What’s Happening: FreeWire Technologies, an industry frontrunner in battery-integrated electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and energy management solutions, has launched a novel service named CLAIM (Charging Location Analysis and Incentive Management). This initiative aims to expedite the analysis of prospective EV charging sites for available financial incentives, thereby assisting customers in capturing significant funding.
Why It Matters: As the EV transition gains momentum, with manufacturers like Volvo and Mercedes pledging 100% electric vehicle sales by 2030, the infrastructure to support this shift needs a substantial boost. The International Council on Clean Transportation estimates that 180,000 public direct current fast-charging (DCFC) ports will be required for the 26 million EVs anticipated on US roads by 2030. This figure starkly contrasts with the current number of 26,276 publicly available DCFC ports in the US. Billions of dollars are on the table in government and utility incentives to amplify the national infrastructure network, but these opportunities often remain untapped due to the convoluted and time-consuming application process.
Key Points:
- CLAIM is designed to enable FreeWire customers to identify sites with the highest incentive eligibility and driver usage, potentially covering up to 80% of the total cost of installing FreeWire’s battery-integrated ultrafast Boost Charger™.
- The service simplifies the process of capturing incentives and strategically placing fast-charging stations to maximize return on investment (ROI).
- The tool is partly powered by Mobilyze.ai, a recently acquired platform that uses artificial intelligence to analyze location data and bolster the business case for specific sites.
- FreeWire will provide free basic site assessments for up to 5 sites initially, with charges applicable beyond this number, which can be credited toward the purchase of FreeWire equipment.
- The service supports the development and submission of grant applications, evaluation of site layout and ADA requirements, installation cost assessments, and determination of electric rate tariffs and the cost of owning and operating EV charging.
Bottom Line: FreeWire Technologies’ CLAIM service represents a significant leap forward in simplifying the process of building out the EV charging infrastructure. By harnessing the power of AI and a team of policy experts, it aims to help site hosts navigate the complex landscape of incentives and strategic site placement. This service will likely expedite the EV adoption rate and support stakeholders in their electrification endeavors.
