Oil companies buying up EV charging networks: Shell acquires ubitricity

Image courtesy of EVgo

EVgo makes more of its fast charging network available to Tesla drivers

In December 2019, public fast charging network EVgo, in collaboration with Tesla, began installing the automaker’s proprietary connector at its DC fast charging stations around the country (Tesla drivers can use CHAdeMO or CCS plugs, but they need a bulky and pricey adapter, and a CCS adapter only recently became available in the US).

Now EVgo is expanding its o ering for Tesla drivers, upgrading hundreds of its stations with integrated Tesla connectors. EVgo has claimed bragging rights as the only EV charging platform that supports all three US fast charging standards without the need for a separate adapter (and that’s powered by 100% renewable electricity to boot).

EVgo plans to deploy more than 400 integrated Tesla connectors at existing stations, and an additional 200 at new stations planned for 2021 in such cities as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Washington DC, Salt Lake City and Miami.

EVgo says its integrated Tesla connectors are capable of providing 100 miles worth of charge in 30 minutes.

“EV drivers seek e ciency and convenience in how they charge their vehicles, including the ability to shop while they charge,” said Cathy Zoi, CEO of EVgo. “Today’s exciting announcement will make it even easier for Tesla drivers to top up while they grocery shop and run other errands, while driving greater utilization across our growing charging network.”

Image courtesy of Lucid

Lucid Air buyers get 3 years of free charging from Electrify America

It’s de rigueur these days for automakers to o er a free charging package with a new EV as an added sweetener, to allay drivers’ understandable concern about public charging.

Now Lucid Motors has announced that “all Lucid Air reservations made by the end of 2021 will get complimentary access to unlimited charging of up to 350 kW at the Electrify America network for three years.”

Electrify America is building a comprehensive nationwide network of DC fast charging stations. e network has over 600 charging sites live at last count, in almost every state, and some of the CCS stations can charge at a blazing 350 kW. e Lucid Air boasts an estimated EPA range of up to 517 miles, and it incorporates several advanced charging features. e new EV has a novel 900-volt architecture, and Lucid’s Wunderbox onboard charger is designed to ensure that charging always takes place at the quickest possible rate. Using EA’s fastest machines, Lucid claims that the Air can add up to 300 miles of charge in 20 minutes.

Lucid says the Air will support bidirectional charging (at least when paired with the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station), enabling the car to be used as a backup power source.

Lucid has obviously spent a lot of time thinking about charging. Even the Air’s charging port is “a thing of beauty, with a cover that slides elegantly out of the way for any CCS connector, and a light that illuminates to indicate charging status.”