G. David Felt

Today June 29th, 2023 the North America largest independent charging station company, Electrify America (EA) has announced their commitment to a broad charging solution for Electric Vehicles today by adding NACS connectors to their stations. EA will continue to provide CCS-1 connectors throughout their network of charging stations and will add the Tesla NACS connector option to all existing and future charging stations by 2025. Robert Barrosa, president and CEO of Electrify America stated the following: “Since our founding, we have focused on building an inclusive and open hyper-fast charging network to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles. We look forward to continuing to support industry-wide standards that increase vehicle interoperability and streamline public charging.” EA has also joined the newly created (ChargeX) National Charging Experience Consortium where they will focus on strengthening the national charging infrastructure and improving EV ownership experience. EA has stated that as e-mobility accelerates, EA will continue to deliver what the customer needs. The addition of the NACS connector continues this commitment. EA network has 850 charging stations and growing across North America. The 4,000 individual charges as of today in the U.S. and Canada are either 150 kW or 350 kW and will continue to be improved. EA has committed to spending $2 billion dollars in upgrades and new charging stations in 2023. Part of this expansion is the partnership with TravelCenters of America. EA is just the latest in the growing group of auto and charging companies to support the Tesla NACS connector. You can find more information on the other companies here: NACS the North American New Charging Standard? - Automotive Industry - Cheers & Gears (cheersandgears.com)

GM Energy has announced today the product details and specifications of their initial suite or Ultium Home offerings. To quote Wade Sheffer, VP of GM Energy: “As GM Energy’s ecosystem of connected products and services continues to expand, we’re excited to provide customers with options for greater energy management beyond the vehicle, our initial Ultium Home offerings represent an opportunity for customers to take greater control over their personal energy independence and resiliency.” Ultium Home Products will be offered through unique bundle options, providing customers with the ability to select a solution that aligns with their energy needs and budget. GM has announced the following three bundles: Ultium Home V2H Bundle This bundle is designed for customers seeking to leverage their compatible GM EVs for V2H functionality. This bundle includes the following products: GM’s PowerShift Charger Enables V2H bidirectional charging with a compatible GM EV, when paired with Ultium Home V2H Enablement Kit Up to 19.2 kW AC charge speed Ultium Home V2H Enablement Kit Includes an inverter, home hub and dark start battery 9.6 kW of discharge power Safely disconnects the home from the grid Ultium Home Energy System This bundle is designed for customers seeking to leverage their compatible GM EV for V2H functionality and stationary storage. This bundle includes the following products: GM’s PowerShift Charger Ultium Home V2H Enablement Kit GM’s PowerBank Ultium Home’s PowerBank stationary storage unit can connect to the Ultium Home V2H Enablement Kit to extend backup capability and store solar or grid energy Available in 5 kW/10.6 kWh and 7 kW/17.7 kWh variants Ultium Home Energy Storage Bundle This bundle is designed for customers seeking to integrate stationary storage into their home, without the need for an EV. This bundle includes the following products: GM’s PowerBank Inverter and home hub In addition to the suite of Ultium Home products, GM is also offering Solar integration for those customers seeking to integrate solar energy into their Ultium home. SunPower is GM Energy's exclusive solar provider and preferred EV charger installer. Each Ultium Home product is connected to the GM Energy Cloud, a software platform which enables customers to seamlessly manage the transfer of energy between applicable and connected GM energy assets. GM Energy has stated that the MSRP and timeline for delivery of each Ultium Home bundle will vary. Customers interested in getting further information about GM Energy ecosystem and services that cover Ultium Home, Ultium Commercial and Ultium Charge 360 should visit GM Energy: An Electric Ecosystem, Reimagined

12,000 Tesla Supercharger stations and growing in North America, the Supercharger stations by Tesla are the largest EV charging stations around North America as well as the world when looking at Europe and Asian. Rivian emailed out today that all Rivian owners will gain access to the Tesla Supercharger station network. Starting in Spring 2024, Rivian will offer an NACS to CCS adapter for purchase for existing R1t and R1S customers who want to take advantage of the Tesla Supercharger network. In 2025, Rivian will incorporate NACS charge ports as standard on R1T and R1S EVs along with the adapter for allowing use to older CCS chargers. No matter where you are, Rivian says that this will grow the access to over 25,000 DC fast chargers across North America enlarging the Rivian Adventure Network. Rivian upon release of the NACS to CCS adapter in Spring 2024 will then also via OTA update the Rivian Infotainment system to add the available NACS sites and update the phone app to include the Tesla Network. Rivian has stated that this collaboration does not affect their plans to expand the Rivian Adventure network to over 3,500 fast chargers at more than 600 sites including trail heads for off-roading.

Cadillac's first-ever all-electric full-size SUV, Escalade IQ, Cadillac's most iconic nameplate will reveal the reinvention of the full-size Luxury SUV on August 9th, 2023. This continues Cadillac goal to become an all-electric vehicle brand by 2030. The Escalade IQ will be produced at Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center, which was renovated and retooled with a $2.2 billion investment to serve as the launchpad for GM's EV strategy.