Volvo Cars invests in Breathe Battery Technologies fast charging software

Volvo Cars has partnered with UK-based EV charging management software developer Breathe to become the first automaker to access the latest version of its Breathe Charge software, for use in its new generation of electric cars.

Volvo will integrate the software with its own in-house-developed battery management platform to optimize performance and reduce charging times. Based on tests, Volvo says that the time to charge from a 10% to an 80% charging state is reduced by between 15% and 30% across the full life cycle of the battery, without affecting its health status.

Volvo says Breathe’s software uses adaptive charging to control the battery in real time, rather than traditional stepped charging based on predetermined rules, reducing charging times. Algorithms manage the charging process in accordance with battery health and help avoid the risk of harmful lithium plating.

“Faster charging times, in the range where customers typically fast charge, represent a major step in the right direction as we continue to boost electric mobility and make it available to more people,” says Volvo Cars Tech Fund CEO Ann-Sofie Ekberg.

Source: Volvo

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine

Lilium orders 120 Star Charge chargers for electric aviation

Munich-headquartered Lilium, developer of an eVTOL jet, has partnered with Singapore-based charging infrastructure producer Star Charge to develop and provide charging systems for the Lilium Jet. 

The aircraft went into production in late 2023 following Design Organisation Approval by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It is expected to enter service in 2026.

Lilium has ordered 120 of Star Charge’s CCS-compliant units with liquid-cooled charging cables for its test aircraft and maintenance and delivery center activities. Lilium will also provide charging stations to customers with vertiports.

“Our partnership with Star Charge will support the Lilium Jet’s development and certification along with our customers’ ground infrastructure development,” said Lilium CCO Sebastien Borel.

Source: Lilium

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine

EnviroSpark to supply EV chargers to IHG Hotels in the US and Canada

British hotel multinational IHG has an agreement with US EV charging infrastructure company EnviroSpark to make its EV chargers available to the more than 4,100 IHG-branded hotels in the US and Canada, each of which can partner with EnviroSpark to meet its individual needs.

The agreement will expand on the number of IHG locations worldwide that offer EV charging, which currently stands at 1,100. The  EnviroSpark units, which are suited for overnight charging, will be searchable on the IHG One Rewards mobile app.

“Through our agreement with EnviroSpark, we’re providing even more options for IHG owners to install EVCs at hotels while making travel easier for a growing segment of sustainability-minded travelers,” said Brian McGuinness, SVP of Global Guest Experience, IHG Hotels & Resorts. 

Source: IHG

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine