EV Power Pulse Issue #19

Current EVents

EV Industry Updates

EVPassport and Associa partner on EV charging for managed communities

Associa, the largest residential community management service in North America, will soon be integrating EVPassport's infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) platform into its network of managed communities. The partnership will provide over five million residents with access to reliable charging infrastructure.

The partnership aims to meet the rising demand for convenient and user-friendly charging infrastructure, crucial for communities striving to cater to residents’ evolving needs amid the surging growth of EVs.

Associa's collaboration with EVPassport mirrors the growing trend of commercial partnerships within the EV industry, offering Associa an opportunity to enhance tenant satisfaction and retention rates. With EVPassport’s advanced charging solution, Associa not only addresses the current demands of EV drivers, but also future-proofs their communities.

EVPassport's extensive deployment of chargers across 35 states, Canada, and Mexico ensures that Associa residents can rely on a charging network with an impressive uptime of 99.97%.

The partnership marks another milestone for EVPassport, following its successful $200M funding round in October 2023. With increasing attention on multifamily residential charging, I believe this strategic partnership may kickstart a series of similar partnerships in the coming year.

–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. Click to find out more. 

Power and Policy

NEVI Update: Where are all the chargers?

It’s been two years since the NEVI program began, yet only five states have opened NEVI-funded charging stations. Critics of the Biden Administration’s EV infrastructure goals perceive this slow rollout as a cause for concern. However, there’s a rationale behind the deliberate pace.

“We are building this national framework from scratch, partnering with states to set plans, and we want to make sure we are taking appropriate care to set this program up correctly,″ Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt explained in an interview. The scale of this initiative requires careful planning and execution, and it appears we’re now entering the execution phase. 

On April 2nd, Maine became the fifth state with operational NEVI chargers. Supported by a $15M federal grant, Maine intends to deploy 62 Level 3 fast charging ports and 520 Level 2 ports across 63 cities and towns. Legislative concerns regarding the state’s electric grid have slowed Maine’s efforts to accelerate EV adoption.

Meanwhile, Virginia announced receiving $11M in NEVI funds to expand their charging infrastructure across 18 different sites. Oklahoma allocated $8.8M for 13 high-speed charging stations, with Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores investing $5.65M in eight of them. Indiana also announced 39 sites for NEVI-funded EV charging stations statewide, with construction expected to begin in the next 12-18 months. 

While we’re still far from the Biden Administration’s goal of 500,000 chargers, these NEVI stations are progressing. States are also increasingly investing in chargers beyond NEVI. Expanding infrastructure at this scale takes time, but the pace is picking up. 

–Rob 

Emerging EV Tech

The first EV charging highway is under construction

Purdue University and the Indiana Department of Transportation are leading a ground-breaking initiative: the creation of the nation's first EV charging highway. While trials for roads with wireless charging capabilities have been performed before, this highway project aims to push the boundaries even further.

Set to be constructed along US Highway 231/US Highway 52 in West Lafayette, this collaborative effort holds the promise for a major advancement in US EV infrastructure. 

At the core of this project lies a patent-pending system designed to power heavy-duty electric trucks as they traverse highways at full speed. This breakthrough has the potential to establish a blueprint for EV-charging highways nationwide, significantly reducing range anxiety for vehicles of all sizes, from sedans to large semi-trucks. 

By reducing the need for frequent recharging stops and addressing concerns over inadequate EV infrastructure, these highways could accelerate the widespread adoption of electric mobility. Construction on the test bed began on April 1, with components testing scheduled for next year. 

This initiative underscores the importance of heavy-duty trucks in emissions reducing efforts. EV charging highways could also facilitate the adoption of smaller, more affordable batteries for these vehicles, making them economically viable for companies committed to sustainability.

–Steve and Rob

How to further connect with us

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Until next time, stay charged!
- Steve and Rob