Features

A TrendForce report on the “Development of Solid-State Batteries for NEVs” has news for the EV industry: Automakers are actively ramping up their investments and research into solid-state batteries, which are expected to enter mass production by 2030.

Those hesitant to put a toe in the EV market might reconsider now that a group of automakers plans to add 30,000 charging stations in North America.

Last week’s announcement that seven major automakers are partnering to build a new network of 30,000 EV chargers in North America by the end of the decade received plenty of attention. What are those in the industry saying now – after the dust has settled a bit?

With the installation of new charge points not keeping pace with the number of EVs on the road, improving the reliability of the existing charging network is even more critical. David Cornish, head of product at Techniche, tells EVC&I that charger reliability is well below requirements both in the UK and US.

A need for increased charging infrastructure remains a significant barrier to EV adoption.  To locate the optimum locations for new charging points, data about EV usage patterns is required, however, gathering this data has historically been challenging. 

David Hytch of turnkey EV charging stations provider Pluscharge discusses all things EV charging, including the need to remove payments friction, how a lot of schemes are on hold due to lack of on-site electricity, and how flexible chargepoint advertising benefits both advertisers and site owners.

Motorway services operator Moto Hospitality is one of the UK's biggest deployers of EV charging infrastructure. Chief executive Ken McMeikan says that rapidly escalating EV numbers means a lot more energy will be needed, but more joined up thinking from government and utilities will be required to achieve this.

Range anxiety is not the main issue for EV drivers, it's 'destination desperation'. Most public AC chargers do not accept contactless payments, and the myriad of different operators usually require drivers to set up an account and download an app. The situation is ridiculous and acting as a deterrent to EV ownership, argues Colin Sowman.

EV charging expert Matt Bloom, director of partnerships at AmpUp, talks to EVC&I about the impact of the charging link-up between the three automotive giants.

A number of key barriers, including the perceived risk of charging safety, are causing women to be left behind in the electrification of cars.

Paul Routledge, UK & Ireland head at EV charging solutions provider Charge Amps, says more government investment is needed around both charging infrastructure and getting a positive message to potential electric vehicle users about the range of charging opportunities if EV migration targets are to be met.

Prieto Battery, a specialist in advanced lithium-ion battery technology, has unveiled the most recent prototype of its patented 3D interdigitated battery.

EVC&I reader Phil Woodgate has written in with a real-life view of the EV charging experience while on holiday in Sweden. It sheds some light on the need for more investment in charging infrastructure to improve current levels of user-friendliness.

The latest study by Upgraded Points sets gas cars against electric vehicles to see which vehicle is truly the most economical on five American road trips. 

The word “uptime” has generated a great deal of conversation in the US EV charging industry. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has mandated “that each charging port must have an average annual uptime greater than 97 percent.” The target has been established, and now it’s up to the industry to meet it. Pete Kennedy reports.