EV Power Pulse Issue #23

Current EVents

EV Industry Updates

How AI Could Impact EV Charging

As EV adoption increases globally, the performance of the charging infrastructure supporting these vehicles must keep pace with the growing demand. Artificial intelligence (AI) will play an important role in how EV charging stations are deployed, operated, and integrated with grid systems. 

From improving energy management to enhancing the user experience, AI's ability to process large amounts of data and identify patterns will allow companies to better manage fluctuating energy demands and balance grid loads. This will create a more efficient, reliable, and user-friendly charging ecosystem.

AI will significantly improve energy utilization and grid resilience. AI algorithms can analyze real-time data on energy demand, grid capacity, user behavior, and renewable energy availability to dynamically adjust charging schedules. This not only minimizes costs and reduces charging times but also improves grid stability by preventing overloads and outages.

A recent pilot study by the University of Michigan and Utilidata showcased AI’s ability to prevent equipment degradation and power outages at charging stations. By installing AI-powered platforms, the study found that real-time data collection and analysis could predict and prevent issues before they occurred, ensuring reliable service for EV owners.

AI also allows for dynamic pricing models that adjust rates based on time of day, demand, and renewable energy supply. Dynamic pricing incentivizes off-peak charging, therefore reducing strain on the grid. As AI continues to advance, these pricing models will become increasingly sophisticated, further improving energy usage and costs.

AI will also revolutionize the user experience for EV owners. AI-powered systems can provide personalized charging recommendations based on driving habits, real-time status updates, and charging experiences tailored to individual needs. AI can even direct users to the nearest available charger or suggest optimal charging times based on historical usage patterns and pricing.

Finally, AI is accelerating the development and testing of advanced battery technologies, a critical piece of the EV ecosystem. By improving the chemistry, design, manufacturing, and testing protocols, AI can reduce the time and resources needed for battery testing from years to weeks.

As the world transitions towards ubiquitous electrified transportation, AI will play an increasingly significant role. I’m particularly interested in watching how emerging startup companies use AI to help make charging networks more resilient, efficient, and user-friendly.

–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

Biden Opens Applications for $1.3B in Funding for US EV Charging Network

The Biden-Harris Administration has opened applications for $1.3B in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. 

This historic funding opportunity, the largest single grant program for EV charging in U.S. history, complements the $5B NEVI program aimed at establishing a nationwide network of high-speed EV chargers along interstate highways. While NEVI focuses on building the "backbone" of chargers along major travel corridors, the CFI program will fund chargers in urban and rural communities, multi-family housing, and other locations where vehicles are parked.

The CFI program grants will help connect the NEVI corridor charging network to communities, increasing flexibility for developers and accelerating the overall deployment of charging infrastructure. The grant program increases the maximum distance from a designated corridor from 1 mile to 5 miles for EV charging projects, allowing more strategic placement of chargers to link corridors with communities.

The funding will be distributed through a competitive application process, with applications due by August 28, 2024. The program emphasizes the need for projects that can demonstrate community impact, innovation, and alignment with federal clean energy goals.

This week, the Administration received criticism over what many perceive to be a slow build-out of NEVI-funded chargers along highway corridors. This $1.3B investment will significantly accelerate progress by allowing for the coordinated deployment of chargers along highways through NEVI as well as in communities through the CFI program. 

This massive funding will drive a major expansion of charger installations over the next few years, quickly filling public charging gaps that have slowed wider EV adoption. Rather than a fragmented rollout, this coordinated nationwide strategy will create a ubiquitous public charging network, lessening anxiety related to range and charger availability and increasing EV adoption.

–Rob 

Emerging EV Tech

Leap, SWTCH Enhance Multi-Tenant EV Charging

Startup companies like Leap and SWTCH Energy are working together to increase charging access to multi-family properties. The two companies have formed a strategic partnership to introduce virtual power plants (VPPs) for multi-tenant charging infrastructure in New York and Massachusetts.

VPPs coordinate distributed energy resources like EVs and solar panels to feed electricity back into the grid or reduce consumption during peak periods. This concept gained prominence when Tesla launched a Texas VPP program after the 2021 grid crisis.

The Leap-SWTCH partnership integrates Leap's automated VPP software with SWTCH's EV charging network, creating new revenue streams from demand response and grid services. The partnerships addresses a significant gap by bringing advanced energy tech to underserved multi-tenant properties.

The collaboration between these two companies can help solve the lack of EV charging access in multifamily buildings, where 31% of US households reside, a problem the Joint Office identified in February.

Improving charging accessibility across all communities requires deliberate planning, coordination, and unique partnerships like this one. We expect to see more early-stage and growth-stage companies, like Leap and SWTCH Energy, working together to solve these infrastructure challenges.

–Steve and Rob

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Until next time, stay charged!
- Steve and Rob