In electric vehicle, battery and charging news are Borg Warner, EdgeConneX, ChargePoint, Volvo,Volta Media, EVmatch, Wallbox, SparkCharge, Lion Electric, Electrify America, IKEA, Siemens and MAHLE.
“Our partnership with the Hyundai Motor Company spans two decades, and we’re delighted to continue our relationship by supplying our latest technology for the company’s newest electrification project,” said Dr. Stefan Demmerle, President and General Manager, BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems. “Our iDM proved an ideal fit for the customers’ electric propulsion system during our first EV collaboration, and we look forward to contributing industry-leading electrification solutions to assist the company in meeting its future sustainability goals.”
BorgWarner’s iDM146 is comprised of an interior permanent magnet (IPM) electric motor of 146mm stator outer diameter equipped with high voltage hairpin (HVH) technology for high power density and efficiency as well as a BorgWarner inverter with a Viper power module, both integrated with a quiet and efficient reduction gearset. Designed for 400V systems, the unit typically produces a peak power output of 135kW, although its modular design allows power and torque output to be scaled specifically to customer requirements.
EdgeConneX®, the pioneer in global Hyperlocal to Hyperscale Data Center Solutions, announces the launch of Voltera. Rising from the EdgeConnex history of space and power innovations, Voltera builds, owns, and operates charging facilities that enable electric vehicle (EV) deployment and operation at scale. With equity backing from EQT Infrastructure and a team with deep experience deploying charging infrastructure, Voltera is uniquely positioned to help solve EV infrastructure challenges as the world prepares for a more sustainable future.
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX), in partnership with Volvo Cars, announced the first Starbucks stores where new electric vehicle (EV) chargers, powered by ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CHPT), will be available to customers and members of the public – part of the company’s commitment to a sustainable future. Four charging stations have been installed at the first Starbucks location in Provo, Utah, and additional places to charge will be positioned along a 1,350-mile route that winds through national forests and major community hubs from the Colorado Rockies to the Starbucks Support Center (headquarters) in Seattle.
These charging stations are among the first that are online and available along the proposed 1,350-mile route, providing customers a place to recharge both themselves and their battery-powered vehicles. By the end of the year, up to 60 DC fast chargers will be installed at up to 15 Starbucks stores approximately every 100 miles along the route, helping to provide much-needed new infrastructure for current and prospective EV drivers. While customers’ cars are recharging outside, drivers can relax comfortably inside with their favorite Starbucks beverages.
While drivers of any EV equipped with a standard CCS1 or CHAdeMO receptacle will be able to use these stations for a fee, drivers of Volvo Cars will get the added benefit of having access to these stations at no charge or at preferential rates.
Electric vehicle sharing software and technology provider EVmatch, and Wallbox (NYSE:WBX), a leading provider of EV charging and energy management solutions, announced a partnership focused on increasing charging accessibility and choice for EV drivers by allowing customers on the EVmatch platform to search for and charge at Wallbox chargers throughout the U.S. through an OCPP integration.
The U.S. saw a nearly 69% increase in the purchase of plug-in vehicles from the beginning of 2021 to the first part of 2022. These new drivers, as well as existing EV drivers, will need access to reliable charging options that fit their budget and lifestyle.
Volta Inc. (NYSE: VLTA) (“Volta”), an industry-leading electric vehicle (“EV”) charging and media company, announced today that the Volta Media™ Network has exceeded one billion monthly impressions in the United States.1 This milestone comes less than nine months after Volta formally launched its media network with 618 million monthly impressions. Volta’s ability to nearly double its reach represents the company’s commitment to expanding its dual EV charging and media network for the benefit of drivers, advertisers, commercial properties, shareholders, and ultimately the planet as it supports mainstream adoption of clean, carbon-free transportation.
Volta Media Network’s increased reach is the result of additional media-enabled EV charging stations installed at locations visited by millions of Americans daily, such as Cinemark Theatres, Giant Food, Kohl’s, Stop & Shop, and Tanger Outlets. Volta locates its EV charging stations steps from the front entrances of popular commercial properties to improve convenience for drivers and maximize the number of shoppers influenced by Volta’s digital media screens. As a result of these strategic placements, the Volta Media Network reaches highly valuable consumers moments before they purchase a product or service, allowing Volta campaigns to create awareness and drive measurable sales in support of advertisers’ increasing focus on retail media campaigns. Advertisers can also target specific segments of Volta’s audience, which over-indexes on high household incomes, propensity to purchase, and desire for premium goods and services compared to the general American population.2
Volta’s media network is the world’s largest digital out-of-home (DOOH) network integrated directly into EV charging stations that support the transition to electric mobility. Every campaign featured across Volta’s network of more than 4,600 large-format digital screens directly supports charging sessions providing electric miles to drivers. To date, Volta has provided more than 124 million electric miles and avoided over 30,000 tons of CO2 emissions that would have otherwise been created by gas-powered vehicles.
EVmatch operates a nationwide peer-to-peer EV charging network, enabling individuals, business owners, and commercial properties to rent out private charging stations, earning money and supporting their communities. Learn more at www.evmatch.com. Wallbox is a global technology company, dedicated to changing the way the world uses energy. Wallbox creates advanced electric vehicle charging and energy management systems that redefine users’ relationship to the grid. Wallbox goes beyond electric vehicle charging to give users the power to control their consumption, save money, and live more sustainably. Wallbox offers a portfolio of charging and energy management solutions in more than 100 countries. For additional information, please visit www.wallbox.com.
Enel X Way & HiON Dist.
Enel X Way and HiON Distribution announced a strategic partnership agreement to supply the fast-growing US market with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and accessories. Enel X Way is the leading global provider of smart EV charging solutions, including residential and commercial Level 2 and DC fast charging stations including residential and commercial Level 2 and DC fast charging stations.
SparkCharge, the world’s first mobile EV charging network, announced its CEO and Founder, Josh Aviv , had participated in the signing ceremony for the CHIPS and Science Act at the White House. Aviv had the honor of speaking in support of the legislation, which provides $52 billion to incentivize semiconductor manufacturing in the United States , and introduced President Biden to officially start the ceremony’s formal remarks.
In 2022, SparkCharge’s mobile app, Currently, had record-breaking growth delivering over 100,000 miles of range to EV owners, further showcasing the increasing need for expanding the EV charging infrastructure. In addition, SparkCharge’s participation in the White House signing ceremony provides an exciting boost ahead of the company’s annual showcase, SparkDay, which will be held this September at its headquarters in Somerville, MA.
The Lion Electric Company a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, announced the company hosted U.S. Senator, Dick Durbin , Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11), Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker Illinois Manufacturer’s Association President and CEO, Mark Denzler , and ComEd CEO, Gil Quiniones , Douglas Aburano , EPA Manager, Air Programs Branch, Mayor of Joliet , Bob O’Dekirk , and Haj Young, CEO of Econergy, as part of a preview of its upcoming Joliet, Illinois manufacturing facility.
Guests at the event were invited to hear remarks regarding clean manufacturing investments being made by the Federal Government, as well as tour the facility and receive rides in Lion’s all-electric heavy-duty commercial trucks and school buses.
To help reach the IKEA ambition to become a circular and climate positive business by 2030, IKEA U.S. announced a collaboration with Electrify America and Electrify Commercial to bring ultra-fast public charging stations and delivery fleet electric vehicle (EV) charging to over 25 IKEA retail locations throughout the U.S. This joint effort will enable IKEA U.S. to quadruple its total number of EV chargers, which supports the goal of achieving zero-emission home deliveries by 2025 and halving relative1 emissions from customer and co-worker travel by 2030. “At IKEA, we believe that we must work together with our partners to tackle climate change and create solutions for a greener future. This collaboration with Electrify America will not only bring ultra-fast public chargers to our stores for the first time but it will also help us take a big leap as we work towards our targets to become circular and climate positive,” said Javier Quiñones, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA U.S. “We look forward to continuing to innovate around new ways we can make our everyday lives more sustainable.
In total, there will be more than 200 individual ultra-fast chargers offering the fastest charging speeds available today – 150kW to 350kW – at IKEA retail locations in 18 states including in Arizona , California , Connecticut , Florida , Illinois , Kansas , Maryland , Massachusetts , Michigan , Minnesota , New York , Pennsylvania , Ohio , Oregon , Texas , Utah , Virginia and Washington . The first locations are expected to open in late 2022 and be completed by the end of 2023.
For its EV delivery fleet, IKEA selected Electrify Commercial, Electrify America’s business unit designed to help deliver turnkey electric vehicle charging solutions, to provide more than 225 individual chargers across the sites. This is the first time Electrify America and Electrify Commercial are installing both public and fleet chargers at the same time for a project.
“We are excited to establish both public and commercial fleet charging stations with IKEA – a brand that shares our goal of a more sustainable future,” said Giovanni Palazzo , president and CEO of Electrify America. “Through this collaboration, Electrify America, Electrify Commercial and IKEA U.S. are leading a path forward for customers and businesses toward zero-emission transportation.”
Since opening its first charging station in May 2018 , Electrify America has set a rapid pace for its network expansion, opening an average of nearly four stations per week. Currently, Electrify America has more than 800 stations and 3,500 individual chargers open with plans to expand to 1,800 charging stations comprised of 10,000 individual chargers in the United States and Canada by 2026.
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has pushed the need for efficient battery solutions, augmented safety, and an extended life span. Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis finds that many research institutions, battery suppliers, and key original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are collaborating to develop future battery chemistries with effective material performance, reduced production costs, and enhanced safety. As future chemistries (solid state, sodium ion, lithium-sulfur) evolve, they will offer improved safety, increased energy density, and fast-charging capabilities, overcoming the challenges associated with traditional Li-ion batteries.
“The automotive industry has identified several limitations in EV battery technology and is focused on bringing about a power revolution,” said Aman Gupta , Mobility Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Due to this, the industry seeks advancements in terms of design, packaging, and alternative chemistries in battery packs.”
Gupta added: “Metal-air batteries such as Aluminum Air (Al-Air) and Lithium Air (Li-Air) batteries are in the research process. Lithium-sulfur (Li-S), sodium-ion, and solid-state batteries are in the development stage and can be commercialized over the next five years. Further, most OEMs will invest in solid-state batteries (SSBs) manufacturers and adopt SSBs by 2030, mainly due to the high power-to-weight ratio for future EVs.”
To reap the benefits of future chemistries and more effective battery solutions, battery manufacturers should:
Global Growth Opportunities for Advanced Lithium Batteries for EVs and the Adoption of Future Battery Chemistries is the latest addition to Frost & Sullivan’s Mobility research and analyses available through the Frost & Sullivan Leadership Council, which helps organizations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future.
Siemens and MAHLE intend to collaborate in the field of inductive charging of electric vehicles. Both companies have signed a letter of intent to this effect. “Wireless charging of electric vehicles is emerging as a major market for the future. In addition to making life considerably easier for drivers, who no longer have to fiddle with cables and connectors, it is a crucial requirement for the autonomous mobility of tomorrow. The transfer efficiency of wireless, inductive charging is comparable to plug-in systems,” said Stefan Perras, Head of Pre-development and Innovation for Charging Infrastructure at Siemens AG.
One aspect of the planned cooperation includes coordinated standardization efforts in the relevant pre-standardization and standardization bodies. The goal is to close gaps to ensure full interoperability between vehicles and the charging infrastructure.
In addition, there are plans for a close exchange of ideas to develop a complete inductive charging system for electric vehicles. MAHLE aims to contribute its many years of experience as an automotive supplier and Siemens its expertise in the field of charging infrastructure.
“We are very pleased to have found a strong partner in Siemens in order to make major advances in inductive charging. The combined experience of both companies will give us a clear competitive advantage,” said Harald Straky, Vice President for Global Development in Mechatronics and Electronics at MAHLE.
Both parties are also planning extensive interoperability and cross-testing between the charging equipment on the vehicle (secondary coil) and the charging infrastructure (primary coil). This will allow for technical improvements and validation of inductive charging systems for electric vehicles and ensure interoperability. Some of the testing will be performed as part of publicly funded projects.
As a full-service provider for eMobility charging infrastructure, Siemens eMobility offers a complete range of state-of-the-art AC and DC charging hardware, software and services – from residential to commercial to depot applications. “Siemens’ core expertise in smart buildings and smart grids makes us uniquely positioned to meet our customers’ needs with comprehensive solutions and to help them design, install and manage sustainable charging solutions for a better future,” Perras added.