Electric Vehicle Battery and Charging Updates: remont Unified, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Electrify America, Greenlane, Windrose, Paired Power, and NEVI in the spotlight
Headline: Fremont Unified School District Leads the Way in Advanced Vehicle-to-Grid Electric School Bus Project
The Fremont Unified School District in California is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with one of the most advanced vehicle-to-grid (V2G) electric school bus programs in the state. The project, a collaboration with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and The Mobility House, features 14 electric school buses and 22 chargers.
The district's electric school bus fleet is equipped with V2G technology, allowing buses to both charge from and discharge energy back to the grid. This innovative feature aids grid balancing and emergency power support. PG&E upgraded the infrastructure at the bus depot to support this advanced system, installing a 750 kVA transformer, boosting voltage from 208V to 480V, and installing a 2,500 Amp switchgear.
The charging setup includes 14 low-power chargers, 6 high-power bidirectional V2G DC fast chargers, and 2 additional high-power unidirectional chargers planned for 2026. The Mobility House's ChargePilot software manages smart charging and discharging, and participates in PG&E’s Emergency Load Reduction Program, helping the grid during peak demand.
The initiative replaces six diesel-powered buses, with four electric models entering service this year and two more planned for 2026. This project is part of PG&E's broader Vehicle-to-Everything pilot, building on a successful 2024 program with Zum and Oakland Unified School District.
Elsewhere, Electrify America has partnered with convenience store chain Royal Farms to install ultra-fast EV chargers at eight Maryland locations. However, the latest updates on long-haul electric freight projects involving Electrify America, Greenlane, Fremont Unified, and Windrose Technology primarily focus on the Fremont Unified School District project.
Windrose Technology's Class 8 R700 electric semi has demonstrated the real-world viability of long-haul electric freight by completing nearly 300-mile single-charge hauls from Colton to Phoenix with a 74,420-pound payload, achieving a peak 772 kW charge rate.
Meanwhile, the PairTree system, an innovative solar canopy system, expands EV charging access in locations with limited or no grid power. It reduces installation time from weeks to hours, lowering labor costs and safety risks. The system can operate independently from the grid and integrates solar power and energy storage to create a self-powered microgrid.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced streamlined guidelines for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, designed to speed the deployment of EV charging stations across the country. Paired Power has been awarded a patent for its PairTree solar canopy system.
The updated NEVI guidelines have drawn mixed reactions, with some advocacy groups praising the changes and others expressing concerns about equitable access to charging infrastructure.
In summary, the Fremont Unified School District's V2G electric school bus project is a significant step forward in the EV industry. While there are no recent developments regarding long-haul electric freight projects involving Electrify America, Greenlane, or Windrose Technology, monitoring these companies directly or specialized freight electrification news sources may provide more specific long-haul freight developments in the near future.
- The renewable-energy industry is expanding with innovative projects like the Fremont Unified School District's electric school bus program.
- The district's electric school bus fleet utilizes vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology for both charging and discharging energy from the grid.
- Industry giant Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is collaborating on the project, upgrading the depot's infrastructure for the advanced system.
- The initiative replaces diesel-powered buses with electric models, reducing harmful emissions in the district's interior-design.
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