Merchants Fleet debuts new service to manage EV charging infrastructure

US fleet-management company Merchants Fleet has introduced ClearCharge, a multifaceted service designed to assist commercial fleets in planning, developing and implementing EV charging infrastructure. One variant of the program is ClearCharge Home, designed to simplify home charger installation and management and to provide tracked charging data and energy reimbursement reporting. ClearCharge Work, available in three… Continue reading Merchants Fleet debuts new service to manage EV charging infrastructure

Ford opens Cologne EV Center assembly plant

Through a $2-billion investment, Ford recently converted its existing plant in Niehl, Cologne, Germany, founded in 1930, into its new Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, a production facility for EVs. The 125-hectare plant has a new automated production line and facilities for battery assembly and tooling. It is expected to reach an annual production capacity of… Continue reading Ford opens Cologne EV Center assembly plant

Nxu exits CharIN, tests a proprietary megawatt EV charging system

As if one standards war (CSS vs Tesla’s NACS) weren’t enough, one company is now developing its own charging standard for heavy-duty EVs. Nxu, a manufacturer of battery cells and packs, says it will soon begin alpha field trials of NxuOne, a proprietary charging solution that can deliver up to 1.5 megawatts of continuous power.… Continue reading Nxu exits CharIN, tests a proprietary megawatt EV charging system

DOE proposes $850-million loan to KORE Power for Arizona battery plant

The  DOE’s Loan Programs Office has announced a conditional commitment for an $850-million loan to finance construction of KOREPlex, a new production facility that US battery manufacturer KORE Power plans to build in Buckeye, Arizona. Final issue of the loan is several steps away, and is dependent on certain milestones being reached. The plant, part… Continue reading DOE proposes $850-million loan to KORE Power for Arizona battery plant

Electrify America to add Tesla’s NACS connector to its EV charging stations by 2025

The writing is on the wall, and public charging networks are making plans to add Tesla’s NACS connector to its EV charging stations (or to add more). Electrify America/Electrify Canada, which operates some 850 stations with about 4,000 individual chargers, appears to be taking a more cautious approach than some. The company says it will… Continue reading Electrify America to add Tesla’s NACS connector to its EV charging stations by 2025

GM’s Mary Barra says decision to partner with Tesla on charging was customer-driven

As most of the EV media hailed the decision by Ford, GM and other automakers to hitch their charging wagons to the Tesla train, a few contrarians wondered, “What were they thinking?” Well, in a new interview, GM CEO Mary Barra explains just what she and her engineering team were thinking. Speaking with NBC News… Continue reading GM’s Mary Barra says decision to partner with Tesla on charging was customer-driven

bp invests €7.5 million in Service4Charger

As part of a €10-million Series A funding round, bp ventures has invested €7.5 million in Germany-based EV charging infrastructure service provider Service4Charger. Completing the round with an investment of €2.5 million was Smart Energy Innovationsfonds, an arm of Swiss energy company Energie 360°. Through its staff of in-house-trained electrical engineers, Service4Charger offers EV charging… Continue reading bp invests €7.5 million in Service4Charger

Volvo joins the Tesla NACS charging club

Volvo Cars has become the latest EV maker to embrace Tesla’s NACS charging system. Volvo “anticipates” that its EV drivers will have access to Tesla’s network of 12,000 North American Superchargers, using an adapter, beginning in the first half of 2024. Future Volvo EVs sold in North America, starting from 2025, will be equipped with… Continue reading Volvo joins the Tesla NACS charging club

SAE International announces standard for Tesla’s NACS connector

As the US EV industry rushes to embrace Tesla’s charging system, one of the criticisms that we’ve heard is that, whatever Tesla may say, NACS isn’t truly a standard. Now standards body SAE International has taken a step towards alleviating that problem, announcing that it will standardize the NACS connector in order to ensure that… Continue reading SAE International announces standard for Tesla’s NACS connector

Stellantis rebrands its charging services as Free2move Charge

By most accounts, anxiety about charging is the #1 objection for potential EV buyers, so automakers are wise to do what they can to help facilitate both at-home and on-the-road charging for their customers. Stellantis is addressing the issue with the launch of Free2move Charge, “a 360-degree ecosystem that will seamlessly deliver charging and energy… Continue reading Stellantis rebrands its charging services as Free2move Charge