National Center for Charging Infrastructure, Hy2Move, Neural Concept and more

The German National Center for Charging Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI), has released a new edition of its study "Charging Infrastructure Post-2025/2030: Scenarios for Market Ramp-Up," which analyzes the need for charging infrastructure in Germany through 2030. The study takes into account current market developments and technology trends in electric passenger cars as well as new insights into driving and charging behavior. It emphasizes the necessity of proactive infrastructure development, which must precede, rather than occur simultaneously with, the market ramp-up of electric vehicles. Depending on the scenario, an installed charging capacity of 23.3 to 32.4 GW was determined, corresponding to a need for 380,000 to 680,000 publicly accessible charging points, including 55,000 to 90,000 high-power charging (HPC) points with more than 150 kW charging capacity by 2030. In the reference scenario, combining baseline assumptions, a need for 520,000 charging points was identified, including 68,000 HPC points. In an initial statement, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) welcomed the new edition of the study but also emphasized that the proactive expansion of the charging infrastructure must be further promoted and urgently intensified by policymakers.

The U.S. government under President Joe Biden has announced another round of funding through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. This round's budget is $1.3 billion and is part of the total $2.5 billion allocated to the CFI program, which aims to support the development of charging infrastructure and alternative refueling infrastructure (hydrogen and gas) in both urban and rural areas. This CFI program runs in addition to the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which focuses on building fast-charging stations along highways.

The European Commission has cleared the way for a new "Important Project of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) to promote hydrogen mobility. Named "Hy2Move," the project focuses on research, innovation, and the initial commercial use of hydrogen in mobility. A total of eleven companies, along with one associated partner and over 200 indirect partners including universities, research institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across Europe, will collaborate on 13 different initiatives.

The project is supported by seven member states—Germany, Estonia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Spain—which together will provide up to €1.4 billion in public funds. This funding is expected to mobilize an additional €3.3 billion in private investments. Participants include major companies such as BMW and Airbus.

The activities within Hy2Move will cover four main areas: the development of mobility and transportation applications, including platforms for fuel cell buses and trucks; the advancement of fuel cell technologies with a focus on enhancing the efficiency and performance of fuel cells; improvements in on-board H2 storage and the development of better hydrogen storage systems; and the development of technologies for hydrogen production, specifically for supplying hydrogen refueling stations with pressurized hydrogen.

North America is at the forefront of investments in electric vehicles, battery production, and charging infrastructure. This is highlighted in a new report by the environmental organization Transport & Environment (T&E). According to the analysis, in 2023, Europe invested 42 billion euros in electric mobility, compared to 9 billion euros in China and 58 billion euros in North America. Within Europe, the highest investments from 2021 to 2023 were made in the United Kingdom (26 billion euros), Germany (13 billion euros), and Spain (10 billion euros).

The Swiss startup Neural Concept has developed an AI software platform intended to reduce the development time for an electric vehicle from four years to 18 months. The platform automates the previously manual process. It analyzes material properties and suggests improvements for efficiency enhancement. Over 60 OEMs from various sectors, including Airbus, Bosch, and General Electric, are already using Neural Concept's platform.

62% of charging sessions at High-Power-Charging (HPC) points in Europe last less than 30 minutes, with more than a third (37%) lasting only between 15 and 30 minutes. This is according to an analysis of internal data from Digital Charging Solutions (DCS) GmbH. The company provides roaming access to over 550,000 charging points as of last year. The analysis was based on 1,634,437 charging sessions at HPC points in the German DCS charging network in 2023.

Volvo is set to introduce the first battery passport for its EX90 model this year. Developed in collaboration with the British startup Circulor, the battery passport will enable tracing of battery materials from their origin to the final product. This initiative preempts an EU regulation requiring that from February 2027, all electric cars sold in the EU must have a so-called battery passport, which makes the supply chain transparent and provides information about CO2 emissions during production. The passport will be accessible via a QR code located on the inside of the driver’s door and will offer detailed information about the materials used and their origins.

According to the German newspaper “Handelsblatt”, at a recent event, Volkswagen announced that its new electric platform, the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), is scheduled to debut in 2028. This platform will replace the existing MEB and PPE platforms and provide a unified basis for future electric vehicles. The SSP is designed to be used across all vehicle segments, from compact cars to premium models. Originally planned for a 2026 launch, the introduction of the SSP was postponed to 2028 and is now expected towards the end of the decade. It is anticipated to feature advanced battery technology that may allow charging times of about twelve minutes and support automated driving up to Level 4.

Ford has rolled off the first production model of the new Ford Explorer in Cologne, marking the start of mass production of the all-electric Explorer. Over two billion US dollars have been invested in modernizing the plant for electric vehicle production. The Explorer, based on Volkswagen's MEB platform, is the first mass-production all-electric model by Ford developed in Europe for Europe. The Explorer is available in various configurations, including models with different battery sizes. The production features highly automated manufacturing using over 250 robots to assemble the sheet metal parts. Ford plans to produce up to 250,000 units of the Explorer and another model annually in Cologne.

BMW has unveiled the Concept Skytop, a study that previews the design and technology of future BMW models. The Concept Skytop is characterized by an aerodynamic design and innovative technologies that maximize the vehicle's comfort and efficiency. The concept car incorporates state-of-the-art technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems, a sophisticated infotainment system, and sustainable materials.

Peugeot has celebrated the German debut of its electric SUV, the e-3008, which is based on Stellantis's new STLA Medium platform. In Germany, it will be available in three drivetrain variants: a front-wheel drive with 157 kW power and a 73-kWh battery offering a range of up to 525 kilometers, a long-range version of the front-wheel drive with 170 kW power and a 98-kWh battery offering a range of up to 680 kilometers, and an all-wheel drive with 240 kW power and a 73-kWh battery also offering up to 525 kilometers of range.

The electric air taxi company Archer has received the "Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate" from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This certification allows Archer to conduct commercial flights in the future. Archer is the second air taxi manufacturer worldwide to receive this certificate. The company plans to start commercial air taxi operations with its own Midnight aircraft, a pilot-operated aircraft for four passengers designed for quick shuttle flights. United Airlines, one of the investors, has already ordered 100 aircrafts. Archer aims to replace 60- to 90-minute car rides with 10- to 20-minute electric air taxi flights.

Polestar has announced that Zaptec will be the official home charging system partner for the European market. The Zaptec Go wallbox will offer up to 22 kW charging power and be compatible with all Polestar vehicles, including the upcoming Polestar 3 and Polestar 4. This partnership will also include the development of future Vehicle-to-Grid and bidirectional charging solutions.

The compact electric cabin scooter, Microlino, is receiving a larger battery for increased range. The vehicle will now be offered with a new 15-kWh battery that allows for a range of up to 230 kilometers. Previously, the models were available with 5.5 kWh and 10.5 kWh batteries, offering ranges of 93 and 177 kilometers respectively, and reaching a top speed of 90 km/h.

Nissan has started testing its automated driving Leaf on public roads in Japan. The prototype is equipped with 14 cameras, 10 radars, and six LIDAR sensors, enabling the vehicle to predict pedestrian behavior, change lanes, and safely navigate intersections. Initial field tests are being conducted at SAE Level 2 with a safety driver. Nissan aims to enhance this technology and introduce an autonomous mobility service by 2027.