Liberty Access Technologies

EvoCharge, a manufacturer of EVSE and cable management solutions, has launched a new line of 40-amp charging stations.

The new models deliver higher power output than the company’s existing 32-amp chargers—EvoCharge says they can add up to 30 miles of range per hour of charging. The new models are equipped with Ethernet ports, which can provide a more reliable connection than WiFi.

A 50-amp circuit is recommended for optimal operation, but the chargers can be set to limit the power level to 16, 24 or 32 amps if the circuit can’t deliver the full 40 amps.

The new chargers feature the same compact design as the EvoCharge 32-amp versions, are NEMA 4-rated for indoor and outdoor use, and can be equipped with the EvoCharge cable retractor for cable management. The iEVSE Home 40 will support the EvoCharge smart charging app, which is available for Android and Apple devices.

“Adding 40-amp chargers to the EvoCharge portfolio positions us at the forefront of the EV charging market,” said VP of Sales and Marketing Manish Virmani. “It gives our customers across North America additional choices for charging their vehicles and future-proofs their charging stations as EV battery capacities increase.”

Japan’s GS Yuasa Automotive is known for lead-acid batteries, for which it claims to have a 70% market share in the Japanese market. The company also makes lithium-ion batteries for standard and plug-in hybrids through Lithium Energy Japan, a joint venture with partners including Mitsubishi and Honda.

Now GS Yuasa plans to enter the market for EV batteries as early as next year. President Osamu Murao told Nikkei Asia that his company will shift its focus from hybrids, and follow the industry’s global transition to pure EVs.

GS Yuasa recently formed a new department for the project, bringing in engineers from its hybrid and PHEV operations. The team aims to develop Li-ion cells with the energy density and durability needed for EVs. The company also plans to work with partners on EV batteries, splitting the cost of new production facilities.

“We’ll mark a full start on EV batteries under our new medium-term plan starting in fiscal 2023,” says Murao.

Japanese battery manufacturer Envision AESC has formed a new multi-year partnership with BMW to supply battery cells for the automaker’s next-generation EVs.

Envision has committed to invest in a new 30 GWh battery manufacturing plant in South Carolina, which it says will be powered by “100 percent net zero carbon energy.” The company is currently searching for a suitable site close to BMW’s existing vehicle production and battery assembly facilities.

Envision already has a battery plant in Tennessee, and another under construction in Kentucky, with a combined capacity of 70 GWh.

The new plant will feature “net-zero system solutions,” including renewable energy generation, energy management systems and battery recycling. The company says it will source critical battery components such as cobalt, lithium and nickel from certified mines, providing full transparency of extraction methods and ensuring responsible mining.

“We are delighted to partner with BMW Group as part of the next stage of growth of our US business,” said Envision AESC CEO Shoichi Matsumoto. “Our new 30 GWh battery plant in South Carolina will harness state-of-the-art technology to create denser, lighter and more powerful batteries.”

“The new round cell specially designed for the electric architecture of our next-generation models will allow us to improve range [and] driving performance and reduce charging time,” said BMW Board Member Joachim Post. “Both our companies are firmly committed to sustainable, environmentally responsible action.”

Photos and details have emerged from Buick’s first electric vehicle based on GM’s Ultium platform, the Electra E5, which was leaked in China. Can we expect to see Buick’s EV in the booming US EV market?

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The post Does Buick’s first Ultium-based EV revealed in China deliver the electrification the brand needs in the US? appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward

Pilot Company (formerly Pilot Flying J), which operates over 800 retail fuel stations, is moving with confidence into the EV charging space. Now the company has signed a letter of intent with the Volvo Group to develop a charging network open to all battery-electric Class 8 truck brands.

Chargers will be located at select Pilot and Flying J travel centers across the US, which are ideally positioned along transportation corridors and are well-equipped to serve professional drivers. Pilot recently announced plans to invest $1 billion to upgrade its locations for the electric future, enabling the development of charging networks for both passenger vehicles and Class 8 trucks. Charger locations will be selected based on customer needs, anticipated density of electric trucks, and the availability of public funding to support infrastructure costs.

“Pilot Company is eager to help our customers attain their sustainability goals by partnering with the Volvo Group to develop the infrastructure and systems needed to move towards a more decarbonized future,” said CEO Shameek Konar. “Volvo Group’s proven expertise in electric trucks combined with our nationwide travel center network and robust energy platform leverages our respective knowledge and resources to advance the nation’s charging infrastructure.”

“Our VNR Electric customers, as well as other fleets looking to adopt battery-electric trucks, will have peace of mind that they can access a reliable and robust, publicly accessible charging network strategically located along major transportation corridors, enabling them to extend their operating radius and decarbonize even more of their routes,” said Peter Voorhoeve, President, Volvo Trucks North America.

As more and more all-electric pickup trucks make their way to the US market, those consumers holding out for a Volkswagen branded model may need to let go and look elsewhere. According to Volkswagen’s new global head of passenger cars, an electric pickup truck is not a priority at the moment, despite comments from the German automaker’s newly appointed head of North America validating such desires.

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The post An electric Volkswagen pickup? New global head says not this decade appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward

On affected vehicles, one or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate; the fix is an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update.
Source: Electric Vehicle News

The free fast charging should help Tesla owners over the busy travel weekend, but it’s only in select states during off-peak hours.
Source: Electric Vehicle News

Club Car is one of the country’s biggest golf cart makers, and now the brand has just unveiled a slick new line of high-end electric vehicles that are more like open-air electric cars. Just don’t call the Club Car Cru a “car.”

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The post Club Car’s fancy new electric golf cart looks like a living room on wheels appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward