GM Will Invest In US Charge Networks, Won’t Build Its Own
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General Motors has reaffirmed its stance that investing in third-party companies is a better strategy for setting up a network of electric vehicle chargers in the United States, as opposed to building its own charging infrastructure.
Speaking to The Detroit News, GM executive Mike Ableson said that funding third part companies is the “best use of our capital, not to build our own charging networks.”
Ableson, who also serves as GM’s vice president of global strategy, moved into the newly created role of vice president of EV infrastructure late last year.
GM recently aligned itself with Virginia’s Bechtel Corp. to build fast chargers in the United States. GM will provide Bechtel with data to will help determine the best place to build the charging stations, while Bechtel will engineer and build the chargers themselves and work with local jurisdictions to acquire permits. The data for this project was obtained through OnStar.
Earlier this year, GM also partnered with third-party charging companies EVgo, ChargePoint and Greenlots, linking their data with the in-vehicle MyChevrolet app. This has enabled Chevrolet Bolt EV owners to receive real-time data on charge points and their availability.
“Price and range are directly under the automaker’s control,” Ableson said. “When it came to charging infrastructure, (GM) decided we needed to get a team in place to address that, which involves working across some industries that traditionally haven’t worked together so closely.”
GM’s strategy is different than that of Tesla, which has a vast network of its own electric vehicle chargers spread across the United States and in parts of Canada. Additionally, Porsche has developed its own charge stations and is setting them up at dealerships, although the dealers must pay out of pocket to install the charging arrays. The German manufacturer plans on setting chargers up at other places owners may visit often as well, such as golf country clubs and hotels.
Rivian, which unveiled concept versions of an electric pickup truck and SUV last year, will also set up its own charge points in so-called “adventure locations.” GM nearly entered a partnership with Michigan-based Rivian, but turned down the deal as it would have prevented Rivian from partnering with other automakers as well. Ford subsequently invested $500M in the company.
Source: The Detroit News
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Automakers need to focus on product not power. The return on investment is low in the power segment jjustvas it will be with gas. Hence stations making more on beer and lottery tickets.
Support others to service your product and let them run it.
This borders on insanity and unless there is some type of aftermarket recharging kit for some type of standard, everyone needs to buy an electric vehicle with enough range for a roundtrip drive unless you can go to your dealership for a recharge if you can’t make it home because it’s unlikely tow service will be able to recharge an electric vehicle given there can be as many as a different standard for every auto brand.
Buying an EV with more range just because you have to travel far is insane! Buy or rent a hybrid for long travels, move closer to your main destinations (work, school, etc), and travel less. Buying just for distance travel is a pure waste on money, time, and other resources, and will be bad for your health. Get a proper EV for your daily driving, and reduce all travels even more by doing more business online.
Electricity is all the same. Converters will let anyone charge anywhere. Tesla already provides a converter for non Tesla chargers. The more chargers the better. I still don’t understand why say BP or Exxon don’t set up chargers at their stations.
GM (and other EV manufacturers) is doing the correct action by just supporting EVSE manufacturers to supply charging stations. The purpose of the SAE J1772 EVSE standard is for that reason, so that any EV brand can charge at any station, just as SAE did for gasoline hoses. Tesla has its own fanboys and yet their EVs can charge at any SAE EVSE station with a simple adapter.
BTW, Shell is actually setting up DCFC stations as part of its expansion. It is obvious that Exxon and BP don’t want to join Shell because they are losing business with EVs.
I think the automakers should focus their energy on designing and producing a line of electric vehicles that will appeal to this market. IE: since cars are becoming less appealing to the public, start building cuv, suv and pickups. The cost is not going to be much cheaper than luxury ice vehicles cost today. I am willing to wait a couple of years to see what becomes available besides the Volt, Bolt, Leaf and Tesla. Once there are a couple hundred EV’s to choose from, the prices will be competitive and go lower. Third party companies will get involved with building chargers along major highways etc. to supplement the chargers already online.
The key still is being able to recharge in the amount of time it takes to fill up a tank of fuel.
One is because people do not want to change their habits or life style. Also retailers do not want cars sitting on chargers for hours. Get one off the charger and getting another on will drive revenue and that will drive interest in charging.
Even now Tesla is looking to limit time in chargers to open more up.
One more benefit of faster charging is this. Most gas stations could add a charger to any island in the same location and space yet not tie up the island any longer than it is now.
GM is having a tough time walking and chewing gum at the same time. It’s a very good idea to pass on a GM charger network. New technology for them, new staff, etc and the end game has a good chance of being negative.
While there is brands selling a auto w/a rotating assembly; I/myself will not pay additional for any EV! Unlike regular batteries: if the battery is in place longer than a regular “C” battery; then why should i buy an EV when the contacts can erode when the storage capsol is empty?
It looks like the auto industry is going down the same path as the cordless tool manufactures. Everyone has the own battery, no commonality. If the industry wants to go electric, everyone must have the same charging connection and voltage, no adapters needed. This will be the biggest hassle. Some will park their EV at the charger and walks away for several hours or all day. I guess the answer would be the time connected to the charger after the charge is completed would be billable and a parking fee since anyone will want to park under a canopy.
My other question is why is everyone putting so much emphasis on public charging? What is not talked about at all is home charging. You have to spend quite a few dollars to have one installed in your garage after buying an EV. Most EV buyers are for the daily commute for work or play, not drive to the mall for a charge.
No sure I understand your comment. CCS is an SAE standard that in the US every make that sell EVs adhere to except Tesla (has there own network) and Nissan. When Nissan decides to get serious again in the US I’m sure they will switch to CCS. And Tesla in Europe has switch to CCS already.
Your second point about charging at home is true or people that have garages to easily install home chargers in. But that leaves out most people that live inner city or apartment buildings. EVs can’t suburban only vehicles.