Ford Professional — the division that makes a speciality of industrial automobiles — and Stellantis each introduced vital enhancements to their EV charging networks this week. In a press launch, Ford mentioned it’s making two new Collection 2 AC charging station out there to clients who use Ford electrical industrial automobiles just like the e-Transit and F-150 Lightning of their fleets. The 48 amp Collection 2 charger prices $1,399 (earlier than incentives) and the 80 amp Collection 2 charger prices $1,999.
The corporate says the Collection 2 charger is simpler to make use of, service, and management. It has a removable cable and connector, RFID reader, elevated connectivity, and could be up to date wirelessly as new charging protocols turn into out there sooner or later. Ford can also be increasing its quick charger community. Each the Collection 2 AC charging models and its quick chargers are appropriate with electrical automobiles from different producers as effectively.
The RFID reader controls entry to the Collection 2 chargers. Fleet operators can subject a novel Ford Professional RFID card that limits charging classes to sure people or automobiles. By specifying which days and instances can be found for charging, the RFID permits fleet operators to entry vitality utilization experiences by way of Ford Professional’s charging administration software program.
The 80 amp Collection 2 AC chargers might be ISO-15118 prepared and geared up to deal with over the air updates. LCD screens on the Collection 2 chargers will show step-by-step directions on tips on how to start charging in addition to details about cost length, fault alerts, vitality utilization, and extra. Sensors will cut back charger output mechanically if overheating happens. The chargers are engineered to operate from -40º to 122º F and at altitudes as much as 3500 meters.
Ford Professional can also be introducing new 180 kW and 240 kW DC quick chargers to offer fleet operators and drivers extra versatility at their office with extra energy and shortened cost instances.
“We’re dedicated to serving to companies make the transition to electrical simple with a single-minded deal with curated industrial charging options,” mentioned Ted Cannis, Ford Professional CEO. “With our tailor-made EV consulting and portfolio of charging {hardware} and software program options, we will design, implement and function options for Ford and different manufacturers that can final for a few years to return. And we’re not afraid to inform clients when electrification isn’t but a great match and assist them with different options.”
Ford Professional’s BEV Match group helps clients determine out there incentives, assists with charging web site design and development, and collaborates with native utilities on vitality wants.
Utilizing Ford Professional charging options permits clients to cost extra automobiles at a given time and might permit them to deploy extra electrical automobiles with no need to attend for an infrastructure improve. The software program tracks efficiency and offers fleet managers with details about consumption of electrical energy, charging speeds, and out there vary. It can also monitor how a lot electrical energy drivers use to maintain their work automobiles charged at residence to allow them to be reimbursed by their employers.
Ford Professional delivers an at all times on, linked buyer expertise by way of its complete details about the automobiles in a fleet, charging, software program, financing and repair for all industrial and authorities clients. Ford Professional has almost 125,000 fleet clients throughout the U.S. and 140,000 in Europe.
Stellantis Boosts Supplier EV Charging
Stellantis says 50% of its new automotive gross sales might be electrical automobiles by 2030. We all know that battery-electric variations of its RAM ProMaster work van and 1500 pickup truck are within the works. The Dodge division is shifting forward with battery-electric variations of the long-lasting Charger and Challenger. Jeep is attempting onerous to affect its lineup with out compromising the important qualities that make a Jeep a Jeep. There are even experiences of a brand new EV sedan from Chrysler.
However the sellers who carry these manufacturers aren’t prepared, which has led Stellantis to accomplice with Cost Enterprises to get its 2600 sellers as much as snuff within the charging division to have the ability to promote all these spiffy new EVs that might be rolling off the meeting line in years to return. Stellantis is already working with Future Power, Vehya, and AGI to get chargers put in at its sellers.
Cost Enterprises says its administration group has greater than 150 years of automotive OEM experience that can allow it to boost the sellers’ expertise and assist the necessities to supply secure, dependable, scalable and versatile infrastructure implementation.
“As our companions within the automotive trade transition to electric-vehicle gross sales and repair, our aim is to supply our 2,600 plus U.S. sellers with top quality choices that meet their particular person EV integration wants inside each space of the dealership enterprise,” mentioned Jeff Kommor, head of US gross sales at Cost Enterprises within the US. “Cost is supplied with the automotive expertise, client-centric method and technical experience wanted to assist assist our sellers and make this implementation secure, dependable, scalable and versatile for future calls for.”
As an skilled infrastructure accomplice, Cost’s consumer training, mission administration, design, engineering and set up will present a full-service answer for sellers.
“All the sellers we work with worth our devoted method and our considerate mindset to delivering options at present whereas making ready our shoppers for the EV infrastructure calls for of tomorrow,” mentioned Mark LaNeve, president of Cost Enterprises. “We stay dedicated to serving to as many vehicle sellers all through the nation execute on a lot wanted EV charging infrastructure as we stay targeted on assembly the wants of the Stellantis vendor physique, who’re doing an awesome job assembly the wants of their clients.”
Stellantis is one in every of 7 main automakers, together with BMW Group, Common Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Mercedes, making a three way partnership to speed up the transition to electrical automobiles in North America, by making EV charging extra handy, accessible and dependable.
The Takeaway
EV house owners are realizing an increasing number of that vary isn’t as necessary as gaining access to dependable charging choices. As soon as folks know they’ll plug in when wanted, vary anxiousness tends to turn into a lot much less of a priority.
Ford appears to be taking the EV revolution extra critically than a number of the different automakers, judging by the actual fact that it’s the just one not whining loudly in regards to the new auto emissions guidelines being proposed by the EPA.
Stellantis remains to be being dragged kicking and screaming into the longer term and its sellers appear disinterested in promoting electrical automobiles in any respect except they’re pressured to. Hopefully, attitudes are altering and the brand new charging alternatives from Ford and Stellantis will assist easy the trail of the EV revolution.
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