Briefs: EV Charging Tech Accelerates and Coverage Expands

As electric vehicles increase range and performance, developers are expanding EV charging infrastructure on major travel routes worldwide. At the same time, companies are improving EV charging speed, reducing costs, and easing installation. They are also considering grid impact, as off-grid and vehicle-to-grid technologies continue to grow.

EV charging news includes improved technology and expanded networks. Adapted from images used courtesy of Greenlane, ChargeTronix, TUAL, and ChargePoint

Daimler Venture Greenlane to Add Chargers for Long-Haul EV Trucks

Greenlane, a joint venture between Daimler Truck, NextEra Energy, and BlackRock, will establish a second EV charging corridor for long-haul and heavy-duty EVs along Interstate 10 from Southern California to Phoenix, Arizona.

Electric truck OEM Windrose Technology has partnered with Greenlane to validate the viability of single-charge legs along the route. Windrose’s electric semis completed a 300-mile trip along I-10 on a single charge with a payload of 74,420 pounds. Windrose also tested the charging system’s interoperability, achieving a 772 kW peak charge rate at Greenlane’s charging station in Colton, California.

A Windrose electric semi truck. Image used courtesy of Greenlane

Windrose will use the Colton location as its base for several electric trucks to pilot customers near the I-15 and I-10 freight corridors. The Colton facility provides 40 high-speed chargers, including 12 pull-through lanes and 29 bobtail lanes for trucks and other heavy-duty EVs. It offers restrooms, wifi, carports, and around-the-clock security.

Windrose will manufacture 2,000 electric trucks, with plans to scale to 10,000 globally in 2027.

Greenlane aims to develop a nationwide network providing EV charging for medium- and heavy-duty fleets.

EnviroSpark and Monta Partner to Expand Charging Network

EnviroSpark is partnering with Monta, an EV charging software company, to expand EnviroSpark’s charging network. About 1,000 chargers will be added at commercial properties, residential communities, hotels, and other public spaces nationwide. Monta users will gain access to these and EnviroSpark’s network of more than 2,500 charging stations.

EnviroSpark will employ Monta’s charging interface, and site hosts will receive monitoring and visibility by using Monta’s dashboards and access control tools.

ChargeTronix Partners with DLL to Support EV Fleet Charging

ChargeTronix has partnered with DLL, an asset finance leader, to speed up EV charging infrastructure for fleet operators, businesses, and municipalities. The collaboration will provide financing options for ChargeTronix’s charging technology, allowing charging system installations through customized leases.

ChargeTronix’s 1.28 MW charger can charge up to 16 vehicles. Image used courtesy of ChargeTronix

ChargeTronix provides AC and DC fast chargers for public charging stations and heavy-duty fleets, including modular 240 kW and 1.28 MW chargers. The company also offers bidirectional charging technology for vehicle-to-grid options.

TUAL To Use Polarium’s LFP Batteries in Mobile DC Charger

Polarium Energy Solutions has partnered with EV charging company TUAL to provide lithium iron phosphate batteries for charging stations in remote or space-constricted locations. The modular battery architecture allows grid-independent energy storage. TUAL’s mobile DC charger can be rapidly deployed and does not require grid upgrades.

TUAL charger. Image used courtesy of TUAL

Polarium’s cloud-based battery management systems monitor charge status, battery health, and maintenance needs.

ChargePoint Teams Up With Eaton for DC V2X Chargers

ChargePoint has partnered with power management company Eaton on ChargePoint Express Grid to provide ultrafast charging with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) for fleet charging, heavy-duty commercial EVs, and passenger EVs. The V2X capabilities can reduce costs for EV owners and fleet operators and contribute to grid stability.

EV charging stations. Image used courtesy of ChargePoint

ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton’s Everything as a Grid, integrates vehicle-to-grid and can work with onsite renewable energy and energy storage systems. The customizable, modular system delivers up to 600 kW of DC charging power. It requires a 30% smaller footprint, and the V2X system can reduce operational costs by 30% compared to similar solutions, according to ChargePoint.