Ford Pro’s second-gen EV charger makes it easier for businesses to go electric
Ford Pro released its second-generation EV charger Tuesday, the Series 2 AC Charging Station 80 amp. The new EV charger is designed to simplify and improve the experience, making it easier than ever for fleets to go electric.
Ford Pro unveils Series 2 EV charger
“We’re committed to helping businesses make the transition to electric easy with a single-minded focus on curated commercial charging solutions,” Ted Cannis, Ford Pro CEO, explained after releasing its latest charging solutions.
The team at Ford Pro learned from its first-generation chargers, taking into account feedback from business and fleet owners to develop the Series 2 EV charger. Now available for pre-order, the Series 2 AC Charging Station features:
- An improved detachable cable and connector to reduce charging time and repairs due to damaged or disconnected cables.
- A wide range of connective options with pre-configured cellular and optional Wi-Fi and Ethernet (for places with restricted coverage).
- Enhanced security with RFID to limit unwanted charger access. Fleet operators can enable limited charging sessions for specific individuals or vehicles by specifying the day and time for access.
- A new LCD screen to display step-by-step instructions on how to initiate charging and other important info like charge duration, energy use, fault alerts, and more.
- Temperature sensors to monitor for overheating
- Extended operating temperature range of -40F to 122F. It can also operate at an altitude of 3,500 mm.
- A 3-year warranty on charger parts and labor with 24/7 tech support to enhance uptime.
The new EV charger will also come with Ford Pro’s “one-stop shop” suite of products for all business needs, including charging, software, services, financing, and more, under one convenient bundle.
Ford Pro’s smart charging software ensures vehicles are charged when needed. The integrated technology helps fleets optimize how, when, and where cars are charged. It also includes utility reimbursement reporting for home-based drivers and performance tracking to maximize the cost of ownership.
Ford Pro also revealed new 180 kW and 240kW DC fast charging options Tuesday, giving businesses and fleet operators more versatility with more powerful, shorter charging times.
There are several incentives and rebates to help businesses and fleets go electric. Incentives can include up to a 30% federal tax credit on charging and installation, up to $7,500 on the purchase of a qualified EV, and hundreds of federal, state, and local options.
To help businesses take advantage of incentives available to them, Ford Pro curated a list that can be found here.
The new Series 2 EV charger is available now for pre-order. You can check it out by going to the link: https://ford.to/Series2ChargerPreorder.
Ford Pro offers several all-electric vehicles ready to tackle any mission, including the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro and Ford E-Transit electric van. The company saw a 22% increase in QoQ at the end of Q2 in customers using Ford Pro Charging solutions, with over 4,200 chargers under contract.
In Europe, Ford Pro launched the all-electric E-Tourneo Courier and E-Transit Courier earlier this year, expanding EV options for customers.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The Stripe logo on a smartphone with U.S. dollar banknotes in the background.
Budrul Chukrut | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Stripe cut 300 jobs, representing about 3.5% of its workforce, mostly in product, engineering and operations, CNBC has confirmed.
The payments company, valued at about $70 billion in the private markets, still expects to increase headcount by 10,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 17% increase, and is “not slowing down hiring,” according to a memo to staff from Chief People Office Rob McIntosh. Business Insider reported earlier on the cuts and the memo.
A Stripe spokesperson also confirmed to CNBC that a cartoon image of a duck with text that read, “US-Non-California Duck,” was accidentally attached as a PDF to emails sent to some of the employees who were laid off. Some of the emails mistakenly provided affected employees with an incorrect termination date, the spokesperson said.
McIntosh sent a follow-up email to staffers apologizing for the “notification error” and “any confusion it caused.”
“Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes,” he wrote.
In 2022, Stripe cut roughly 1,100 jobs, or 14% of its workers, downsizing alongside most of the tech industry, as soaring inflation and rising interest rates forced companies to focus on profits over growth. The Information reported that Stripe had a few dozen layoffs in its recruiting department in 2023.
Stripe’s valuation sank from a peak of $95 billion in 2021 to $50 billion in 2023, before reportedly rebounding to $70 billion last year as part of a secondary share sale. The company ranked third on last year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
In October, Stripe agreed to pay $1.1 billion for crypto startup Bridge Network, whose technology is focused on making it easy for businesses to transact using digital currencies.
Brothers Patrick and John Collison, who founded Stripe in 2010, have intentionally steered clear of the public markets and have given no indication that an offering is on the near-term horizon. Total payment volume at the company surpassed $1 trillion in 2023.
WATCH: Early Bridge investor weighs in on $1.1 billion Stripe deal
Thinking about upgrading your EV? Rivian (RIVN) launched a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1S or R1T. Here’s how you can snag some savings.
Rivian R1S and R1T upgrade deal offers up to $6,000
Rivian delivered over 51,500 vehicles last year as the EV maker gains momentum. Although it was only slightly higher than the ~50,100 delivered in 2023, Rivian is expected to see even more growth this year.
After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April and renegotiating supplier contracts, Rivian has seen “significant cost improvements,” according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
Rivian also began delivering its next-gen R1S and R1T models last year. The new Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, “making them easier to manufacture and service.” For example, Rivian’s new EVs use seven ECUs, down from 17 in the first-generation R1T and R1S.
With new plant upgrades, reworked supplier contracts, and more efficient vehicles, Rivian is now passing the savings on to customers.
Rivian introduced a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1T or R1S. The bonus amount varies by trim:
- Tri with Max battery: $6,000 USD / CAD 8,600
- Dual with Max battery and Performance upgrade: $4,500 USD / CAD 6,500
- Dual with Max battery: $3,000 USD / CAD 4,300
The offer is for current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the US and Canada. Rivian launched the new promo on January 21, and it runs through March 31, 2025.
After you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle, Rivian will apply a discount toward the MSRP. You must take delivery by March 31, 2025. In the fine print, Rivian stated, “You must request a trade-in estimate to qualify for this offer, but trade-in of a vehicle is not required.”
Any other models are excluded from the offer. These include Dual Standard configurations, Dual with Large battery configurations, custom builds, demo vehicles, and pre-owned vehicles.
The new offer follows Rivian’s previous upgrade promo introduced last October, giving qualifying gas-powered vehicle owners or lessees up to $3,000.
Check out the Rivian R1 Shop to view eligible models. You can see eligible Rivian R1S here and R1T models here.
Electrek’s Take
Rivian’s R1S was already the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year, with nearly 27,000 models sold. With more driving range and power at a lower cost, the electric SUV could see even more demand in 2025.
Then again, with the arrival of new luxury electric SUVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S and Volvo EX90, Rivian will face more competition in the US.
Rivian’s latest promo comes as the Company looks to carry the momentum from the end of 2024 into the new year. The EV maker is offering other deals, including 1.99% APR for 60 months on the R1 Dual with a Max Battery and Performance upgrade.
Even if you are not eligible for the promo, we can still help you find deals on Rivian’s electric SUV in your area. You can use our links below to view offers on the Rivian R1S and R1T near you today.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports10 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway