DETROIT & MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 19, 2024--
Irdeto, the world leader in digital platform security, and ChargeHub, the leading roaming interoperability hub in the North American market for electric vehicle (EV) charging, are excited to announce the next phase of their strategic partnership. Following the initial collaboration announced in November 2023, this enhanced offering introduces a powerful new value proposition for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and service providers: a fully integrated Plug & Charge (P&C) solution combined with roaming capabilities—all accessible through a single integration.
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This partnership now brings to market a robust, ready-to-deploy solution that allows Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and e-Mobility Service Providers (eMSPs) to simplify and scale their EV charging infrastructure while delivering a seamless, user-friendly experience to drivers. Irdeto’s Plug & Charge toolkit, part of the CrossCharge PKI platform, ensures secure, automated, and efficient charging without requiring additional authentication steps. With this new integration, EV drivers can roam across multiple charging networks through a single account on a wide range of eMSP options thanks to ChargeHub’s fast growing Passport eRoaming Hub solution that already supports over 170 active EV roaming connections and access to more than a 120 000 compatible charging ports across the U.S. and Canada
This comprehensive solution ensures smooth interoperability across multiple networks, simplifying access to both P&C and roaming services. OEMs can now reduce the complexity of managing multiple systems through a single integration. A key benefit is financial efficiency—operators will receive a single monthly financial reconciliation covering both roaming and plug & charge enablement, saving time and streamlining billing processes.
Faster Time-to-Market and Scalable Solutions
Irdeto and ChargeHub's partnership brings a highly scalable, efficient solution to market. With end-to-end testing capabilities across both DC and AC charging, this collaboration accelerates time-to-market for OEMs and service providers integrating P&C and roaming. The combination of comprehensive testing and ChargeHub’s expansive network of 170 connections in North America offers unparalleled scalability and reliability as the EV market grows.
Unlike competitors who outsource parts of their solution, Irdeto’s Plug & Charge technology and ChargeHub’s Passport Hub are developed entirely in-house, ensuring greater control over quality, security, and integration. This strong foundation allows operators and OEMs to scale their EV offerings with confidence, knowing they are supported by a secure and future-proof solution.
"This partnership marks a major step forward in EV charging," said Simon Ouellette, CEO of ChargeHub. "By combining ChargeHub's extensive roaming network with Irdeto's secure P&C technology, we are making EV charging more convenient, accessible, and efficient for everyone."
Commitment to Interoperability and Industry Development
Irdeto’s neutral stance and active involvement in key industry working groups position the company as a key contributor to the ongoing development of EV interoperability. By playing a leadership role in these groups, Irdeto is helping shape the future of the EV charging ecosystem. Supporting Irdeto and ChargeHub today is a commitment to a more connected, secure, and scalable future for the EV industry.
“With the rapid growth of electric vehicle adoption, the need for secure, scalable, and efficient charging solutions has never been more urgent. Our collaboration delivers exactly that. We’re proud to offer an integrated solution that combines the simplicity of Plug & Charge with the convenience of roaming, benefiting both operators and EV drivers. At Irdeto, we are committed to shaping the future of EV infrastructure and this partnership is a significant milestone on that path,” said Niels Haverkorn, SVP of New Markets at Irdeto.
This partnership positions ChargeHub and Irdeto to lead the future of EV charging in North America, paving the way for a more connected, convenient, and secure charging experience for all. By combining their expertise, the companies aim to accelerate EV adoption and contribute to a more sustainable transportation future.
Irdeto and ChargeHub Strengthen EV Charging Market with Seamless Plug & Charge Integration and Roaming Solution. The strategic collaboration is set to define a new standard for secure, scalable, and efficient EV charging infrastructure in North America. (Photo: Business Wire)
NEWLAND, N.C. (AP) — The Cartner family had known since last year that one of their farm’s Christmas trees would be headed to the White House this winter.
But then Hurricane Helene struck, unleashing a deadly deluge across western North Carolina, including Avery County, where Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm has stood for decades. Though the farm lost thousands of trees to a mudslide, many more survived, including a 20-foot conical tree that dwarfs most of the others on the sprawling farm.
That one will soon be cut down, lifted by a crane and put on a truck bound for the nation's capital.
“We wanted to really be an uplifting symbol for the other farmers and other people in western North Carolina that have experienced so many losses," said Sam Cartner Jr., one of three brothers who owns the farm.
From the back of the farm property, where the White House tree is located, it's hard to see the extent of Helene's damage. Countless rows of dark green trees stand in formation, contrasting against the lighter, mossy green shade of the rolling hills. It's mostly quiet, aside from chirping birds and rustling leaves.
As Cartner ventures back to the front of the property in his SUV, the damage from Helene comes into view. A section of one of the grassy hills looks like it was clawed out to expose the brown earth beneath it — the aftermath of a mudslide that took out between 5,000 to 6,000 trees, Cartner said. Luckily, those trees were smaller and not market-size, meaning it wasn't an immediate problem for this harvest season, he said.
Culverts and gullies on the property were also washed out from the storm, making immediate access to certain parts of the farm treacherous. It took a few weeks to fill in the dirt roads twisting through the farm, Cartner said, but it could have been much worse.
“We're looking forward to a relatively normal harvest,” Cartner said. “Others will have a much harder time.”
The biggest challenge for Christmas tree farmers across western North Carolina has been fixing infrastructure on their property, including roads, said Jennifer Greene, North Carolina Christmas Tree Association executive director. Despite tree losses on some farms, Greene said farmers across the region — who harvest between 4-5 million Christmas trees annually — are persevering. She doesn't anticipate Helene's damage drastically affecting this harvest season, but it's still uncertain how the devastation will affect future seasons.
“They're resourceful, and you know, so they're going to find a way, you know, to make it happen,” Greene said of the area's Christmas tree farmers. “I mean, they have to.”
Cartner's parents, Sam and Margaret Cartner, founded the farm in 1959, where they grew Fraser firs, a tree species indigenous to the Appalachians. They later passed the farm on to Cartner Jr. and his two brothers.
The farm started off small, raising cows, cabbage and beans alongside the Fraser firs, Cartner said. The family initially planted their trees on the steepest field because they didn't want to use up their best land for them, Cartner said.
Now, Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm has grown to about 500 planted acres of land. Most of the farm’s business is selling wholesale to independent garden centers and stores around the country.
Their staffing operation is also much larger, as the farm employs temporary workers from Mexico to continue the year-round duties of maintaining the land, such as trimming trees. The task in recent days has been loading trees of various sizes into trailers ready to ship.
“We say we've touched a tree over 100 times by the time it gets to the consumer, and that's all manual labor,” Cartner said.
All of that work led to Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm being named the 2024 grand champion at the National Christmas Tree Association's contest. Winning the competition traditionally means the champion will supply the White House's official Christmas tree that year.
The visit to Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm by White House staff was initially delayed because of damaged roads, Greene said. When the staff made their selection in late October, they adorned their tree of choice with a red, white and blue ribbon that was larger than a basketball, Cartner said.
The selected tree is about 25 years old and weighs between 400 to 500 pounds (180 to 230 kilograms) — so heavy that a crane will be brought in to bring the tree to its transport truck ahead of its travels to Washington. Its “wonderful verdant color” and short limbs were just a few reasons Cartner listed off that may have drawn White House staff to the tree, in addition to meeting certain size requirements for display.
Cartner and his family will present the tree to first lady Jill Biden in front of the White House. Then, Cartner said they plan to return in December to see it decorated in the White House's Blue Room.
While the buzz about the White House Christmas tree has been exciting, Cartner said he will be “glad to have all this behind us.” It's been a tough year because of Helene, and harvest season is already difficult enough as is, he said.
“You've got to cut and ship that number of trees in two to three weeks, you put a hurricane on top of that, White House tree and all the activities, it gets almost overwhelming,” he said.
And work has already begun for next year. The farm has some obstacles to overcome, including finding places to buy seedlings after Helene devastated some greenhouses. There's also paperwork to fill out for workers to return to the farm next season, as well as several orders to make for fertilizer and insecticide.
It's a large-scale operation that has come a long way from when Cartner's parents started it. While his parents wouldn't have liked all the attention the farm has received, Cartner said they would be proud that they were representing western North Carolina during a time of hardship for many after Helene.
“They would want this tree to represent the faith, and hope, and love, and joy and family and generosity, all those good things of mankind that we need to stop and recognize,” he said.
The official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, is seen at the Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Sam Cartner Jr., co-owner of Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm, measures the official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Sam Cartner Jr., co-owner of Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm, measures the official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Sam Cartner Jr., co-owner of Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm, poses for a photo next to the official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Sam Cartner Jr., co-owner of Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm, shows the official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Sam Cartner Jr., co-owner of Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm, poses for a photo next to the official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
The official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, is seen at the Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
