EV Power Pulse Issue #16

Current EVents

EV Industry Updates

ChargePoint partners with AcBel and Kinpo on EV charging hardware

ChargePoint, whose struggles we’ve discussed in previous issues, has forged a strategic partnership with AcBel Polytech Inc., a renowned power supply manufacturer and subsidiary of the Kinpo Group. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in ChargePoint’s evolution under new CEO Rick Wilmer. 

AcBel, boasting 40 years of expertise in power design, will collaborate in co-designing hardware for ChargePoint's EV charging solutions. The partnership extends beyond the two companies’ existing manufacturing agreement, now tapping into AcBel’s design capabilities to augment R&D efforts. This initiative is anticipated to accelerate product development, enabling faster market entry and cost efficiencies while maintaining high standards of quality and reliability. 

Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint, has emphasized the confidence he has in the Kinpo Group as a manufacturing partner and envisions that the expanded partnership will accelerate the introduction of new products while achieving substantial cost savings.

In 2024, it appears that strategic partnerships are emerging as the immediate path forward for EV charging networks, evident from this ChargePoint announcement and the recent IONNA news. Harnessing the combined strengths of AcBel and Kinpo may prove instrumental in stopping ChargePoint’s decline and perhaps even catalyzing a turnaround. 

ChargePoint has a challenging road ahead, though, especially with the looming threat posed by the substantial resources of the IONNA network. When I previously wrote about ChargePoint, I speculated that they might be moving toward a sale. It’s possible they could garner sufficient momentum through strategic partnerships, like this one, or even mergers to maintain their position as a charging industry leader.

–Steve

Automotive Charging Solutions (ACS) and EV Connect are partnering to deliver world-class EV charging solutions to the hospitality industry. With ACS and EV Connect, you get a turnkey solution that provides industry-leading equipment, software, and EV charging network solutions, preferred pricing with flexible financing options, dedicated project and account management, and 24/7 technical support.

Power and Policy

Biden Administration slowing the shift to EVs?

The Biden Administration is potentially revising its ambitious strategy to address climate change by easing tailpipe emission limits, a decision perceived as a compromise with automakers and labor unions. The initial proposal, put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last spring, aimed for a significant overhaul of the American automobile market, targeting 67% of new cars and light-duty trucks to be all-electric by 2032.

A number of press accounts have indicated that Instead of mandating a rapid escalation in EV sales over the next few years, automakers will be granted an extended timeline, with a significant surge not required until after 2030. Automakers contend that this adjustment affords them the necessary runway to invest in charging infrastructure and reduce EV costs, pivotal elements in driving consumer adoption. A formal announcement from the Biden Administration could come as soon as this month.

The Administration’s decision to ease their ambitious goals reflects the influence of labor unions, as they advocated for a more gradual compliance timeline to address workforce-related issues. Given that labor support is a key component of Biden's political coalition, the adjustment aims to alleviate concerns raised by unions, particularly regarding potential job losses during the transition to electric vehicles.

This development comes at a crucial time for the EV industry. Despite a record 1.2M EVs sold in the U.S. last year, growth is decelerating. Challenges such as qualifying for federal tax credits and the necessity for expanded charging infrastructure hinder broader consumer adoption, prompting the Administration to ease its strategy.

While this deceleration represents a temporary setback, it also serves as a much-needed recalibration. Automakers have been scaling back on their ambitious EV objectives in response to sluggish consumer demand, and the impacts of this trend have reverberated throughout the supply chain. By easing off the accelerator, the Biden Administration is affording the EV industry much-needed time to grow sustainably.

–Rob 

EV Workforce Solutions

SkillFusion launches EV charging technician training program

SkillFusion has recently launched a program designed to saturate the market with highly-trained Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) diagnostic technicians. With the increasing number of charging stations being deployed, drivers are transitioning from range anxiety to charging anxiety as malfunctioning charging stations become a prevalent concern. 

Despite there being 138,100 charging stations available across the United States, the unfortunate truth is that encountering a non-functioning charger remains an all-too-common frustration for EV drivers. SkillFusion is poised to confront this challenge directly. 

Anchored on a charger-agnostic platform, the program seeks to match skilled professionals with opportunities in the EV sector. It bridges the divide between general technical skills and EV-specific demands through a comprehensive virtual training curriculum encompassing networking, technical support, and cybersecurity. The training not only delves into technical facets but also addresses the complete operational and maintenance lifecycle of public EV charging infrastructure.

SkillFusion's latest offering, the EVSE Diagnostic Technician (EDT) certification program, represents an unprecedented advancement in the industry. Beyond ensuring safety by delineating between electrical and non-electrical tasks, this program also unlocks broader career pathways within the expanding EV sector.

Upon completing the training, these versatile technicians can enlist in the most extensive database of EVSE technicians for hire. Given the thousands of EV charging stations presently non-operational in the United States and thousands more slated to open in the coming years, this program couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune moment.

SkillFusion's training and certification program aims not only to satisfy the growing demand for skilled technicians but also to ensure reliable charging infrastructure keeps pace with the rate of EV adoption.

–Steve and Rob

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Until next time, stay charged!
- Steve and Rob