What is the charging curve and why is it important for battery health

The charging curve of an electric car describes how the charging rate varies over time as the battery stores energy. The battery does not absorb energy evenly throughout the charging process; in fact, the speed is affected by both the instantaneous power delivered by the charging column and the maximum power that the battery itself can absorb-as well as, to a lesser extent, the temperature.

 

Let us imagine that we need to fill a glass of water to the brim without overflowing it: we will probably quickly fill the glass to three-quarters full, and then carefully dose the water flow rate as we approach the rim.

 

The charging process works similarly: energy accumulates more rapidly in the first stage, when the battery is almost empty, and gradually slows down as we approach 100%. This behavior becomes particularly evident when the charge exceeds 80%: at this point, the charging rate decreases significantly to prevent overheating and thus potential battery deterioration. This approach is essential to prolong the life of the battery itself.

 

Electric car operating systems employ several strategies to intelligently manage the charging process and preserve the battery:

 

Temperature control: thermal management is essential to avoid overheating that can impair the battery’s primary functions. Advanced monitoring systems constantly analyze temperature during charging, triggering cooling or heating mechanisms to maintain optimal conditions.

 

Charging speed modulation: As mentioned earlier, the charging speed is modulated to be faster at the beginning and slower toward the end. This helps preserve the battery and improves the overall efficiency of the charging process.

 

Optimization algorithms: dedicated software analyzes the state of the battery and optimizes the charging flow, ensuring that each battery cell receives the correct amount of power.

Battery health and longevity also depend on the habits of e-drivers. To optimize efficiency and extend the life of your electric car battery, it is helpful to follow some practical tips:

 

Monitor the state of the battery: it is advisable to keep the battery charge level between 20 percent and 80 percent, avoiding reaching 100 percent with each recharge. This will reduce stress on the battery cells.

 

Vary the charging modes: ultra-rapid charging, such as that offered by the Ewiva network, is the ideal solution for topping up at maximum speed; however, it is advisable to recharge your car according to your needs, choosing other charging modes, such as slow charging, according to your needs and use cases.

 

Pay attention to extreme temperatures: charging in extreme weather conditions, whether hot or cold, negatively affects both the charging process and the health of the battery. In such cases, it is important to choose the most suitable time of day to recharge, thus preserving the car from adverse weather conditions.

 

Sources:

– https://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/notizie/componentie_tech/2022/07/18/rischi-grande-caldo-come-reagiscono-le-auto-elettriche_8736468a-5c84-4513-b98c-9e64c29cfec0.html

– https://modo.volkswagengroup.it/it/mobotica/auto-elettriche-conta-piu-la-capacita-o-la-velocita-di-ricarica

– https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-e-tron-models-with-high-charging-performance-12758

La Rete dei Comuni – Pomezia (RM)

The Network of Ewiva Municipalities tells about the realities in Italy that have chosen to install the Ewiva network in their territories to offer local e-drivers and tourists an ultra-fast and always accessible charging infrastructure. Today it is the turn of Pomezia, an important center on the outskirts of Rome where culture and productivity come together.

 

Pomezia: nature and entertainment just a stone’s throw from Rome

Pomezia is one of Italy’s most important industrial hubs; located in central Lazio, south of Rome, it is one of the beating hearts of the region’s economy. In addition to being a manufacturing center, this locality presents an area with no shortage of beauty to discover, including museums, beaches and wooded areas surrounded by nature.

 

The Ewiva station in Pomezia (RM).

You can recharge your electric car in Pomezia at the Ewiva station on Via del Mare 20, inside the Productive Area. The station is equipped with four charging points, capable of delivering up to 300 kW of power. Ewiva’s ultra-fast Ewiva stations in Pomezia are located in an area served by stores and restaurants, and are not far from many points of interest.

 

Don’t miss nearby

 

Beaches of Torvaianica

Torvaianica’s beaches, characterized by crystal-clear water and highly organized bathing facilities well set in the natural environment, are about a 10-minute drive from Ewiva’s ultra-fast charging station.

 

Lavinium Civic Archaeological Museum

The charm of these territories is also encapsulated in their millennia-old history and ancient mythology. The Lavinium Archaeological Civic Museum is dedicated to the ancient city of the same name that, according to legend, was founded by Aeneas, who landed on these very shores as recounted by Virgil in the Aeneid. Inside the archaeological area is a vast collection of artifacts that tell the story of the area from prehistoric to Roman times.

 

Zoomarine

Also not far from the Ewiva station is Zoomarine, a water-themed amusement park where you can watch shows featuring dolphins and other marine animals. The park also offers water slides, pools and attractions for the whole family.

 

Cork Grove Nature Reserve

Sughereta Nature Reserve is a green oasis that stretches between Pomezia and Ardea. Here, among the striking cork oaks, it is possible to take long walks surrounded by nature. The reserve is home to an important biodiversity of flora and fauna, including wild boars, foxes, birds of prey and a wide variety of birds.

Electric charging point, infrastructure and station: find out the differences

Knowing the words that make up the lexicon of electric mobility is essential to fully understand its peculiarities and potential. With this ABC, let’s find out what the differences are between station, column and Electric Charging Point (POC).

 

The definition of “electric charging station” means the charging site as a whole: it therefore includes the individual columns and all the elements that allow users to take advantage of the service, such as the entire maneuvering and parking area with the stalls for the charging cars and the electric cabin that allows the supply of energy to the station itself.

 

Each Ewiva charging station is designed to meet the different needs of e-drivers and meet the needs of the partners that host it. Ewiva offers different solutions in this regard: the Ewiva stations range from the smallest Standalone, which includes only one column, to the Premium solution, which includes as many as 7 high-power columns and can be equipped with photovoltaic panels and a lounge area for e-drivers with toilets, refreshment point, and relaxation area.

 

In each charging station, there are “charging infrastructures” (IdR), more commonly known as columns, which are the heart of the station and of the service to the user.Ewiva employs ultra-fast high-power columns, which deliver from 100 to 300kW of power, allowing e-drivers to recharge their cars in about 20 minutes.

 

Finally, each column can include one or more charging points where e-drivers-via the connector cable-can charge their cars, even simultaneously on the same column if it has multiple charging points. The “point of charge” (PoC), in fact, corresponds to the actual outlet and, therefore, the total number of charging points is an important indicator for understanding the state of network deployment. According to Motus-E’s latest report, updated to March 2024, there are more than 54,000 active charging points in Italy distributed in more than 18,500 stations, an increase of 38 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

 

Of these, more than 3,000 are ultra-fast charging points, the segment in which Ewiva operates, which is contributing to the development of an increasingly widespread high-power charging network from North to South and up to June 2024 has built more than 1,200 charging points.

La Rete dei Comuni – Moena (TR)

The Ewiva Network of Municipalities today makes a stop in Moena, a town nestled in the beauty of Trentino that has chosen Ewiva to provide area e-drivers and tourists with an ultra-fast and reliable charging station.

 

Moena, a landmark of the Dolomites

The charming village of Moena is located in the Fassa Valley, on the border with the Fiemme Valley, and is surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Dolomites. Located at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters and crossed by the Avisio river basin, this picturesque Ladin town is an essential stop for those who choose to visit these territories.

 

The Ewiva station in Moena (TR)

In Moena you can find the Ewiva high-power station at Troi de Gejia, 1, near tourist attractions and dining spots; the station has a charging point, and delivers up to 100kW of power.

 

Don’t miss nearby

 

Ancient District of Moena

The Antico Rione di Moena is the heart of the village. The cobblestone streets and old wooden houses with their flowered balconies create a unique atmosphere. The Old Quarter is also home to the 13th-century church of San Vigilio. Moena is a center rich in tradition and history. The local culture is characterized by the Ladin language and Fassa traditions, as well as Moena’s characteristic cuisine.

 

San Pellegrino Pass

The San Pellegrino Pass, at an elevation of 1918 meters, connects Moena to Falcade. In the past it was an important route for the Crusades, connecting Germany to Venice, from where pilgrims departed for the Holy Land. The hospice of San Pellegrino, run by pilgrim friars, gave the pass its name. Today it is a renowned ski area, with wide sunny slopes and modern lifts that allow people to experience the mountains even in summer.

 

Soraga Lake

A few kilometers from Moena is Soraga Lake, an oasis of tranquility surrounded by forests and mountains. Also called Lake Pezzè, it is an artificial lake formed by the Avviso barrage and fed by the San Pellegrino stream. It is an ideal place for walks, picnics and moments of relaxation.

 

Alpe Lusia Ski Area

The Alpe Lusia Ski Area, connected to the San Pellegrino Pass, offers 30 km of slopes for all skill levels. It is a paradise for skiers and families, with breathtaking views and high-quality services, as well as summer mountain bike trails and trails for trekkers.

 

Exhibit la Gran Vera

The la Gran Vera exhibition has been open since 2014 and displays a thematic collection on World War I: period photos, original documents, uniforms and war material tell the story of the suffering of the Great War, which saw the surroundings of Moena as an important theater of trenches and battles.

 

La Rete dei Comuni – Castro (LE)

The Network of Municipalities tells the story of many localities that have chosen Ewiva charging stations to embrace the road to change. Among the Italian localities hosting our ultrafast network is Castro, one of the most important jewels of Salento, in the province of Lecce.

 

Castro, breathtaking landscapes

Castro is a picturesque town in Puglia, famous for its thousand-year history and natural beauty. Located along the eastern coast of Salento, the town is formed by a promontory where the medieval area rises, surrounded by the lower part of Castro Marina, which instead develops along the port.

 

Ewiva station in Castro

In Castro (LE) you can find Ewiva’s high-power charging station at Via di Mezzo, 101, less than a kilometer from the historic center. The charging station, which is always accessible, has a charging point that delivers 100kW of power.

 

Not to be missed nearby

 

Zinzulusa Cave

Grotta Zinzulusa is a natural wonder located between Castro and Santa Cesarea Terme. The cave contains prehistoric evidence, paleontological and palethnological finds; as many as 26 aquatic and 40 terrestrial species have been identified inside, creating a unique habitat.

 

Beaches

Castro Marina offers breathtaking beaches. These are developed along a 4-km coastline characterized by small bays, crystal clear water, caves and ravines. The lidos and beaches offer a wide choice of restaurants, clubs and services.

 

Historical center

Castro was also an important fishing center in ancient times and in Roman times was known as Castrum Minervae. The historic center is a maze of cobblestone streets, traditional houses and picturesque views. Here is the enchanting Castro Cathedral, the Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata, a jewel in the heart of the old town, witness to different cultural influences.

 

Aragonese Castle and Archaeological Museum

The Aragonese Castle houses inside it a museum divided into two sections: the first prehistoric, with archaeological findings related to the Zinzulusa and Romanelli caves, and the second dedicated to Messapic culture. Prominent among the exhibits are the majestic statue of the goddess Athena and the magnificent friezes of the temple’s tympanum.

Ewiva: 292 charging points built thanks to the EU project Miliar-E

72 High Power Charging sites, for a total of 292 high-power charging points: these are the numbers of the European Commission-funded project that the charging network operator has won and brought to completion.

 

Thanks to the European project Miliar-E (Italian Capillary Ultrafast Charging Network for Electric Vehicles), Ewiva hits another important milestone for electric mobility in Italy and Europe. In fact, the joint venture of Enel X and Volkswagen Group has installed and activated the project’s 150 Charging Infrastructures, with a power output of 300kW each, for a total of 292 high-power charging points (PoCs) distributed over 72 High Power Charging sites along Ten-T, the trans-European transport network.

 

Miliar-E is the first European project that Ewiva has been awarded under the Connecting Europe Facility – Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (CEF – AFIF) program and involves, at the overall level, an investment of more than 20 million euros jointly funded by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and private resources. As part of the project, Ewiva was awarded more than €7 million in funding.

 

Also as part of the CEF – AFIF program, Ewiva was also awarded grants for the implementation of new high-power charging points in Italy through the Next Wav-E projects, which involves upgrading the ultra-fast charging network for light electric vehicles, and Heavy Wav-E, which aims to integrate the charging network for light vehicles with charging infrastructure for heavy electric vehicles.

 

“We strongly believe in a future under the banner of a new mobility, in Italy and the rest of Europe, that is accessible and able to liberate the desire to move by electric. – commented Ewiva – The funding obtained from the European Commission testifies to the quality of our work and the effectiveness of this joint venture that, although young, has already achieved such important results. Thanks to the commitment of the entire supply chain, which is almost entirely Italian and with which we collaborate synergistically, we can in fact announce that we have closed the Miliar-E project: we are now ready to face the next challenges to achieve the electrification of mobility in our country.”

 

Ewiva thus confirms its commitment to the electric transition in Italy and reaffirms, once again, its ambitious goal: to connect, bring closer and accelerate a more sustainable future, making the choice of electric mobility increasingly simple and affordable for everyone, in a capillary way, throughout the country. As of June 2024, the joint venture that brings together the investments of the two Groups has realized over 360 charging stations with more than 1,200 charging points located throughout Italy, from North to South.

 

EWIVA: Daniela Biscarini nominated CEO

The joint venture of Enel X and Volkswagen Group will continue on its growth path of the biggest high power charging network in Italy.

 

Change at the top leadership for Ewiva: Daniela Biscarini has been appointed CEO of the joint venture of Enel X and Volkswagen Group born to accelerate electric mobility in Italy. The other managing roles, including CFO Annamaria Borrega, have been confirmed.

 

Graduated in Economics and Business at La Sapienza University of Rome, Biscarini has a consolidated experience, gained by holding top management roles within large and medium-sized companies such as Enel, TIM SpA, Johnson & Johnson Italia. She has also participated since 2019 in the development of digital realities and female-led start-ups, as a business angel and co-founder.

She actively collaborates with Chapter Zero Italy, which, for the Climate Governance Initiative of the World Economic Forum, is responsible for bringing Climate Change issues to the tables of Italian boards.

 

“I am proud to take on the role of CEO of Ewiva,” says Daniela Biscarini, “I take on this new challenge with enthusiasm, aware that the company and the electric mobility sector are going through a turning point in their evolution. The goal is to continue the excellent work done so far, which has allowed Ewiva to make an important growth path, contributing to the spread of sustainable mobility in our country. We will still focus on the capillarity of the high-power network with particular attention to the most strategic areas, focusing on market needs and acting accordingly, with maximum flexibility.”

 

The new CEO continues, “We will work to simplify the charging action as much as possible, expanding the variety of solutions offered, and introducing new technologies. We will also engage in the adoption of increasingly advanced infrastructure usage data monitoring and analysis systems to improve network performance, as well as in multichannel access to the service, to extend the number of 80 Mobility Service Providers already enabled on our Ewiva network. We intend to focus on the development of electric mobility for cars but, in parallel, we also want to contribute to electrification through the study of new projects dedicated to high-power charging for heavy vehicles”.

 

As of June 2024, the joint venture of Enel X and Volkswagen Group has been developing the most extensive and widespread high-power charging networks in Italy, with more than 360 sites, totaling more than 1,200 installed charging points. In addition, Ewiva has launched multiple important projects, such as the introduction on all its charging stations of Plug&Charge, the feature that allows the charging station to communicate directly with the car and immediately start charging, the partnership with &Charge, a platform that collects e-drivers’ reviews on the charging experience, to improve the quality of the service.

Overshoot Day 2024

Overshoot Day 2024 falls on August 1: this is the day when humanity exhausts all the natural resources the Earth is capable of producing in a year. After this date, humanity begins to live “on credit” to the planet, using resources that cannot be renewed and accumulating an ecological deficit until the end of the year.

 

Due to excessive demand for resources, each year this day comes earlier and earlier: only in 1971 did the day on which the annual resource “budget” was exhausted fall at the end of December. In 2023 Overshoot Day was August 2, and at the current rate of resource exploitation 1.7 planet Earths would be needed to meet human demand. The consequences are ones that each of us can already feel every day: average temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, biodiversity loss accelerates, and health problems for people grow.

 

The Weight of Transportation on Our Ecological Footprint

To date, the transport sector is responsible for one-third of total global greenhouse gas emissions-a figure very close to that for the European Union, where more than two-thirds of total CO2 is emitted by road transport. The EU’s goals are very specific: to reduce emissions from road traffic by 60 percent by 2030 and 90 percent by 2050, the target date for achieving zero emissions.

 

It is estimated that through this gradual shift from traditional combustion cars to electric cars worldwide, Overshoot day would be postponed by 2.5 days with an even greater impact if the supply of energy from renewable sources to recharge batteries increased. This is why Ewiva uses 100 percent renewable energy to power its ultra-fast charging network. It is estimated that through the more than 800,000 recharges at Ewiva stations through July, more than 18,000 tons of CO2 emissions have been avoided.

 

Everyone can do his or her part

In addition to more structural changes, for which governments, institutions and companies are called upon to act, there are small everyday actions that can have an important impact on the sustainable use of resources, if carried out by each of us.

 

For example, adopting lighting through LEDs in one’s home as well moves Overshoot day forward by almost two days, lengthening the life of clothes and phasing out fast fashion extends the life of the earth’s resources by 6 days, which becomes 13 with the adoption of less wasteful food eating.

 

These actions may seem too small to dent the planet’s resource overexploitation or reverse the course of climate change, but if we could shift the Overshoot day count forward 6 days each year, by 2050 we could bring resource consumption back to parity and avoid overexploitation.