The United States Postal Service awarded contracts today for 9,250 commercially available left-hand drive (LHD) battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as well as initial orders for more than 14,000 charging stations to be deployed at Postal Service facilities. These awards are consistent with the vehicle electrification strategy announced by USPS in December of 2022, accompanied by senior White House officials.
Overall, the Postal Service’s total investment in vehicles is expected to reach $9.6 billion, including $3 billion from Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds. The December 2022 plan announced intended acquisitions over the next five years of a 75 percent electric fleet of Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV). Acquisitions of NGDV after 2026 will be 100 percent electric. As part of the earliest stages of the delivery vehicle replacement plan, a contract for 9,250 commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) internal combustion engine vehicles will also be concurrently awarded to fill the urgent need for vehicles. The specific locations for deployment of the vehicles and infrastructure have not yet been finalized and will depend on route characteristics, including whether a left-hand drive vehicle is mission-suitable as well as other business considerations. The Postal Service plans to begin building out its charging infrastructure across a minimum of 75 locations within the next 12 months, and thereafter to continue the infrastructure build out in the succeeding years at many additional facilities as a part of our delivery vehicle electrification strategy.
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Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Stellantis to Invest $155M in 3 Indiana EV Plants
Stellantis revealed its plans to produce new electric drive modules (EDMs) at three Kokomo, Indiana, plants on Tuesday to boost production of its Jeep and Ram EVs and support its overall goal of 50% BEV sales in the US by 2030.
The automaker is investing $155 million to produce the new EDMs, which Stellantis says will improve performance and range at a competitive cost.
The EDM offers an all-in-one solution for the automaker’s electric powertrains, consisting of the electric motor, power electronics, and transmission.
The automaker is investing $155 million to produce the new EDMs, which Stellantis says will improve performance and range at a competitive cost.
The EDM offers an all-in-one solution for the automaker’s electric powertrains, consisting of the electric motor, power electronics, and transmission.
Monday, February 27, 2023
Nissan to construct second battery plant in US
Nissan Motor Co. has announced intentions to build a new electric vehicle battery plant in the US. The plant, which would be Nissan's second in the US, is part of the company's plan to increase EV production while ensuring those vehicles will qualify for benefits created by the Inflation Reduction Act.
EEI: Utilities to spend record $160B on grid in 2023
Utilities' investment in grid infrastructure is expected to hit a height of nearly $160 billion in 2023, according to the Edison Electric Institute. Nearly half of that total is expected to go toward strengthening grid systems to handle extreme weather and an influx of renewable energy.
US: Will 2023 Be the Year of the Electric Mass Transit Bus?
Electric transit buses are finding their way onto U.S. streets at an alarming pace, with some states seeing triple-digit growth in the technology in just the last year.
A new report by CALSTART, found that the number of zero-emission buses (ZEB) funded or on order in the U.S. has grown 66 percent since 2021, totaling some 5,480 full-size buses.
There were about 72,700 full-size buses in operation in the U.S. in 2019, the most recent data year available, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Much of the growth in e-buses has been driven by federal incentives. The movement had a sharp surge following the federal infrastructure package, as well as by state efforts — particularly those in California to phase out fossil fuel-burning buses — to give agencies the incentives to go forward with electrification.
California remains the centerpiece of the electric bus market, with nearly 2,000 of the vehicles in use by transit agencies. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has more than 560 battery-electric buses in operation.
And the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) in southern California has a fully electric fleet, which cost about 35 cents a mile to operate.
A new report by CALSTART, found that the number of zero-emission buses (ZEB) funded or on order in the U.S. has grown 66 percent since 2021, totaling some 5,480 full-size buses.
There were about 72,700 full-size buses in operation in the U.S. in 2019, the most recent data year available, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Much of the growth in e-buses has been driven by federal incentives. The movement had a sharp surge following the federal infrastructure package, as well as by state efforts — particularly those in California to phase out fossil fuel-burning buses — to give agencies the incentives to go forward with electrification.
California remains the centerpiece of the electric bus market, with nearly 2,000 of the vehicles in use by transit agencies. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has more than 560 battery-electric buses in operation.
And the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) in southern California has a fully electric fleet, which cost about 35 cents a mile to operate.
Biden to require EV chargers to be universal for federal funds, expects Tesla to open some chargers
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its latest actions to advance the President’s vision of building 500,000 EV chargers by 2030 and delivering a convenient, reliable, and Made-in-America electric vehicle (EV) charging network. The NEVI standards are part of an effort to build a network of chargers that “will work for everyone, everywhere, no matter what type of car or state they’re in.”
The final minimum standards for federally funded EV charging infrastructure projects will help to ensure that chargers operated by different networks will operate similarly and provide the traveling public with a predictable EV charging experience – no matter what car you drive or what state you charge in. These standards will also require that chargers have consistent plug types and charging speeds, common payment systems, and accessible pricing information, locations, and availability. In addition, these standards establish strong workforce training provisions, and will create and support good-paying, highly skilled jobs in communities across the country.
The final minimum standards for federally funded EV charging infrastructure projects will help to ensure that chargers operated by different networks will operate similarly and provide the traveling public with a predictable EV charging experience – no matter what car you drive or what state you charge in. These standards will also require that chargers have consistent plug types and charging speeds, common payment systems, and accessible pricing information, locations, and availability. In addition, these standards establish strong workforce training provisions, and will create and support good-paying, highly skilled jobs in communities across the country.
DOE Announces $48M To Improve Grid Resiliency, Funding Will Accelerate Electrification
The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced $48 million in funding to support a new program focused on developing power grid technologies that improve control and protection of the domestic power grid.
This new effort by DOE will fund projects that aim to enable utilities to more effectively control grid power flow to avoid disturbances, and quickly isolate and route around disruptions. Grid modernization will support President Biden’s goals to accelerate the deployment of renewables, boost the nation’s energy independence, and achieve 100% clean electricity by 2035.
This new effort by DOE will fund projects that aim to enable utilities to more effectively control grid power flow to avoid disturbances, and quickly isolate and route around disruptions. Grid modernization will support President Biden’s goals to accelerate the deployment of renewables, boost the nation’s energy independence, and achieve 100% clean electricity by 2035.
Managed by DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), the “Unlocking Lasting Transformative Resiliency Advances by Faster Actuation of power Semiconductor Technologies” (ULTRAFAST)” program will support the development of faster, more capable power electronics for enhanced resiliency, reliability, and control of power flow at all grid interfaces.
Nissan is now using heavy-duty electric trucks to deliver new vehicles
Nissan is taking a big step with its latest endeavor to combat emissions. The automaker will now be delivering new vehicles in fully electric, heavy-duty trucks in a new trial with Nikola and Kenworth.
The first deliveries will be to Downey Nissan in California, carrying the 2023 Ariya electric crossover.
Following the initial run of four battery electric trucks, Nissan plans to deploy additional trucks in the Los Angeles area. The automaker plans to build on the lessons it learns through the trial, potentially expanding EV trucks for other logistical use cases.
The first deliveries will be to Downey Nissan in California, carrying the 2023 Ariya electric crossover.
Following the initial run of four battery electric trucks, Nissan plans to deploy additional trucks in the Los Angeles area. The automaker plans to build on the lessons it learns through the trial, potentially expanding EV trucks for other logistical use cases.
Lithium-ion battery recycling company Li-Cycle scores $375 million conditional loan from Energy Department for Rochester plant
Battery recycler Li-Cycle has a conditional $375 million financing commitment from the Energy Department's loan programs office.
- Why it matters: It's the latest in a suite of Biden administration loans and grants to help build a domestic supply chain for EV batteries.
- The big picture: Li-Cycle says its plant in Rochester, NY is slated to be North America's "first commercial hydrometallurgical battery resource recovery facility and the first source of recycled battery-grade lithium carbonate production."
"Hertz Electrifies" Launches Major EV Fleet In Denver
Rental car company Hertz announced a new public-private partnership called Hertz Electrifies in the USA. Starting in Denver, Colorada, Hertz aspires to work with US mayors to bring thousands of electric cars and data-based infrastructure into American cities as part of a larger scheme.
Hertz Electrifies will start by bringing no less than 5,200 rental EVs to Hertz customers and rideshare drivers in Denver. In partnership with BP Pulse, the company also plans to increase charging capacity at the Denver International Airport and Hertz locations by installing a mix of Level 2 and fast chargers. However, future roll-outs will be informed by Hertz’s telematics system.
“This partnership with Hertz will provide invaluable data about where we need charging infrastructure the most, as well as provide new opportunities with this new technology to create good-paying jobs for our current and future workforce,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
Hertz Electrifies will start by bringing no less than 5,200 rental EVs to Hertz customers and rideshare drivers in Denver. In partnership with BP Pulse, the company also plans to increase charging capacity at the Denver International Airport and Hertz locations by installing a mix of Level 2 and fast chargers. However, future roll-outs will be informed by Hertz’s telematics system.
“This partnership with Hertz will provide invaluable data about where we need charging infrastructure the most, as well as provide new opportunities with this new technology to create good-paying jobs for our current and future workforce,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
Friday, February 24, 2023
EU Lawmakers Approve Effective 2035 Ban On New Fossil Fuel Cars
The European Parliament on Tuesday formally approved a law to effectively ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the European Union from 2035, aiming to speed up the switch to electric vehicles and combat climate change.
The landmark rules will require that by 2035 carmakers must achieve a 100% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars sold, which would make it impossible to sell new fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the 27-country bloc.
The law will also set a 55% cut in CO2 emissions for new cars sold from 2030 versus 2021 levels, much higher than the existing target of a 37.5%.
The landmark rules will require that by 2035 carmakers must achieve a 100% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars sold, which would make it impossible to sell new fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the 27-country bloc.
The law will also set a 55% cut in CO2 emissions for new cars sold from 2030 versus 2021 levels, much higher than the existing target of a 37.5%.
New Jersey Plans To Require All New Cars Be Zero Emission By 2035, Says Gov. Murphy
Gov. Phil Murphy is set to unleash a new series of climate change goals on Wednesday that will give New Jersey the most aggressive clean energy target of any large state and follow California‘s ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035.
During a noon speech at Rutgers University, Murphy is expected to lay out a half dozen executive orders and announcements around climate change.
The two boldest would transform state energy use by 2035, in homes and on the road. By then, Murphy wants the state to get 100 percent of its power from clean energy sources.
Murphy plans to start New Jersey on the path pioneered by California with a requirement that all new cars sold in the state have zero emissions by 2035.
During a noon speech at Rutgers University, Murphy is expected to lay out a half dozen executive orders and announcements around climate change.
The two boldest would transform state energy use by 2035, in homes and on the road. By then, Murphy wants the state to get 100 percent of its power from clean energy sources.
Murphy plans to start New Jersey on the path pioneered by California with a requirement that all new cars sold in the state have zero emissions by 2035.
bp Plans To Invest $1 Billion In EV Fast Charging Across US By 2030, Helping To Meet Demand From Hertz’s Expanding EV Rentals
bp took another step toward delivering on its transformation to an integrated energy company today by announcing plans to invest $1 billion by 2030 into electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the United States. A cornerstone of the investment includes Hertz and bp announcing an intention to bring fast charging infrastructure to Hertz locations in major cities, such as Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington, DC.
A number of the fast-charging installations will include gigahubs locations. These are large-scale fast charging hubs, such as one location previously announced by bp and Hertz at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The hubs will serve rideshare and taxi drivers, car rental customers and the general public at high-demand locations, such as airports. The buildout will be informed by telematics from Hertz’s fleet of connected cars.
“This is about more, faster. We’re bringing more, fast-charging options to more Americans for faster EV adoption,” said Dave Lawler, chairman and president of bp America. “Working alongside Hertz, we’re excited to drive the future of mobility.”
A number of the fast-charging installations will include gigahubs locations. These are large-scale fast charging hubs, such as one location previously announced by bp and Hertz at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The hubs will serve rideshare and taxi drivers, car rental customers and the general public at high-demand locations, such as airports. The buildout will be informed by telematics from Hertz’s fleet of connected cars.
“This is about more, faster. We’re bringing more, fast-charging options to more Americans for faster EV adoption,” said Dave Lawler, chairman and president of bp America. “Working alongside Hertz, we’re excited to drive the future of mobility.”
Short-haul EV Trucks Are Going To Hit The Freight Trucking Industry First
The freight trucking industry is beginning its transition to electric vehicles, but it’s going to be short-haul EV trucks that are first adopted before concepts like the Tesla Semi travel longer distances on interstates.
Due to the limitations that EV truck batteries face in mileage range, they’re best suited for drayage transportation, or the movement of goods across short distances. So, trucking companies are making efforts to develop short-haul EV trucks and put them to use at ports and intermodal logistics facilities.
Schneider, a truckload, intermodal and logistics service, announced its battery-electric truck (BEV) fleet back in 2021, and the first BEV arrived at a Southern California port this year.
″We’re going to be operating those in and out of railheads for intermodal customers, and so we’ll start with five taking this month and will be up to about that hundred number by the time we get through the calendar year,” Schneider CEO Mark Rourke said on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” on Wednesday.
Due to the limitations that EV truck batteries face in mileage range, they’re best suited for drayage transportation, or the movement of goods across short distances. So, trucking companies are making efforts to develop short-haul EV trucks and put them to use at ports and intermodal logistics facilities.
Schneider, a truckload, intermodal and logistics service, announced its battery-electric truck (BEV) fleet back in 2021, and the first BEV arrived at a Southern California port this year.
″We’re going to be operating those in and out of railheads for intermodal customers, and so we’ll start with five taking this month and will be up to about that hundred number by the time we get through the calendar year,” Schneider CEO Mark Rourke said on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” on Wednesday.
Vehicle-To-Grid Charging Is Coming Fast — Here’s How Regulators And Utilities Can Prepare Now
- The U.S. electric grid is under stress. Observers have been understandably asking how the grid can handle the millions of additional electric vehicles that are expected to need charging over the next few years.
- Implemented correctly, EVs could be a lifeline for the grid. Efforts to explore the opportunities and grid value of vehicle-to-grid, or V2G, charging, where the EV battery is a storage resource that can be tapped to shore up the grid, need to be expanded and sped up to make the transition to EVs go much smoother for the grid and consumers alike.
- In their integrated resource plans, utilities could consider how many EVs will be in their service territories in coming years, and then consider how they could tap the battery capacity contained within those vehicles. This should be done in collaboration with vehicle owners to ensure they are able to provide that extra battery capacity at times when it works for their schedules and driving needs. Utilities may find that more renewable energy is feasible than thought before thanks to this additional backup capacity.
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Tesla Commits To Fully Interoperable EV Chargers, Will Open 7,500 Chargers In The U.S. To Other EVs By End Of 2024
The Biden administration wants to see at least 500,000 electric vehicle chargers on U.S. roads by 2030, and announced a slate of initiatives on Wednesday to help make that a reality, including commitments from companies that build and operate charging networks like Tesla, GM, Ford, ChargePoint and others.
All of the companies stand to reap the benefits of federal funding if their planned charging infrastructure projects meet new federal standards, which were also revealed on Wednesday.
As part of this effort, White House officials said, they locked a commitment from Tesla to open thousands of its chargers to electric vehicles made by other manufacturers. Until now in the U.S., Tesla Supercharging stations have been accessible primarily to drivers of the company’s own cars.
Tesla specifically agreed to make at least 7,500 of its publicly accessible chargers in the U.S. available for use by any compatible EV by the end of 2024. That total will include at least 3,500 of Tesla’s 250-kilowatt Superchargers located along key highway corridors, as well as the slower Level 2 destination chargers that the automaker provides at locations like hotels and restaurants, the officials said.
All of the companies stand to reap the benefits of federal funding if their planned charging infrastructure projects meet new federal standards, which were also revealed on Wednesday.
As part of this effort, White House officials said, they locked a commitment from Tesla to open thousands of its chargers to electric vehicles made by other manufacturers. Until now in the U.S., Tesla Supercharging stations have been accessible primarily to drivers of the company’s own cars.
Tesla specifically agreed to make at least 7,500 of its publicly accessible chargers in the U.S. available for use by any compatible EV by the end of 2024. That total will include at least 3,500 of Tesla’s 250-kilowatt Superchargers located along key highway corridors, as well as the slower Level 2 destination chargers that the automaker provides at locations like hotels and restaurants, the officials said.
Uber's Commercial Trucking Division, Uber Freights, Starts Its First Electric Truck Pilot In California
Uber Freight is teaming up with WattEV, an electric trucking and charging infrastructure company, and CHEP, pallet and container pool company, to deploy electric trucks on select routes in Southern California, using WattEV’s truck-as-a-service concept. WattEV will provide electric trucking capacity to Uber Freight shippers, starting with pallet and container pool company CHEP.
This partnership marks Uber Freight’s first EV deployment. As the industry experiments with sustainable alternatives to complement traditional capacity, this pilot will provide valuable insight into the logistical complexities of electrifying freight transportation, according to Uber Freight’s announcement.
CHEP will be the first shipper to participate in the pilot, prioritizing electric capacity on the Southern California route. Combining Uber Freight's network with WattEV’s electric fleet, the pilot will allow CHEP to book, schedule, and complete loads, track status and load KPIs, and manage paperwork via the Uber Freight Platform.
This partnership marks Uber Freight’s first EV deployment. As the industry experiments with sustainable alternatives to complement traditional capacity, this pilot will provide valuable insight into the logistical complexities of electrifying freight transportation, according to Uber Freight’s announcement.
CHEP will be the first shipper to participate in the pilot, prioritizing electric capacity on the Southern California route. Combining Uber Freight's network with WattEV’s electric fleet, the pilot will allow CHEP to book, schedule, and complete loads, track status and load KPIs, and manage paperwork via the Uber Freight Platform.
Fisker taps ChargePoint as official public charging partner for North America
Fisker Inc. has announced Level 2 and DC Fast charging network ChargePoint as its North American partner to support its incoming EVs. The collaboration will provide future Fisker Ocean owners with access to over 400,000 roaming ports, including 16,700 fast chargers.
According to two separate press releases from each company, the new collaboration will give Fisker drivers with access to over 210,000 active charging ports managed directly by ChargePoint and over 400,000 roaming ports with partners. ChargePoint states that the roaming chargers combined with its nearly 17,000 DC fast chargers equate to over 80% of the public charging locations in North America.
As soon as customers in the US and Canada take delivery of their shiny new Fisker Ocean, they will be able to use the SUV’s navigation system to locate ChargePoint and roaming partner stations. They can also use the ChargePoint app. Either way, drivers will be able to filter for DC fast chargers and plan their route to their desired charger, all while receiving calculated arrival times.
According to two separate press releases from each company, the new collaboration will give Fisker drivers with access to over 210,000 active charging ports managed directly by ChargePoint and over 400,000 roaming ports with partners. ChargePoint states that the roaming chargers combined with its nearly 17,000 DC fast chargers equate to over 80% of the public charging locations in North America.
As soon as customers in the US and Canada take delivery of their shiny new Fisker Ocean, they will be able to use the SUV’s navigation system to locate ChargePoint and roaming partner stations. They can also use the ChargePoint app. Either way, drivers will be able to filter for DC fast chargers and plan their route to their desired charger, all while receiving calculated arrival times.
Subway Announces Plans to Build EV Charging Stations at Select Restaurants in the US
The sandwich chain, which recently announced plans to explore a potential sale, said it plans to add charging parks to select restaurants. Dubbed Subway Oasis, the EV parks will be outfitted with "charging canopies with multiple ports, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, restrooms, green space, and even playgrounds," the chain said Tuesday.
The company did not say where and when the first Subway Oasis would be built.
Subway is working with EV tech startups GenZ EV Solution and RED E Charging to open these parks. Additionally, the company said that Subway is opening smaller fast-charging EV stations at new or newly remodeled restaurants across the US this year. "On average, the smaller-format, fast EV chargers will offer a 120-mile charge in 17 minutes for approximately $20," the company said.
The company did not say where and when the first Subway Oasis would be built.
Subway is working with EV tech startups GenZ EV Solution and RED E Charging to open these parks. Additionally, the company said that Subway is opening smaller fast-charging EV stations at new or newly remodeled restaurants across the US this year. "On average, the smaller-format, fast EV chargers will offer a 120-mile charge in 17 minutes for approximately $20," the company said.
Duke Energy to build ‘first-of-its-kind’ facility to accelerate fleet electrification with Daimler, Electrada
Duke Energy announced Tuesday that it will construct an electrification depot at its Mount Holly Technology and Innovation Center in North Carolina to help develop, test and deploy zero-emissions light-, medium- and heavy-duty commercial electric vehicle fleets.
Duke will partner with EV infrastructure developer Electrada to develop the fleet charging center, and Daimler Truck North America will be a founding participant in the fleet EV charging program.The charging center will be capable of providing energy from either the bulk electric system or the utility’s Mount Holly microgrid, which is powered by carbon-free resources. According to Duke, the project “is the first electric fleet depot to offer a microgrid charging option.”
Federal incentives help drive $52B of investments in 17 EV battery production facilities: BofA Report
Battery manufacturers are rushing to develop capacity in the United States to meet demand for electric vehicles while qualifying for billions in federal incentives, according to a new BofA Global Research report.
“So far, 17 new EV battery facilities have been announced, aided by the latest round of Federal incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act,” Bank of America Securities Research Analyst Andrew Obin wrote in the Feb. 22 report.
The facilities have construction starts ranging from 2020 to 2024 and represent planned capital expenditures of almost $52 billion, according to Obin. The Inflation Reduction Act’s Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit “will likely further incentivize EV battery capacity,” he wrote. “The provision is estimated to be worth $31bn over 2022-2031.”
“So far, 17 new EV battery facilities have been announced, aided by the latest round of Federal incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act,” Bank of America Securities Research Analyst Andrew Obin wrote in the Feb. 22 report.
The facilities have construction starts ranging from 2020 to 2024 and represent planned capital expenditures of almost $52 billion, according to Obin. The Inflation Reduction Act’s Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit “will likely further incentivize EV battery capacity,” he wrote. “The provision is estimated to be worth $31bn over 2022-2031.”
Volvo Cars’ Electric Sales Triple Despite Rising Costs, not cutting costs like Ford & Tesla
Volvo Cars said it had “no need” to join Tesla and Ford in cutting prices for its electric models after sales tripled last year. During 2021, about 4 per cent of Volvo Cars’ sales were battery-only models. This rose to 11 per cent during 2022, and was as high as 20 per cent in December. The brand wants half of its sales to be pure battery vehicles by the middle of the decade, with the aim of only selling electric cars by 2030, one of the most ambitious targets of any major carmaker. Tesla and Ford have both cut the prices of their electric models. But Volvo Cars’ chief executive Jim Rowan said the company had increased prices in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed up the price of lithium, a key battery material.
But he added that the company did not raise prices for customers who had already ordered a car, meaning the business ended up absorbing around a third of its total cost increase over the year. Rowan said he expected lithium prices to drop this year and Volvo might cut prices in response. A significant drop in lithium prices would “[give] us the opportunity to make that decision”, he said. But “we don’t see the need” to cut prices he added, because of the volume of EV orders Volvo Cars has on its books.
But he added that the company did not raise prices for customers who had already ordered a car, meaning the business ended up absorbing around a third of its total cost increase over the year. Rowan said he expected lithium prices to drop this year and Volvo might cut prices in response. A significant drop in lithium prices would “[give] us the opportunity to make that decision”, he said. But “we don’t see the need” to cut prices he added, because of the volume of EV orders Volvo Cars has on its books.
Redwood Wins $2 Billion DOE LPO Loan To Scale Up Production Of Battery Materials For Electric Cars
Redwood Materials, the battery recycling and components maker created by Tesla cofounder JB Straubel, has been awarded a $2 billion federal loan to help build up a U.S. supply base for essential components needed to make batteries for electric vehicles that are currently imported almost entirely from Asia.
The Carson City, Nevada-based company got a “conditional” commitment for the low-interest funds from the Energy Department’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program as it expands operations in its home state and prepares to build a second campus near Charleston, South Carolina. Redwood started processing recovered battery materials a few years ago in Nevada, has begun making copper foil for battery anodes and plans to make battery cathodes, using recycled minerals in both. It’s already raised over $1 billion and expects to invest about $5 billion in its Nevada and South Carolina operations.
“The vote of confidence this represents in Redwood as a business, our technology and our customers is significant,” Straubel told Forbes. It’s also financially beneficial. “This is very different than a VC investment or an equity investment. This is a favorable approach for us partly because it’s a competitive interest rate.”
The Carson City, Nevada-based company got a “conditional” commitment for the low-interest funds from the Energy Department’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program as it expands operations in its home state and prepares to build a second campus near Charleston, South Carolina. Redwood started processing recovered battery materials a few years ago in Nevada, has begun making copper foil for battery anodes and plans to make battery cathodes, using recycled minerals in both. It’s already raised over $1 billion and expects to invest about $5 billion in its Nevada and South Carolina operations.
“The vote of confidence this represents in Redwood as a business, our technology and our customers is significant,” Straubel told Forbes. It’s also financially beneficial. “This is very different than a VC investment or an equity investment. This is a favorable approach for us partly because it’s a competitive interest rate.”
EPA Announces Electric Utility Pledge to Support Successful Deployment of Electric School Buses Nationwide
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan visited Wabaunsee USD 329 School District in Alma, Kansas to celebrate the delivery of the state’s first all-electric school buses and mark the historic investment in America under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Administrator Regan, joined by students, school officials, and community leaders, highlighted how initiatives like EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program are delivering environmental and economic benefits for communities like Wabaunsee.
During the event in Wabaunsee, Administrator Regan also announced a new pledge to promote seamless collaboration between school districts and their electric utility providers, ensuring the successful deployment of electric school buses nationwide. Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies, and the Beneficial Electrification League (BEL), a non-profit organization that works closely with rural electric cooperatives and public power utility providers on electrification initiatives, have joined with EPA to pledge their support for school bus electrification. EEI members and BEL partners have pledged to proactively work with school districts to:
During the event in Wabaunsee, Administrator Regan also announced a new pledge to promote seamless collaboration between school districts and their electric utility providers, ensuring the successful deployment of electric school buses nationwide. Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies, and the Beneficial Electrification League (BEL), a non-profit organization that works closely with rural electric cooperatives and public power utility providers on electrification initiatives, have joined with EPA to pledge their support for school bus electrification. EEI members and BEL partners have pledged to proactively work with school districts to:
- Facilitate communication between electric providers and school districts
- Provide technical support and assistance
- Work together to increase funding and deployment for electric school buses
Oracle announces ADMS platform for utilities, "Utilities Network Management System"
Oracle today announced new Oracle Utilities Network Management System features to help utilities navigate the fast-evolving energy grid and rapidly expanding distributed energy resources (DERs). New automated grid management and built-in AI will enable utilities to better orchestrate and control DER and grid-edge devices, boost network visibility with real-time insights, and provide a unified user experience across multiple platforms.
New Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) alarm triggers also alert staff to critical network information so they can act faster to resolve issues and to commission points and devices quickly to optimize network performance.
"Oracle Energy and Water continues to make tremendous investments in its Network Management System (NMS) ADMS platform and complementary solutions," said Michael Kelly, associate director for market intelligence and advisory firm Guidehouse Insights. "In supporting some of the largest IOUs across North America, Oracle is actively demonstrating the reliability and technological sophistication of its ADMS solution."
New Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) alarm triggers also alert staff to critical network information so they can act faster to resolve issues and to commission points and devices quickly to optimize network performance.
"Oracle Energy and Water continues to make tremendous investments in its Network Management System (NMS) ADMS platform and complementary solutions," said Michael Kelly, associate director for market intelligence and advisory firm Guidehouse Insights. "In supporting some of the largest IOUs across North America, Oracle is actively demonstrating the reliability and technological sophistication of its ADMS solution."
Trova Commercial Vehicles and Chateau Energy Solutions Partner to accelerate efleet electrification solutions
Trova Commercial Vehicles (TrovaCV), an engineering and manufacturing expert of commercial electric vehicles, and Chateau Energy Solutions, a national leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure development, announce their partnership to drive the deployment of commercial electric vehicles and charging infrastructure for fleets across the nation. The alliance will provide diesel-to-electric (D2E) class 8 vehicle refits, new Class 8 battery-electric yard trucks, and reliable charging infrastructure to commercial fleets.
“Trova’s mission is to accelerate the market acceptance of battery electric commercial vehicles. We know that a complete end-to-end solution is necessary for fleets to transition to battery electric trucks,” explains Patrick Collignon, TrovaCV founder/CEO and former chief operating officer for Volvo Trucks North and South America. “With Chateau Energy Solutions we have a partner with many years of experience. Not only is the total cost of ownership impacted by the acquisition cost of the vehicle it also depends heavily on the level of investment needed for electric infrastructure.”
“Trova’s mission is to accelerate the market acceptance of battery electric commercial vehicles. We know that a complete end-to-end solution is necessary for fleets to transition to battery electric trucks,” explains Patrick Collignon, TrovaCV founder/CEO and former chief operating officer for Volvo Trucks North and South America. “With Chateau Energy Solutions we have a partner with many years of experience. Not only is the total cost of ownership impacted by the acquisition cost of the vehicle it also depends heavily on the level of investment needed for electric infrastructure.”
Kempower, EV Charging Station Manufacturer, Picks Durham for $41M Plant, to Hire 300 Workers
A manufacturer of charging stations for electric vehicles will open a new manufacturing facility in Durham County.
The Finland-headquartered Kempower Inc. will invest $41.2 million into its new facility, and plans to create 300 jobs, according to a statement released on Tuesday by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Jobs will pay average annual salaries of $88,440 by the third year of the project, the statement noted.
It’s the latest economic development project connected to the state’s rapidly-expanding clean energy economy, which Governor Cooper highlighted in the statement.
The Finland-headquartered Kempower Inc. will invest $41.2 million into its new facility, and plans to create 300 jobs, according to a statement released on Tuesday by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Jobs will pay average annual salaries of $88,440 by the third year of the project, the statement noted.
It’s the latest economic development project connected to the state’s rapidly-expanding clean energy economy, which Governor Cooper highlighted in the statement.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
For GM, The EV Race Is A Marathon: Analysts Say Long-Term Approach Could Give Edge Over Competitors
General Motors has hit roadblocks as it works to ramp EV production, but analysts say that doesn’t mean the automaker’s playing catch up.
Ultium Cells, GM’s joint venture with LG Energy Solution, began producing batteries designed for the automaker’s EV platform at its first plant in Ohio in late August.
But in October, CEO Mary Barra delayed plans to produce 400,000 EVs in North America by six months after being unable to scale battery production as quickly as expected, in part because it took longer to train its 1,000-plus workforce. Cells from the Ohio plant were needed to accelerate production of its existing EV models, including its Hummer pickup which is nearing a two-year ramp up.
While GM now expects vehicle production to increase in the second half of 2023, in line with its Ultium plant launches, the automaker’s timeline lags behind others in the EV space.
More>>
Ultium Cells, GM’s joint venture with LG Energy Solution, began producing batteries designed for the automaker’s EV platform at its first plant in Ohio in late August.
But in October, CEO Mary Barra delayed plans to produce 400,000 EVs in North America by six months after being unable to scale battery production as quickly as expected, in part because it took longer to train its 1,000-plus workforce. Cells from the Ohio plant were needed to accelerate production of its existing EV models, including its Hummer pickup which is nearing a two-year ramp up.
While GM now expects vehicle production to increase in the second half of 2023, in line with its Ultium plant launches, the automaker’s timeline lags behind others in the EV space.
More>>
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Geotab and Synop Announce EV Charging Integration, Maximizing Fleet Uptime and Energy Usage
Geotab Inc. (”Geotab”), a global leader in connected transportation solutions and Synop, the electric vehicle operations platform that maximizes fleet uptime and optimizes energy usage, today announced a partnership that will give fleet operators in North America access to integrated EV charging and energy management within Geotab’s software platform, MyGeotab.
Commercial fleets, which include maintenance vehicles, delivery vans, semi-trucks, rental cars, government vehicles, and school buses, face many obstacles when integrating EVs, including energy price volatility, multiple charging requirements, and prolonged charge cycles. Integrating Synop’s software with Geotab’s data insights allows customers to manage their EV assets in real-time on a single, unified platform.
”At Geotab, sustainability is core to our purpose. Actionable data insights and sustainable customer solutions are essential as we transition to a low-carbon future,” said Eric Mallia, VP of Sustainability Solutions at Geotab. “We’re thrilled to add Synop’s solution to our sustainability ecosystem, supporting our customers to better manage their EV fleet, reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.”
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Commercial fleets, which include maintenance vehicles, delivery vans, semi-trucks, rental cars, government vehicles, and school buses, face many obstacles when integrating EVs, including energy price volatility, multiple charging requirements, and prolonged charge cycles. Integrating Synop’s software with Geotab’s data insights allows customers to manage their EV assets in real-time on a single, unified platform.
”At Geotab, sustainability is core to our purpose. Actionable data insights and sustainable customer solutions are essential as we transition to a low-carbon future,” said Eric Mallia, VP of Sustainability Solutions at Geotab. “We’re thrilled to add Synop’s solution to our sustainability ecosystem, supporting our customers to better manage their EV fleet, reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.”
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Monday, February 13, 2023
Ford to build $3.5B electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan
Ford Motor Co. plans to build a $3.5 billion factory in Michigan that would employ at least 2,500 people to make lower-cost batteries for a variety of new and existing electric vehicles.
The plant, to be built on land being readied for industrial development about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Detroit, would start making batteries in 2026. It would crank out 35 gigawatt hours worth of batteries, enough to supply 400,000 vehicles per year, Ford said.
The factory near the city of Marshall would produce batteries with a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is cheaper than the current nickel-cobalt-manganese chemistry now used in many EV batteries.
The plant, to be built on land being readied for industrial development about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Detroit, would start making batteries in 2026. It would crank out 35 gigawatt hours worth of batteries, enough to supply 400,000 vehicles per year, Ford said.
The factory near the city of Marshall would produce batteries with a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is cheaper than the current nickel-cobalt-manganese chemistry now used in many EV batteries.
Friday, February 10, 2023
Nissan Works to Power V2X Bi-Directional Charging Across the Globe
In trials spanning Africa, Australia, Europe, Japan and North America, Nissan has been working to enable V2X charging with EV models.
From powering schools with sustainable energy to envisioning a way to help first responders set up command centers after a natural disaster, Nissan’s work in V2X charging spans the world. Efforts include:
Australia
・Nissan participated in a major government trial for consumers to see real-life demonstrations of V2G charging technology.
・V2G arrived in Australia when a Nissan LEAF owner became the first real-world user to help offset overnight energy usage at his solar-powered business.
From powering schools with sustainable energy to envisioning a way to help first responders set up command centers after a natural disaster, Nissan’s work in V2X charging spans the world. Efforts include:
Australia
・Nissan participated in a major government trial for consumers to see real-life demonstrations of V2G charging technology.
・V2G arrived in Australia when a Nissan LEAF owner became the first real-world user to help offset overnight energy usage at his solar-powered business.
Germany
・Nissan’s “i-rEzEPT” project, an intelligent integration of EVs into Germany’s power grid with 13 solar-enabled homes, received convincing scores in its first interim review.
・Nissan’s “i-rEzEPT” project, an intelligent integration of EVs into Germany’s power grid with 13 solar-enabled homes, received convincing scores in its first interim review.
Electric Vehicle Battery Investments Ballooned In 2022
Electric vehicles currently only represent about 6% of new vehicle sales in the US, but a huge industrial shift toward battery projects suggests that the figure could skyrocket in the coming years. Tesla’s market dominance has other automakers making major investments into automotive batteries, and it’s hard to keep track of the new EV battery projects set to begin in the next few years.
New research from think tank Atlas Public Policy shows over $128 billion in announced US investments in EVs, battery plants, and battery recycling projects in recent years, as detailed in a report from NPR. In 2022 alone, the data shows over $73 billion in planned projects, representing three times as much funding as in 2021.
Several automakers are debuting EV-related projects in the US, including legacy names like Ford, General Motors, and German powerhouse Volkswagen, to name a few. These projects will require tons of EV batteries in the next few years, also representing a huge market that automakers and suppliers alike are keen to jump on.
New research from think tank Atlas Public Policy shows over $128 billion in announced US investments in EVs, battery plants, and battery recycling projects in recent years, as detailed in a report from NPR. In 2022 alone, the data shows over $73 billion in planned projects, representing three times as much funding as in 2021.
Several automakers are debuting EV-related projects in the US, including legacy names like Ford, General Motors, and German powerhouse Volkswagen, to name a few. These projects will require tons of EV batteries in the next few years, also representing a huge market that automakers and suppliers alike are keen to jump on.
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