Latest news with #EVCharging
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MaxLinear and Comtrend Announce Availability of EV Charging Station Powerline Data Modules
MaxLinear Technology enables Comtrend's powerline data modules to accelerate EV charger installations CARLSBAD, Calif., June 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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. 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: Watch the overview video Download the datasheet "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 Contacts MaxLinear, Inc. Press Contact:Debbie BrandenburgSr. Marketing Communications ManagerTel: +1 669.265.6083dbrandenburg@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
EV charging network set to double in Muskoka
Lakeland EV Charging, the operator of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Muskoka, Parry Sound, and central Ontario, announced on Saturday that they will be doubling their EV charging network by the end of next year. In a news release, Lakeland EV Charging confirmed that 17 new charging stations will be added across central Ontario, bringing their total to 33 by the fall of 2026. The operator reports that the expansion will add 50 new chargers, including 26 dual-port DC fast chargers (DCFC) at 180 kilowatts, translating to 100 kilometres worth of charge in ten minutes on average. The initiative is being supported by local, federal and provincial partners, notably, Bracebridge Generation Ltd., Ontario's EV ChargeON program, and Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan). 'The Government of Canada is ensuring that Canadians have reliable and readily available charging options, wherever they go,' said Tim Hodgson, federal minister of energy and natural resources, in the news release. 'We are pleased to invest in building EV charging stations for drivers in Ontario and across Canada as they explore our great country,' 'Increasing access to EV chargers outside large urban centres fills gaps in local charging infrastructure and reduces range anxiety,' added Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario's transport minister. 'Through the EV ChargeON Community Sites Stream Program, our government has approved 270 projects to date, including this one by Lakeland EV Charging, demonstrating our commitment to protect Ontario by transforming the province into a global clean energy superpower.' The expansion also includes a partnership with ChargeHub, an app operator that connects EV drivers to charging stations. 'Now people can thoroughly enjoy exploring this beautiful part of Ontario we call home in the perfect way, with their EV's,' said Peter Ewald, director of Lakeland EV Charging. 'Now EV drivers can confidently make their summer travel plans to the Muskoka/Parry Sound area, and next year, more broadly throughout central Ontario, knowing they can count on fast, reliable, and easy-to-locate charging.' The Lakeland EV Charging app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play.
