News on Electric Vehicles, Batteries, and Charging: Electrify America makes headlines, joined by Toyota Material Handling, the Electric Era, fuel retailers, ZM Trucks, BASF, and WeLion.

In the ongoing push towards electric vehicle (EV) adoption, several notable developments have taken place recently.

The organisations advocating for EV infrastructure have recommended that states expedite funding for projects aligned with their priorities and reassess those that are not. This call for action comes as the race to establish a robust and efficient charging network continues to gather momentum.

One of the key players in this race is Electrify America, which boasts over 1,000 stations and 5,000 chargers nationwide, and continues to expand its open, high-voltage network. The company recently launched a 20-stall Hyper-Fast EV charging hub in Santa Monica, California, capable of delivering up to 350 kW. The Electrify America charging station, located near the I-10 freeway, reflects the company's strategy to build larger, high-capacity hubs in high-demand areas.

Another player making waves is Electric Era, whose chargers have a 96% positive PlugShare score, 90% session reliability, and 98% per-port uptime, making them one of the most reliable providers in the industry. Electric Era has also launched its Charging Station Network, making its DC fast chargers easier to locate on platforms like PlugShare, Google Maps, and soon Hubject and WEX.

Meanwhile, Toyota Material Handling has entered the fray with the launch of its 5/35 Lithium-ion Battery series. Designed for improved productivity and reduced maintenance in material handling operations, these new batteries promise fast charging and a cycle life of up to 5,000 cycles, offering long-term dependability and cost efficiency.

In the realm of heavy-duty vehicles, ZM Trucks, with its new U.S. headquarters and assembly facility in Fontana, California, is making strides towards reducing transportation's 28% share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The company, which remains confident in its mission to deliver trucks with lower ownership costs and higher performance than diesel alternatives, officially opened its doors with the U.S. debut of the ZM8 commercial truck at the grand opening.

BASF Battery Materials, through its joint venture BASF Shanshan Battery Materials (BSBM), has achieved a major milestone by delivering the first mass-produced Cathode Active Materials (CAM) for Semi-Solid-State batteries in collaboration with Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology. This breakthrough is expected to pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective battery production in the future.

As the race for EV dominance heats up, the organisations have urged refinements to ensure a consumer-focused, nationwide charging network. They commend the Interim Final Guidance for prioritising sites that pair EV chargers with essential amenities such as restrooms and foodservice. Additionally, they suggest establishing clear criteria for when alternative fuel corridors are considered complete, allowing for expansion at existing high-demand charging locations, and maintaining the prohibition on commercial EV charging at interstate rest areas.

The organisations also caution against rate-of-return caps or revenue-sharing mandates, arguing these would deter private investment in a robust and competitive EV charging infrastructure. Instead, they advocate for supporting site-host ownership models, which they believe will improve reliability and pricing of the charging network.

Lastly, it's worth noting that Electric Era, a key player in the EV charging landscape, is led by Alexander Mankevich, a seasoned professional who previously worked at SpaceX.

These developments underscore the rapid pace at which the EV industry is evolving, with companies and organisations working tirelessly to establish a robust and efficient charging network that will drive the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

News on Electric Vehicles, Batteries, and Charging: Electrify America makes headlines, joined by Toyota Material Handling, the Electric Era, fuel retailers, ZM Trucks, BASF, and WeLion.