CLUSTER: From cars to battery charging, OC is a growing hub for EV industry

The list of EV companies with operations in Orange County is varied, long and getting longer with the addition of Romeo Power Inc.’s new base in Cypress.

Notables include electric vehicle makers Rivian Automotive Inc. (Nasdaq: RIVN) in Irvine and Mullen Automotive Inc. (Nasdaq: MULN) in Brea, which was featured in the Aug. 1 print edition of the Business Journal.

Karma Automotive, the luxury electric automaker, is also in Irvine. Henrik Fisker, who created Karma predecessor Fisker Automotive, is back with a new company, Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSK), which is based in LA but has a new facility in the works in La Habra.

Mazda North American, Kia Motors Inc. and Hyundai Motor America Inc., all with bases in Orange County, are also boosting their efforts in the electrification area.

On the EV battery front, Enevate Corp. in Irvine is developing fast-charging lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, while Brytemove Energy in Costa Mesa is pressing ahead with the installation of charging stations and with infrastructure projects.

EnerDel Inc., which is focusing on developing lithium-ion batteries for heavyduty uses, has opened an advanced engineering center in Irvine.

Qmerit in Irvine has stepped up its efforts to have electric vehicle charging stations installed at commercial properties and homes, joining the national effort to keep the growing EV fleets moving smoothly.