SWTCH Energy, a company for EV charging solutions for multi-tenant properties across North America, and the Electric Circuit, the Canadian network owned by HydroQuébec, have made their charging stations and apps interoperable.
Canada has announced funding for 6,000 EV chargers as part of a series of announcements during the national EV Week. Investments total CAD 45 million (nearly €34Mn), with local governments and companies such as Hydro Québec or Shell Canada benefitting from the funds.
In Canada, electricity utility company Hydro-Québec has launched a pilot project with Autobus Groupe Séguin to support the electrification of school buses. Several Québec-based suppliers will participate in the project, including Lion Electric, Malco Électrique and AddÉnergie.
AddÉnergie Technologies has been selected to supply more than 100 fast-charging stations to Hydro-Québec’s Electric Circuit network following a recent call for proposals. The contract will see AddÉnergie deliver its newest chargers over a two-year term.
Canada’s Hydro-Québec is cooperating with Mercedes-Benz in the development of technologies for solid-state batteries. The aim is to test new materials under field conditions and thus accelerate battery development.
Financial cooperative group Desjardins Group and Canadian energy providers Hydro-Quebec have announced the opening of what they call Quebec’s first urban ‘super station’ in downtown Montréal at the Quartier des Spectacles.
The EV charging network spanning Québec is receiving another extension. Hydro-Québec ordered 50 kW fast-charging stations from AddEnergie to widen the Electric Circuit. It is the fourth successful bid for the local charging equipment provider.
Dana Inc. and Hydro-Québec have set up a joint-venture partnership in which TM4, a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec, will supply Dana with electric motor systems. In return, Dana will become a majority shareholder of TM4 for CA$165 million (US$127 million).
Canadian energy provider Hydro-Québec has signed a license agreement with Chinese company Dongshi Kingpower Science and Technology, allowing the latter to use patents for solid-state li-ion batteries.
Novel battery tech for iCar: Apple is working with an anonymous Korean battery maker on cells of a new kind to power the Apple EV, ETNews reports. Designed as hollow cylinders, the batteries are said to enable new cooling possibilities for Project Titan. Capacity could be further increased through parallel connections. The Koreans have signed a NDA with Apple. The latter will likely push for exclusivity. etnews.com, macrumors.com, cultofmac.com
Fraunhofer ISC partners with Hydro-Québec: Together the two companies want to research and develop next-generation lithium-ion and lithium-air battery materials to be used in electric transport. The focus is on inorganic solid electrolytes, glass-ceramic electrolytes in particular. isc.fraunhofer.de
Recuperation from suspension: Audi is working on an electromechanical rotary dampening system. eROT replaces hydraulic dampers with electromechanical rotary dampers that have the potential for energy recuperation from the suspension. greencarcongress.com, audi-mediacenter.com
HVH for CVs: Webasto will present a prototype of its electric High-Voltage Heater (HVH) for light-duty commercial vehicles and trucks at the IAA. It features a heating capacity of 10 kW, allowing for more effective heating, esp. in PHEV and electric vans. The HVH contains no rare earths. automotiveworld.com
Fast-charging Switzerland: Company GOtthard FASTcharge, short GOFAST, wants to install a fast charging network with 150 kW and more in Switzerland. Some 150 stations are planned, with the first location along the Gotthard motorway said to open this summer. The goal is to set up at least 100 locations in the next two and a half years. gofastcharge.com
Germany’s North electrifies: The German city of Lübeck is looking to replace all 200 of its buses with electric ones by 2035. Depending on availability, the first buses could be swapped as early as next year. The Hanseatic city currently only counts 10 hybrid busses that are actually not as efficient, as planned. Some blame the driving style of local bus drivers. ln-online.de (in German)
Connecting Quebec: Hydro-Québec is looking to erect 22 EV charging stations in eastern Ontario, making it easier for motorists to get to Quebec. These will also be the utility’s first EV stations outside of the Canadian capital. cbc.ca
No direct sales: Tesla again failed to push a bill that would allow it to sell directly to customers in Connecticut. The EV maker now wants to play its last ace up its sleeve and offer to build a distribution centre in the U.S. state. That could mean 150 new jobs – if direct sales were allowed. electrek.co
Electric Aspen: This summer, the small town in Colorado, U.S., is offering free electric taxi rides. The on-demand service features five Polaris Gem E6 that can be booked via an app. While the drive is free, tips are not frowned upon. aspentimes.com