Tuesday, December 23, 2014

December Question of the Month

Question of the Month: What are the major electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) networks, and how can plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) drivers access their stations? What are the costs associated with each network?

Answer:
Most PEV charging occurs at home, but for those who have a need to charge at a public location, it’s important to understand available charging networks. While EVSE networks and charging infrastructure are frequently evolving, the major networks currently include AeroVironment, Blink, ChargePoint, GE WattStation Connect, Greenlots SKY, NRG eVgo, SemaConnect, and Tesla. Each network has a unique model, with the most common approaches being monthly subscriptions, pay-as-you-go (i.e., pay per charge), and free (free to charge and no subscription fee required).

To determine which charging networks have EVSE along your regular routes and close to your frequent destinations, use the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Station Locator (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/stations/) and the Plan a Route function (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/stations/route/). Select a station, click “more details,” and refer to the “electric charging network” field. Please note that many public EVSE are not networked and do not require specific access cards.

EVSE Networks
For detailed information on each charging network, see below.

·        Access: Monthly subscription, pay-as-you-go. Unlimited monthly access is provided for a monthly rate, or you may pay-as-you-go. To subscribe, call the company or fill out a form online. You will receive a key fob in the mail, which is needed to initiate a charging session. A one-time activation fee of $15 is required for new subscribers.
·        Contact: 888-332-2148, evscs@avinc.com

Blink (Car Charging Group) (www.blinknetwork.com)
·        Access: Pay-as-you-go. Start by registering a credit card with a Blink account. There are no required annual or monthly membership fees, and no minimum credit card balance. Once registered, you will receive an “InCard” and can initiate a charge using the card. Guests can also initiate a charge with Blink’s mobile application.
·        Contact: 888-998-2546, support@blinknetwork.com

ChargePoint (www.chargepoint.com)
·        Access: Pay-as-you-go, free. Sign up for free by submitting your credit card information via the website. You will receive an access card in the mail. If you initiate a session at a networked station that requires a fee, ChargePoint will assess an initial deposit of $25. Stations can be activated by using the ChargePoint card or your registered credit card. Users who do not have a ChargePoint card can use the EVSE by calling the number provided below, which is also listed on the EVSE.
·        Contact: 888-758-4389, support@chargepoint.com

GE WattStation Connect (www.gewattstation.com/connect/)
·        Access: Pay-as-you-go. To start charging with WattSation Connect, register and log in through the website. You will then be asked to link your account to PayPal for payment, and download the WattStation Connect mobile application.
·        Contact: 855-443-3873, wattstation.support@ge.com

Greenlots SKY (www.greenlots.com)
·        Access: Monthly subscription, pay-as-you-go. To start charging with the Greenlots SKY network, download the Greenlots mobile application, which will allow you to search for stations, view real-time status and pricing, and choose between a prepaid monthly subscription or pay-as-you-go.
·        Contact: 888-751-8650, support@greenlots.com

NRG eVgo (www.nrgevgo.com/)
·        Access: Monthly subscription, pay-as-you-go. NRG eVgo provides multiple charging network plan options, including a monthly subscription and an option to pay-as-you-go. To subscribe, visit the website and sign up for a charging plan in your area.
·        Contact: 855-509-5581, support@evgonetwork.com

SemaConnect (www.semaconnect.com/
·        Access: Pay-as-you-go. To sign up, log on to the SemaConnect website and open a new account with a $20 balance charged to a major credit card. You will receive a “SemaCharge Pass” radio-frequency identification (RFID) card that can be used to initiate charging at any SemaConnect location. SemaConnect also offers mobile payments via its smartphone application, toll-free number, or via a QR code scan.
·        Contact: 800-663-5633

·        Access: Free.Tesla Superchargers do not require an access card; Tesla Model S owners can drive up and plug in. The chargers are compatible with Model S vehicles equipped with the 85 or 60 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack that have been configured to use Superchargers. Note that other PEV models cannot access Tesla Superchargers.
·        Contact: 877-79-TESLA

The table below provides an overview of the access type and costs associated with each network.


Network Access
Cost
AeroVironment
Monthly subscription;
Pay-as-you-go
$19.99 per month
$4.00-$7.50 per charge
Blink
Pay-as-you-go
$0.39-$0.79 per kWh OR
$6.99-$9.99 per charge
ChargePoint
Pay-as-you-go;
Free
$25 initial fee
Cost per charge varies
GE WattStation Connect
Pay-as-you-go
Cost per charge varies
Greenlots SKY
Monthly subscription;
Pay-as-you-go
Subscription costs and cost per charge vary
NRG eVgo
Monthly subscription;
Pay-as-you-go
Cost per charge varies by region
SemaConnect
Pay-as-you-go
$20 initial fee
Cost per charge varies
Tesla
Free
N/A

Multi-Network Access
Some companies have teamed up to facilitate access to multiple charging networks with one access/payment card. Nissan LEAF drivers, for example, can enroll in the EZ-Charge program (www.ez-charge.com) and use EVSE on the AeroVironment, Blink, ChargePoint, Greenlots, and NRG eVgo networks in certain markets.


Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team
800-254-6735

Lancer Automotive Group & GPS Insight Sign Partnership

GPS Insight enters installation, distribution
partnership with Lancer Automotive Group.
18 December 2014

GPS Insight, a top GPS fleet tracking provider, signed a non-exclusive,
installation and distribution partnership agreement with Lancer Automotive
Group, a leader in the intermountain west for alternative fuel conversions.
Lancer Automotive will add the GPS Insight fleet tracking solution to its CNG,
LPG and EV products, providing a one-stop shopping experience for
commercial fleets that are looking to reduce their dependence on petroleum
based fuels.

Lancer Automotive Group will work with fleets to leverage the fleet
operations data provided by the GPS Insight fleet tracking solution, to
reduce emissions as part of an Idle Free Campaign and to lower fuel
consumption. As part of Lancer Automotive Group’s Green Fleet program,
they will donate $5.00 for each unit sold to the Clean Cities Coalition in the
state which the GPS Insight tracking device is used.

“Idle reduction strategies is a key part of the Clean Cities program. The
partnership between GPS Insight and Lancer Automotive Group will enhance
our idling program by providing the additional training needed for fleets. The
donations provided by Lancer Automotive Group will help us purchase
additional idle reductions supplies for our schools throughout the state. Big
thank you!”  -Robin Erickson, Executive Director Utah Clean Cities

The capability of the GPS Insight system makes economic sense for our fleet
customers, offering a quick return on investment. This partnership provides
a great way for our fleets to use Idle Free training reduce fuel costs, with a
reduction emissions.—Scott Brandeberry, VP Lancer Automotive Group

We are very excited about our partnership with Lancer Automotive Group.
Lancer Auto Group are experts in using GPS based operations data to lower
greenhouse gas emissions for commercial fleets. We have found that the
fleets that measure their greenhouse gas emissions, and implement
programs to reduce them, are by far the most successful in minimizing their
carbon footprint.—Harold Leitner, VP of Business Development at GPS Insight
GPS 

Insight is a fleet and asset tracking software that allows fleet
management professionals to have complete visibility into mobile operations
to reduce costs, reduce risk and increase revenue. GPS Insight provides
highly flexible solutions, which include a wide range of customized reports,
alerts, and other innovative features that Lancer Automotive Group can
tailor to meet specific customer requirements and ensure maximum return
on investment.

To learn more about GPS Insight or to request a demonstration of the
software, contact Scott Brandeberry (scott@lancerautogroup.com) at Lancer
Automotive Group 801-268-8862 or Ryan Driscoll, Marketing Director at GPS
Insight (Ryan.Driscoll@gpsinsight.com) 866-477-4321 x8003