Electric Vehicle, Battery, and Charging Updates: Volvo, Hyundai ZEVx, StoreDot, Leviton, Wallbox, BMW, Lime, Optiphase, and FLO

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is witnessing a flurry of exciting developments, with several companies announcing new initiatives to improve charging infrastructure and battery technology. Here's a roundup of some of the most significant announcements in the past few weeks.

EnergIIZE Hydrogen Funding Lane Opens

The Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) Hydrogen funding lane will open for two weeks beginning at 9 a.m. Pacific Time on April 17, 2024. This funding lane, which offers the highest incentive funding cap of all four EnergIIZE funding lanes, will cover 50 percent of eligible equipment and software costs for standard projects, up to $3 million per project.

Volvo Cars and Breathe Collaborate

Volvo Cars has agreed to use the latest version of Breathe Battery Technologies' algorithm-based charging software for their electric cars. The integration of Breathe's software is expected to reduce the time it takes to charge a Volvo from 10 to 80 percent charging state by as much as 30 percent, while maintaining the same energy density and range.

BMW Customers Enjoy Complimentary Charging

BMW customers can now enjoy the benefits of complimentary charging with Electrify America, and the networks of multiple providers across North America with Shell Recharge Solutions, all accessible through the My BMW app. Shell Recharge's virtual Mobility Service Provider (vMSP) streamlines the charging experience, eliminating the need for separate accounts and apps for each individual charging provider.

Advancements in Charging Technology

itselectric's first generation charger, the "Brooklyn-718′′, is the first-ever EV charger with a detachable cable to be certified under UL Standards, meeting the immediate needs for curbside charging in cities across the United States. HUBER+SUHNER has launched the RADOX EV-C 2, an upgrade to the EV-C connection system, offering superior reliability and protection from vibrations, a shorter installation time onto a vehicle, and an improved sealing concept and shorter thread run out for thin-wall applications.

Partnerships for Faster Charging and Extended Lifespan

SiAT and CSAC have partnered to introduce carbon nanotube coated aluminum foil, designed to meet the growing demand for faster charging and extended lifespan in lithium-ion batteries, sodium batteries, and supercapacitors. Optiphase Drive Systems and OPAL-RT have formed a partnership to advance electric vehicle and system design innovation, providing access to real-time simulation capabilities that integrate the cutting-edge 5-phase electric motor and drive system technologies developed by Optiphase.

Sustainable Energy Solutions

TurnOnGreen and Endliss Power Inc have formed a strategic partnership to deliver comprehensive sustainability solutions for installing, operating, and maintaining utility-scale solar power, energy storage systems, and EV charging stations with minimal up-front costs for commercial customers. StoreDot has partnered with EVE Energy to mass produce its game-changing 100in5 extreme fast charging battery cells, with the goal of commercialization and mass production.

Zero-Emission Shipping Initiatives

Lime, the world's largest operator of shared light electric vehicles, Hight Logistics, and Forum Mobility announced a new deal for zero-emissions port-to-hub shipping for all Lime freight arriving in North America through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This deal will shift more than 300 port-to-hub shipments to electric, zero-emission trucks annually. Lime is among the first companies to share its commitment to the World Economic Forum's Mission Possible Partnership commitment to zero-emission international shipping, aiming to shift 10 percent of the volume of its goods shipped internationally to ships using zero-emission fuels by 2030, on the way to 100 percent by 2040.

New EV Models from BMW

BMW's current electric vehicle lineup includes the BMW i4 Gran Coupe, BMW i5 Sedan, BMW i7 Sedan, BMW iX Sports Activity Vehicle, as well as five plug-in hybrid electric models.

The Future of EV Charging

These developments are just a glimpse into the future of electric vehicle charging. As more companies invest in improving charging infrastructure and battery technology, we can expect to see a more sustainable, efficient, and accessible electric vehicle ecosystem in the coming years.