Fermata Energy Announces Groundbreaking Integration with BorgWarner Bidirectional Chargers to Enhance V2X Charging Capabilities for EV Fleets
- None.
- None.
Insights
The integration of Fermata Energy's V2X services platform with BorgWarner's bidirectional EV chargers represents a significant advancement in electric vehicle infrastructure technology. Bidirectional charging allows electric vehicles (EVs) not only to draw power from the grid but also to supply it back, enabling functionalities such as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H). This technology can enhance grid stability, provide emergency power options and potentially offer financial incentives to EV owners who feed surplus power back into the grid.
From an energy technology perspective, the use of a Combined Charging System (CCS) communication protocol is a strategic choice, as it is a widely adopted standard for charging electric vehicles, which ensures compatibility and interoperability across different vehicle models and manufacturers. The UL certification of the 60kW and 125kW chargers indicates a high standard of safety and reliability, which is crucial for widespread adoption.
The collaboration with automotive OEMs and utility companies, such as the strategic research project with Toyota Motor North America and San Diego Gas & Electric Company, demonstrates a proactive approach to integrating V2X technology into the broader transportation and energy sectors. This integration is likely to contribute to a more resilient and flexible energy system, aligning with global trends towards renewable energy and sustainable practices.
The announcement by Fermata Energy and BorgWarner is poised to have a positive impact on the financial aspect of EV ownership, particularly in reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). By lowering operating costs through intelligent bidirectional charging, EVs become more economically viable for consumers and fleet operators. This can lead to increased demand for EVs, thus potentially boosting sales for automotive OEMs and charging infrastructure providers.
For investors, partnerships that facilitate the adoption of advanced technologies like V2X bidirectional charging can be a strong indicator of future growth, especially in a market that is increasingly supportive of renewable energy and sustainable transportation solutions. The market for EV charging infrastructure is expected to expand significantly and companies like Fermata Energy and BorgWarner that establish early leadership positions could benefit from first-mover advantages.
Moreover, the ability for fleet operators to access diverse value streams may translate into new revenue models and cost savings, which can improve the profitability of companies that integrate these technologies. This may also attract interest from utility companies looking to leverage EVs for grid management and energy storage solutions.
The strategic collaboration between Fermata Energy and BorgWarner, two pioneers in the V2X bidirectional charging space, is an indicator of the automotive industry's shift towards more integrated and intelligent energy solutions. The endorsement by Nissan of Fermata Energy’s bidirectional charger for use with the Nissan LEAF without impacting the vehicle's battery warranty is a testament to the technology's maturity and readiness for consumer use.
As automotive OEMs continue to explore and embed bidirectional charging capabilities, the value proposition of EVs extends beyond transportation to encompass energy management. This shift presents opportunities for automotive manufacturers to differentiate their offerings and potentially command a premium in the market.
The focus on medium- and heavy-duty transportation use cases is particularly noteworthy, as these segments have historically been underserved by EV technology. The expansion into these markets could lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions and fuel costs, aligning with regulatory trends and consumer demand for more sustainable transport solutions.
Fermata Energy Integration with BorgWarner Bidirectional Chargers Enhances V2X Charging Capabilities for EV Fleets (Graphic: Business Wire)
The integration of Fermata Energy’s software with BorgWarner’s hardware, includes both of their UL certified 60kW and 125kW chargers. The announcement is a major step towards accelerating the availability of intelligent bidirectional technology for a much broader range of medium- and heavy-duty transportation use cases. It also paves the way for broad use in the North American market by enabling Fermata Energy’s innovative platform to optimize V2X bidirectional charging commands with a Combined Charging System (CCS) communication protocol.
Fermata Energy is actively working with various automotive OEMs to embed bidirectional charging capabilities, showcasing its technological prowess and dedication to innovation in the bidirectional charging market. For example, in November, Fermata Energy announced a strategic research project with Toyota Motor North America and San Diego Gas & Electric Company. In 2022, Nissan approved Fermata Energy’s FE-15 bidirectional charger as the first ever bidirectional charger for use with the Nissan LEAF in the
"As two early market leaders in the V2X bidirectional charging space, we're thrilled to partner with BorgWarner,” said Tony Posawatz, CEO of Fermata Energy. “The integration of our technologies not only broadens economic EV accessibility, but it reinforces our commitment to accelerate a renewable energy ecosystem."
“BorgWarner is once again proud to partner with Fermata Energy, supplying our bidirectional EV chargers to this exciting project,” said Isabelle McKenzie, Vice President of BorgWarner Inc. and President and GM, Morse Systems. “Developing clean energy innovations like V2X technology is key to building a sustainable and climate-resilient future.”
With a history of successful V2X projects over several years showing considerable economic benefits, Fermata Energy is well positioned to partner with automotive OEMs in unlocking the greater asset value of EVs, and ultimately selling more vehicles faster. Today’s announcement also grants fleet operators access to diverse value streams across numerous utility service territories to accelerate the adoption of bidirectional technology and transition to renewable energy.
About Fermata Energy
Fermata Energy is a leading platform services provider of intelligent Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) bidirectional charging technology, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) solutions. The company was founded in 2010 to accelerate the adoption of bidirectional energy technology solutions through inspiration and innovation. Fermata Energy’s proprietary technology enables its customers to manage EVs as distributed energy resources by selling excess energy stored in parked EV batteries to offset costly peak demand charges. Park it. Plug it. Profit.™ To learn more about Fermata Energy, please visit https://fermataenergy.com/ and follow the company on LinkedIn.
About BorgWarner
For more than 130 years, BorgWarner has been a transformative global product leader bringing successful mobility innovation to market. Today, we’re accelerating the world’s transition to eMobility – to help build a cleaner, healthier, safer future for all.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240206367637/en/
Fermata Energy media contact:
media@fermataenergy.com
BorgWarner media contact:
mediacontact@borgwarner.com
Source: Fermata Energy
FAQ
What is the integration announced by Fermata Energy and BorgWarner?
What are the UL certified chargers included in the integration?
What does the integration pave the way for?
What are some of the partnerships and projects mentioned in the press release?
