Metering.com 2 NOVEMBER 2016
US utility New York Power Authority (NYPA) extended its contract with electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions firm EV Connect to improve EV adoption in New York.
NYPA signed a $4 million contract with EV Connect for the construction, operation and maintenance of some 300 level 2 EV charging stations.
The solutions firm will use its cloud-based technologies to ensure interoperability between the EV charging stations and utility’s grid network.
Under the deal, EV Connect will employ its solutions to help EV drivers to easily locate and use the new charging stations.
The solutions provider will partner with GE and EV Box to implement the project.
The extension of the contract follows the success of a pilot between NYPA and EV Connect in which the two parties constructed and managed 100 EV charging stations.
EV charging stations targets
The project to build EV Charging stations falls under efforts by the NYPA to meet targets set by New York governor Andrew Cuomo to install 3,000 EV charging stations in New York state by 2018.
In early October, EV Connect was also selected by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to construct EV charging stations and provide management of the charging ecosystem.
Despite efforts being implemented by various energy stakeholders to increase the adoption of EVs in the US, utility firms are playing a leading role in ensuring increased adoption and that their grid networks are able to support the EVs. [New York Power Authority extends EV programme].
In mid-August, Michigan utility Consumers Energy said it plans to install more than 800 charging stations as part of a $15 million statewide EV infrastructure programme.
To support the anticipated increase in electric vehicles, Consumers Energy plans to install 60 direct current fast-charge stations and 750 alternating current stations across the state.
Consumers Energy spokesperson, Brian Wheeler, said: “The charging station program that we propose would help residents be more comfortable with purchasing an electric vehicle and promote Michigan as a leader in renewable transportation.”
The fast charging stations will allow driver to recharge up to 80% of their battery in about 20 minutes and will be strategically located along major highways at approximately 50-mile intervals.
Wheeler added: “Installation of the 240V AC chargers will begin in higher-populated metropolitan areas and expand to smaller cities. The intent is that charging stations would be metered and the energy would be paid for by the station host business owner.”
Image credit: www.forbes.com.