EV Power Pulse Issue #6

Current EVents

Power and Policy

DOT accelerating EV charging project delivery

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is taking steps to fast-track the installation of EV charging stations. Two weeks ago, DOT adopted a Department of Energy Electric Vehicle Charging Station Categorical Exclusion (CE) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), allowing for faster implementation of crucial EV infrastructure.

This adoption leverages a provision in the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA). The DOT's forward-thinking approach empowers state and local governments to expedite the creation of a comprehensive, convenient, and reliable EV charging network. Through the CE, DOT ensures that a substantial portion of its $7.5B investment in EV charging infrastructure can benefit from a streamlined environmental review process.

The DOT's application of the FRA is the first since its enactment by President Biden in June 2023. It underscores the Administration's commitment to advancing EV charging infrastructure and enhancing project delivery.

One advantage of this initiative is its support for non-traditional grantees who may be less familiar with existing processes. The framework provided by the Department of Energy's EV Charging CE simplifies procedures for those less versed in the Federal Highway Administration's current CEs. The CEs already cover a range of EV projects, but they typically require a level of familiarity with the NEPA process.

This move aligns seamlessly with the DOT's broader strategy to improve project delivery while maintaining rigorous environmental protections. Recently, the DOT deployed $100M in new funding through the Inflation Reduction Act geared towards providing technical assistance to direct grant recipients, expanding support for local and tribal governments, and contributing to the modernization of the NEPA process.

Furthermore, in July 2023, the DOT inaugurated the Project Delivery Center of Excellence at the USDOT Volpe Center. This center serves as a hub to propel forward the goals outlined in President Biden's Investing in America agenda.

It’s a positive sign that DOT is showing increased urgency in meeting the EV charging infrastructure needs of our evolving transportation landscape. Project delays stemming from supply chain and procedural issues have slowed the implementation of EV charging stations in the US, so this step should help projects more easily clear some of those hurdles.

–Rob

EV Industry Updates

Navigating the Energy Crossroads: Big Oil Bets on the EV Future

Major petroleum companies continue to assess their options as the energy landscape evolves. Recently, BP, Shell, Exxon, and Chevron have taken steps to stake their claims in the EV charging industry or avoid it altogether. What these companies do today is sure to have an outsized impact on our expanding EV infrastructure. Here, we’ll examine recent announcements from these petroleum giants.

Shell is a leading player in EV charging with 140,000 charge points in its Shell Recharge network and, in April, committed to expanding up to 500,000 globally by 2025. Their acquisition of Volta, a company specializing in high-traffic EV charging stations with integrated advertising screens, has positioned Shell as one of the leading operators of public EV charging networks in the US.

However, it was their latest overseas EV charging announcement that made headlines. Shell, in partnership with Chinese car manufacturer Build Your Dreams, opened the largest EV charging station in the world—the Shell Recharge Shenzhen Airport EV Station. It has 258 fast-charging points and claims to be able to serve 3,300 EVs in a day by pulling significant power from its rooftop solar panels. This is a significant milestone and a testament to Shell’s commitment to the electric vehicle revolution

Meanwhile, BP is also moving beyond the gas pumps with plans to increase EV charging points from 22,000 to over 100,000 by 2030. The London-based oil and gas leader is crafting an integrated energy strategy as it looks toward the future, acknowledging the importance of balancing conventional energy with emerging, cleaner alternatives.

Chevron’s tech investment arm, Chevron Technology Ventures, recently invested in Electric Era, an innovative startup incorporating batteries to mitigate grid demand. Its investment in Electric Era signals a willingness to support and explore novel solutions within the EV charging ecosystem. Previously, Chevron Technology Ventures invested in ChargePoint, and Chevron’s gas stations partnered with EVgo as a preferred charging station provider.

Interestingly, in a departure from traditional EV charging investments, Exxon Mobil Corp is carving a unique path by focusing on technology for direct air capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide. Exxon sees potential in the nascent DAC industry if costs decrease and efficiency improves at scale. They’ve decided to stay out of the EV charging space (at least for now) because they don’t believe they can find a competitive advantage, which may be true given the head start the other petroleum corporations currently enjoy.

As the petroleum giants strategically position themselves in the EV charging arena, their actions highlight an industry in flux, transitioning towards cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. The marriage of traditional energy players with the EV charging sector speaks to the intricate balance between established practices and the growing demand for cleaner alternatives.

–Steve

EVs Overseas: Learning from European Charging Infrastructure

The US has the third-largest EV charging network in the world, with over 128,000 public chargers. By comparison, China has 1.8M public chargers, and the EU has 550,000. The US also has a lower ratio of public chargers to EVs than both China and Europe, with one public charger for every 18 EVs in the US, compared to one public charger for every seven EVs in China and one for every ten EVs in the EU.

In the EU, high-income levels among a climate-conscious populace, strong government support for EV purchases, and extensive public/private build-out of key EV charging infrastructure have been supportive factors behind the region's adoption of EVs. An example of this public/private sector coordination is reflected in the photo below a friend shared with me from Italy, in which an EV was charging from a plug from a streetlight. While there are a few US cities beginning to install EV chargers at street lamps, this is far from the norm due to permits, costs, and the threat of vandalism

In this section, we’ll look at aspects of the EU’s EV charging landscape to explore what other countries are doing right and what the US can learn. First, we’ll revisit the EU’s sweeping summer legislation aimed at covering their highways with EV chargers—but not just any chargers.

The EU is mandating the installation of fast charging stations, each offering a minimum of 150kW of power, every 60km along the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) highways by 2025. By the end of 2025, core road network charging stations must offer a total output of 400kW, increasing to 600kW by the end of 2027. This not only accommodates existing EV capabilities but also anticipates the evolving needs of future models, promising a seamless charging experience.

That level of standardization and forward-thinking is aspirational in the US EV charging space. Consider, as well, that European EV chargers all share the same standard plug, something that Joint Office Executive Director Gabe Klein openly acknowledged would improve the EV charging experience in the US as well.

Additionally, a standout feature of the EU regulation for any EV driver whose phone is full of various charging apps is its emphasis on ad-hoc payments. EV owners can make payments using cards or contactless devices without the need for subscriptions. Further enhancing the user experience, operators must also electronically display clear information on prices, wait times, and availability at their charging points.

It's evident that Europe is not merely investing in EV infrastructure but is shaping a future where charging is efficient, standardized, and accessible for all. This prompts questions about the current state of US EV infrastructure.

Can we achieve this level of charging standardization when our EV charging infrastructure is significantly more fractured across various private-sector players? Will we ever have enough public investment and ownership to achieve novel, convenient EV charging concepts like streetlight chargers?

The EV infrastructure in Europe is kilometers ahead of us, and they’re continuing to build their lead. It’s exciting to see what’s possible from afar, but we hope to see some of these achievements translate to the US, too.

–Steve and Rob

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Until next time, stay charged!
- Steve and Rob