Category

EV Chargers

In Automotive Industry, Electric Vehicles, EV Chargers, Fleet Vehicles

Volvo’s New Solutions Ease the Transition to Electric for Trucking Fleets

Volvo electric trucks

At Recharge America we like to reflect on the many benefits that accrue when we begin to electrify major areas of the economy. This week we’re celebrating a recent announcement from Volvo that puts those benefits on full display.

Volvo electric trucksVolvo has debuted a program to make fleet conversions to electric a smooth transition for their heavy-duty vehicle customers. As reported this week by Fleet Owner magazine, Volvo’s services are available to all of their North American trucking customers (VTNA).

According to the article, Volvo has partnered with two equipment providers to make EV experts available to any VTNA customers who want to explore their options. Fleet operators will work with representatives from InCharge Energy or Gilbarco Veeder-Root to figure out how much charging they’ll need, how to source and install the equipment, and even the financing for it. VTNA customers will have the ability to choose either sourcing and purchasing the equipment themselves or purchasing charging stations through a VTNA requisition program. Perhaps the most innovative benefit to Volvo’s approach is that they will guarantee charging availability to their customers even while waiting for equipment to be obtained and installed. In other words, because the lead times for heavy-duty EVs and the chargers they require can be long and not in sync with each other, fleets could potentially end up in a situation where they’ve received EV trucks but don’t yet have a way to charge them. VTNA promises to cover that gap.

If you’re reading this and you’re not a heavy-duty fleet operator, you might be thinking “how is this relevant to me?” Fair question. But it’s actually an exciting development in a number of ways:

  1. Medium- and heavy-duty trucking accounts for almost 25% of all the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S. Not only that, but these vehicles have gotten significantly less-efficient over time: their emissions are up 78% from 1990 levels. Reducing emissions in this sector would go a long way toward cleaner air for everyone across the country.

  2. Trucks transport about 72% (by weight) of everything that moves around the country. Chances are that whatever you last purchased, ate, wore, or used spent some amount of time being transported on a truck. Trucking touches nearly every aspect of our lives.

  3. The biggest hurdle to EV adoption at any scale — whether it’s a heavy-duty fleet of 100 trucks or a personal vehicle around town — is charging infrastructure. Volvo’s proactive approach to simplifying fleet conversions signals a willingness to find solutions to that hurdle. Solving the problem at such a large scale makes individual, personal adoption seem easy by comparison. And that’s good news for all of us as well.
In Electric Vehicles, EV Chargers, EV Research

7 Tips on Moving from Concept to Execution with EV Charger Installations

The case for EV charging for businesses, facility and fleet managers continues to grow. EVs have lower energy and maintenance costs, and offering EV charging is a powerful incentive to attract employees and customers who drive electric.

However, making the decision to initiate a charging process is just one piece of a bigger puzzle. Once you have determined the type of chargers that make the most sense for your needs, careful planning is a must do. Our conversations with organizations who have successfully implemented EV charging programs of their own have provided a few tips for ensuring a successful process.

Tip 1: Incentives might be available! Take time to learn about possible tax credits and rebates: Federal and many state governments and local utilities offer a range of incentives to help you cover the cost of your EV charger stations. The Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act (the CAA) signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020 extends through the end of 2021 a federal tax credit of 30% of the cost of purchasing and installing EV charging stations (up to $1,000 for residential installations and up to $30,000 for commercial installations). The credits are retroactive through 2018. President Biden is also pledging to expand EV infrastructure by 500,000 chargers by 2030 and expand federal tax credits for EVs to cover more brands at a higher volume of credits.

Depending on where you live, you may also be able to get significant financial assistance from your state. In Massachusetts, for example, the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) provides grants for workplaces and multi-unit dwellings. For non-residential sites installing Level 2 charger that is accessible to the public for at least 12 hours a day, MassEVIP can provide up to $6,250 per port, and a maximum of $50,000 for hardware and software costs per site. You can look up state tax credits and rebates for your state on the US Department of Energy website.

Tip 2: Engage your power company: Your power company can be a valuable resource when it comes to planning an EV installation. Many power companies provide rebates for Level 2 chargers and can keep you informed about state and federal incentives. They can inform you of the limits of the electrical grid at your location so that you don’t exceed capacity. Your power company may also be able to refer you to reputable installation EV charger installation companies and provide you with incentives to use your EV charging equipment during off-peak hours.

Tip 3: Decide Whether to Charge to Charge: While some businesses decide to provide charging for free, others decide that their EV charging program will be easier to manage by charging a nominal fee, which helps cover the cost of electricity, opens up availability of the equipment to more drivers, and may be viewed as more equitable by those who don’t drive EVs. Fees can also be adjusted during off-peak periods using charger software. Experts recommend that even those looking to provide charging as a benefit (workplaces, malls) set a rate just above the local residential electric rate unless they know they have more chargers than will be used. That way people looking for a freebie won’t camp out, and the equipment will only be used by those who need it – and, given they need it, will appreciate the reasonable rate.

Tip 4: Consider (and plan for) recurring software fees: EV charging software can help you manage charging times for employees and encourage charging during off-peak hours. It can also help you keep track of how many drivers are using your chargers and for how long, as well as promoting the availability of fee-based charging stations for public use, thereby driving some incremental revenue. Management software also helps keep the equipment available for those that really need it. That said, costly recurring monthly EV charging software fees can add up over time, possibly reducing or eliminating economic benefits to your organization. In the end, deciding whether to go with “smart” chargers is a decision you should consider carefully, depending on your circumstances.

Tip 5: Site Selection Matters – Choose the charge location carefully:Siting your charging station(s) is dependent on several factors. Putting the chargers close to electricity may save money in the short term, but it is a decision that will have consequences for years to come. Should EVs be given the most desirable spaces in your lot? How will that be perceived by other drivers, particularly if parking space is limited? Unless it is far less expensive to put charging spots in desirable spaces, experts say it’s best not to do so. Also consider factors such as lighting for night use, visibility, in-out ease, and 24/7 availability. Make sure your EV spots feature signage clearly identifying them as EV-only parking to discourage traditional vehicles from parking in them.

Tip 6: Plan for Success: Based on charge installations to date, entities have found that when it comes to EVs and charging, the old cliche holds true, if you build it, they will come. After current charging is at capacity, what happens next? When you set up the wiring for chargers, consider adding extra capacity so that you can scale without ripping up concrete and asphalt again. If you have more EV drivers than charger plugs, you’ll have to manage that in a way that keeps EV drivers from feeling they are the victim of a bait and switch. One way to provide more flexibility is to make sure that each charger is accessible from multiple parking spots, not just one.

Tip 7: Consider how EV Drivers will Find Them: Depending on who the chargers are intended for, you might want to post public signs (including on nearby highways), list the chargers on PlugShare, or highlight them in your company newsletter.

These are a few key factors to consider when planning an EV charger installation. What are your charger questions and experiences? We’d love to hear from you.

(Thanks to EV Technical Consultant Chad Schwitters for his contributions to this post.)  

In Electric Vehicles, EV Chargers, Massachusetts, MassEVolves, Recharge Massachusetts, Uncategorized

MassEVolves Spotlight: AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca, a founding participant in MassEVolves that embraces sustainability on a global level, installed a 250 electric vehicle (EV) charging port complex at its Waltham location in 2020, the largest such complex on the East Coast.

A collaboration between AstraZeneca, Eversource, the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP), and MassEVolves enabled the retrofitting of AstraZeneca’s existing garage in Waltham with electric vehicle charging stations. The project consisted of expanding the Waltham location’s EV charge capacity to 125 dual-headed stations, for a total of 250 Level 2 ports, creatively installed to allow each charging port to cover two parking spaces. This provides charging access to more than 450 spaces in the parking garage.

“Our company is committed to environmental sustainability and operating with net zero carbon emissions by 2025, and we are excited to be part of bringing large-scale EV capability to the region and to the employees who work at the AstraZeneca Boston BioHub,” says Ken Sutton, Facilities Director for AstraZeneca R&D Boston. “We hope this project inspires others to leverage the power of collaborations between private industry, State of Mass. EV organizations, and utilities like Eversource to affect change.”

Eversource, AstraZeneca’s energy provider, paid for and managed 100 percent of the installation of infrastructure supporting the charging stations under its EV Charging Station Program, which include transformers, switchgear, conduits and wiring. Funding for the chargers was a collaboration, with AstraZeneca purchasing the charging stations and receiving a partial rebate through financial incentives offered by MassEVIP. The ChargePoint charging stations were supplied by Voltrek.

Feedback from employees has been positive.

“The expansion of the charging station at work makes my life much easier,” says April Chen, who works at the BioHub. “I don’t have to come in the middle of the day to move my car to get charged. It makes my mind peaceful at work.”

Learn more about AstraZeneca’s sustainability initiatives at astrazeneca.com/sustainability.html. Download the complete MassEVolves AstraZeneca case study here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.

In Electric Vehicles, EV Chargers

Navigating Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers: Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

All about EV chargers

All about EV chargersPerhaps you have been looking at electric vehicles (EVs) for your home or business and you have concluded that they are a terrific idea: better performance than traditional petroleum-powered vehicles, lower fuel and maintenance costs, zero emissions – you are sold. 

But what about EV chargers? 

Navigating the EV charging landscape and the available options may seem a little daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. As you begin your research, you will encounter “Level 1,” “Level 2,” and “Level 3” chargers. Don’t let the terminology throw you. Think of them as slow, medium, and fast. And that slow doesn’t necessarily mean bad, especially if you have  longer times to charge at work, at home, or both. 

All EV models either use the same standard plugs for normal-speed charging (spelled out as Level 1 and Level 2 Charging below), come with a suitable adapter to handle variations, or can access other chargers using adapter accessories. 

Level 1 chargers provide energy equivalent to a standard 120 volt (V) three-prong AC outlet and supply an average power output of 1.3 kW to 2.4 kW, which is roughly equivalent to adding 3-5 miles of range to your battery per hour of charging. Typically, if you opt to use a Level 1 charge cord with a standard outlet, it will not require special electrical work, although before plugging an EV into any outlet you should check to make sure that you are using a dedicated circuit that is not supplying other appliances such as refrigerators or lights. We also believe it is always a good idea to have qualified professionals look at your electrical system to ensure that it can provide a safe and reliable charging option. 

Charge cords that can handle Level 1 and greater charges are typically included with the purchase of an EV. In instances where an appropriate outside plug option is available for a driver, Level 1 charging (110–120 V) is particularly suitable for home use. Most EV drivers overwhelmingly prefer to charge at home when they can – for those with that option, 80% or more of charging happens at home. Drivers can often receive discounts from their utility by charging at night, during off-peak hours. While Level 1 charge stations are available to purchase and can be installed in business or home locations, for planning purposes it is likely that they will support no more than one vehicle per day due to their relatively slow charging speed. 

Level 2 chargers can be installed at homes and are also the most widely used charger for public settings. On average, Level 2 charging adds roughly 25 miles of range per hour. They are popular in areas like public garages, hotels, malls, restaurant parking lots, and business parking settings. Level 2 chargers require a 240V electrical connection and an electrical circuit has at least 25% greater amperage than the charger’s output. The higher the output, the faster your charging time. Flexible chargers enable you to adjust the amperage to fit the limitations of your electrical system.

Many different commercial charge station options are available, and an increasing number of residential EV drivers are installing Level 2 chargers at home to take advantage of charging times that are many times faster than Level 1 chargers. For homes with more than one EV in the driveway, Level 2 chargers can be an especially sound investment, particularly when federal tax credits are taken into consideration. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit allows individuals and businesses to write off 30% of equipment and installation costs: up to $1,000 for residents and $30,000 for commercial enterprises. 

Given their higher charging rates, Level 2 chargers in work settings can be used to support more than one vehicle per day, although employees and employers may have to establish workplace policies for allocating charging resources to ensure that access is available to EV drivers.  

Level 3 chargers offer the fastest charging rates and, because of their special equipment requirements, typically entail a significant upfront investment. Also called Direct Current Fast Chargers (DC Fast Chargers), these stations can charge an EV battery to 80% of capacity in as little as twenty minutes. Level 3 chargers require a 480-volt connection and can cost tens of thousands of dollars to install, so they are not designed for home use. They are available at rest stops for long highway trips, as well as some shopping centers, restaurants and other public locations around town. Different EV brands use different proprietary standards for Level 3 charging, and your EV must be equipped to handle a fast charge. For many business needs, Level 3 chargers can be cost prohibitive, although they may make sense for heavy commercial and/or industrial use with fleet vehicles and potentially locales with a large number of EVs. 

So Which Chargers Should I install?  

Level 2 chargers hit the sweet spot for most businesses, which can take advantage of federal and (when available) state tax credits, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars in purchase and installation costs. Range demands make Level 2 charging preferable to Level 1 charging for the needs of organizations with more than just a few EV drivers, and are a worthy upfront investment.

For businesses, an incremental approach in rolling out EV charging capabilities may be the most practical strategy. Survey your team to understand what their needs might be. Begin with one or two dual charging stations and gauge reaction. EVs have a way of promoting themselves, and as your EV program gains traction, the case for expanding your charging capabilities will end up selling itself. A common refrain we always hear in the EV ecosystem is this: “Build it and they will come.”

Tim Allik is Communications Manager for Recharge America