EV News Round Up

As the final month of summer approaches, more electric vehicles and clean energy news continues to churn in our world. Former Tesla engineers have launched Lightship Energy with a focus on making electric RVs and airstream trailers. Ford is developing a robotic EV charger to help disabled drivers as well as using LFP batteries to meet demand while USPS ordered more EVs for its mail-delivery fleet! Let us know your thoughts @REACHStrategies and we hope you are staying safe.  

Cars/Buses/Trucks

• Lightship Energy, a startup by former Tesla workers, is focusing on electric RVs and other items, like solar panels for charging, and EV skateboards. 
• Cadillac has announced a new high-end luxury EV called the Celestiq as the company continues to work towards being an all-electric brand. 

Smart Features

• Ford is in the process of creating a charging station that plugs in by itself and is operated entirely by smartphone. The company is hoping this can be an aid to disabled drivers who may have a hard time getting in and out of their vehicle and require extra assistance. 

Legislation/Reports

• The Department of Energy announced it would release $96 million to help fund projects that contribute to the EV charging infrastructure and the decarbonization of the current transportation sector. 
• Arizona’s DOT is working with the infrastructure firm AECOM to develop and construct an EV charging network to help residents adopt EVs and ensure out-of-state residents will be able to travel through the state without range anxiety. 

EV for Business

• USPS announced its new fleet of mail delivery trucks will be 40% electrified? electric? instead of the 10% they had originally announced to meet environmental standards set by President Biden’s administration. 
• As Ford ramps up its EV process, 8000 ICE workers were cut as the company looks to focus on electrification. While it’s great that Ford is increasing its electrification efforts, it causes us to consider why the manufacturing giant couldn’t retrain its workers as the electric mobility industry will only continue to grow? 

Hardware

• Schumacher Electric is the newest company to enter the charging market with Level 2 chargers that are for residential and commercial use and enabled with smart technology. 
• Ford is going to use LFP batteries in upcoming EVs to help meet its goal of manufacturing 600,000 EVs by the end of 2023. LFP cells can charge to 100% without any battery degradation, but need various thermal assistance when charging in cold weather.