General Motors and ChargePoint on Wednesday announced plans to deploy up to 500 DC fast chargers before the end of 2025. Using GM Energy branding, the chargers will be supplied by ChargePoint, according to the companies. Many of the chargers will use ChargePoint's Omni Port to allow electric vehicles with Combined Charging Standard (CCS) or North... 
The end of 2024 is fast approaching, and Tesla looks eager to sell as many Model Ss as it can before the end of the month. It’s so desperate to sell its flagship electric sedan that it has reintroduced a free Supercharging for life offer that was last available in 2018.
Tesla recently updated its website to reveal that customers who purchase or lease a new Model S after December 13, 2024, will be eligible for free Supercharging. However, the offer does include some important caveats that somewhat limit its appeal.
Watch: Rogue Tesla Smashes Into Multiple Cars Before Plunging Off Parking Deck
For starters, the free Supercharging offer is tied to an owner’s Tesla Account and cannot be transferred to another vehicle, person, or order, “even in the case of ownership transfer.” That means any Model S sold at a later date won’t retain free Supercharging. Additionally, Tesla says that “vehicles used for commercial purposes,” including taxi, rideshare, and delivery services are excluded from the promotion. While we’re not sure how Tesla can determine if a vehicle is being used for commercial purposes like this, it’s an important catch to take note of.
Tesla has added that owners remain responsible for Supercharger idle and congestion fees when applicable. The carmaker also says it “reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove the free Supercharging from your vehicle in the event of excessive charging or unpaid fees related to Supercharging.” So, in theory, you could wake up and find your car is no longer eligible for free Supercharging.
Price hikes
The announcement of this deal also comes just a few days after Tesla jacked up prices of the Model S in the US by $5,000, meaning the Long Range now starts at $79,990 and the flagship Model S Plaid is priced from $94,990 before destination fees. While anyone who splashes on a new Model S this month will get free Supercharging, they’ll indirectly be paying for it through this price increase.
With Supercharging costing an average of $0.25 per kWh, $5,000 is about 200 full charges of the Model S’s 100 kWh battery pack.
Tesla does not break down sales for each individual model in its lineup, and as of late, it has grouped together sales of the Model S, Model X, Cybertruck, and Semi into a single figure. In Q2, 21,551 of these models were sold, and Electrek believes sales of the Model S/X may have amounted to between 12,000 and 13,000 units, roughly a ~30% decline from the year prior.
The Tesla Cybertruck has a big battery. At 123 kWh, it’s bigger than anything else on offer from Tesla to normal customers. Of course, with a big battery comes a lengthy charging time. Early adopters ended up having to wait well over an hour to go from 0-100%. Now, an update will literally speed things up at the charging station.
Tesla says that select V4 Superchargers can now push up to 325 kW to the Cybertruck. Notably, they won’t maintain that speed during the entire charge, although the boost is big enough to significantly decrease overall charging time. The Cybertruck is technically capable of accepting at least up to a 400 kW charge rate, but Superchargers don’t offer that. In addition, speeds often peak early in the session and then drop off.
More: Tesla’s New Cheaper Wraps Sound Good Until You Find Out They’re Just Vinyl
Nevertheless, we’ve got some insight into what Cybertruck owners can expect when rolling up to a 350 kW supercharger. According to one owner charging in Blaine, Washington, they went from 8-40 percent charge in just 10 minutes.
In 35 minutes, they were up to 80 percent state of charge. Notably, the max speed for their session was 321 kW and they hit that speed when the battery was just 14 percent charged. From there, speeds diminished down to just 95 kW by the 80 percent mark. The same owner reported very similar figures from another charger in Tacoma, Washington as well.
@cybertruck can now charge up to 325kW on select V4 Supercharger posts. Rollout in progress.
— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) December 14, 2024
It’s worth noting that for now, only about 19 Supercharger locations throughout the nation offer this type of speed. Tesla says more are coming online soon. In addition, the EV automaker claims that in 2025, some V4 stations will support charging at up to 500 kW speeds.
That would be remarkable and cut charging time down even further. While the speeds won’t be consistent throughout the charging session, a higher maximum speed will enable a higher overall average speed throughout the session. As is the case with many Tesla promises though, let’s wait til it happens to celebrate it.
I got 10-80% in 35min & 8-80% in 35 min last night testing it out
Over 30% gained in 10 min though pic.twitter.com/z8bf7NDYBM— David Moss (@DavidMoss253) December 14, 2024
My test results:
Blaine, WA Boblett Street 44°
88.0980 kWh
8%-40% 10min
8%-80% 35min
10% 315kW
14% 321kW Peak
20% 290kW
25% 268kW
30% 236kW
35% 201kW
40% 179kW
50% 143KW
60% 113kW
70% 91kW
80% 95kW
Tacoma, WA S 40th Street
10%-43% 10min
10%-62% 20min
10%-80% 35min
16% 321kW…— David Moss (@DavidMoss253) December 14, 2024
Electrify American on Tuesday announced that it would install DC fast-charging stations at five Costco locations as part of the retailer's return to electric vehicle charging. The rollout includes Costco stores in Clermont, Florida, and Denver, Colorado, which will each get six chargers, plus three California locations, according to a press... 
The early days of electrification weren’t for the faint of heart as there were three competing standards, limited charging infrastructure, and a hodgepodge of proprietary apps and accounts. Things have changed significantly since those dark days as the industry has coalesced around the North American Charging Standard, while Plug & Charge technology has become more common.
The latter is now getting supercharged in what the government called a “shining example of public-private partnership.” The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation as well as SAE’s Electric Vehicle Public Key Infrastructure Consortium announced a new common framework for a universal Plug & Charge capability.
More: GM’s Plug & Charge Tech Aims To Make Charging As Simple As Possible
This promises to be a game changer as “vehicles, chargers and charging networks all will be able to talk to each other for the first time, advancing the industry toward a universal solution so every driver can plug in and start charging at any public station in the future.”
That would make charging far more convenient as some vehicles only support a Plug & Charge capability at certain partner stations. So, if you stopped at an unsupported station, you’d have to jump through hoops to start the charging process.
As the government explained, the new framework allows for seamless payment processing and this means drivers won’t have to juggle with multiple apps or payment methods. Users can also expect greater security and convenience as well as the possibility for “transformative innovations.”
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation didn’t elaborate much on the latter but mentioned vehicle-to-grid integrations and bidirectional energy flows. While that’s not much to go on, it’s not hard to read between the lines and envision a future where utility companies could potentially use the framework to pay you for drawing energy from your vehicle.
Gabe Klein, Executive Director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, said “We are rapidly approaching a future where every EV driver can just plug in, charge up, and go; the network will talk to your car and process the payment seamlessly. This is a fundamental step … toward enabling bidirectional charging and true vehicle-to-grid integration, the holy grail for energy and transportation.”
A consortium of stakeholders aims to roll out a universal plug-and-charge protocol for the U.S. in 2025, allowing all electric vehicles to automatically start charging at public stations simply by plugging in. Announced Wednesday, the initiative is being undertaken by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the federal government's Joint Office... 
Nissan Ariya owners will be able to charge their electric vehicles at Tesla Supercharger stations starting Dec. 10, the automaker announced Wednesday. Nissan plans to fit new EVs sold in the U.S. with North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports starting in 2025, but existing vehicles will be able to charge at Supercharger stations using a $235... 
Superchargers are getting longer cables in preparation for V4 Tesla can detect when a non-Tesla EV is plugged in That means more accurate real-time stall availability Ahead of the overdue rollout of its V4 Supercharger hardware, Tesla is installing longer cables and making other changes that may help avoid friction at Supercharger stations as EVs... 
New Tesla owners who live in Texas can make use of a compelling charging deal recently introduced by the electric carmaker.
Texas residents who take delivery of a new Tesla by December 31 can enroll in the Tesla Electric Fixed Plan, gaining access to one year of unlimited overnight vehicle charging for just $5 per month—or $60 for the year. Typically, Tesla Energy’s fixed plan costs $15 per month or $180 annually for unlimited EV charging, making this offer a $120 savings over the course of a year.
Read: Cybercab Has No Charging Port, But Tesla Promises 90% Wireless Efficiency
But it doesn’t stop there. The promotion also includes an annual $400 credit for every Powerwall enrolled in Tesla’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program. Customers using the VPP get fixed rates when selling excess energy back to the grid, enhancing the value of this offer.
Not everyone will be eligible for the deal, though, as buyers need to live in an area of Texas where they can choose their electricity provider. They must also be a new Tesla Electric member, and the carmaker notes that the promotion is subject to change at any time.
Texas 🇺🇸
— Tesla Energy (@teslaenergy) November 18, 2024
Get 1 year of unlimited overnight vehicle charging for $5/month when taking delivery of a new Tesla & enrolling in Tesla Electric Fixed Plan by Dec 31https://t.co/iu3T8bz2Eo pic.twitter.com/CANrXc1p6Z
Those willing to spend a little more on home charging can opt for the Electric Dynamic Plan. This provides EV charging for $25 per month and offers month-to-month contracts and real-time pricing adjustments for energy, Drive Tesla Canada reports.
Tesla Electric operates exclusively in Texas and is open to anyone who can choose their electricity provider, even if they don’t own a Tesla product. Power is sourced from 100% renewable energy. With the fixed price plan, Tesla provides a flat energy rate between 4 a.m. and 12 a.m. and a lower energy rate between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. Those who want to benefit from the cheapest rates when charging their EVs must do so between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Meanwhile, homeowners with solar panels can sell excess power back to the grid at 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, offering a neat way to offset costs.
Two years after Tesla promised to open up its charging network to other brands’ EVs, many of those non-Tesla electric cars are still unable to top-up at one of the instantly recognizable red and white Supercharger stations, according to a new report. Just 4 percent of chargers have had the necessary upgrade.
Tesla offered other automakers the opportunity to switch to its proprietary charging port design in 2022, a move that presented a significant engineering and manufacturing challenge for those other brands, but one they’ve now met. Many EVs sold in America from next year will have the new NACS (North American Charging Standard) port.
Related: GM EV Owners Get Tesla Supercharger Access, But There’s A $225 Catch
But soon after offering that initial olive branch, Tesla also agreed to modify its chargers so that the thousands of EVs already on the road and not fitted with Tesla-compatible ports could take advantage of the large Supercharger network. A “Magic Dock” retrofitted to each charger would enable an electric vehicle from the likes of Ford, GM, or Hyundai to park up next to a Model 3 and enjoy rapid charging.
But as of late 2024, only around 100 of Tesla’s circa 2,500 Supercharger stations in the US are outfitted with the Magic Dock, an investigation by Bloomberg Green discovered. The distribution of the Magic Docks that have been deployed is also wildly uneven. Florida has just one adapted charger and even EV-loving California only gets five. Texas, however, has 20.
The rollout of some automakers’ own adapters has reportedly been slow because those brands have needed Tesla’s assistance to create the hardware at a time when Tesla has slimmed down its Supercharger team. Ford became so frustrated with Tesla’s pace of development that it built its own adapter and offers the connectors free-of-charge to its EV buyers. GM on the other hand is charging $225 and insists drivers initiate and pay for charging using its own app.
There’s one group of drivers who are quite happy about Tesla’s tardiness in making its charging network available to other brands, and its Tesla owners. Their satisfaction with charging experiences has dropped since other brands gained some access to their turf, and that’s only going to get worse when NACS goes mainstream in 2025.
Patent enables higher charge rates from lower-voltage DC fast chargers Solution adds a series of relay switches and a capacitor It's a smart workaround for Tesla V3 Superchargers, which can't charge at 800 volts Stellantis is working on hardware to boost the output of low-power DC fast chargers for electric vehicles that can handle that extra... 
Pickup truck owners may have cornered the market on trolling EV drivers by occupying charging spaces, but they’re far from the only offenders when it comes to “ICEing”—the maddeningly inconsiderate practice of internal combustion vehicles hogging charging stations.
A prime example of this came recently in Athens, Greece, where a Ferrari F430 was spotted shamelessly parked next to an EV charger, despite plenty of empty regular parking spaces just a short stroll away. But this Ferrari owner wasn’t content with merely blocking access to the charger. No, they decided to up the ante by taking the plug and wedging it onto the alloy wheel of their mid-2000s Italian supercar.
More: Lamborghini And McLaren Supercars Caught ICEing Tesla Supercharger Station
This level of petty provocation is reminiscent of a Ford Ranger Raptor incident in New Zealand, where a similarly non-electrified vehicle owner tucked a charging plug onto the truck’s rear bed for laughs. Perhaps the Ferrari owner thought the wheel was the next best location. Another comedic option could’ve been to stick the plug into one of the quad exhaust pipes, though – radical idea incoming – simply leaving the charger for people who need it might’ve been the smartest move of all.
The photos were shared by an EV owner in a Facebook group called “E-Mobility in Greece“. The spotter came across the offending Ferrari late at night and had to do a double-take to process the audacity of the scene. The EV owner ended up using one of the several unoccupied regular parking spots, as his battery didn’t need charging at the time.
Ferrari itself is inching toward the electric revolution. The Italian company plans to unveil its first fully electric model next year and already offers plug-in hybrid supercars like the 296 GTB/GTS and the SF90 Stradale/Spider. These vehicles can legitimately use public chargers.
On the other hand, the pictured F430 runs exclusively on gasoline. Maranello’s entry-level supercar was introduced in 2004 as the successor of the 360 Modena, and was replaced by the all-new 458 Italia in 2009. Power for the F430 comes from a mid-mounted 4.3-liter V8 engine generating 483 hp (360 kW / 490 PS) and 465 Nm (343 lb-ft) of torque.
The broader issue of ICEing isn’t unique to Athens. It’s a global nuisance, but Greece appears to have cultivated its own vibrant subculture of offenders. The same Facebook group that shared the Ferrari incident even maintains a photo album dedicated to documenting ICEing violations. The album features over 100 examples of non-electrified vehicles of all shapes and sizes brazenly occupying parking spaces clearly marked for EVs and PHEVs.
Ford EVs are getting EV trip planning for their built-in Google Maps navigation system Ford already offered EV trip planning via Apple Maps through Apple CarPlay Google said Gemini AI-curated Maps functionality is coming to Ford EVs and soon to Rivians Drivers of Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning electric vehicles are getting more EV... 
Ford is now shipping a new North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapter to customers to help provide access to Tesla Supercharger stations more quickly. First reported by InsideEVs, the new NACS adapter comes from Lectron, and will be distributed alongside the existing design from Tesla. They have the same specifications as the Tesla-provided... 
The state of charging infrastructure remains a primary concern for many debating whether to switch to EVs. So, when Ford opted to become the first non-Tesla automaker to commit to Tesla’s NACS charge port, it triggered a slew of other manufacturers to do the same.
By adopting NACS in favors of CCS, Ford’s vehicles will be able to have access to Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network. However, there was one catch: the ports will only start appearing on Fords from 2025. Luckily for existing Ford EV owners, the company decided to offer Tesla’s CCS to NACS adapter completely free of charge.
Read: Ford Mustang Mach-E And F-150 Lightning Owners Can Get Tesla Charging Adaptor Soon
However, it’s not been smooth sailing. With free adapter reservations opened in February, some customers still await the port converter. Now, to try and expedite the rollout, Ford will offer its own branded adapter.
According to a report by The Verge, Tesla has been slow to manufacture enough adapters. Some of the earlier units that were sent out have also had issues. Some customers reported slow charging. In more severe cases, using the adapter has led to port damage, with Ford asking some of those affected by the sub-par converters to stop using them while they send out a replacement.
Ford’s self-branded adapters will be made by EV equipment supply company Lectron. Ford has confirmed that the new adapters are unrelated to the ones that were deemed faulty. However, Lectron themselves haven’t been immune to issues, with their “Vortex” NACS to CCS adapters initially having a design flaw that could make them unlatch while charging. These adapters were recalled and replaced.
While the road to getting Fords to charge at Supercharger locations around the country certainly hasn’t been straightforward, efforts are clearly being made to offer customers the option. Despite the spotty rollout of adapters, Ford says that they remain committed to its “Power Promise,” which includes offering free home chargers to new EV customers.
The transition to electric school buses (ESBs) is revolutionizing student transportation and helping school districts across the U.S. reduce their environmental impact. However, many districts have encountered significant challenges with charging infrastructure, especially when it comes to cost and complexity. First ChargeTM, a patent-pending, modular, and scalable solution, is designed by school bus operators for school bus operators to address these very challenges.
Unlike traditional charging systems that require costly trenching and construction, First ChargeTM utilizes an innovative hub-and-spoke design with all components installed above ground. This eliminates the need for extensive subsurface work, significantly reducing installation costs and speeding up deployment. The system is highly flexible, capable of adapting to fleet growth and operational changes over time.
Available in four different configurations—including ground-based and floating options for areas prone to flooding—First ChargeTM ensures districts can meet their electrification needs efficiently and affordably. The system supports up to 45 chargers and is available through a convenient subscription model that includes energy management, maintenance, and fleet optimization.
Download the full white paper to learn how First ChargeTM can help your district overcome the challenges of electrification and achieve sustainability goals.
Fill out the form below and then check your email for the white paper download link.
The post (Free White Paper) Transforming Electric School Bus Infrastructure with First Charge™ appeared first on School Transportation News.
Beginning today, all-electric Volvo owners have access to the North American Tesla Supercharger network. The automaker is rolling out details about how its customers can charge up at the newly integrated stations. Some owners will need an adapter while others will end up with a car that already has an NACS port.
Specifically, electric Volvo owners now have an additional 17,800 places to charge across the USA and Canada. To take advantage of those stations, current owners of electric Volvo cars will need an NACS adapter. Those are now available through dealers for $230 but keep in mind that they won’t begin shipping until November 18. It’s worth noting that the EX30 is not included in this rollout. Volvo says that “availability of adapters for the EX30 will be announced later.”
Read: Cybercab Has No Charging Port, But Tesla Promises 90% Wireless Efficiency
“As part of our journey to electrification, we want to make life with an electric car, including our new flagship EX90, as seamless as possible,” said Mike Cottone, President, Volvo Car USA and Canada. “Today we are taking a major step to providing access to easy and convenient charging infrastructure for Volvo drivers in the United States and Canada, furthering our commitment to EV adoption.”
Volvo’s 2025 lineup of EVs will come standard with a NACS adapter. In all cases, Volvo owners will need to use the Tesla application on their smartphone to use the Supercharger network. They can find other charging locations through the Volvo Cars application. It’s also worth noting that Polestar vehicles also gained access to the Supercharger network today with similar timelines and constraints.
All of this comes as more and more automakers are switching to NACS and enabling access for their customer base. Ford, Hyundai, and General Motors all provide a measure of Supercharger access at this point and other brands are planning similar moves, including newly relaunched Scout.
Polestar and Volvo on Tuesday confirmed details of its rollout of Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) adoption, which the automakers claim will give customers access to more than 17,800 Tesla Supercharger DC fast-charging stations. Current Polestar owners can now order a $230 NACS adapter through their local service center, with... 
Insurance giant State Farm has decided to pull EV charging stations from its parking decks nationwide, citing fire safety concerns as the primary reason. The Illinois-based company, known for insuring just about everything under the sun, is now exploring alternative charging options for its EV-driving employees and promises to make further announcements once it has a plan. It’s an odd stance from a company that’s built on managing risk, but perhaps this risk was just too hot to handle.
Local news outlet WGLT reports that the decision will impact State Farm’s corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois, along with various satellite offices across the country. The removal deadline is set for October 28, giving employees who rely on the in-garage chargers less than a month to find a new way to keep their EVs juiced up during the workday.
More: Tesla Model 3 Highland Burns While Charging, But Don’t Blame The Battery
In a message reportedly sent to employees, State Farm stated: “While we understand the impact to those who rely on EV charging, it is our top priority to ensure a safe and secure working environment for our employees. Following an Enterprise Risk Assessment and evaluations conducted by local fire departments and workplace protection in each hub and corporate headquarters, fire risks were identified in the parking garages that cannot be mitigated at this time.”
If that sounds a bit ominous, it’s likely intended to.
Speaking to 25 News, State Farm elaborated: “Charging stations that are currently housed within our parking garages will be closing. Plans are in place to explore alternative charging locations outside of parking garages, including the possibility for EV parking. We will announce relevant updates as these plans are finalized.”
Translation: expect your EV to be parked somewhere in the open, far from any structural assets State Farm isn’t willing to risk.
The insurance provider seems convinced that moving EV chargers to surface lots is a safer bet, as it minimizes the potential threat to other vehicles and buildings.
EV fires have been a subject of controversy in the past few years, due to some high-profile cases around the world. While studies indicate that EVs are statistically less likely to catch fire than traditional gas-powered or hybrid vehicles, when they do ignite, their battery packs can turn into a firefighting nightmare. Each individual cell can catch fire separately, requiring specialized techniques and vast amounts of water to extinguish. The visual of an EV fire raging in a confined, underground garage doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Chargers are often installed in closed parking spaces in order to be protected from the elements. But a fire in an enclosed space can quickly fill a garage with toxic smoke and heat intense enough to damage the building itself. That’s a risk State Farm clearly isn’t willing to ignore—even if it means putting its own employees out in the cold, literally and figuratively.
Whether other corporations will follow State Farm’s lead remains to be seen, but as the largest property, casualty, and auto insurance provider in the United States, State Farm’s move could set a precedent.
H/T to Marco!
Amazon Prime members get an assortment of benefits aside from free shipping and the company has just added another welcome perk. It’s a $0.10 per gallon discount on gasoline at approximately 7,000 Amoco, AMPM and BP gas stations across the United States.
The online retailer says the discount could save subscribers an average of nearly $70 per year. That’s a considerable savings and it helps to offset the price of a Prime membership, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
More: Zoox Robotaxis Could Eventually Become Part Of Amazon Prime
To activate the discount, members need to visit amazon.com/fuelsavings and link their Prime account to an Earnify account from BP. Afterwards, they can get the discount by entering their phone number at the pump or using a linked payment method.
Amazon Prime Vice President Jamil Ghani said, “We’re constantly looking to add more value for Prime members and perhaps the broadest and most popular additional benefit we could offer is fuel savings” and “we’re excited to give this to Prime members.” He went on to highlight the benefits of Amazon Prime, which includes “free shipping on more than 300 million items, free access to remarkable video, sports, and music content, free food delivery, and substantial savings on grocery delivery and medications.”
Besides announcing a fuel discount, Amazon confirmed plans for an electric vehicle recharging incentive. Details are limited, but the discount will be available next year at BP Pulse chargers.
Unfortunately, this isn’t much to get excited about as BP only lists a handful of stations in California and Washington. There are also two locations in New York as well as another one in New Jersey. If that wasn’t bad enough, their chargers apparently top out at 150 kW.
While a fuel and recharging discount sounds like an odd Amazon Prime perk, it’s part of a larger battle with Walmart. A Walmart+ membership costs $98 annually and gives customers access to Sam’s Club fuel centers as well as a $0.10 per gallon discount at approximately 13,000 Exxon, Mobil, Murphy, and Walmart gas stations. Their membership also includes free shipping, a Paramount+ subscription, and 25% off Burger King orders – among other things.
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