SAE International updates standard for bidirectional EV/charger communication

The SAE International Hybrid Communication and Interoperability Task Force has completed an extensive revision of SAE Standard J2847/2: Communication Between Plug-in Vehicles and Off-Board DC Chargers. This update is the first step towards the goal of enabling EV and charging station providers to use the same communication code for bidirectional DC charging, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)… Continue reading SAE International updates standard for bidirectional EV/charger communication

Here’s why utilities are happy to install Level 2 chargers, even if they lose money

When it comes to new technology, public perceptions matter. Expert opinions differ on the importance of public EV charging infrastructure, but potential EV buyers tend to see it as absolutely critical, as numerous surveys have made clear. Utilities around the country are installing public EV chargers, and the savvy ones understand that the value of… Continue reading Here’s why utilities are happy to install Level 2 chargers, even if they lose money

NREL study identifies charging needs to accelerate US EV adoption

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers have released The 2030 national charging network: estimating US light-duty demand for EV charging infrastructure, a quantitative needs assessment for a national charging network capable of supporting the US transition to EVs. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and the DOE’s… Continue reading NREL study identifies charging needs to accelerate US EV adoption

Why are public EV chargers so unreliable? The industry’s history provides clues.

The parlous state of public EV charging is—among other things—a public relations nightmare that’s surely holding back wider EV adoption. A number of automakers and other EV industry players seem to be convinced that ceding control of the US public charging scene to Tesla, whose Supercharger network is by all accounts far more reliable than… Continue reading Why are public EV chargers so unreliable? The industry’s history provides clues.

EVgo and Amazon launch EV charger navigation with Alexa

US charging network EVgo has announced that drivers with Alexa-enabled vehicles or accessories like Echo Auto can now use Alexa with EVgo’s PlugShare application to locate and navigate to nearby EV charging stations.   By means of a voice request, Alexa will provide a list of public charging stations nearby, along with real-time availability by plug… Continue reading EVgo and Amazon launch EV charger navigation with Alexa

Danfoss’s Volvo electric truck operates on a 24-hour shift

Volvo recently delivered 3 heavy-duty line haul electric trucks to Danish industrial multinational Danfoss. The new e-trucks will operate on fixed routes between Danfoss sites in Denmark, and one of them will operate 24 hours a day without significant charging downtime. Customized chargers from Danish company GodEnergi will be used to rapidly charge the truck’s… Continue reading Danfoss’s Volvo electric truck operates on a 24-hour shift

Michigan to offer grants for electrification of outdoor recreation vehicles

The state of Michigan has announced a new program to encourage electrification of its thriving outdoor recreation sector. The Mobility Public-Private Partnership & Programming (MP4) grant program is kicking off with grants to three companies: Polaris, Electric Outdoors and Snowbotix will receive $1,225,000 in total funding from the MP4 program. Polaris will receive $700,000 to… Continue reading Michigan to offer grants for electrification of outdoor recreation vehicles

EcoG’s new Charging Reliability Index ranks performance of different EV manufacturers

Considering the volume of complaints about the EV charging process, it’s surprising that there’s so little hard data available about reliability. A few studies have ranked the reliability of various charging networks, but until now, as far as we know, no one has ranked the charging reliability of different EV models. Now EcoG, a developer… Continue reading EcoG’s new Charging Reliability Index ranks performance of different EV manufacturers

EnviroSpark to install EV charging stations at Ford dealerships in nine states

Georgia-based EV charging company EnviroSpark has signed agreements to engineer and install 432 DC fast charging stations for Ford and Lincoln dealerships at 24 locations across 9 US states. Ford will require all dealerships selling EVs to have EV chargers on their lots by 2024. EnviroSpark offers turnkey design, installation and operation of EV charging… Continue reading EnviroSpark to install EV charging stations at Ford dealerships in nine states

CharIN launches new taskforce for wireless power transfer

The Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN) is a global alliance of EV and EVSE providers that promotes universal charging standards such as CCS, MCS and ISO 15118. Now CharIN has launched a Wireless Power Transfer Taskforce, initiated by Siemens, WiTricity, and MAHLE, in order to drive the adoption and standardization of wireless charging solutions for EVs.… Continue reading CharIN launches new taskforce for wireless power transfer