bp High-Speed Charging in Houston
Arcadis, a leading global design and consultancy organization for natural and built assets, announced the completion of bp’s (NYSE: BP) latest high-speed EV charging site at the company’s North America headquarters in Houston, Texas. The new bp pulse station is the first bp pulse branded Gigahub™ in the US for their EV charging business.
Arcadis delivered program and construction management for the installation of 24 high-speed charge points at bp’s Houston campus. Twelve Tritium 150kW DC fast chargers were installed at the site, which are configured so any electric vehicle will have the capability to charge at the new EV charging facility. Parking canopies designed to support a Solar PV system may be added in the future. The site is designed to accommodate potential expansion with additional chargers as needed, as well as restrooms, a lounge, and convenience store.
Brooke Bonkoski, President of Resilience Environment US at Arcadis, said: “We are proud to work with bp pulse on energy transition projects such as these that accelerate a planet positive future. Arcadis, like bp, is committed to moving the energy transition forward. Delivering this project in the City of Houston, the energy capital of the world, is particularly impactful.”
The new EV charging facility will provide increased capacity for electric vehicle charging across greater Houston, making EV ownership more convenient and helping to reduce driver hesitation to make the switch from gas and diesel vehicles to full electric vehicles. The new charging Gigahub is a critical addition to the City of Houston that is seeing a rapidly growing number of electric vehicles in the city.
UL to Construct new Advanced Automotive and Battery Testing Center in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
-UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, announced plans to construct a new Advanced Automotive and Battery Testing Center in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, expanding current UL Solutions battery testing capacity in the region and adding electric vehicle (EV) charger testing and other capabilities.
To serve customers across the Asia Pacific region, the center, expected to open in the second half of 2025, will help strengthen Korea’s EV industry, respond to increased demand from new and existing customers, and provide faster access to safety and performance testing and other services.
“The global transition to sustainable energy has driven innovation in the automotive industry, which can be seen clearly in Korea and across Asia,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions, who visited Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province during a recent trip to Korea. “Innovation cannot succeed without safety, and we are pleased to work closely with automakers and other customers as together we build an industry that is safer, more secure, and more sustainable.”
The new facility, construction of which is subject to local government approvals, including zoning, will provide expanded EV battery testing capacity. This laboratory will leverage the technology used in the recently opened UL Solutions Korea Advanced Battery Laboratory in Pyeongtaek to test for reliability and performance. Plans also include an EV charger testing laboratory and an EV battery material laboratory. In addition, the center will be built to test automotive plastic safety, including flammability and performance, with technology in use in UL Solutions in the U.S.
The Advanced Automotive and Battery Testing Center will add to the capacity now available at the existing Pyeongtaek facility and will complement other UL Solutions battery testing capabilities and facilities globally, including the UL Solutions E-Mobility and Energy Laboratory in Changzhou, China, BatterieIngenieure by UL Solutions in Aachen, Germany, and the UL Solutions North America Advanced Battery Laboratory under construction in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
EVgo Fast Charging in Charlootte NC
EVgo Inc. (NASDAQ: EVGO) (“EVgo” or the “Company”), one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs), and Regency Centers Corporation (NASDAQ: REG) (“Regency” or “Regency Centers”), announced the opening of a new fast charging station at Blakeney Town Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Blakeney Town Center station is conveniently located at 9870 Rea Rd in Charlotte near the city’s major roadways, including Interstate 485, with multiple shopping and dining options for EV drivers, along with a suite of other amenities.
The latest station opening builds upon the partnership between EVgo and Regency Centers, which first began in 2020. To date, the companies have opened more than 120 public fast charging stalls at approximately 40 Regency properties across 10 states, with additional stations at locations in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Texas slated to open over the next year. All new stations opened under the partnership are expected to feature at least one high-power 350kW fast charger capable of simultaneously charging two vehicles.
CARB Catalog of ZEV HVIP Models
The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) is excited to share what kinds of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) models are available in the vehicle catalog.
Launched in 2009 by CARB, and part of the California Climate Investments, California HVIP offers fleet and independent owner-operators an array of zero-emissions models for them to consider purchasing to meet their needs. The project also offers a wide selection of zero-emissions transit buses, school buses, and drayage trucks. Small trucking fleet options are available through the Innovative Small e-Fleet (ISEF) set-aside.
The website makes finding HVIP-eligible vehicles a breeze. To get started, prospective buyers must navigate to the “Vehicles” tab at the top of the homepage and then choose the vehicle type of interest. The web user can see vehicle options for sale in a particular category alongside specs on each one, including class type, battery, model year, and technology. A list of approved dealers well-versed in HVIP can also be found under the “Vehicles” tab.
“Options for zero-emissions vehicles are growing across various transportation needs, and the vehicle catalog is the latest example of the resources that CARB is making available to fleet owners and operators to make it easier to deploy cleaner technology,” said Dr. Sydney Vergis, Deputy Executive Officer at the California Air Resources Board. “The updated website makes key information available in one location, including incentive eligibility, vehicle specifications, and dealership availability—making it easier for fleets to be part of the solution for cleaner air and healthier communities.”
Interested buyers are encouraged to connect with Cal Fleet Advisor, a no-cost advisory service, for fleet technical assistance.
“The HVIP project is a game-changer in the green transportation sector, offering a diverse array of vehicles that cater to various needs while promoting sustainability,” said Tor Larson, Vice President of Trucks, Off-Road, and Marketing, CALSTART. “This initiative not only provides financial incentives but also drives innovation and accessibility, ensuring a cleaner, more efficient future for all.”
Switching to ZEVs, and improving public health with cleaner air, is easy with HVIP. For more information on how to go zero, visit California HVIP’s website.
GreenPower Type D BEAST Delivered to Kanawha County Schools
GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, delivered the first Type D BEAST all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school bus manufactured at the Company’s South Charleston, West Virginia manufacturing plant to the Kanawha County (WV) School District.
Sila Raises $$ for Series G Moses Lake
Sila, a next-generation battery materials company, announces it has raised $375 million in a close of its Series G round led by existing investors Sutter Hill Ventures and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., with participation by new outside investors as well as existing investors Bessemer Venture Partners, Coatue, Perry Creek Capital, and others.
The funding will secure the completion of the company’s Moses Lake plant in Q1, 2025, enabling the delivery of its Titan Silicon anode material to auto customers in Q4, 2025. Mercedes-Benz and Panasonic, as well as three additional customer contracts yet to be publicly disclosed, have been secured and will be fulfilled through Sila’s Moses Lake manufacturing facility.
The new funding comes as Sila has already demonstrated technical differentiation and market adoption of Titan Silicon as a high silicon anode capable of replacing most or all of the graphite in a Li-ion cell. The round focuses on scale-up as well as ensuring that rigorous automotive quality and reliability standards and delivery timelines are met. The build-out of Sila’s Moses Lake manufacturing plant remains on schedule and will deliver enough capacity to serve its multiple customers. Additional future expansions at the site will enable Sila to produce enough material to power up to a million cars per year.
Lucid Android Auto & No More Anti Gravity Infringement
Lucid Group, Inc. maker of advanced electric vehicles, today announced it has reached an agreement with Gravity, Inc., an American manufacturer of high-speed EV charging equipment, regarding use of the “Lucid Gravity” trademark. Lucid also announced via X that Android Auto support in the fall.
The agreement allows for Lucid’s use of the “Lucid Gravity” brand without impinging on Gravity’s pre-existing trademark, avoiding a dispute between the two companies.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Gravity, Inc.,” said Matt Everitt, General Counsel at Lucid. “Anticipation is building for the Lucid Gravity and we look forward to delivering the world’s most outstanding all-electric SUV.”
“At Gravity, Inc., it’s been our mission to fuel this industry’s growth,” said Moshe Cohen, CEO of Gravity, Inc. “When there is an opportunity to work together and collaborate across the sector, that’s the path we will take. We are passionate about facilitating accessible, sustainable, electric transportation to American cities. We are pleased to settle this issue amicably with Lucid and will work together to ensure everyone in the industry understands the distinct value of our brands.”
Fisker News Recall & Buyer for Remaining Vehicles
American Lease, a supplier of leased cars to Uber and Lyft drivers in New York City, may be buying the remaining 4,300 Fisker Oceans.–reported the Wall Street Journl.
Fisker Inc., announced that it has issued a voluntary recall for 12,523 vehicles in North America and Europe for an issue involving the outer door handles on 2023-2024 Model Year Fisker Ocean vehicles.
Fisker is issuing a voluntary recall for 8,204 vehicles in the US, 513 vehicles in Canada, and 3,806 vehicles in Europe. The company estimates that 2.5% of vehicles could have the defect.
The door handles on the Fisker Ocean may become stuck due to a malfunctioning mechanism. Addressing this malfunction promptly is essential to ensure the safety and accessibility of the vehicle for its passengers.
Fisker intends to perform a thorough inspection of all four side door handles on each vehicle utilizing a specialized force checking tool provided by the outer door handle supplier. If the force checking tool indicates any side door handle as “Not Okay,” the outer door handle will be replaced. This proactive measure ensures that all door handles meet the required safety and operational standards, thereby enhancing the overall reliability and functionality of the vehicle’s entry system.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada (TC) are in the process of posting these recall notices on their websites. Fisker expects to complete the door-handle evaluations and repairs update process as soon as possible. The company informed its dealer partners of these recall actions on June 17, 2024, and will notify owners by August 30, 2024.
For further information, owners can contact Fisker directly by calling toll-free at 1-844-FISKER1 from 6 AM to 7 PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, or via the website at www.fiskerinc.com/contact.
Goodwill & GM Clean Tech Training
Goodwill, a leader in workforce development, and General Motors (GM) are expanding their work together to enhance clean energy and skilled trades training programs across the U.S. As part of this effort, GM will provide grant funding for 10 local Goodwill organizations to invest in workforce training programs for in-demand, entry-level skilled trades jobs, including the new Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™.
Goodwill and Accenture announced the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™, a co-designed clean energy jobs program, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Forward event last October. The collaboration was created to prepare the workforce for the significant clean energy job growth that is predicted to continue to expand in the future. It is expected that electric vehicle infrastructure jobs will increase by more than 800% by 2035. With continued support from Accenture, and with expertise from training partners ChargerHelp, GRID Alternatives and BlocPower, GM is providing a grant that will scale the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™ to more locations.
“This grant will contribute to the long-term development of a cutting-edge jobs training program and will help individuals gain living wage employment,” said Steven C. Preston, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “GM’s support of our skilled trades and clean energy programs helps Goodwill open new doors and strengthens the opportunities we provide to our job seekers.”
Four Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator locations launched training programs this year in Atlanta, Houston, Nashville and Detroit, with a goal to grow to 20 cities and train 7,000 job seekers by 2030. Trainees are certified for jobs involving solar and storage, electric vehicle charging or heat pumps and energy efficiency. In addition to the four markets mentioned above, GM funding will teach career skills and technical training for a variety of automotive-related skilled trade fields in other areas, including Battle Creek, MI; South Bend and Indianapolis, IN; St. Paul, MN; Charlotte, NC; Milwaukee, WI; and Chicago, IL.
“General Motors believes in a future with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” said Hal Garling, head of grantmaking for corporate giving at GM. “Investments in our zero emissions future extend into the community and are in collaboration with workforce experts like Goodwill. We’re especially excited for the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator’s launch in more communities and the promise it holds for advancing the future of charging infrastructure across the country.”
The Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator fills a critical talent gap by providing people with the relevant skills and certifications required for clean energy jobs that offer opportunities for higher wages and better career advancement. Goodwill aims to create equitable access to economic opportunity during the clean energy transition and will proactively train job seekers who are underemployed or unemployed. Trainees are paid as they learn through intensive, hands-on, competency-based training with tailored employment readiness and career placement services.
Workhorse Group Upfitter
– Workhorse Group Inc. (Nasdaq: WKHS) (“Workhorse” or “the Company”), an American technology company focused on pioneering the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, announced a new upfit program in partnership with Surefitters, a leader in truck and van upfitting based in Rosemount, MN. Through this partnership, Workhorse will offer a range of upfit options for its medium-duty commercial EVs.
The upfit program with Surefitters offers a ship-thru solution to commercial EV customers, ensuring fleet managers benefit from streamlined quality control, consistent upfitting standards, enhanced convenience, and volume discounts. The partnership launched with 13 pre-configured upfit packages available to Workhorse Dealers, specialized for last-mile delivery and vocational trades for the W56 and W750 step vans. Additionally, full-body packages from ToughLite, CM Truck Beds, and Rugby are included for the W4 CC cab chassis. More options will be added throughout the remainder of 2024 and beyond.