EV, Battery & Charging News: Peirsica, FLO, Nuvvee, Kia, THOR, REE, Smartcar, Lyft, Nikola, Blink & Hyundai

In EV, battery and charging news are Peirsica, FLO, Nuvvee, Kia, THOR, REE, Smartcar, Lyft, Nikola, Blink and Hyundai.

Peirsica Awarded $1 Million NSF Grant

Piersica, Inc. announced it has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs Phase II award for $1 million. The NSF grant is designed to support the research and development of a new class of highly conductive solid polymer separator membranes compatible with high-voltage cathodes.

The company’s next-generation solid-state battery will enable extended battery capacity for a wide variety of rechargeable products, ranging from mobile phones and laptop computers to EVs and robots. Furthermore, given the high energy density of Piersica’s battery technology, the company expects its solid-state battery will facilitate the introduction of completely new applications, including electric aircraft and long-range electric delivery drones.

Founded and led by battery industry veteran Dr. Claudiu Bucur, Piersica is pioneering the development of innovative battery technology using proprietary materials created by the company. Piersica’s technology includes:

• a proprietary new lithium-conductive polymer,
• a highly conductive solid polymer electrolyte layer,
• a solid 3D lithium-metal anode layer, and
• a solid, high-voltage, cobalt-free cathode layer.

With these innovations, the company aims to deliver a battery with an industry-leading energy density of 630 Wh/kg—approximately 2.5 times higher than current lithium-ion batteries—pushing the boundaries of lithium-based battery technology.

Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $275,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II (up to $1,000,000). Small businesses with Phase II funding are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investments or sales.

The NSF Phase II grant is the sixth SBIR/STTR award that Piersica has received since 2022, totaling $1.9 million of non-dilutive capital. In addition, in April 2024, the company received a grant from the Shell GameChanger program, in which Piersica is still an active participant.

FLO in Boston

FLO, a leading North American electric vehicle (EV) charging company and a smart charging solutions provider, is expanding curbside charging with a new project in Boston that will deploy FLO Core+ MAX Level 2 chargers throughout the city. This first phase of the project will include installing up to 120 FLO chargers at 30 sites in Boston including many historically underserved communities with a prioritization for environmental justice communities.

Nuvvee V-2-G in Las Crucess NM

Nuvve Holding Corp. (“Nuvve”) (Nasdaq: NVVE), a global technology leader accelerating the electrification of transportation through its proprietary energy management and aggregation platform, is proud to announce the commissioning of its first deployment in New Mexico in collaboration with Las Cruces Public Schools. This project marks a significant milestone in expanding electric vehicle infrastructure within the educational sector.

Las Cruces Public Schools, the second largest school district in New Mexico, engaged Nuvve to deploy 5 Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)-capable DC Fast Chargers and 7 Nuvve Level II PowerPorts, aimed at supporting the school district’s transition to electric school buses and other electric vehicles. Gregory Poilasne, CEO of Nuvve, states, “We’re thrilled to partner with Las Cruces Public Schools, a trailblazer amongst New Mexico’s school districts, on this groundbreaking project in New Mexico. This collaboration exemplifies our mission to support the electrification of transportation within educational institutions, fostering a greener future for our children. By integrating our advanced charging solutions, we’re not only reducing emissions but also creating significant energy savings for the district with future V2G revenues.”

Daoud Chaaya, Thomas Built Buses VP-Sales, Aftermarket and Marketing, shares, “This project represents the first commissioned Nuvve chargers with Thomas buses in the state of New Mexico. The success of this deployment will pave the way for broader adoption of electric school buses across the state, showcasing the reliability and efficiency of Nuvve’s technology and the best-in-class features of our Thomas Jouley school bus.”

Ignacio Ruiz, superintendent of Las Cruces Public Schools adds, “Our partnership with Nuvve reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation. By transitioning to electric vehicles and leveraging Nuvve’s advanced energy management solutions, we are taking important steps towards reducing environmental impacts. This collaboration aims to not only address climate change but also to create a healthier environment for our students.”

Key Aspects of the Partnership Include:

The completion of this project signifies a crucial step towards broader implementation of electric vehicle infrastructure in educational institutions across the nation. Nuvve and Las Cruces Public Schools are committed to continuing their partnership to drive innovation and sustainability in the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors.

Kia NACS Adapters

Kia America will soon offer North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters for its award-winning EV6 and EV9 vehicles. Customers who take delivery of a new 2024 or 2025 Kia EV9 or 2024 Kia EV6 from September 4, 2024, and later, will receive an adapter free of charge that will allow them access to more than 16,500 NACS DC fast chargers in the U.S. Customer delivery of the free adapters is anticipated to take place in early 2025². Kia EV6, EV9 and Niro EV customers who took delivery prior to September 4, 2024, will have the opportunity to purchase an adapter from an authorized Kia dealer at a later date. Access to the DC fast chargers is planned for January 15, 2025.

THOR Shows 1st Hybrid Motorhome

THOR Industries, Inc. (NYSE: THO) reinforced its position as the recreational vehicle (RV) industry innovation leader by unveiling the world’s first hybrid Class A motorhome, the THOR Test Vehicle. The vehicle is built on an electric vehicle (EV) platform developed by EV manufacturer Harbinger. THOR and Harbinger collaborated to integrate a low-emissions gasoline range extender that can recharge the electric battery system, delivering an estimated 500 miles of range. RVs utilizing the hybrid platform will be commercially available in 2025 from the THOR family of companies and are expected to qualify as a Near-Zero Emission Vehicle (NZEV) under the Advanced Clean Truck legislation, adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Research Reveals Overhaul Needed for Zero-Emission Growth

Car makers must now adapt to building “computers on wheels,” emphasizing digital design and assembly. This shift demands sweeping changes in how vehicles are designed, manufactured, used, sold, and regulated. Brands like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid, with ambitious all-electric plans, are navigating the transition effectively, and outperforming rivals. But not all automotive manufacturers are at the same level of EV readiness.

Outdated HR and hiring practices threaten the industry at large, particularly due to a shortage of critical digital skills—the most significant gap the advisory group has so far seen in any vertical. The Josh Bersin Company warns that transitioning to an EV (electric vehicle) future requires a better approach to sourcing the skills needed. These findings come from a new study by The Josh Bersin Company, Automotive Manufacturing: Navigating the EV Metamorphosis, leveraging Eightfold.ai talent intelligence data.

The study revealed that declining roles such as technicians, mechanics, and mechanical engineers still dominate the workforce in terms of skills mix and job title. As a result, many manufacturers remain dependent on complex and manual technical processes, slowing down their EV transformation. In the meantime, they face workforce shortages on all fronts: U.S. carmakers now have 187,000 job openings, followed by Germany with 63,000, and the U.K. with 15,000.

This gap underscores the critical need for key roles like Product Managers, Robotics and DevOps Engineers, Data Scientists, and Cybersecurity Analysts—positions crucial for managing the connected vehicle experience, ensuring cybersecurity, and driving data-led strategies.

The encouraging news is that leading automotive companies are leveraging their advanced skills in technology, digital transformation, and electric vehicles to propel the shift to zero emissions. They are also utilizing cutting-edge tools, such as talent intelligence in HR, and developing clear career pathways that align employee competencies with future business needs.

This reskilling extends beyond back-office tech roles, like transitioning AutoCAD experts to CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering). Traditional front-line roles are also evolving, with sales associates being guided into new positions within direct-to-consumer (D2C) models, while still maintaining a customer-centric focus.

By expanding R&D capabilities and focusing on customer satisfaction, most progressive automotive companies are beginning to position themselves at the forefront of the EV revolution, setting new benchmarks for the industry. To succeed, they are prioritizing “systemic HR” solutions to foster the vast array of EV skills required for future growth. To become “systemic,” automotive manufacturers are advised to establish cross-functional talent intelligence centers of excellence (COEs) that integrate people analytics, talent management, leadership development, and other HR functions to forecast and develop the skills needed for the future.

CHROs must also prioritize critical talent challenges, particularly in tech and EV-specific areas, and allocate resources to address them. Leveraging AI-powered talent intelligence tools will be key to analyzing roles, identifying skill gaps, and benchmarking in real-time against industry standards, ensuring that strategies remain data-driven and responsive to ongoing changes.

These conclusions come from a new Josh Bersin Company study of what car manufacturers are doing to smooth the path to electrification of transport via EVs (electric vehicles), Automotive Manufacturing: Navigating the EV Metamorphosis. It’s the latest study in The Josh Bersin Company’s on-going Global Workforce Intelligence (GWI) Project, which leverages more than 1.5 billion worker profiles and billions of associated data points collected by Talent Intelligence platforms analyzed and contextualized by Josh Bersin Company researchers and analysts.

Smartcar Partners with Lyft

-Smartcar, the leading API platform for mobility businesses, today announced a partnership with Lyft, one of the largest transportation networks in North America, to tackle range anxiety and help EV drivers accept rides with confidence.

Lyft’s ‘Rides in Range’ feature ensures EV drivers only receive ride requests within their current battery range. It’s now available for EV drivers on the platform with a 20-mile buffer on an EV’s battery range to accommodate different driving styles or route obstacles.

With EV battery level data retrieved via Smartcar, Rides in Range can also alert drivers to charge after completing a trip if their battery level is expected to fall below 20 percent. By combining automatic trip-matching and proactive EV charging reminders, Lyft aims to build an efficient and convenient experience for EV drivers and passengers using the platform.

Range anxiety is the #1 EV pain point for drivers on Lyft

Range anxiety is the top concern for EV drivers on the platform, as they want to avoid interrupting trips to charge or being unable to find chargers during a ride.

With Rides in Range, EV drivers on Lyft don’t have to deal with the cognitive burden of evaluating battery range for each request. Accurate and automated ride assignments with EV battery data retrieved via Smartcar help Lyft drivers take on more trips with confidence, boost ratings, and increase tips from customers.

“At Lyft, we’re all about making life easier for drivers on our platform, and we know that range anxiety is a big deal for those with electric vehicles. That’s why we’re so excited about our new ‘Rides in Range’ feature, thanks to our partnership with Smartcar,” said Ciara Chow, Lyft Product Manager. “Now, our drivers can take on rides without constantly worrying about their battery levels. It’s a game changer that helps them focus on what they do best – providing great rides for people who need them.”

Secure, no-hassle EV range checks for drivers

The feature is automatically enabled for future rides once drivers connect their EVs to Lyft via Smartcar. Lyft’s evaluation criteria of the Smartcar platform included its technical capabilities, user experience for drivers, and the ability to scale the Rides in Range feature across the most popular EV models on Lyft and on the road today.

With Smartcar’s consent-based API and immediate onboarding, Lyft can roll this feature out to most of their EV drivers without adding the burden of technical dependencies and security concerns. This one-time setup ensures drivers only share the necessary data permissions with Lyft, maintaining privacy while improving the driver experience.

“One of the greatest challenges of our time is addressing climate change, and it’s inspiring to see companies like Lyft make impactful commitments to grow electrification on the platform significantly,” said Sahas Katta, CEO and co-founder at Smartcar. “Smartcar is thrilled to partner with Lyft to accelerate this shift by enhancing the EV experience. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to building more solutions that make the transition to EVs seamless and efficient.”

Building a reliable and emission-free future for rideshare

By optimizing ride assignments based on battery range, Lyft hopes the ‘Rides in Range’ feature will increase matching speed, enhance the passenger experience, and reduce charging interruptions during trips.

This partnership underscores Smartcar and Lyft’s shared commitment to a sustainable future by supporting EV adoption and addressing the pain points that deter drivers from going electric. With more EVs on the platform providing seamless trips, Lyft can further its goal of reaching 100 million EV rides on the platform by the end of 2025.

To learn more, please visit https://smartcar.com.

J.B. Hunt Adds 20 Nikola Tre Trucks

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT), one of the largest supply chain solutions providers in North America, announced that it has added 20 Nikola Tre fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to expand sustainability solutions for customers with freight needs along the West Coast.

“Our expertise, resources and relationships uniquely position us to help our customers pursue and realize their sustainability goals,” said Greer Woodruff, executive vice president of safety, sustainability and maintenance at J.B. Hunt. “Zero-emission vehicles such as these will help along the path to generate viable, sustainable options that help customers advance their efforts to reduce carbon emissions in their supply chain while also helping J.B. Hunt progress on its sustainability journey.”

Several of the new FCEVs are anticipated to support J.B. Hunt Intermodal operations in California and will primarily be utilized for port and drayage transport. They are expected to help alleviate growing shipper concerns with recent requirements in the state aimed at reducing carbon emissions and adopting zero-emission vehicle technology, specifically rules from the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and the South Coast AQMD’s Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) program. Customers can eliminate WAIRE fees and reduce their carbon footprint by working with J.B. Hunt to schedule zero-emission vehicle pick-ups and deliveries.

The Nikola FCEVs will join the 200-plus alternative-powered equipment vehicles that J.B. Hunt currently operates on behalf of customers, which includes battery-electric, hydrogen-electric and renewable natural gas (RNG) powered vehicles. Fueling and infrastructure support will be provided by Nikola via its HYLA brand. J.B. Hunt purchased three Nikola FCEVs in 2023 that are currently supporting dedicated customer operations.

J.B. Hunt understands how to incorporate alternative-powered vehicles into customers’ operations thanks to the company’s trusted teams who are constantly testing and exploring opportunities to gain hands-on experience with them. Recently, J.B. Hunt kicked off a pilot program with Clean Energy featuring the new Cummins X15N engine, one of the latest developments in RNG-powered vehicles. J.B. Hunt also assisted customers Daimler Truck North America and Electrolux with adding alternative powered-vehicles to its operations.

National Drive Electric Week Help from Kelley Blue Book

With National Drive Electric Week kicking off on September 27, 2024, Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand, is celebrating by providing comprehensive tips on what to look for when buying an electric vehicle (EV) and more in Kelley Blue Book’s Comprehensive EV Guide.

“We see more EVs being introduced into the marketplace each year, capturing the attention of many drivers who don’t quite know where to start,” said Brian Moody, executive editor for Kelley Blue Book. “To aid this growing number of EV shoppers, Kelley Blue Book offers thorough advice and information to help them feel empowered when making their purchase decisions. Shoppers also should note that electric car prices continue to decline for various reasons, including oversupply, which certainly can work to the buyer’s advantage.”

Kelley Blue Book’s Tips for Electric Car Shopping in 2024

• Know Your Budget
  • Start your electric car shopping with a realistic budget range in mind. Rest assured there are plenty of models on the less expensive side of the spectrum.
• Check for EV Incentives
  • If the price of an EV seems out of reach, look for tax breaks. Select electric cars come with federal tax credits, state rebates and local incentives for qualified buyers.
• How Much Electric Car Range Do You Need?
  • Electric cars often provide a minimum of 200 miles of driving range for every charge, and some of the most popular models crack the 300-mile barrier.
• Research All Your Charging Options
  • Recharging your electric car is more than connecting a plug and an outlet – there are different types of chargers with vastly different rates of charge times. The cost to charge an EV depends on when and where you’re recharging, so research charging options for your home and near where you live.
• EV Maintenance
  • Electric cars not only save you money by never requiring gasoline or oil change, but they also cost less to maintain in comparison to a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine because there are fewer moving parts in the EV powertrain.
• Do You Need Extra Space?
  • As with any car, one of the biggest considerations with EV shopping is how much space you need for passengers and cargo. Thankfully, EVs are available in various shapes and sizes, ranging from small cars to trucks and SUVs.
• Should You Wait to Buy an Electric Car?
  • If you’re hesitating because you’re not sure an EV meets your budget or needs, then take some time and do more research. New electric car transaction prices have decreased over the last few years, and car dealerships have seen a stockpile of EVs in recent months. Those factors may influence whether you want to buy now, or wait to see if prices continue to cool in the months ahead.

Non-Luxury EVs Gaining Market Share

With a wider range of electric vehicle (EV) models being introduced, the EV landscape is beginning to shift. According to Experian’s Automotive Consumer Trends Report: Q2 2024, non-luxury EVs are slowly making up more of the market, growing from 22.7% last year to 26.6% in Q2 2024. Meanwhile, the percentage of exotic and luxury models declined from 77.3% to 73.4% year-over-year.

The growth in non-luxury EV registrations is indicative of the continued expansion of the overall EV market. For instance, of the 291.1 million vehicles on the road in Q2 2024, EVs accounted for more than 3.5 million, an increase from approximately 2.7 million this time last year.

“Not only are we seeing overall growth in EV registrations, but more consumers are opting for non-luxury EVs as manufacturers roll out new models,” said Kirsten Von Busch, Experian’s director of product marketing for automotive. “With the EV clientele continuing to grow, there is an increased desire for functionality and affordability, something automotive professionals should keep in mind as they find ways to reach their respective audience.”

The growth in non-luxury options also caused a shift in non-luxury EV market share. In Q2 2024, Ford led the new retail non-luxury EV market at 21.9%, though it was down from 24.0% last year. Hyundai grew from 15.2% to 19.3% year-over-year, Chevrolet declined from 24.2% to 13.2%, Kia went from 9.2% to 12.5%, and Volkswagen decreased to 11.2% this quarter, from 15.8% last year.

Consumers are committed to EVs

Interestingly, 77.4% of EV owners replaced their current EV with another one in the last 12 months—signaling their loyalty to the fuel type. On the other hand, 16.2% transitioned to a gasoline-powered vehicle and 3.2% opted for a hybrid.

Though, it’s notable that as of Q2 2024, 81% of households with at least one EV also own a gasoline-powered vehicle, 14% also own a hybrid, and 12% own an additional EV.

“EVs have become a compelling choice over recent years as we continue to see adoption rise, but consumers are still relying on their gasoline-powered vehicles,” Von Busch continued. “It’s possible that many are keeping a secondary vehicle to have the convenience of everyday driving while reserving the traditional fuel type for longer trips.”

To learn more about EV insights, view the full Automotive Consumer Trends Report: Q2 2024 presentation.

Over 100K Blink Chargers

Blink Charging Co, a leading global manufacturer, owner, operator and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services, announced it has surpassed 100,000 chargers sold, deployed, or contracted globally.

Blink’s 100,000 charger benchmark accomplishment is largely due to several factors, including the Company’s turnkey model, which enables streamlined project management from start to installation with Blink experts. Blink has also placed a strong emphasis on ensuring charger uptime by offering optional preventative maintenance care programs, such as Blink Care.

Hyundai & Kia to Develop LFP Batteries