GM And Bechtel Partner To Build Nationwide Electric Car Fast-Charging Infrastructure
32
Sponsored Links
General Motors appears to be getting serious about charging infrastructure in the United States. The automaker and Bechtel, the largest construction company in the United States, announced they will partner to build thousands of fast-charging stations for electric cars across the country.
CNN Business first reported on the announcement, which comes as GM plans to roll out 20 new electric cars by 2023. It’s still unclear how many of those models will be sold in the U.S., however. GM currently builds the Chevrolet Bolt EV, has plans for a second Chevy electric car, and confirmed an electric Cadillac SUV is inbound.
Both companies will combine their strengths to create the infrastructure. GM will provide the data to scope out where to build the fast-charging stations, while Bechtel will engineer, build, and sort out permits for the stations. GM’s data will come from OnStar. Specifically, the automaker will look at where owners tend to park their cars and the most frequented driving routes. Crucially, the fast-charging stations won’t be relegated to the Interstate system, either. GM plans to place the charging stations in areas where they’ll perhaps boost electric-car adoption. That includes city centers for owners who may live in apartments or condos.
“Our hypothesis around fast charging is that people charge where their cars [are] already spending time, right?” Mike Ableson, GM’s vice president of EV infrastructure and charging, said. “And, thanks to this anonymized opt-in data, we have a lot of insight into that.”
Neither company will be involved directly, though. GM and Bechtel will create a new company that will be responsible for construction and engineering. Both the automaker and construction company will invest in the new corporation, while they’ve also invited other companies to invest in the unnamed entity. Neither party would name potential investors.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more electric car news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Source: CNN Business
Sponsored Links
I wonder what the voltage (or future proof capabilities) of the stations will be. Companies like Rivian are already looking ahead to 800+ volt rapid charging. Audi is lacking in range compared to EV competitors, but they have claims of faster charging to balance the act.
Does anyone besides my husband (an EE) (and thus me) worry about the safety of these rumored DC 500-800V, 300-350A charge stations? Seems like a lot of very dangerous (DC) power to be handled by the average consumer? I suppose someone is evaluating the safety of the various proposed standards; have the inevitable standards wars been settled so that a true national charging network can be developed?
High voltage circuits are as safe as the manufacturing makes them. Ask your husband about the old CRT TV sets which held over 12 kV in them, yet no layperson was ever harm by it. I am an EE, too, since 1974, and I began my electronic experiences with high voltage vacuum tube equipment.
Raymond: My husband questions the statement about “no layperson was ever harmed”.
His memory is that, back in the good old days, a lot of amateurs attempted do-it-yourself TV repair; he imagines quite a few at least got “bit”, but probably not killed, by the CRT anode 12-25kV HV, including those shocked by dielectric absorption (including himself). He also imagines some could have even been electrocuted by the B+ voltage which used to run in the 350-450 Volt range in tube sets, with appreciable currents. But we are talking about a whole new level of power here. He recounts stories in industrial settings where people who should have known better (also EEs) attempted to carelessly interrupt large (albeit inductive) medium voltage DC currents; by the grace of God, they survived.
He is not saying this “supercharging” can’t be done safely; he and I were just questioning why no one seems to be questioning potential hazards, at least in the popular media, which seems to be all rah-rah supercharging is coming, isn’t it wonderful!,
Links to relevant internet articles on the subject would be appreciated.
This is key to the EV future at GM.
While some pondered about delays on the cars it is parts of the puzzle like this that are needed in place to help ensure success.
Even when the automobile came out fuel was available at nearly any pharmacy.
I still believe all automakers need to get with the SAE and set a standard of charging. Right now we are still at the point where the first cars use non standard fasteners.
CCS is an SAE standard. Tesla are Nissan are the only ones that don’t follow it.
That is my point get everyone on the same page.
But those who don’t join the others will be at a disadvantage at some point.
Like the old VHS vs Beta tape issue of the 70’s
Tesla owners can use an adapter to get a charge at SAE CCS stations, so they have a way around. I believe someone did develop an adapter for a Chevy Bolt EV to get a charge at a Tesla supercharger. So there will be adapters, just as Apple iPhone owners can get a charge at a USB unit. But only Nissan and Tesla will be “different” as all the other EV brands will follow the SAE standard. Just don’t buy neither Tesla nor Nissan.
Still don’t understand why the BPs and Exxons of the world don’t seem to be repositioning themselves as Energy Stations (everything from petrol to diesel to electric).
Right now, it’s up to carmakers to create their own networks.
This is just an assumption on my part and have zero facts to back it up at all.
I assume that Big Oil doesn’t want to give legitimacy to EV’s and the assumption to current ICE drivers visiting their station that EV’s are indeed the future. And if they see just how easy it will be to charge, their perception might change a lot quicker than Big Oil would like.
Everyone forgets that when EV’s become the Norm, Gas Stations will have no service centers either. Their only form of income at that point will be the little stores they have.
But I agree with you totally. Gas Stations are losing out on Straight up Cash. But they know if more people had true access to charging, EV sales will probably sky rocket. As of right now not everyone can own an EV to be fair.
And very glad to hear about GM investing in Super Chargers.
Well um- Shell bought Greenlots so- they see the writing on the wall.
Right – and because charging takes some time, drivers spend more $ at the convenience store.
ICE isn’t going anywhere soon, but offering EV hi-speed charging as an option seems like a no-brainer.
most gas stations or convenience stores make more money selling the other stuff beside the gasoline. if GM want to sell EVs they better have charging stations that are selling other stuff like cigs, coffee and food.
The gas station makes little on the gas BUT the oil company ALOT, a TON !!!
Where do you think oil companies make money ?
They are not giving profit to the gas station owner unless the gas station owner is a big oil energy stock investor !!
However I don’t feel the shop owner will make any more on an EV charger .
https://www.forbes.com/2011/05/10/oil-company-earnings.html#f3f0d892dc83
Motorman,
Remember,
You cant have it both ways.
If the reason Tesla lowered the price of stuff is do to people not buying it !!
GM is lowering the price of stuff do to the same thing ?
Tax credit or not !!!
If people don’t want what you make you lower the price until people do.
Tells you what people think your stuff is worth, business, marketing, sales, profit, costs, margin, net, and on and on.
Still the OLD money guys will tell you its simple math, numbers, money in — money out !!!
Watch what is about to happen.
Money is a tool of trade, the paper is worth nothing.
Like tax cuts or tariffs, both can and will be offset by the value of the dollar or inflation !
Its a game, who plays the game better ?
Your Forbes article is the same for instance, an oil market analyst stating something about oil profits.
That’s like JD power vehicle awards.
Its like GM saying GM is making profit.
Its like Boeing saying Boeing 737 Max is safe.
Motorman, follow the money in and the money out !!!!!
Read that article !! Does your personal retirement fund have the stock holdings of what oil company, how about all of your friends ?
X % of profit goes to top execs. then X% to funds, FUNDS, is that a way to say top execs. and wall street ?
Have you all sat around the coffee table and discussed your portfolio, prospectus ?
Do you know where your retirement money comes from ? What your ” funds ” include ?
To change the subject !
I cant figure out why the electric power companies don’t put charge stations next to the sub stations across America.
The utilities have easement laws for land ( parking ), They have all the power they need close, They are only X miles from EVERYWHERE, rural, urban, it does not matter they are close !!
LOOK find one !!
Then with the smart grid that will come, the GREEN energy can go directly into transportation !!
And to top that off the profit could then go directly to the local person, local government, local roads, local school through tax, local retirement funds ETC.
But instead you think it is better to give this money from transportation to a large corporation, then the US government through taxes, foreign governments, then top execs. then ” fund” managers, then YOU and ME.
And how about the US military, safety, security, so called freedom.
Like our state, our law makers are tryin to figure out where to get gas tax from if transportation goes electric, for roads etc. HOW ABOUT THE ELECTRICITY !!
Easy, right !!!
You don’ think all this stall in the US is just do to laws for profit do you !!!
Its like regulation — Dems regulate safety and for the worker ( on average ) GOP regulates who will profit ( on average ).
Follow the money all the way from in to out.
From your hand when young to your hand as a retired person, look who profited from it !!!
DID YOU !!!
ALL OF IT !!!!
if the dem regulations are for the benefit of the worker why since trump removed al lot the obama regulations all the jobs have been created and there are millions that are not filled. I was able to retire early at 60 because I took advantage of the company 401K plan. since I retired 25 years ago I bought 5 new corvettes 2 new silverados and 4 new impalas so I think the company did alright by me. we spent our winters in fla and vacationed all over the USA in the summer. workers who do a good job for the company are rewarded. also I did this as a tradesman not a college graduate.
Exactly.
Here is the deal.
They all are ready to move when the time is right. Right now the timing is off.
#1 not enough cars worth the investment yet.
#2 getting everyone on one system to charge.
#3 charge times are still too long. Once we can charge a car in the time to fill a tank they will replace a couple pumps with chargers.
Gas stations would love to use the facilities they have and not have a bunch of cars just sitting there. Gas stations are made to get you in and out as volume is where the money is at.
ICE is also not going away overnight. Gas is going to remain cheap and easy to find for a good while. The average person can not afford a larger EV yet either and a. Lot is too small.
It will take time to evolve but it will get there.
Of course, you could have bought a Volt. Just saying…
They better think this out, and make it an excellent price to charge, not like one company that charges $1.00 to hook up and .35 cents a minute to fast charge to 80-100 miles. for thirty minutes to do that would cost $11.50 for that many miles is more then buying gas for the same miles, a Prius that gets 52 mpg it would cost about $5.40 for 100 miles. That company will not sale any one but a sucker to charge. for me to go 100 miles on my home charge cost $2.20 There is no way I will pay $11.50 for 100 miles.
I think the critical thing you said is when you charge at home. The EV charging model is very different than gas stations. You always had to refill at a gas station with an ICE. Charging your EV away from home is an exception case. When you need to do it the additional cost is minor.
Now for people that don’t have home chargers I think there needs to be a subscription plan to keep cost under control.
The one time we almost hooked our Volt to a charge station that was (surprise!) at a hotel we were staying at for the night. It looked too complex, requiring some sort of membership on our credit card, so we decided it was not worth it for 50 miles electric range. But it got me to thinking, why do not the major hotel chains pick up reasonably priced level 2 or fast charge stations as perhaps a free or reasonably priced add on perk? It would seem a natural, especially with the longer range BEVs, since the hotel guests will probably be parking there overnight anyway and may have long recharge times. Seems like it could be a win-win. As has been pointed out before, most customers and most quick-stop gas stations probably don’t want customers parked at their “pumps” for long periods of time, you can only buy so many snacks.
Some hotels are starting to add level 2 chargers and many parking garages. The whole thing is a chicken or egg situation. There needs to be enough EV’s on the road to hit a critical mass where adding level 2 chargers at most hotels makes sense.
what happens if it is raining and you are standing in a puddle and you drop the plug into the water ??
Hopefully it will shut down quickly enough; though I wonder if you pull the plug in the rain possibly exposing the contacts to the water before the controller realizes you are breaking the connection, could you get zapped? I assume there will be some sort of electro-mechanical interlock to protect the unaware user? High Voltage DC can lock your muscles and stop your heart in an instant. With AC you at least have a chance to get off during current zero-crossings, maybe. It’s that I just don’t see any public discussions of the dangers that worries me.
I think the first thing to understand is the charge cable isn’t a plug like a lamp cord. There is a data connection involved that tells the charger/EVSE to initiate the charging and at what rate.
For DC charging the plug physically locks to the cars receptacle.
Since there is a data connection that must be maintain for charging to function. As soon as that connection is broke there is no electricity flowing through the cable. And that happens at the speed of an electron through a wire. Much faster than you could pull the cable out enough to make any contact with the pins either by hand or foreign matter.
theflew: Thanks for the explanation, sounds plausible and reasonably safe if properly designed and maintained. I assume you meant the speed of the electric field in the wire, not the drift speed of the actual electrons, which are comparatively slow. I like the feature of the physical locking of the connector, hopefully that was the electro-mechanical interlock I was looking for. Since we have been discussing adapters in this thread, I assume the adapter designs will support the safety features you mentioned. Thanks again for your informative response.
There is no design here – it’s an SAE standard and there are many suppliers for the plugs already. Since haven’t heard of anyone being electrocuted by an EVSE and they’ve been out for at least 7 years I don’t think safety is an issue.
The EVSE will stop power flow as soon as the connector is unplugged. It will only apply power when it receives a signal from the EV. So nothing will happen if you dropped the plug into a puddle.
Raymond: I guess the answer lies in how quick and reliable “as soon as” is. Again, with proper design it can probably be made completely safe, but my question remains: why is nobody in the industry touting the safety of their equipment? I assume such subjects do not make for a good marketing plan, but like the 737Max, do we have to wait for the accidents to happen?
what about the hoods who will cut off the cable for the copper to sell ?? the companies better have a supply of replacement cables.