GM News: "Everybody In" GM Ultium Charge 360 App, GM Holistic Charging Approach

[G. David Felt]

EV charging to some is a stressful thing, the ability to drive your EV, knowing you can quickly get a recharge and where should be a simple thing and yet range and charging hit the stress level for current and potential owners of BEV products.

GM is tirelessly working to provide GM EV owners more confidence and convenience when it comes to EV charging. As stated by GM, the customers need a robust charging experience that makes the transition from ICE to EV seamless and helps to drive mass adoption per Travis Hester, GM's chief EV officer. Quote:  “As we launch 30 EVs globally by the end of 2025, Ultium Charge 360 simplifies and improves the at-home charging experience and the public charging experience – whether it’s community-based or road-trip charging.”

GM's Ultium Charge 360 holistic charging experience offers the following:

• Access to Charging: GM will continue to work with a variety of third parties, including charge point operators, electric utilities and government agencies to make home, workplace, public and fleet charging ubiquitous for customers.
• Mobile Apps: GM will continue to update the GM vehicle mobile apps to provide an even more intuitive mobile experience that makes navigating to a charging station, plugging into a charger and paying for charging simple.
• Products and Services: To help ensure the transition to an EV is seamless, GM is working to offer EV owners charging accessories and installation services tailored to their lifestyle. For example, GM will cover standard installation of Level 2 charging capability for eligible customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV in collaboration with Qmerit.

GM's continued progress on it's EV infrastructure strategy is as follows:

• GM now has signed agreements with seven major charging providers: Blink Charging, ChargePoint, EV Connect, EVgo, FLO, Greenlots and SemaConnect. Through their GM vehicle mobile apps, EV customers will soon be able to easily see real-time information from nearly 60,000 charging plugs throughout the U.S. and Canada, find stations along a route and initiate and pay for charging.
• The first GM and EVgo sites are now live in Washington, California and Florida, nine months after a commitment to add more than 2,700 fast chargers in cities and suburbs by the end of 2025 was first announced. Each site is capable of delivering up to 350 kilowatts and averages four chargers per site. GM and EVgo are on track to have approximately 500 fast charging stalls live by the end of 2021.

As GM continues to update Ultium Charge 360, they will also be including new elements and collaborations.

GM Ultium Platform is powering the Cadillac LYRIQ, GMC Hummer EVs and the Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup to start with many more models to come. The Ultium Charge 360 will help you optimize the use of your Ultium platform with a GM-estimated range of up to 450 miles on a full charge.

GM's multiple announcements over the last two years shows it's rapid advancement in moving to an all-electric, zero-emissions future making EV ownership easier for all.

• GM revealed its proprietary Ultium Platform that will allow the company to compete for nearly every customer in the market today.
• GM committed more than $27 billion to EV and AV product development through 2025, including $7 billion in 2021, and plans to launch 30 EVs globally by the end of 2025, with more than two-thirds available in North America. Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet and Buick will all be represented, with EVs at all price points for work, adventure, performance and family use.
• In July 2020, GM and EVgo announced plans to triple the size of the nation’s largest DC fast charging network over the next five years.
• In March 2020, GM announced it is adding 3,500 new EV charging plugs throughout its U.S. and Canadian facilities for employees.
• In February 2020, GM made enhancements to Energy Assist, making it easier for GM EV owners to find an available public charging station and initiate a charging session.
• In August 2019, GM announced a collaboration with Qmerit, which manages a nationwide network of certified EV charger installers, simplifying the home charging experience. In collaboration with Qmerit, Chevrolet will cover standard installation of Level 2 charging capability for eligible customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV.  

Unlike GM's competition focusing only on select charging companies, GM is taking an all in approach allowing for 60,000 and growing charging points across North America. Working with all companies and the EVgo effort, GM is on track to have 500 fast charging stalls live by the end of 2021 supporting the Ultium 800V 350 kWH battery / Powertrain system.

To Put ‘Everybody In’ an Electric Vehicle, GM Introduces Ultium Charge 360

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[G. David Felt]

Update on gm Ultium Charge 360. Ultium 360 has already been expanded with a Ultium Charge 360 Fleet charging service.

This is a comprehensive approach designed to help companies switch to an electric fleet sooner by connecting them with services, features and resources. Ultium Charge 360 Fleet edition is designed and focused on new and existing fleet customers that helps them identify providers, tools, solutions required to plan, finance, deploy and operate charging infrastructure in fleet yards and depots.

QUOTE

The new Ultium Charge 360 fleet solution combines GM fleet and charging expertise with the services of preferred providers to help accelerate the adoption of fleet electrification.

• eTransEnergy
  “We are pleased GM has included eTransEnergy among its preferred providers to help customers navigate the journey of fleet electrification,” said Greg Fields, eTransEnergy vice president. “As a Duke Energy company, eTransEnergy offers a lower-risk solution for commercial fleets to help realize the benefits of reduced emissions, better performance and lower operating costs.”

• EVgo
  “EVgo is excited to expand our EV collaboration with GM into our Fleet Solutions offering, providing a seamless and convenient reliable charging experience for fleet operators looking to electrify,” stated Jonathan Levy, chief commercial officer at EVgo. “EVgo is committed to providing fleet operators with a diverse portfolio of L2 and fast charging options, including dedicated depots and public charging facilities, to speed the transition and maximize the benefits of electrification.”

• In-Charge Energy
  “We are incredibly proud to play an important role in GM's fleet electrification and we’re excited to support the Ultium Charge 360 program,” said Cameron Funk, CEO of In-Charge Energy. “While we are solely focused on fleet electrification at In-Charge, we recognize the larger impact of a global brand like GM actually executing on a truly all-inclusive commitment to an electrified future and applaud their dedication. Commercial fleet turnover is a big part of that future, not just passenger vehicles.”

• Schneider Electric
  “We are proud to be a GM preferred provider, facilitating their commitment to electrification and providing a seamless experience for their fleet customers. As the most sustainable company in the world¹, we share their commitment to make the most of our energy resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all,” said Annette Clayton, CEO and president, Schneider Electric North America. “We are excited to offer our unique power systems expertise, allowing us to provide fleet customers with a comprehensive, end-to-end EV infrastructure solution incorporating utility rate negotiation and modeling, software integration and a cybersecurity architecture, all from a single provider.”

• Qmerit
  “The GM Fleet business footprint is really like no other in the industry and supporting their customers through the electrification journey is a privilege for Qmerit. We look forward to adding value to their comprehensive offerings for both small and large fleets in North America,” said Tracy K. Price, chairman and CEO of Qmerit.

Ultium Charge 360 builds on the technology that is helping to power GM’s EV future – the Ultium Platform.

gm Press Release GM Announces New Fleet Charging Service Designed to Accelerate the Adoption of Fleet Electrification