Industry giants team up to meet EV charging pile demand

The demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is seeing a significant boom as EV sales grow. As such, companies across different sectors are teaming up in cooperation to accelerate the EV movement, including TECO and Phihong Technology.

Under the two companies' newest initiative, the plan is to expand new production capacity into North America, with the aim to begin test production at the end of 2022. Last week, the ultra-high-speed charging 360KW top grid was also announced. For charging piles, Shihlin Electric will also invite Tier 1 international auto manufacturers to cooperate with charging pile service providers in a joint venture with eTreeGo.

Chairman of TECO Chiu Chun-zhi visited Feihong's booth at the Taipei International Automotive Electronics Show and Taipei International Auto Parts Exhibition that kicked off and wrapped up last week, and was personally received by Feihong Chairman Lin Zhong-min and General Manager Lin Fei-hong, explaining the latest market overview of charging piles. Previously, the two companies have signed a letter of intent to cooperate and expand EV infrastructure construction in the U.S.

North American new plant to accelerate growth in H2 2022

The new factory is a tripartite cooperation between TECO Westinghouse Motor, a subsidiary of TECO USA, Feihong USA Branch, and Getka Manufacturing, a newly established company under Getka Group, an American energy group. No update progress has been reported for years.

In an interview, Lin Fei-hong pointed out that the cooperation project is still in progress. At the end of April, he will fly to the U.S. to inspect the planning of the new factory. As for the signing of the tripartite cooperation project, it has been a year since the signing. Lin explained that (the delay) was due to the temporary suspension of the U.S. subsidy policies.

After the bill is confirmed and implemented, it will be more conducive to confirm all aspects of the cooperation plan, including whether the local talent recruitment, the localization ratio of U.S parts, etc. meet the requirements of the local government for incentives and subsidies.

Lin Fei-hong said that Feihong has R&D and design capabilities, combined with the strengths of TECO manufacturing and the local supply chain in the U.S., and is currently confirming the standard for production line transfer. In line with the requirements of the bid, he said that because the market opportunity is clear, there is no need to hurry, and there is an opportunity for trial production of the production line before the end of the year.

When it comes to charging piles, Chiu emphasized at the press conference when Fan Xin took office at the new head office in early April that it was too late for TECO to do it on its own and would need to form an alliance with its partners.

Feihong is TECO's key charging pile partner. One of the crucial advantages that Feihong brings to the table is that it is the first in Asia to achieve the production of ultra-high-speed 360KW charging piles. The venue also exhibited a water-cooled charging pile combined with the industry's largest 55-inch screen, replacing the traditional air-cooled heat dissipation method. It can charge 4 vehicles at the same time, and with only 60% of the power, the vehicles can be fully charged in 20 minutes.

Charging piles for two to grow five-fold in 5 years

According to a Reportlinker report, the number of charging piles in the world will reach 2.354 million in 2022, and it will double to 14.62 million in 2027. Due to the explosion in demand for EVs, the demand for two vehicles with one charging pile will see significant growth in the following five years.

Countries are preparing for the popularization of electric vehicles. U.S President Biden passed a new federal law at the end of last year, which is expected to allocate USD$7.5 billion in subsidies and incentives, and set up 550,000 electric vehicle charging stations in preparation for 50% of new electric vehicle sales in 2030. New communities in Taiwan applying for building licenses starting in 2019 need to reserve space for electric vehicle charging piles. In 2025, logistics vehicles will be subsidized, and business opportunities for both household and commercial charging piles are expected to follow.

Shihlin Electric also announced a cooperation with eTreeGo, a new joint venture company to provide charging pile maintenance, operation, and construction services. General Manager Hsieh Han-chang also revealed that the new company will invite branded car manufacturers to take shares and open the door for electric vehicle household charging piles.