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Fisker & Nissan Partnership
Reportedly, Fisker is in talks with Nissan for a $400 million investment in exchange Nissan would manufacture the Fisker Alaska pickup truck in the US.
No Range Anxiety at Munich Tech
Technical University of Munich students’ electric car prototype, “muc022,” set a new Guinness World Record driving 1,599.27 miles on a single charge.
Xos & ElectraMeccanica Merger
ElectraMeccanica, a designer and assembler of electric vehicles, announced today that founder and former board member Jerry Kroll has agreed to vote in favor of the ElectraMeccanica’s proposed combination with Xos, Inc. (NASDAQ: XOS) (“Xos”), a leading electric truck manufacturer and fleet electrification services provider, at the upcoming special meeting of ElectraMeccanica shareholders on Wednesday, March 20th.
Charging at Home & Work Study
Parks Associates research finds EV (electric vehicles) owners charge at home most often but 59% are also able to charge at work. Parks Associates presented its latest EV research and consumer data at Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.
Home charging is clearly the preference, which can be a key benefit for multifamily buildings attracting new residents—even MDU residents without an EV score charging as a key benefit for their next home, in anticipation of this shift to electrification,” said Daniel Holcomb, Senior Analyst, Smart Home Research, Parks Associates, “There is clearly opportunity both for EV-charging networks and for contractors to capture share in charging revenue and infrastructure upgrades, particularly in residential units. However, purchase intention has dropped due to interest rates and inflation, and those factors will have to be tempered before we see adoption of EVs increase.” data or an interview, contact 373567@email4pr.com, 972-490-1113.
Qmerit & Rhythmos.io Cadency EdgeAI
With the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on U.S. roads expected to climb to 35 million by 2030, Rhythmos.io and Qmerit are paving the way for electric mobility through a new partnership aimed at overcoming charging-related challenges like grid capacity constraints and charger availability and maintenance. The Rhythmos.io Cadency EdgeAI™ software platform is a utility-driven optimized charging and energy management solution that can more than double EV charging capacity without costly and time-consuming infrastructure upgrades. Together with Qmerit – one of the nation’s leading charging implementation providers for residential and commercial applications – fleet and utility customers will access services from each company to help reduce deployment barriers and enable a streamlined approach to charging management.
Leveraging Qmerit’s robust electrification implementation capabilities, Rhythmos.io will offer its customers an end-to-end solution for site inspection, implementation, and maintenance of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) chargers. Access to Qmerit’s national network of certified electricians will help ensure a seamless process, saving customers time and money.
“Utilities and fleets are seeking turnkey solutions to EV charging. Utilities need to be able to accommodate dramatic load growth on their current infrastructure, while fleets need the tools to meet ambitious electrification goals,” said Ken Munson, CEO of Rhythmos.io. “By partnering our advanced analytics and optimized charging strategies with Qmerit’s best-in-class implementation services, we aim to reduce costs and alleviate electrification barriers for utilities, fleets, and EV owners alike.”
Rhythmos.io’s optimized EV charging software ensures predictability, flexibility and real-time transparency in managing EV charging operations, complementing Qmerit’s electrification services and mission to accelerate the energy transition. Qmerit’s customers will have the option to join Rhythmos.io’s Cadency EdgeAI™ software platform to optimize EV charging strategies, offering benefits such as increased efficiency, reduced costs and improved grid stability.
“As EV adoption increases, our charging infrastructure must keep pace to create a more sustainable transportation sector,” said Tom Bowen, president of Qmerit Solutions. “We need a connected EV charging ecosystem where industry stakeholders can access multiple complementary resources to make charging EVs as simple and streamlined as possible. With partners like Rhythmos.io, we are forging that reality and unburdening the electric mobility industry.”
BECTROL & IES Synergy Partner
In an electrifying leap forward for electric vehicle infrastructure, BECTROL and IES Synergy are thrilled to unveil their strategic partnership. This alliance is not just a collaboration following our decade-long relationship; it’s a significant milestone to revolutionize EV fast charging technology, promising to supercharge the North American EV landscape.
At the heart of this partnership is Bectrol integrating, certifying, and commercializing IES’s new generation of cutting-edge KEYWATT® charging products (180kw) meticulously engineered for the unique demands of the North American market. Leveraging IES Synergy’s robust and extensive engineering technologies in EV charging, combined with Bectrol’s rich history in manufacturing and certifying products for the North American market under UL and CSA certification, we are confident that this venture will drive the future of mobility with locally produced, high-quality fast chargers, making electric vehicle charging faster, more reliable, and widely accessible from coast to coast. As a result, Bectrol is becoming the second fast charging station manufacturer in Canada, and the first for the 120-200 Kw range.
Milestones of Progress for our partnership: Charging Ahead with Confidence:
- Production already in motion:
- With over 1,000 chargers slated for annual production initially with Bectrol, we’re setting the stage for an exponential increase in EV charging infrastructure, aiming to more than double our output in the next 12-24 months. This ambitious scale-up is a testament to our commitment to electrifying North America’s roads, one charger at a time.
- Uncompromising Quality and Reliability:
- IES products are renowned for their quality, robustness, and reliability.
LG Energy & Honda Progress at Ohio EV Battery Plant
LG Energy Solution and Honda marked Leap Day by erecting the final structural steel beam at the joint venture’s new EV battery production facility being constructed near Jeffersonville, Ohio. This major construction milestone comes almost one year to the day after the groundbreaking that took place for the over 2 million square feet facility that is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Projected to reach an overall investment of $4.4 billion and create some 2,200 new jobs, the joint venture aims to start mass production of pouch-type lithium-ion batteries in 2025, to be supplied to Honda auto plants to produce* EVs to be sold in North America.
FLO Serves Underserved
FLO, a leading North American electric vehicle (EV) charging company and a smart charging solutions provider, announced a significant milestone: almost 40% of FLO’s U.S. charging stations are in low-income or historically underserved communities.
“We cannot effectively combat climate change without prioritizing equity in both EV availability and EV charging infrastructure,” said Louis Tremblay, FLO President and CEO. “Unfortunately, many low-income and historically underserved communities, as highlighted by the Justice40 initiative, lack essential EV charging infrastructure, which must come first. At FLO, equity is a core principle driving our approach, ensuring EV drivers have access to reliable charging regardless of where they live. This coupled with more affordable EVs, which achieve price parity with ICE vehicles, will help expand the number of EVs on our roads.”
Launched by President Biden, the Justice40 Initiative, directs 40% of the benefits of specified government programs to disadvantaged communities. FLO has deployed chargers in Justice40 areas across several cities, including New York City; Los Angeles; North Hollywood, Calif.; Santa Rosa, Calif.; Cincinnati; Tacoma, Wash.; Seattle; Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; Indianapolis; Dayton, Ohio; Seiling, Okla.; Calumet, Okla. and other U.S. cities.
ChargeLab Public Chargers Still Needed
ChargeLab (www.chargelab.co), the software powering North America’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, released the results of its new report, “Industry survey: 500 EV drivers on public charging.” The survey queried 500 EV drivers in the United States, revealing a key finding: While 86.0% of EV drivers now have access to a home charger, 59.6% still use public chargers weekly. This finding underscores the need for continued investment in public charging infrastructure.
The survey also sheds light on the factors that impact driver satisfaction at public charging stations. These factors, in order of importance, include:
- Speed: EV drivers prioritize faster charging, emphasizing the need for efficient DC fast chargers. Software that monitors chargers remotely can also enhance overall speed and reliability.
- Payment convenience: Flexibility in payment options, including mobile payments, is crucial. Off-peak charging discounts or other custom pricing schemes can also foster user loyalty.
- Accessibility and location: Map apps are the primary tool for locating EV chargers. Software supporting the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) is crucial to improving EV roaming.
- Cleanliness and maintenance: Drivers expect charging stations to be clean and well-maintained. User feedback through dedicated support lines or apps contributes to station upkeep.
- Brand reputation: Familiarity with brand logos influences EV drivers’ choices. White labeling charging stations to match established brands can attract more customers.
- User interface & ease of use: Drivers prioritize an intuitive interface for an easy and efficient charging process. Smart software can enhance the user journey, making it accessible and user-friendly.
Another interesting angle illuminated by the survey is drivers’ willingness to share data to improve the EV charging experience. The majority are open to sharing session and vehicle data, suggesting that there’s meaningful consumer interest in getting EV charging right. Only 3.4% expressed reluctance to share data.
“There’s no shortage of news coverage on the problems with public charging—but what makes us excited about this survey is it reframes the issue as an opportunity,” says Zak Lefevre, CEO of ChargeLab. “These EV drivers are echoing the same stories we hear from our customers. Everyone is happy if you can make the charging experience fast, easy, and affordable.”
Read “Industry survey: 500 EV drivers on public charging” to learn more about the state of the EV charging industry and what EV owners want from public charging infrastructure.