EV charging network operator ChargeSmart has selected payment platform provider Nayax as its preferred cashless payments provider. The companies have signed a long-term agreement to expand the deployment of Nayax VPOS Touch card readers, and expect to include these on thousands of new DC fast chargers over the coming years.

ChargeSmart will adopt and transition to Nayax’s Commerce SDK payment solution, a new product line for EV charging which will be officially launched in the US in the coming weeks, unifying in-app and on-site transactions within a single Nayax platform. This integration is designed to eliminate the need for multiple payment providers, enhancing reliability, simplifying operations, and delivering a seamless, consistent experience for drivers and operators.

“Our collaboration with ChargeSmart EV reinforces Nayax’s strategy of being a payment solution leader for EV charging stations,” said Aaron Greenberg, Chief Strategy Officer, Nayax. “With our proven reliability, multi-payment flexibility, and best-in-class uptime, we’re proud to power a network that shares our vision for a comprehensive, reliable payment solution and customer experience in the EV charging market.”

“This partnership with Nayax represents a major step forward for ChargeSmart,” said Christian Spenziero, Managing Member of ChargeSmart. “Nayax’s omnichannel payment technology provides the reliability and flexibility we need to scale our network across the US, while giving drivers a seamless and consistent payment experience, whether at the charger or through our app.”

Source: Nayax

German measuring instruments supplier imc Test & Measurement, part of the Axiometrix Solutions brand family, has launched four new ARGUSfit measurement modules for its next-generation modular data acquisition (DAQ) system.

The new modules support a broad spectrum of applications for vehicle testing engineers. They include: ARGUSfit integrated WLAN interface, ARGUSfit ENC-6 counter module, ARGUSfit T-10 temperature module and ARGUSfit DI-16 module for digital inputs.

The modules deliver easy wireless LAN integration and IoT messaging capabilities enable remote monitoring and cloud-based dashboards, enabling users to access data and monitor systems from anywhere. They also support precise pulse-based measurements, including RPM, frequency, angle, displacement, PWM and time/phase modes. Advanced signal conditioning is enabled by differential inputs, filters and adjustable thresholds for maximum sensor compatibility.

In addition, a universal 10-channel distributed temperature measurement system enables detailed thermal analysis under stress, supported by fiber-optic connectivity and high-speed system bus integration. The modules also offer flexible 16-channel digital inputs for monitoring and data acquisition, configurable for electronic, industrial, and automotive standards with both bitwise and port-oriented operation.

ARGUSfit combines rugged, compact design and ultra-low power consumption, supporting mobility even when powered by standard power banks. Its modular architecture and sensor-near front-end modules ensure high signal quality and minimal cabling.

The ARGUSfit modules are designed to provide vehicle testing engineers precise, scalable and mobile measurement solutions that adapt to scenarios within the automotive, aerospace, railway, VTOL and heavy machinery industries.

Pairing the hardware with the imc STUDIO operating system software, engineers gain intuitive control over system configuration, data collection, visualization and workflow automation. Post-analysis is powered by imc FAMOS, delivering professional-grade insights and presentation tools, including AI support.

“ARGUSfit is built for engineers who need reliable data wherever and whenever it matters,” said Martin Riedel, Strategic Product Manager at imc Test & Measurement. “It’s a complete solution that grows with your testing needs, whether you’re in the lab, on the road, or in the field.”

Source: imc Test & Measurement

Electric boat charging specialist Aqua superPower recently unveiled its first marine fast charger, at the Nautica Feltrinelli shipyard on Italy’s Lake Garda. A second station is soon to be installed on the lake’s opposite bank in Lazise, enabling zero-emission voyages for boaters exploring this scenic inland waterway.

Located at Gargnano on the western shore of Lake Garda, Nautica Feltrinelli has a long history in the Italian boating world. It was founded in 1919 by the Feltrinelli family, whose boatbuilding legacy goes back to the 17th century. Today, the shipyard serves as the exclusive Italian importer for Austrian luxury boatbuilder Frauscher.

The new Aqua 75 DC fast charger delivers up to 75 kW of power, and supports the CCS standard.

Nautica Feltrinelli introduced its new charging station at a recent open house event. Boating enthusiasts were invited to the shipyard for on-water test drives of Frauscher’s latest electric models.

“This first charger on Lake Garda is a pivotal moment for sustainable boating in Italy,” said Michele Bolpagni, Country Manager Italy for Aqua superPower. “Partnering with Nautica Feltrinelli—a family-run icon with over a century of nautical heritage—allows us to honor tradition while accelerating the electric revolution. With the upcoming Lazise installation, we’ll bridge the lake’s shores, making zero-emission adventures accessible to all.”

“At Nautica Feltrinelli, we’ve always balanced our artisan roots with forward-thinking innovation, and this collaboration with Aqua superPower embodies that spirit,” said Mauro Feltrinelli, CEO of Nautica Feltrinelli. “Lake Garda’s pristine waters deserve clean, quiet propulsion, and our new fast charger empowers our Frauscher clients to explore without compromise.”

Source: Aqua superPower

US solid-state battery technology developer Nuvvon’s polymer electrolyte has passed a series of nail penetration tests, which create a short circuit inside the cell to determine if the battery catches fire or explodes.

In two sets of tests, which were conducted at The University of Texas at Austin (UTA), traditional 1 Ah cells of commercial grade were built with either Nuvvon’s solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) or conventional liquid electrolyte. The cell containing the liquid electrolyte exploded instantly, while neither of Nuvvon’s SPE cells, the Graphite-NMC811 nor the Lithium-NMC9, ignited.

Nuvvon’s solid polymer electrolyte is a pure polymer system that does not contain any sulfide or oxide nanoparticles. It has room-temperature ionic conductivity of greater than 1 mS/cm at 25° C. It enables thin format for separators (≤20 µm) and is used as the catholyte, anolyte and separator. It is made from low-cost raw materials that are easy to procure, and the cells can be made using existing lithium-ion processes, according to the company.

The technology is designed for applications such as EVs, portable electronics, aerospace and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs).

“Battery safety is a key concern for our partners and customers, and we’re delighted to demonstrate our proprietary technology’s safety characteristics through independent testing, paving the way for faster commercialization of our technology,” said Jonathan Lex, Chief Operating Officer at Nuvvon.

Source: Nuvvon

Battery materials firm NOVONIX has delivered its first commercial-grade sample of synthetic graphite for industrial applications to one of North America’s largest value-added carbon processors.

NOVONIX provided an industrial-grade mass production sample of specified products for final qualification for use in various industrial applications. Industrial-grade product qualification is fast and flexible and enables a faster path to market than battery-grade synthetic graphite, according to the company. Any target supply volumes will be further defined once final product qualification has been completed and a definitive supply agreement has been established.

NOVONIX’s Riverside facility is scheduled to start mass production next year for its lead customer, Panasonic. To meet increasing customer demand, the company previously announced plans for its second synthetic graphite manufacturing plant, also in Chattanooga, Tennessee, known as the Enterprise South location. The two facilities will give the company a total production capacity of over 50,000 tonnes per year.

“This demonstrates that industrial-grade products can be produced using NOVONIX’s proprietary continuous graphitization furnace technology at a mass production scale, and is another step towards bringing our battery-grade materials to market,” said Mike O’Kronley, CEO at NOVONIX. “As we continue to scale our facility, the ability to provide volumes to markets outside the battery space diversifies our product portfolio and provides the opportunity to increase our planned production at Riverside for 2026.”

Source: NOVONIX

German machine tools and laser technology supplier TRUMPF has developed new laser applications for adhesive and coating preparation in battery production and for corrosion protection of aluminum components.

Coating or laminating battery cells before gluing them into modules or trays protects against short circuits and environmental influences, increasing the safety and service life of the battery cells, the company said. Before applying the coating and adhesive, manufacturers clean the cells and certain areas of the battery trays with short-pulse lasers, which hit the surface of the material without damaging the material itself.

To protect corrosion to car body components from milling, the laser homogenizes the surface by selectively remelting a few micrometers and then rapidly quenching it, making the aluminum components resistant to corrosion. In tests in which the parts processed in this way were sprayed with salt water for hours, they showed no signs of crevice corrosion, TRUMPF said.

To process large surfaces, such as aluminum components, users employ the PFO33 scanner optics with a pulsed laser from TRUMPF’s TruMicro Series 7000. The PFO33 has mirrors that move the laser pulses across the component at speeds of up to several meters per second.

This enables short cycle times, which are crucial for automotive series production. Local extraction removes smoke, particles and aerosols that are produced during laser processing and could interfere with the machining process.

“Selective surface processing with lasers is a clean and fast alternative to chemical processes in the automotive industry, for example to achieve high adhesive strength for adhesives or coatings,” said Volkan Yavuz, responsible for laser surface processing at TRUMPF. “Our lasers reliably remove oils, rust, oxides and other residues, and ensure long-term stable adhesion of the coating and adhesive, without the use of aggressive chemicals or mechanical rubbing. This technology is not a dream of the future: it is used not only for gigacasting components, but also for housings for electric motors for electric cars.”

Source: TRUMPF

At this year’s Battery Show in Detroit, ChargedEVs.com spoke with four of Schaeffler’s subject-matter experts to explore the company’s innovations in electrification and energy storage. The discussion began with Rashid Farahati, Vice President of the Corporate Competence Center for the Americas.

Farahati explained that while solid-state batteries promise higher energy density, safety and faster charging, they face a key challenge: they require constant mechanical pressure—around two megapascals—to maintain optimal performance. To address this, Schaeffler developed a compact pressure-controlled module capable of maintaining up to five megapascals, giving OEMs a practical solution for real-world applications.

Farahati also highlighted the design advantages of a true all-solid architecture. By removing the graphite anode and replacing it with a thin metallic layer, Schaeffler achieves up to a 40–50% reduction in cell volume, improving both range and weight efficiency. Eliminating flammable liquid electrolytes enhances safety and enables higher operating temperatures—up to 100 °C, compared with roughly 40 °C for today’s liquid systems—reducing the need for complex thermal management hardware. Together, these changes promise to translate to simpler, safer and potentially faster-charging battery packs.

Next, we spoke with Schaeffler VP Jerry Dixon, who showcased the side-by-side off-road demonstrator. The vehicle integrates a complete electric drive system—including an e-axle, charging electronics and thermal management—to illustrate the company’s systems engineering approach. The demonstration underscores Schaeffler’s emphasis on real-world validation and end-to-end system compatibility.

The third expert, Micah Steiner, Technical Project Lead, introduced Schaeffler’s magnet-free electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM). By replacing rare-earth permanent magnets with electromagnetic excitation, this motor eliminates dependence on scarce and expensive materials while maintaining comparable power and torque density. Steiner explained that this approach not only lowers material costs but also simplifies recycling and supply chain management—a growing concern in the global EV industry.

Finally, Mitchell Koupal, Product Manager, discussed Schaeffler’s broader portfolio of thermal management and sensing components designed to support advanced battery systems. These include battery immersion coolers, current and pressure sensors, thermal runaway detection devices, and control electronics that manage data from multiple sensors. Koupal also highlighted Schaeffler’s work in cell housing and stamping technologies, ensuring lightweight yet durable protection for prismatic cells. Together, these components demonstrate how the company’s manufacturing heritage supports modern electrification needs.

Through conversations with Farahati, Dixon, Steiner and Koupal, Schaeffler’s integrated vision becomes clear: it’s not just advancing one component but building a cohesive ecosystem for next-generation electric mobility. From high-pressure solid-state modules to magnet-free motors and sophisticated thermal systems, the company’s multidisciplinary approach offers a glimpse into how future EVs might balance efficiency, sustainability and safety.

To learn more, visit https://www.schaeffler.com.

EVSE manufacturer Wallbox has completed the first US residential installations of its Quasar 2 bidirectional EV charger. Six Quasar 2 units were deployed in Menifee, California, through a collaboration with Kia America and the University of California, Irvine.

Bidirectional charging enables vehicle-to-home (V2H) applications, which offer several benefits for homeowners. Energy stored in an EV’s battery can be used to power a home during a utility outage. Homeowners whose local utility offers time-of-use (TOU) pricing can lower electricity bills by charging their EV’s battery during off-peak times and discharging it during peak demand periods.

V2H is a coming attraction. Wallbox’s recent deployment is intended to gather data and learn how customers interact with the new technology. As far as we know, Wallbox has only demonstrated the feature with the Kia EV9, and when it becomes available, it will be part of the Kia Connect subscription-based suite of services.

“This is more than a technology milestone. It is a glimpse of a future where every EV is an energy asset,” said Douglas Alfaro, Chief Business Development Officer at Wallbox. “Quasar 2 puts homeowners in control of their energy, helping them achieve resilience, independence and sustainability in their daily lives.”

“As we continue to expand our lineup of electric vehicles, projects like this help us showcase how EVs can deliver value beyond mobility, playing a central role in energy management and sustainability at home,” said Sujith Somasekharan, Director, Connected Car & Mobility at Kia America.  

Source: Wallbox

Demand charges—extra fees that utilities charge customers for causing spikes in power demand—are the bane of the EV charging industry. Charging providers take various peak-shaving measures to avoid these charges.

Swedish tech company Waybler, noting that European electricity grids are increasingly imposing peak demand tariffs, has launched a new software product designed to avoid unnecessary demand charges. The company says its OptAI product can reduce peak power demand by 35 percent on average.

OptAI continuously analyzes both historical data and a charging site’s future conditions to dynamically adjust the fuse level to the lowest possible setting. The service is fully automated and is compatible with all EV charging stations.

“Discussions around increased demand charges have really gained momentum, as all grid operators are legally required to implement them by 2027,” says Mårten Nyberg, Head of Sales at Waybler. “We wanted to create a solution that enables housing associations, businesses and property owners to continue transitioning to e-mobility without incurring excessive costs.”

OptAI will be available to both existing and new customers in the fall of 2025.

Source: Waybler

Chinese EVSE manufacturer Shenzhen Kehua has launched a new line of DC fast chargers for the Southeast Asian (ASEAN) market. The new 60-180 kW and 240-400 kW standalone CE/CB-certified DC chargers are designed to suit a wide range of applications, including urban public charging, highway charging sites, electric truck and bus fleets, and other commercial use cases.

The new chargers are equipped with over 100 safety features, including over-voltage, over-current, over-temperature, leakage protection, and lightning strike defense. Charging module in-position detection is designed to ensure proper installation, preventing risks such as arcing or sparking. An ingress protection rating of IP55 certifies that the units are dust-proof and waterproof, making them suitable for gritty industrial settings such as mines. The operational temperature range of -30° to 55° C enables them to function in extreme climates.

The operation and maintenance management system supports over-the-air upgrades and fault log recording, and also supports local storage of charging data.

The 400 kW model features dual cables, so it can charge two vehicles simultaneously, distributing power evenly between both charging outputs. It boasts 96.5% efficiency, and 500 amps of charging current—sufficient to charge the new generation of 800-volt EVs.

Both models include a cable management system and an intuitive smart screen interface, and both support various payment methods, including QR codes, RFID, credit cards and Autocharge.

Kehua’s in-house-designed charging modules are specifically engineered to integrate seamlessly with the chargers. The company says it has rigorously tested the modules in various real-world applications. “We simulate various operational scenarios and subject the chargers to 2 hours of high-temperature aging tests to ensure they remain reliable under the most demanding environments.”

Source: Shenzhen Kehua