Vehicles in DC Fleet Receive Tech to Boost EV Battery Range, Efficiency

UPDATE: As of July 18, 2023, D.C. Public Works is no longer testing the EMM technology on its vehicles. 

Mullen Automotive announced that its majority-owned subsidiary, Mullen Advanced Energy Operations (MAEO), began the execution of a $680,000 contract that was previously awarded by the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., to EV Technologies, LLC.

The contract is for the purchase and installation of Energy Management Module (EMM) units on Chevrolet Bolts within the D.C. city government’s vehicle fleet. Mullen and EV Technologies’ team of engineers visited Washington, D.C. on April 24 to begin the installation of the EMM units onto 40 of DC Public Works' high usage Chevrolet Bolts and to perform the required tests included in the pilot.

MAEO has also named Lawrence Hardge to the position of Senior Vice President of Technology. Lawrence will be overseeing all technological aspects of the Energy Management Module applications.

“I am very proud that the first major field application is with the DC city government, where we will demonstrate the benefits of our EMM technology. We have been working on this bid to secure the business for some time and it is a great achievement to win this opportunity. I would like to thank the many D.C. government officials who made this a reality,” said Hardge.

Improving EV Battery Performance on Fleet Vehicles

Previous testing indicates that EMM technology substantially increases the driving range and efficiency of any current EV battery, according to Mullen. In March 2021, Element Materials Technology conducted specific vehicle testing on 2020 Chevy Bolts installed with EMM units with test results being a calculated increase in range from 269 to 431 miles, a 60% increase in efficiency.

“The DC city project is the first of many that we have planned for the new EMM technology,” Mullen Automotive CEO David Michery said. “Municipal city fleets are a perfect use case for EVs and even better with our Energy Management Modules added for extending vehicle range and performance. Ideally, the vehicles can spend less time charging and more time in the local communities for civic use and support.”

Mullen Advanced Energy Operations is a 51%-owned subsidiary of Mullen Automotive with EV Technologies, LLC and Global EV Technology, Inc. as partners.

Editor's Note: This story was updated on July 19, 2023, to reflect that D.C. Public Works is no longer testing EMM technology on its vehicles.