Einride, a leading company in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, has opened its first Smartcharger station in Lynwood, California. This charging station is now the largest operational charging site for electric heavy-duty freight in North America. The site, built in collaboration with Voltera, features 65 chargers and has the capacity to charge up to 200 vehicles per day. It is strategically located near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, allowing electric fleets to seamlessly integrate into day-to-day shipping operations. The charging station currently serves Einride's connected electric fleets, including routes for A.P. Moller–Maersk. Einride plans to build more stations throughout the U.S., with construction on new sites starting later in 2024 [NGT News] [4704cb03] [StreetInsider.com] [0ee4699a] [ac718080].
This new charging station is a significant addition to the EV charging infrastructure in the United States. With its large capacity and strategic location, it will support the growing demand for charging heavy-duty EVs, particularly in the port industry. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are major hubs for international trade, and the availability of a large-scale charging station nearby will facilitate the transition to electric transportation in this sector. Einride's expansion plans in North America also indicate a commitment to further developing the EV charging infrastructure in the region [NGT News] [4704cb03] [StreetInsider.com] [0ee4699a] [ac718080].
In addition to Einride's charging station, other recent developments in EV charging infrastructure include the federal support for EV charging projects in the United States and the launch of the Caribbean's first ultra-fast EV charging station in the Dominican Republic. The federal support includes the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, which has allocated $623 million for EV charging and other alternative fueling stations along highway corridors and in communities. The program aims to provide funding for charging infrastructure in rural and disadvantaged communities, with a focus on supporting economic and workforce development in historically disadvantaged areas. The guidance on the Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit also makes installing EV charging more affordable for individuals and businesses, particularly in low-income and non-urban census tracts. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation in the United States [The Equation] [662b39aa].
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic is set to launch the Caribbean's first ultra-fast DC charging station for electric vehicles in Punta Cana. The charging station, led by the Latin American Association for Sustainable Mobility, Evergo Connect, and the Dominican Electric Mobility Association, is expected to be ready in the coming weeks. It will have 29 225 kW charging points and will cost approximately US$7 million. The project is supported by the Punta Cana Macao Energy Consortium (CEPM) and aims to offer ultra-fast charging with an average charging time of up to 15 minutes. The station will also provide various services such as restaurants, children's entertainment rooms, coworking rooms, and a space for the exchange of electric batteries for motorcycles. It is equipped with a photovoltaic park with a capacity of 25 megawatts and a long-life battery storage of 40 megawatt-hours. The Dominican Republic aims to increase its renewable generation from 16% to 30% by 2030, and the launch of the ultra-fast charging station is part of this effort [La Prensa Latina] [6011eea4].
Furthermore, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have achieved a significant breakthrough in wireless charging technology for electric vehicles. They have achieved the world's highest power density for a wireless charging system for light-duty passenger EVs. The system can wirelessly charge a light-duty passenger EV at 100 kW with 96% efficiency using a lightweight polyphase electromagnetic coupling coil design. This breakthrough enables power transfer more than eight times faster than previous models, delivering enough charge to cover approximately 350 miles in just one hour. The compact and convenient design of the charging system opens up new possibilities for integrating wireless charging into various environments, addressing challenges related to charging infrastructure and range anxiety [e-vehicleinfo.com] [7addcf35].
These recent developments in EV charging infrastructure highlight the ongoing efforts to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and improve the charging experience. The availability of funding, the expansion of charging station networks, and advancements in charging technology are all contributing to the growth of the EV industry and the transition to sustainable transportation [NGT News] [4704cb03] [StreetInsider.com] [0ee4699a] [ac718080] [The Equation] [662b39aa] [La Prensa Latina] [6011eea4] [e-vehicleinfo.com] [7addcf35].
PortMiami has become the first US East Coast Seaport With Shore Power. Shore power allows cruise ships to turn off their engines and plug into electrical power while docked, reducing emissions and noise. The partnership includes Miami-Dade County, major cruise lines, and Florida Power & Light Company, making PortMiami the 1st major cruise port on the US eastern seaboard with shore power at 5 berths. In the coming year, 21 cruise ships will be outfitted for shore power, connecting in Miami, with over 350 vessel calls plugging into the system. The launch of shore power at PortMiami marks a significant step towards cleaner cruising and a sustainable future. [Marine Insight] [7853a756].
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Bali Express announced the historic crossing of a Class 8 heavy-duty electric freight truck from the U.S. to Mexico. The truck made its maiden voyage into Mexico, marking a significant milestone in the region's move towards a net-zero future. The trucks will utilize charging infrastructure installed by SDG&E, and the project was partially funded by a $200,000 grant from the California Energy Commission's Clean Transportation Program. The crossing symbolizes the commitment to innovation and cross-border cooperation. SDG&E's program for Fleets connects fleet operators with resources and incentives to install charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty fleets [Investing.com Australia] [7ef73f2a].
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach received a top honor for their Clean Truck Fund initiative, which aims to support the transition from gas-fueled trucks to electric-powered. The Southern California Association of Governments recognized the ports during the 2024 SCAG Sustainability Awards ceremony. The Clean Truck Fund collects a rate of $10 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) on loaded import and export cargo containers hauled by drayage trucks as they enter or leave container terminals. Through its first 24 months, the CTF collected a total of $153.7 million, funds which are being allocated to support incentives for the purchase of zero-emission (ZE) drayage trucks and related charging infrastructure. The CTF program builds on the ports' original Clean Truck Program approved in 2008, which mandated the phasing out of older, more polluting trucks serving the San Pedro Bay port complex. The majority of the 23,000-plus trucks in the ports' drayage truck registry are currently diesel-fueled, and the CTF aims to transition to zero-emissions trucks [ae8de34d].
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and port leaders commemorated nearly $150 million in grants from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities (RTEPF) Grant Program. The grants, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aim to improve air quality in and around 18 U.S. ports. Cary S. Davis, President and CEO of AAPA, expressed gratitude to Congress and the Biden Administration for their support. USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the detrimental effects of truck idling at ports and emphasized that the investments would save time and money for truckers while reducing congestion and emissions. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt emphasized the dual benefits of the funded projects, improving the quality of life for those affected by truck emissions and contributing to a clean-energy economy and climate resilience. The projects funded under the RTEPF program include initiatives such as replacing diesel trucks and shuttle buses with zero-emission technology at the Port of Long Beach and smaller-scale efforts like replacing diesel street sweepers with zero-emission units and researching electric Power Take Off devices at the Port of Baltimore. These grants represent a commitment to transforming America's ports into hubs of sustainability and innovation, driving cleaner air initiatives while supporting economic growth and resilience [Global Trade Magazine] [ae8de34d].