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Battery Passport Pilot from Ford
First battery passport pilot with leading automotive manufacturer Ford Motor Company (Ford) to ensure responsible recycling of EV batteries.
The pilot leverages Everledger’s technology platform to track electric vehicle (EV) batteries throughout their lifecycle to ensure responsible management during use and recycling at the end of their useful life. This will allow Ford to gain visibility on out-of-warranty batteries, validate responsible end of life recycling, and gain access to data such as recycled critical minerals produced and associated CO2 savings.
Everledger and Ford will use the battery passport solution to track batteries in various late and newer EV models for six months, working together with US lithium-ion battery recyclers Cirba Solutions and Li-Cycle.
To track the battery lifecycle Everledger utilizes a range of technologies including various types of auto ID, blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). During manufacture Ford batteries and their inner modules are tagged with 2-D data matrix codes, which are then scanned with a cell phone by each organization as the battery changes hands. These scans allow otherwise separated links in the value chain to report on and access information about a battery’s location, chemistry and other attributes and activities taking place, for example transportation, disassembly and recycling.
The battery passport concept was conceived and coordinated by Everledger, along with other industry experts, as part of an industry-led group known as the Global Battery Alliance (GBA). The GBA was founded in 2017 at the annual World Economic Forum and was established to create a sustainable and responsible battery value chain. The battery passport is the digital identity of a battery which includes information about its materials and components and ultimately the battery itself. It can provide transparency of the battery supply chain as well as the lifecycle of the finished product.
Orange EV at 500 ZEV Trucks in US
Orange EV, the electric vehicle (EV) industry-leading manufacturer with the most heavy duty zero-emission trucks in operation in the United States, announced the delivery of its 500th electric yard truck. Founded in 2012 and first deployed in 2015, Orange EV has deployed more yard trucks than all its competitors combined according to CALSTART, a non-profit dedicated to the growth of clean transportation technologies.
The 500th Orange EV truck was purchased by United Natural Foods (NYSE: UNFI), the largest publicly traded wholesale distributor of health and specialty food in the United States and Canada. Since its founding in 1976, UNFI has been at the forefront of transforming the food industry through scale, service, and sustainability. The company is adding eight Orange EV trucks to its fleet within the next month. With these additions, UNFI will have 10 Orange EV trucks operating in its U.S. fleet.
DSD Partners with Alivier
Drive System Design (DSD), a company specializing in the rapid engineering and development of electrified propulsion systems and Alvier Mechatronics, an engineering service company with special competence in advanced materials and production methods for sustainable, high-volume applications, are joining forces to provide the mobility industry with engineering services to support sustainable electrified propulsion solutions across automotive, commercial vehicle, off-highway, marine and aerospace applications.
Keysight Intros New Emulator
Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced the enhanced Scienlab Regenerative DC Emulator (SL1800A Series), the next generation high power direct current (DC) emulator for electric vehicle (EV) fast charging applications that enables customers to achieve high-power DC charging test up to 270 kilowatts (kW) in a small footprint.
Typical high-power DC test systems are large and occupy valuable lab floor space. These systems are also inefficient, requiring large amounts of energy to run the test system and to keep the lab space cool during high-power tests. When performing high-power DC fast charging tests, customers need a solution that combines the needed power requirements with communication tests and monitoring that is easy to set up and use.
Keysight’s Scienlab Regenerative DC Emulator enables customers to realistically emulate high-voltage, high-power electric vehicle batteries in charging test applications, such as high-power DC fast charging, when paired with Keysight’s SL1047A Scienlab Charging Discovery System. This solution can emulate EV batteries up to 1500 volts, up to 900 amperes, and can be paralleled to achieve up to megawatts (MW).
The benefits of Keysight’s SL1800A Series include:
- Reduced energy costs to operate the system and cool lab space thanks to the use of state-of-the-art silicon-carbide (SiC) wide-bandgap semiconductors. In addition, only 4% of the system’s power is lost as heat.
- Regenerative system that returns power to the grid when acting as an electronic load during EV battery emulation/charging tests.
- Space-saving form factor that maximizes valuable lab floor space.
bp pluse Plans Gigahubs
bp pulse announced plans to establish the bp pulse Gigahub network, a series of large, EV fast-charging hubs designed to serve ride-hail and taxi fleets near U.S. airports and high-demand locations across the nation. The first planned location would be built near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in collaboration with Hertz and is partially funded by a grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC).
The CEC is providing a $2 million grant award to support the proposed project near LAX, and would have bp pulse leading the installation and management of the charging infrastructure, including the use of its proprietary ‘Omega’ charge management software that optimizes the cost of charging. The bp pulse Gigahub site would be located at one of Hertz’s sites near LAX.
Natrion Solid State Batteries Perform
Natrion, a leader in solid-state electric vehicle battery technology, revealed data on the performance of its patented compounds in lithium-metal anode pouch cells. The results showed a dramatic milestone in commercial solid-state Li-metal battery feasibility by demonstrating high C-rate capability and cycle life without the use of stack pressure. This data, a major advancement for Natrion, adds to the body of research around the viability of solid-state batteries (SSBs) for use in electric vehicles (EVs).
Previously, Natrion published data showing its proprietary material, LISIC278, delivering superior performance in standard pouch cells using graphite anodes. In this further round of testing, Natrion created new coin cells and pouch cells using a LISIC278 solid-state electrolyte separator and a lithium-metal anode composed of 5-micrometer-thick lithium-coated copper foil. They also added their newest product, a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)-forming wetting agent called M3 that stabilizes the Li-metal, suppresses dendrites, and facilitates cycling at high coulombic efficiency without the need for external stack pressure on the cell.
- Near-zero fire risk
- 50%+ greater energy density vs state-of-the-art graphite anode due to improved volumetric and gravimetric efficiency (reduced total cell stack thickness)
- High cycle life and C-rate capability: 320 cycles demonstrated at 2C (30 min charge time) and 100% depth-of-discharge with 98% retention
- 420 to 450 miles of potential range on a single charge in an EV application, for a total of 145,000+ driving miles without loss of performance
- Viability to deliver these metrics without the use of stack pressure due to M3
Natrion’s data may be the first and only known instance of a high cycle life and high C-rate with zero additional stack pressure. It is not known whether any other entity has been previously able to prove these conditions until now; while others in the industry have also demonstrated high cyclability, they have achieved this with either a much longer charge time or the use of significant external pressure.//
“We are honored to join today’s clean school bus event with Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael Regan in Seattle. We too see Seattle as a community at the forefront of sustainability and innovation in student transportation. We commend both the Administration and our district partners for their shared commitment to innovation, equity and sustainability for school transportation. We have been working diligently toward driving an industry-wide shift to transition the nation’s 500,000 school buses from diesel to electric, leading the industry toward a zero emission future.
Zum Transitions to Electric by 2025
Zum is 100% carbon neutral today, and we are committed to transitioning 100% of our bus fleet to electric by the end of 2025, through Zum’s Net Zero initiative, with our first set of electric buses already deployed in the Bay Area. To take this commitment a step further, we are announcing today that we will begin to transition our fleet in Seattle to electric before the end of 2022.”
Nuvve Provides V2G for 10 School Districts
Nuvve Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: NVVE), a global cleantech company electrifying the planet through its intelligent energy platform, announced that 10 school district customers have received a combined $24,155,000 in funding through the EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program to support the deployment of 61 electric, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capable school buses and chargers in disadvantaged school districts across the United States. Nuvve and its school district customers will now begin activating their site design and development plans, procurement of Nuvve V2G-capable DC fast chargers and p
“As a country and a planet, we must continue to innovate our way forward as we shift away from diesel and other polluting fuels and power sources,” said Nuvve CEO and Chairman Gregory Poilasne. “Nuvve pioneered V2G technology in the U.S. and around the world. We’re glad the EPA is funding V2G-capable electric school buses as a smart investment in better renewable energy integration and grid reliability, as well as cleaner commutes for kids.”
Rebates are flowing to Nuvve’s school district customers in Arizona, Texas and California. California’s state regulatory agency recently added ESBs to an existing five-year pilot program known as the Emergency Load Reduction Program. Under ELRP, excess electricity discharged during grid emergencies earns $2 per kilowatt hour. Nuvve has two school districts and 14 active V2G chargers in San Diego County currently participating in the program, in addition to existing V2G deployments in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire and New York.
V2G-capable ESBs can generate additional revenues while also providing resiliency to the grid. This deployment of 61 ESBs could earn potential future grid service revenues of $4.4 million over the estimated useful life of the vehicle, depending on prevailing utility electric rates and rate structures, and assuming a maximum battery capacity of 155 kilowatt hours and 60 kilowatts of charging station capacity[1]. The V2G savings are in addition to diesel fuel savings and result from charging during off-peak periods and discharging during times of peak grid load when rates are highest. Nuvve’s proprietary GIVe™ software platform manages the vehicle charging and discharging, using predictive analytics to ensure bus batteries have more than enough charge for their scheduled routes. GIVe also meets the highest certification standards recognized by America’s leading utility providers to ensure its interoperability with other systems utilities use to manage distributed energy resources such as battery storage, rooftop solar and more.
“V2G is a world-class technology that all school districts need to embrace. When we learned how we could improve the air our students and drivers breathe while also generating a steady source of revenue for our district, we were sold,” said Katie Delano, Director of Transportation Services, Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, a district of 11 schools and 4,500 students in Fresno County, California. “Nuvve has been there with us throughout this process, and we look forward to leaning on their expertise from site design to deployment.”
For school districts that did not receive grants in the 2022 cycle, Nuvve’s joint venture, Levo Mobility, also provides a fleet-as-a-service solution with no upfront costs. Nuvve is also ready to assist districts with upcoming and open grant programs. Grant and fundraising services for school districts’ V2G electric school bus projects are also available via Nuvve’s grants team.
Lear Corp. Selected by GM
Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, announced it has been selected by General Motors to exclusively supply the Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU) on all full-size SUVs and trucks built on the automaker’s Ultium EV Platform through 2030.
Lear is working with state and local officials on a plan to open a new manufacturing facility in Michigan with an anticipated investment exceeding $80 million. The site, which will manufacture BDUs and other electrification components, is expected to generate $500 million in annual electrification sales when it reaches full production.
PG&E V2G Rates
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has received approval to establish the nation’s first “vehicle-to-grid” (V2G) export compensation mechanism for commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging customers in its California service area. The V2G export rate promotes EV adoption by providing upfront incentives to help commercial customers offset fleet costs and delivers an innovative solution for these vehicles to export power back to support the grid during peak energy demand periods.
The groundbreaking settlement agreement with the Vehicle-Grid Integration Council (VGIC), Electrify America LLC and the Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) was adopted by the CPUC on Oct. 20, 2022. The rate is expected to increase participation from V2G school buses and other electric vehicles in response to near-real-time grid conditions and will be available to charging equipment paired with stationary energy storage systems, which can support the grid and provide backup power to charge vehicles during grid outages.
More than 420,000 EVs have been sold in PG&E’s service area, representing one in six EVs in the country. As large vehicles like school buses and commercial fleets continue to electrify, the opportunity grows for these vehicles to serve as crucial, flexible grid resources to support a more reliable, affordable and efficient energy system. Greater volumes of these vehicles on the road comes at a critical time, as peak energy demand challenges California’s grid and novel solutions like V2G emerge.
“The adoption of the nation’s first V2G export rate aligns with our core focus of proactively preparing the grid, increasing access to EV infrastructure, and supporting EV adoption through rates, rebates, tools, and education,” said Aaron August, PG&E Vice President, Utility Partnerships and Innovation.
This new export rate structure, in the nation’s largest EV market, can serve as a guide for additional innovative rate structures across the country. As utility regulators, state agencies and industry partners continue to move forward with policy and market design in this dynamic space, VGIC is committed to advancing the role of smart EV charging and discharging through policy development, education, outreach, and research to support transportation and electric sector decarbonization.
“The CPUC’s decision is a strong step forward for Californians and in support of the state’s grid, implementing the nation’s first dynamic export rate for EV charging customers,” Ed Burgess, VGIC Policy Director, said. “As ever-greater numbers of EVs hit the roads, this innovative rate option will allow EV owners to further benefit from their investment in clean transportation. Leveraging the capability of EVs as a grid resource will help integrate more clean energy into our power system, reduce energy bills for all utility customers, and support California’s ambitious decarbonization goals. We appreciate PG&E’s constructive approach to supporting this program, and believe it serves as a guidepost for other forward-looking energy providers to follow across the country.”
PG&E is committed to providing easy-to-use and affordable clean transportation programs and incentives that help redefine the energy landscape to support California’s clean air and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and collective action on climate change.
As part of PG&E’s 2030 targets, the company is aiming to proactively prepare the grid for 12,000 GWh of EV-related electric load and improve processes to enable rapid, safe EV energization and interconnection. It’s also working to enable 2 million EVs to participate in vehicle-grid integration applications, allowing EVs to be a cornerstone of both reliability and resilience. PG&E offers a wide variety of resources and programs to support its commercial and residential EV customers.
GreenPower Ready for EPA Funding
– GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission, electric-powered, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, lauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its announcement of the selectees that are eligible for nearly $1 billion in funding to school districts across the nation to cause the transition to zero-emission school buses. The funding represents the first offering under the five-year, $5 billion Clean School Bus Program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed last year.
Under the EPA announcement, the Type D GreenPower BEAST all-electric school bus is eligible for $375,000 in grant funding through the program for priority school districts and the Type A all-electric GreenPower Nano BEAST is eligible for $285,000 in grant funding in the priority districts. With either Type GreenPower school bus, an additional $20,000 in federal grant funding will be awarded by the EPA for each GreenPower all-electric school bus purchased in the priority districts for charging infrastructure. GreenPower has both BEASTs and Nano BEASTs manufactured and in inventory ready for immediate sale, delivery and deployment under the program.