EVPowerPulse Issue #33

Blink Charging partners with Stable Auto, the first EVC-RAA funded charging station opens, and we examine battery-backed charging stations.

Author

Steve Taylor
October 26, 2024

Illustrated by Kaylin Duynstee

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Here are this issue’s 3 big stories:

  • Blink Charging and Stable Auto launch AI-powered partnership to increase network efficiency.

  • The first EV charging station funded by the Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program is now operational.

  • Electric Era whitepaper makes the case for battery-backed EV fast-charging stations.

Plus, featured news and jobs.

Enjoy,

–Steve 

Current EVents

EV Industry Updates

Blink Charging has announced a strategic partnership with Stable Auto to enhance its EV charging network using advanced AI modeling. This collaboration focuses on improving site utilization and efficiency across Blink’s network.

Stable Auto’s AI-powered solutions analyze data from tens of thousands of public EV chargers across the U.S., offering insights that reduce deployment risks and increase profitability. Leveraging this data-driven approach, Blink can now adjust pricing dynamically based on regional energy costs and demand, extending its strategy of “right charger, right place, right time” to include “right price.”

Blink piloted Stable’s Network Operations, resulting in several key wins;

  • The platform corrected and managed site mapping app listings, recommended price adjustments, and measured user sentiment across Blink’s charging locations.

  • The pilot resulted in a 34% net revenue improvement on over 200 EV chargers.

  • Due to the success of the pilot, Blink is now rolling out Stable’s Network Operations across its entire charging network.

This partnership is expected to bring several improvements to Blink's network, including enhanced accuracy of the Blink network app and partner mapping applications, more chargers listed in outside apps, and increased options for drivers to find charging stations.

Steve's Take:

The 34% revenue boost across 60 locations in Blink’s pilot highlights how AI-driven optimization is transforming EV charging.

AI will continue to reshape charging infrastructure, enabling smarter charger placement, dynamic pricing, and predictive maintenance to reduce downtime. AI’s impact on operations, maintenance, and user experience will only improve in the months and years ahead.

I expect more large companies like Blink will partner with early-stage companies like Stable Auto. These partnerships give big players access to new technology and agile teams at a lower cost than developing in-house, while startups benefit from access to capital, distribution, and accelerated growth.

–Steve

Power and Policy

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has announced the opening of the nation’s first EV charging station funded by the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility (EVC-RAA) program in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Located at a welcome center near Interstate 90 and Minnesota Highway 169, this project marks progress toward the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of installing 500,000 operational EV chargers by 2030.

Funded by the $150M EVC-RAA program, which is set to repair 4,500 existing charging ports nationwide, the site upgraded its fast charger to a higher-power unit, offering both Combined Charging System and CHAdeMO connectors, along with a dual-port Level 2 charger.

Gabe Klein, Executive Director of the Joint Office, highlighted the joint effort as “is a great example of the progress that can be made when different entities, including state departments of transportation, communities, the Department of Energy, and the Federal Highway Administration, come together to effectively build out the national EV charging network.

Rob's Take:

The opening of Minnesota's EVC-RAA funded charging station represents a tangible milestone in the Biden Administration's push for reliable and accessible EV infrastructure. This first completed project gives us a preview of how this program will continue through its rollout. By upgrading an existing charger in a high-traffic, multi-use location, the program is addressing both reliability concerns and user convenience. 

The EVC-RAA’s $150M allocation to repair 4,500 charging ports will be a needed support to our growing infrastructure. It offers a pragmatic approach that could significantly enhance user experience while maximizing the return on previous infrastructure investments. As the EVC-RAA program continues to roll out, I’ll be interested to see its actual impact on overall charger reliability and user satisfaction.

–Rob 

Emerging EV Tech

Electric Era has released a technical white paper detailing its battery-backed EV fast charging solution, which combines grid power with onsite battery storage. This approach addresses key challenges in EV charging, such as high power demands and grid constraints, while maintaining fast charging speeds.

The paper outlines a three-step process for optimizing station configurations;

  • Determining the number and output of charging ports

  • Assessing instantaneous power needs of the station at different utilizations.

  • Balancing power supply between the grid and battery storage

A standout feature of the system is the use of smaller, easier-to-install transformers, with battery storage handling peak demand to reduce grid strain. Electric Era has deployed battery-backed stations across the U.S., completing over 3,700 charging sessions with an uptime of more than 99.5%.

Steve's Take:

As the EV market continues to grow, battery-backed charging stations will play an increasingly important role. Their ability to provide fast charging in areas with limited grid capacity, combined with the ease of installation and ability to lower costs over time, make battery-backed charging solutions a compelling option for many station owners.

While other charging solutions will remain important in high-traffic urban areas with strong electrical infrastructure, battery-backed stations offer distinct advantages. I believe their flexibility, faster deployment, and ability to bypass grid limitations will drive wider adoption of battery-backed charging stations over time.

–Steve

Featured Jobs

You can find more EV industry jobs here.

EV INDUSTRY STAT OF THE WEEK

Electric Era highlights that deploying EV fast-charging stations presents significant challenges. Each station can draw power comparable to that used by 1,000 homes on a city block, making energy access both costly and complex.

Premium Membership

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⚡️Steve and Rob

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