EV charging

New York City tests a solar-powered electric-school-bus microgrid

Utility Con Edison and school-bus operator First Student see bus-charging depots equipped with solar and batteries as a win-win that supports the power grid.

By Jeff St. John . 4 November 2024

Artist rendering of solar panel-topped electric school buses parked at EV chargers — First Student and Con Edison are building a solar- and battery-equipped electric bus-charging microgrid in Brooklyn, complete with solar-panel-topped EV school buses. (First Student)

EV charging

3 ways to help EV charging bloom in 'charging deserts'

For EV chargers to take off in disadvantaged communities, we'll need public-sector support — and private-sector innovation to make the economics work.

By Jeff St. John . 10 January 2024
EV charging

This welding supply company is venturing into the EV charging business

Established in 1895, Ohio-based Lincoln Electric exemplifies how existing American businesses can take part in the emerging clean-energy economy.

By Kathiann Kowalski . 19 December 2023
EV charging

Will universally compatible EV chargers ever be a reality in the US?

A fragmented business landscape is to blame for many of the problems that plague EV charging. Government-backed standards could change that — if the industry obliges.

By Jeff St. John . 13 December 2023
EV charging

What’s behind the epidemic of unreliable EV chargers?

The short answer is data. Hundreds of things can go wrong in the EV charging process, but the data to figure out why is unavailable. New government rules aim to solve that.

By Jeff St. John . 12 December 2023
EV charging

EV chargers have a big reliability problem. Can the government fix it?

If you don’t own a Tesla, charging an EV in the U.S. can be a headache. Two federal programs aim to fix that with $7.5B and a host of new rules and standards.

By Jeff St. John . 11 December 2023
Podcast

EV charging on both sides of the pond

What can the U.S. learn from EV charging in Europe and vice versa?

Play

By Shayle Kann . 39 min . 1 December 2023
EV charging

Go ahead, rent that EV. Just make a charging plan before setting out

Renting an EV can be a great way to test out the tech before committing to ownership, but there’s a learning curve for drivers, especially around charging.

By Alison F. Takemura . 23 August 2023
EV charging

Tesla bets $76M on wireless EV charging. Can the tech go mainstream?

Wireless charging could solve many of the headaches caused by EV charging today. But for it to even have a chance, automakers need to integrate it into mass production.

By Julian Spector . 9 August 2023
EV charging

The grid isn't ready for the EV boom. Can better data fix that?

Utilities lack the necessary data to plan ahead for the coming influx of EV charging. A new data-sharing consortium could help them overcome that obstacle.

By Jeff St. John . 7 August 2023
Solar

Rivian backs massive solar plant atop old coal mine in Kentucky

The 800MW colossus from BrightNight sets a new standard for renewables construction that benefits communities and the local environment as well as the climate.

By Julian Spector . 4 August 2023