Latest news with #EVCharging
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Octopus launches its first ever EV home charger - you could claim 5,000 free miles if you do this one thing
Octopus Energy is expanding its EV charging empire by launching its first electric car home charger, and it's offering a free driving freebie if you sign up. Octopus, which recently became the largest domestic household energy supplier in Britain, has designed and built the Octopus Charge EV smart charger to add to its EV hardware stable. To celebrate, Octopus is giving customers up to 5,000 miles of free charging as a joining bonus - enough to get to Land's End to John o' Groats and back again with miles to spare. But there's a snag... The offer is only available to the first 100 customers, so you'll need to be quick off the mark to snap up the free miles. However, Octopus Charge is fully integrated with the UK's most popular EV tariff, Intelligent Octopus Go, allowing electric car owners to charge for a little as 2p a mile. So regardless of the sign up deal, big savings can be made if you charge smartly with the home charger. Costing £899 untethered (cable unattached) and £999 tethered (cable attached, Octopus promises that its new charger will 'shake up the electric car game' with its sleek design and super-smart charging, and make 'driving electric simpler, smarter and greener than ever'. The charger links up seamlessly with the Octopus Energy app and its tech platform Kraken, so it will know to smart charge automatically when electricity is at its cheapest and greenest. Customers just have to set a charging time and amount, and the smart tech takes care of the rest. Solar panel customers will be able to use Octopus Charge to power their EVs with any surplus solar electricity, turning free, home-grown electricity into miles on the road. While smart integration of Intelligent Octopus Go is already covered, other smart tariff integration isn't set up yet but Octopus says it will follow soon. Already, just over two years after launching, Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK's most popular EV tariff with 200,000 customers. Over 280 EV and charger models are compatible, making it a go to choice for EV owners and manufacturers. It also has built-in 4G, and fits snugly into tight spaces thanks to a uniquely designed charging cable holster. Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy, said: 'Charging at home is already better than queueing up at the petrol station – and now we've made it even simpler. 'Octopus Energy was the first energy company to launch a smart tariff, an EV tariff, an export tariff, and our very own heat pump. 'We're delighted to add Octopus Charge to our stable, initially designed to work seamlessly with Intelligent Octopus Go, and with other features to follow shortly.' How can you get the Octopus Charge EV home charger? Initially Octopus Charge will be exclusively available for customers of Octopus Electric Vehicles. It will then launch to all Octopus Energy customers in August. Drivers can register their interest in Octopus Charge online to be one of the first 100 to claim 5,000 free miles. How much can you save by charging at home? Last year, the Andersen Index compared a 1.2-litre Vauxhall Corsa to a Vauxhall Corsa Electric over a monthly average of 1,000 miles to see how much EV drivers could theoretically save. Live pricing from six popular energy providers at the time (including Ovo Energy, Octopus Energy, British Gas and gave an average smart charge rate of 7.9p/kWh. When multiplied by the 230kWh of battery energy required to power the Corsa E for 1,000 miles, an EV owner would pay £18.17 a month, or £218.04 a year. An equivalent petrol Corsa would need around 87 litres of unleaded petrol to drive 1,000 miles (at 52mpg, that's 11.42 miles a litre). Using the RAC average at the time the research was conducted (148p a litre), a petrol driver would have been forking out £128.76 per month, or £1,545.12 a year. That's a difference of £1,327.92 that could be saved by driving an EV and smart charging at home. People who don't use a smart charger, or don't take advantage of EV-specific tariffs, pay a monthly cost of £56.35, based on Ofgem's energy price cap average standard rate tariff of 24.5p/kWh. Each year this EV driver would pay £676.20.
Associated Press
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Banking Innovator Mark Troncale Takes the Helm as a Founding Partner at Quantum Unity
As electric vehicles take the road, Quantum Unity aims to build a reliable and efficient EV charging network like no other JUNE 10, 2025 - Banking innovator Mark Troncale has announced the launch of Quantum Unity. He is the co-founder of this revolutionary firm, which aims to build the most reliable AI-driven, efficient charging network powered by solar microgrids. Troncale holds a J.D. in Law and is an esteemed business pioneer. His past roles include serving as vice president at California Republic Bank, and he was the founder and president of Nano Banc, where his team of six achieved $1.3 billion in deposits from commercial clients in one year. He is the creator of the Merged Podcast, which identifies new innovative technologies. Troncale is also the creator of Atlas, a leading-edge banking security system. As a C-suite innovator, Troncale has a proven track record of driving results in banking through capital, investment, and acuquisitions. His expertise in the areas of banking technology, regulation, law, market trends, and talent acquisition all helped to forge the path for his success and for the creation of Quantum Unity. Quantum Unity offers a viable, forward-thinking solution to a problem faced by EV consumers and the infrastructure overall. 'Quantum Unity is committed to leading the shift toward sustainable electric vehicle charging infrastructure,' said the team at Quantum Unity. 'Our mission is to make electric vehicle charging accessible and straightforward for everyone.' The overarching vision of Quantum Unity is to build a network of reliable, AI-driven, efficient charging stations that are powered by solar microgrids. This makes Quantum Unity the most sustainable concept for widespread EV charging on the market. It's positioned to offer tangible benefits for commercial property owners, municipalities, government projects, fleet service, and public charging. The Quantum Unity model also introduces sustainability as a service, integrating solar-powered charging solutions that help businesses achieve sustainability objectives. Through this model, energy costs are reduced and new revenue streams are opened by way of green certifications and consumer appeal. 'I am beyond thrilled to announce the launch of Quantum Unity and to unveil this dynamic concept to the world,' said Troncale. 'We aim to offer a model for others around the world, especially in areas where electric vehicles are being highly adopted. This is not a convenience; it's a necessity.' Troncale is involved in every step taken at Quantum Unity, offering his perspectives and the latest data to curate a true and lasting solution for EV charging. Learn more now by visiting ABOUT MARK TRONCALE Mark Troncale is transformational C-suite executive whose track record includes delivering historical results in traditional and non-traditional banking with a specialization in capital, investment, acquisitions, and banking tech. Media Contact Contact Person: Mark Troncale Email: Send Email Phone: 949-576-6333 Country: United States Website: Source: Oregon Web Solutions
Auto Blog
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
SparkCharge Raises $30.5 Million To Bring Mobile EV Charging Everywhere You Go
Mobile EV charging company gets massive influx of cash so you can charge your EV anywhere Mobile EV charging company gets massive influx of cash so you can charge your EV anywhere Infrastructure is a significant headache for electric vehicle (EV) owners. EV sales appear to be outpacing infrastructure improvements and expansion, with most drivers opting to seek out fast chargers and crowd hubs, such as Tesla's renowned Supercharger installations. If SparkCharge has its way, though, infrastructure concerns may soon be a thing of the past. 0:00 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More The company recently raised $30.5 million through a Series A-1 funding round led by Monte's Fam ($15.5 million) and a '$15 million venture loan facility provided by Horizon Technology Finance Corporation.' SparkCharge aims to use this money to expand all three of its offerings through the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 'We're excited with the progress we've made being first to market with our off-grid EV Charging Network,' said David Piperno, CFO of SparkCharge. 'In addition to closing our Series A-1 and Venture Debt funding, we've also secured non-dilutive financing with CSC Leasing that enables us to finance our equipment requirements to continue to support our growth.' SparkCharge Mobile Charging What SparkCharge does SparkCharge bills itself as a 'Charging-as-a-Service' (CaaS) company with three core offerings: permanent charger installations, mobile battery charging, and off-grid power hubs. The first is an EV charger, as you know it – built-in chargers where you pull in to charge your vehicle. However, SparkCharge also offers site planning and other services for landowners who want to install charging stations without worrying about the logistics. Mobile battery charging is the company's more enticing offer and is at the core of its CaaS branding. The company provides mobile charging for fleets of vehicles or individual vehicles wherever you are as either a white-glove service or for fleet managers or drivers to charge themselves as needed. Think of it like DoorDashing an EV fast-charger (that you have to return, of course). Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Finally, SparkCharge offers an 'Off-Grid Power Hub,' a propane-powered charging station designed to serve as a reliable charging source for extended periods. A propane-powered generator charges the lithium cells in the hub, which can then be used to charge your electric vehicle. Since the Power Hub uses a generator, it can be parked anywhere and used for as long as it has propane to keep the generators running. SparkCharge recently served as the official charging partner for the 2025 Masters golf tournament, which is held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The venue doesn't support voluminous EV charging for a crowd, making SparkCharge's services critical at that moment. SparkCharge showed up to meet the demands of those attending the event and was gone without a physical trace once the event concluded. SparkCharge Roadie Final thoughts Although SparkCharge doesn't promote it, its original service—the Roadie—might be its most enticing option for those of us not managing a fleet, going off-grid long enough to worry about charging an EV or trying to install power hubs in a parking garage. The Roadie is a 70-pound portable battery pack meant to let you power up on the go. Although it's intended for businesses, the Roadie remains the most attractive portable EV charging solution we've seen. It could (should?) be a subscription service for everyone. About the Author Nate Swanner View Profile
Auto Blog
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
No More Broken Chargers? New Data Reveals Significant Improvements in Public EV Charging Since 2021
New J.D. Power data reported by Automotive News highlights that 84% of public electric vehicle (EV) charging attempts were successful within Q1, marking a 4% improvement on a failure rate that hovered around 20% for the last four years. A Driivz Q1 survey of 300 charge point operators and EV service providers cited vehicle-to-charger compatibility issues, faulty hardware or components, and charger-specific interoperability challenges as the most common roadblocks to a successful charging session. While chargers being out of service or malfunctioning is still the number one cause of failed public charging attempts, the improvement comes at a significant time. According to EV charging recruiter EVBoosters, the number of available charging stations has doubled across the U.S. since 2020, underscoring the importance of charge point operators providing consistent functionality—a goal that's also in their best financial interest. EVgo charger utilization also reached 24% in Q1, up 15% from two years earlier. Volvo EV SUV at Tesla Supercharger. — Source: Volvo Factors influencing the jump in public charger performance An increasing number of public EV charging providers are placing service quality before expansion through work like maintenance and repairs, partially because President Biden's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program requires federally-funded chargers to be available and functioning 97% of the time. J.D. Power's data didn't highlight how many federally funded stations meet this 97% requirement, but EVgo users successfully charged 95% of the time during Q1. EVgo's success rate is partially attributed to upgrading, replacing, or decommissioning chargers at over 600 locations and in more than 20 states since 2022. Charge companies like Electrify America implemented idle fees and policies to reduce wait times, resulting in a 50% demand increase within their network, according to Automotive News. EV smartphone apps see room for improvement On the flip side, EV drivers are using charging companion mobile apps more than ever, but are experiencing connectivity issues, lagging remote command speed, and inconsistent feature performance, according to J.D. Power. Nearly one-third (32%) of non-Tesla app users use their EV app during every drive, up from 17% last year. EV drivers primarily use apps for charge monitoring, pre-conditioning, and route planning. Regarding connectivity, 37% of non-Tesla EV app users face issues with losing connection or delayed updates, a slight improvement from last year's 40%. However, many drivers aren't utilizing all of the features within those apps. Despite more than 70% of app users saying they want charge scheduling, trip planning with charging stops, and in-app payment, 43% of non-Tesla app users haven't scheduled a charge. Over 90% of EV app users prioritize features such as vehicle status and remote updates/diagnostics. The charger plugs of an EVgo charging station in Vienna, Virginia, February 13, 2023. — Source: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images Final thoughts While public EV charging isn't perfect in America, J.D. Power's recent data shows the industry is improving. This positive trend is likely to continue, given that charge point operators can become eligible for federal funding with high-efficiency rates. Additionally, any malfunctions cost them money, especially with the public's rising usage rate. Tesla's app ranks highest overall for user satisfaction, scoring 864/1,000. Mercedes-Benz and My BMW follow, ranking at 839/1,000 and 833/1,000, respectively. Still, states are navigating hurdles for public charging infrastructure growth, with plans for new federally-funded stations on hold as the Trump administration's Transportation Department and Federal Highway Administration reevaluate the program from Biden's presidency.
Associated Press
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
MaxLinear and Comtrend Announce Availability of EV Charging Station Powerline Data Modules
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 2, 2025-- MaxLinear, Inc. (Nasdaq: MXL) and Comtrend announced today the availability of ITU-T standards-based powerline data modules for EV Charging Stations (EVSE) backend communication, including data centers and smart parking extensions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: MaxLinear's enables Comtrend's powerline data modules to accelerate EV Charger installations. Using MaxLinear technology (data-over-powerline), Comtrend's innovative powerline data module series collects and transfers data from power meters in EV charging infrastructure (EVSE) and IoT devices without the need for new cable installations. Comtrend leverages existing electrical powerlines for data communication, providing a scalable and hassle-free solution. This approach is particularly effective in underground concrete environments, where charging stations are frequently installed and other technologies lack reliability. Comtrend PM 1540 key benefits include: - No new wiring required – uses existing electrical wires for data transmission. - Lower latency, higher speeds, and greater stability than traditional methods. - Real-time connectivity. - Significant cost savings vs. LAN, Wi-Fi, or 4G solutions. - Simplified installation — reduced complexity, time, and no need for additional infrastructure. - Supports an electric wire domain of up to 250 nodes for large-scale deployments. - Strong signal transmission reaching up to 700 meters with up to 16 levels of signal repetition. For additional information on the Comtrend PM 1540: 'The electric vehicle industry has grown at an unprecedented rate in recent years. We are thrilled to partner with Comtrend to accelerate the installation of EV charging stations, addressing the industry's needs and meeting the rapidly increasing demand,' said Vikas Choudhary, Vice President of Connectivity and Storage Business at MaxLinear. Our product portfolio addresses a wide range of applications, including industrial IoT and Smart Grids, to proactively support the digital transformation of the industry.' 'Comtrend's Powerline Data Modules, powered by MaxLinear's cutting-edge technology, provide high-speed, secure, and reliable wired communication between EV charging stations and the smart grid,' said Vaclav Slehofer, Managing Director and Vice President of Comtrend Europe. 'By partnering with MaxLinear, we're bringing to market a cost-effective, easy-to-deploy and future-ready solution that ensures robust data connectivity for the evolving landscape of smart EV charging infrastructure.' Why MaxLinear for EV Charging? The versatility of the technology standard provides ultra-fast and reliable network connectivity for a wide range of markets and applications. works over any wiring infrastructure – coax, telephone wire, powerline, or Power-over-Fiber (POF). achieves very low latency while enforcing comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS) and delivering Gigabit speeds under any packet size. MaxLinear's baseband processors and analog front-end chipsets are fully ITU compliant and deliver physical data rates up to 2Gbps, the fastest performance in the industry. Deploying MaxLinear for EV charging stations enables seamless interoperability, efficiency, and low-cost deployments. Visit for an overview of MaxLinear's solutions. Why Comtrend for EV Charging? Comtrend EVSE solutions provide enhanced interoperability, integrating with various EV charging brands and smart grid systems, ensuring compatibility across different platforms and technologies. Comtrend's products are available now. For a full overview of Comtrend solutions for EV charging and other industrial IoT solutions, click here for more information. About MaxLinear, Inc. MaxLinear, Inc. (Nasdaq: MXL) is a leading provider of radio frequency (RF), analog, digital, and mixed-signal integrated circuits for access and connectivity, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multimarket applications. MaxLinear is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. For more information, please visit About Comtrend Comtrend has over 30 years of experience delivering high-quality broadband networking solutions to Service Providers. Comtrend offers a comprehensive lineup of solutions ranging from gateways to networking devices that provide clever coverage to innovative use cases or difficult-to-reach areas. Contact us today to learn more at Comtrend is a Member of the HomeGrid Forum. Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements concerning or implying future financial performance, statements relating to MaxLinear's technology and the functionality, performance and benefits of such technology, statements about the potential market opportunity and rate of growth for MaxLinear's technology, statements relating to the partnership between MaxLinear and Comtrend, statements by our Vice President of Connectivity and Storage business and statements by the Managing Director and Vice President of Comtrend Europe. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and our future financial performance and operating results forecasts generally. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current, preliminary expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. In particular, our future operating results are substantially dependent on our assumptions about market trends and conditions. Additional risks and uncertainties affecting our business, future operating results and financial condition include, without limitation; risks relating to the development, testing, and commercial introduction of new products and product functionalities; risks relating to our relationship with Comtrend; risks relating to our terminated merger with Silicon Motion and related arbitration and class action complaint and the risks related to potential payment of damages; the effect of intense and increasing competition; increased tariffs, export controls or imposition of other trade barriers; impacts of global economic conditions; the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; a significant variance in our operating results and impact on volatility in our stock price, and our ability to sustain our current level of revenue, which has previously declined, and/or manage future growth effectively, and the impact of excess inventory in the channel on our customers' expected demand for certain of our products and on our revenue; escalating trade wars, military conflicts and other geopolitical and economic tensions among the countries in which we conduct business; our ability to obtain or retain government authorization to export certain of our products or technology; risks related to the loss of, or a significant reduction in orders from major customers; costs of legal proceedings or potential violations of regulations; information technology failures; a decrease in the average selling prices of our products; failure to penetrate new applications and markets; development delays and consolidation trends in our industry; inability to make substantial research and development investments; delays or expenses caused by undetected defects or bugs in our products; substantial quarterly and annual fluctuations in our revenue and operating results; failure to timely develop and introduce new or enhanced products; order and shipment uncertainties; failure to accurately predict our future revenue and appropriately budget expenses; lengthy and expensive customer qualification processes; customer product plan cancellations; failure to maintain compliance with government regulations; failure to attract and retain qualified personnel; any adverse impact of rising interest rates on us, our customers, and our distributors and related demand; risks related to compliance with privacy, data protection and cybersecurity laws and regulations; risks related to conforming our products to industry standards; risks related to business acquisitions and investments; claims of intellectual property infringement; our ability to protect our intellectual property; risks related to security vulnerabilities of our products; use of open source software in our products; and failure to manage our relationships with, or negative impacts from, third parties. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, investors should review the risks and uncertainties contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as the information to be set forth under the caption 'Risk Factors' in MaxLinear's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. All forward-looking statements are based on the estimates, projections and assumptions of management as of the date of this press release, and MaxLinear is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. View source version on CONTACT: MaxLinear, Inc. Press Contact: Debbie Brandenburg Sr. Marketing Communications Manager Tel: +1 669.265.6083 [email protected] KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA EUROPE UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS) DATA MANAGEMENT ENERGY GREEN TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY EV/ELECTRIC VEHICLES ENVIRONMENT 5G AUTOMOTIVE SOFTWARE NETWORKS INTERNET UTILITIES MOBILE/WIRELESS SOURCE: MaxLinear, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/02/2025 03:05 AM/DISC: 06/02/2025 03:04 AM
