camera angles. Other configurators stop at a 2-D image and fixed camera angle. The old ECD configurator system provided over two million possible combinations, whereas ECD’s new system is literally limitless and the user can design from the comfort of their own home.
ECD’s new web-based design tool allows the user to configure the exterior of their dream classic Defender, Range Rover or Jaguar E-Type with option categories such as roof style, body color, roll cage type, vent type, side-step, hinge type, door handle color, sunroof, front and rear lighting, grille type, front bumper type, steering guard, accessories, emblems, and several others. A sample of interior configuration options include, but is not limited to dash, trim, seating and console colors, seating configurations and type, steering wheel options, and pedal, flooring and gauge options.
500 Electric V2G School Buses by Nuvve
Nuvve Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: NVVE), a global technology leader accelerating the electrification of transportation through its proprietary vehicle-to-grid (V2G) platform, celebrated the 500th electric school bus EVSE to be deployed which will be managed through its proprietary GIVe™ bidirectional, smart-charging software platform.
This new order from Orange Unified School District in Orange, California is for thirteen Nuvve Level 2 “PowerPort” chargers and three 60kW chargers. This follows the district’s 2021 purchase of fifteen Nuvve Level 2 PowerPort chargers which it currently uses for its fleet of 15 electric school buses purchased over 2021 and 2022 from Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses. Two additional buses are on order and the district plans to continue expanding their ESB fleet in the future.
StoreDot First-Ever Prismatic XFC Silicon-Dominant Battery Cells
StoreDot, the pioneer and world leader in extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology for electric vehicles, iannounced an important achievement on its path to commercialization with the successful manufacturing of its first-ever prismatic XFC silicon-dominant battery cells.
Prismatic cells, which are rectangular and stacked in layers, now represent the form factor of choice for a growing number of electric vehicle manufacturers. These types of cells offer added mechanical protection and performance advantages, while the flat surface simplifies the integration into electric vehicles with better thermal management and safety considerations – thus reducing pack assembly cost and complexity.
However, the transition from pouch to prismatic cells, and moreover, the integration of silicon-based chemistry with XFC capability in prismatic packaging, introduce several engineering challenges and manufacturing complexities. The solution, achieved by StoreDot’s global teams, is based on careful design of the stack thickness, formation currents and pressure regimes as well as managing the associated swelling of silicon-dominant anode technology and high currents in a prismatic hard case enclosure.
By overcoming these hurdles, StoreDot has shown its XFC technology is factor-agnostic and can be adapted to different cell form factors needed by automakers. The company will continue to optimize the design to achieve up to 170Ah of cell capacity and over 700 Wh/L volumetric energy density.
Dr Doron Myersdorf, CEO StoreDot “Successfully producing and passing initial tests of prismatic cells represents a huge leap towards delivering our XFC batteries in a format that can easily integrate into mass-produced EVs. By mastering prismatic XFC cell design, we are now able to offer our OEM partners batteries in the format they need with the game-changing charging speed of our XFC technology – 100 miles of range in 5 minutes of charging. This milestone moves us decisively closer to mass adoption of affordable, long-range EVs capable of extreme fast charging – creating an experience similar to fueling an internal combustion engine. Our global teams have done outstanding work overcoming key technical hurdles associated with the prismatic design, particularly when working with a silicon-dominant anode. We are firmly on track for the major milestone of mass production readiness this year.”
The announcement follows StoreDot’s news earlier this year that it had unveiled a breakthrough XFC concept for taking extreme fast charging from the cell to the vehicle level with its new I-BEAM XFC™ design, an innovative cell-to-pack concept that will also accelerate XFC integration into EVs.
StoreDot’s remains on track with production-readiness of XFC cells that can deliver 100 miles charged in 5 minutes this year, 100 miles charged in 4 minutes in 2026 and 100 miles charged in 3 minutes by 2028.
Volvo Group Buys Proterra Battery Business
Volvo Group has today completed the previously announced transaction whereby the Group acquired the battery business from Proterra Inc. and Proterra Operating Company Inc.
The acquisition, which was made at a purchase price of USD 210M before adjustment for inventory level at closing, includes a development center for battery modules and packs in California and an assembly factory in Greer, South Carolina.
“These assets and the skills and competence of the Proterra team are a great complement to our current footprint and enables us to accelerate our battery-electric roadmap even further,” says Lars Stenqvist, CTO Volvo Group.
Volvo intends to run Proterra as a going concern and deliver to selected customers.////
Bluedot & RideSahre Carz Partnership
Bluedot, the leading single payment platform for EV fleet drivers, and RideShare Carz, a leading Rideshare Vehicle Rental Company with electric vehicle rentals, are partnering to provide Bluedot’s fleet platform for all of RideShare Carz’s EV customers.
The Bluedot-RideShare Carz partnership allows RideShare Carz renters to locate, charge, and pay for charging across over 80% of the public chargers in the US. They no longer have to download multiple apps or worry about how they are going to pay for each charging station. All payment is done through Bluedot automatically, even for Tesla.
Historically, Tesla rideshare drivers would get billed every week after they had finished charging their vehicles. Non-Tesla drivers would have to use their own cards. This was causing significant workload and headaches for RideShare Carz customers, making it difficult to manage their finances.
With the new partnership, Bluedot tracks all charging sessions and automatically bills RideShare Carz drivers on a daily basis. This innovative payment solution has allowed them to streamline their vehicle charging billing process, increase internal efficiencies and enhance customer satisfaction.
Bluedot also allows for full driver controls so RideShare Carz can manage customers’ charging expenses and billing, and revoke access to the vehicle if needed. This all-one-one platform has allowed RideShare Carz to scale its EV rental business and minimize the amount of platform it uses.
Volkswagen Plug&Charge at Electrify America
Volkswagen of America announced that starting in early 2024, the all-electric 2023 ID.4 EV will include the convenience of Plug&Charge at Electrify America stations. After activating the feature in the Electrify America app, owners can make even better use of their included three years of 30-minute DC fast charging sessions plan.
Assembled in Chattanooga, Tenn., the 2023 ID.4 is offered in three trim levels—Standard/Pro, S, and S Plus—with the option of 62 kWh and 82 kWh batteries and rear-wheel- or all-wheel drive.
The 2023 ID.4 is on sale with two battery sizes and two powertrains, with a starting MSRP of $38,995 for the ID.4 Standard model that has a 62kWh battery and an EPA-estimated range of 209 miles. The ID.4 Pro, with an 82 kWh battery that allows for an EPA-estimated range of 275 miles, starts at $43,995. On both these models, a single permanent magnet synchronous motor powers the rear wheels and provides 201 horsepower. ID.4 AWD Pro models start at $47,795. They add an asynchronous motor to the front axle, resulting in a bump to a max of 295 horsepower as well as all-wheel-drive capability, and have an EPA-estimated range of 255 miles.
The 2023 ID.4 Standard and S offer a 140-kW DC fast-charging rate, while Pro models equipped with the larger 82 kWh battery offer a 170-kW DC fast-charging speed, up from 2022. This allows all ID.4 Pro trims to DC fast charge from 10-80% SOC in around 30 minutes.
The 2023 ID.4 comes with three years of included 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America DC fast chargers, helping to inspire range confidence. Electrify America is the largest open DC fast charging network with over 900 stations and more than 4,000 chargers in North America. Additionally, it is the first open DC fast charging network to offer Plug&Charge technology to capable vehicles.
Starting in early 2024, the charging plan will include the convenience of Plug&Charge. By activating this feature in the Electrify America app, owners will be able to save time when using their included charging plan—just plug in the ID.4 at an Electrify America DC fast charging station and, once the connection is established, it will start charging. When charging a Volkswagen ID.4 on the Electrify America DC Fast-Charging network, the energy delivered to the vehicle is backed by 100% renewable energy.
Outside, S models and higher include illuminated front and rear VW logos. The ID.4 is available in eight exterior colors—Pure White, Silver Mist Metallic, Pure Grey, Deep Black Pearl, Tourmaline Blue Metallic, Opal White Pearl, Aurora Red Metallic, and Arctic Blue Metallic. All models come with a body-color roof and black roof rails as standard. S, Pro S and AWD Pro S models add a panoramic fixed-glass roof. Pro S Plus and AWD Pro S Plus models upgrade to a black roof and rear spoiler, while the C-pillars, roof line, roof rails, and bumper accents shine in bright silver. These models also receive power folding door mirrors with a diamond-pattern lamp signature.
Inside, the 2023 ID.4 boasts a standard 12-inch Discover Pro Max touch infotainment display. Heated front seats and dual-zone Climatronic® Touch climate control are standard; heated outer rear seats and tri-zone Climatronic are available on the top S Plus trim. The upscale interior is highlighted by ambient lighting—ten-color is standard, and Pro S and AWD Pro S models feature a stunning 30-color ambient lighting system with pre-set “moods”, as well as a slider bar in the infotainment system to customize.
Standard and Pro models offer mélange fabric seats with leatherette seat side bolsters in Stone or Nutmeg. Stone vehicles are paired with black and gray accents, while Nutmeg vehicles bring in attractive brown hues. On all S models, two curated leatherette interiors bring an upscale ambience, and the choice between Galaxy or Cosmic finishes. Galaxy vehicles are finished with black leatherette seat inserts paired with Platinum gray bolsters, door inserts, and dash, with a black steering wheel and displays. Vehicles with the Cosmic interior are equipped with gray leatherette seat inserts matched with blue bolsters, door inserts, and dash.
The ID.4 continues to offer a complete suite of state-of-the-art driver assistance technology. Included are Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking (Front Assist) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Active Blind Spot Monitor (Side Assist), front and rear Park Distance Control, Park Assist Plus with Memory Parking, and High Beam Control (Light Assist). Furthermore, the advanced IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance suite is standard on every ID.4 model, featuring Travel Assist 2.0 with adaptive cruise control, Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist), Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Emergency Assist 3.0.