Show #1160.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Thursday 29th July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.    ELECTRIFY AMERICA TO PHASE OUT CHADEMO IN 2022   - buried deep on page 46 of Electrify America's Cycle 3 ZEV National Investment Plan (the EA National Investment Plan is used for the entire US except California) the company explains it will no longer install CHAdeMO connectors on its charging stations, beginning in January of 2022   - Our sources at Electrify America tell us that overall, only 5% of all energy dispensed on the Electrify America network is from CHAdeMO connectors.   - Since a CCS adapter is now available, Tesla owners no longer need to use a CHAdeMO adapter to charge on DC Fast charge stations. It's rumored that soon Tesla will also be releasing its own CCS adapter for the North American market.   - owners of CHAdeMO-equipped vehicles will still have the existing 800+ Electrify America charging stations that have CHAdeMO connectors, plus the many hundreds of CHAdeMO stations currently in service in the US on other EV charging networks like Blink, EVgo, ChargePoint, and more.   Original Source : https://insideevs.com/news/522882/electrify-america-ends-chademo-installations/   TESLA BATTERY SUPPLIER CATL DEBUTS CHEAPER SODIUM-ION BATTERIES   - Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. unveiled a sodium-ion battery Thursday, a type of lower-density cell that uses cheaper raw materials than batteries made from lithium-ion metals.   - Fujian-based company also launched a battery-pack solution that can integrate sodium-ion cells and lithium-ion cells into one case, compensating for the energy-density shortage of the former while preserving its advantages.   - “Sodium-ion batteries have unique advantages in low-temperature performance, fast charging and environmental adaptability,” CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun said. “Moreover, they’re compatible and complementary with lithium-ion batteries. Diversified technical routes are an important guarantee for the long-term development of the industry.”   - Notwithstanding, CATL said that through breakthroughs in R&D, its first-generation sodium-ion batteries have reached 160 watt-hours/kilogram, a measure of energy density of energy, and should exceed 200 Wh/kg in coming generations.   Original Source : https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-29/catl-debuts-sodium-ion-batteries-amid-raw-material-cost-spike   FORD QUICKLY REACHES 120,000 ORDERS FOR ITS TESLA CYBERTRUCK RIVAL   - The interest appears to be building for Ford's first-ever all-electric F-150 dubbed the Lightning.Ford (F) has amassed 120,000 orders for the Lightning, CEO Jim Farley told investors on an earnings call Wednesday evening. About 75% of the orders are from those people new to the Ford brand, Farley said.   - "I would say what we've learned so far [from Lightning orders] is that the customers are largely new to Ford, but they aren't new to the segment. These are customers who really like these silhouetted vehicles. What is really interesting for me is some would portray the full-size truck industry as kind of a conservative customer. It's not what we're seeing. In this very large order bank for F-150 Lightning, they're new to BEV [battery electric vehicle], and they are excited to move to BEV. More than half of them are pickup truck customers,"   Original Source : https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-quickly-reaches-120000-orders-for-its-tesla-cybertruck-rival-112120668.html   BIDEN PLAN WOULD TIGHTEN MILEAGE FOR NEW CARS OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS   - The Biden administration has drafted emissions rules for new cars that would reverse a rollback in regulations brought in under Donald Trump, the Washington Post reports. It notes that the measures are set to resemble a 2019 pact between the state of California and five car makers that mandates a 3.7% annual increase in fuel economy through to 2026.   - Bloomberg notes that activists had previously pressed Biden for emissions curbs that at least matched the 5% reduction he helped broker as Obama’s vice president, rather than adopting the “more modest” Californian target in the short term.   Original Source : https://www.carbonbrief.org/daily-brief/biden-plan-would-tighten-mileage-for-new-cars-over-the-next-four-years   LG AND MAGNA FORM ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN JOINT VENTURE TO TARGET EV MARKET   - LG Electronics and Magna International have officially signed a transaction agreement to establish the pair's joint venture that was first announced in December last year.The new company, called LG Magna e-Powertrain, will be based in Incheon, South Korea, and have an initial workforce of more than 1,000 people.   - The pair are hoping the joint venture will combine Magna's strength in electric powertrain systems and LG's expertise in components, such as e-motors and inverters, to expand their presence in the global electric car market. The joint venture will manufacture e-motors, inverters, and on-board chargers. It will also supply components related to e-drive systems.   Original Source : https://www.zdnet.com/article/lg-and-magna-form-electric-powertrain-joint-venture-to-target-ev-market/   TESLA LAUNCHES MAJOR SHIFT IN RETAIL STRATEGY   - Tesla (TSLA) is currently implementing a major shift in its retail strategy, according to sources familiar with the matter. The automaker will move away from showrooms in fancy malls, and instead it will focus on cheaper locations, remote managing of test drive fleet, and delivery centers.   - In 2018, the automaker announced a focus on high foot-traffic retail locations in high-end malls. A year later, CEO Elon Musk surprised everyone, including his own employees, when he announced that Tesla would be closing most retail stores, laying off retail employees, and focusing entirely on online orders.   - The new strategy will see Tesla letting go of most of its high-rent locations in malls and shopping districts in favor of delivery centers.   - But Tesla still plans to expand its physical presence.  However, instead of expensive spaces in malls and shopping districts, the automaker is looking to rent spaces in mall parking lots, warehouses, and other locations to manage test drive fleets and delivery centers.   - Tesla employees working remotely will be able to guide buyers to go on test drives using vehicles from those locations, unlocking cars remotely, and letting them drive the cars.   Original Source : https://electrek.co/2021/07/28/tesla-tsla-major-shift-retail-strategy-cheaper-locations-remote-working/   MERCEDES EQS SUV SPIED WITH PRODUCTION LIGHTS, MAYBACH CONCEPT COMING SOON   - Our spies have caught the Mercedes EQS SUV on numerous occasions, but this is our first opportunity to check out the large electric vehicle with its final headlights and taillights. A   - the SUV version was caught undergoing testing in Germany ahead of its confirmed 2022 world premiere.   - It will be built in the United States at the Tuscaloosa plant from 2022 along with the smaller EQE SUV. These two dedicated EVs will join the EQA, EQB, and EQC – all three based on platforms originally intended for ICE – in the company's all-electric SUV portfolio. The highlight of Mercedes' electric efforts will be the Vision EQXX, a concept car coming in 2022 with the promise to cover 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) between charges.   Original Source : https://www.motor1.com/news/522964/mercedes-eqs-suv-spy-shots   ANALYSIS: TESLA HIKES ELECTRIC CAR PRICES IN U.S.; HOLDS LINE IN CHINA   - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) showed signs of divergent strategies in the world's two biggest automotive markets, raising prices to boost profit margins in the United States while keeping prices steady in China and hoping to grow sales there.   - Tesla raised prices for the most affordable versions of Model 3 and Model Y about a dozen times this year in the United States, according to data tracked by Reuters. At the same time, Tesla recently introduced an affordable Model Y version in China, where it refrained from price hikes.   - Tesla raised prices for Model Y Long Range at least six times in the United States this year, bumping by $5,500 to $53,990.   Original Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-hikes-electric-car-prices-us-holds-line-china-2021-07-28/   TESLA AI DAY SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 19, CONFIRMS MUSK   - Tesla’s upcoming AI day would be held this coming August 19, 2021. The announcement was shared by Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a recent post on Twitter.   Musk did not share details about the upcoming event, though previous tweets about Tesla’s AI Day suggest that the company would be going over the progress it has made in software and hardware, both in terms of training and inference. The CEO also previously mentioned that AI Day’s primary purpose is recruitment.   - It would then be interesting to see how Tesla approaches its AI Day. With such a specialized topic and considering the company’s experience in the subject, there is a fair chance that discussions and updates on the company’s AI efforts may be lost in translation once more.   Original Source : https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-ai-day-final-date-elon-musk/   KELLEY BLUE BOOK NAMES BEST AFFORDABLE USED HYBRIDS, ELECTRIC VEHICLES FOR 2021   - To help car shoppers considering an affordable used hybrid or electric vehicle, the experts at Kelley Blue Book recently published the 10 Best Used Hybrids and EVs Under $20,000 and the 10 Best Used Hybrids and EVs Under $15,000.   - 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV   - 2018 Nissan Leaf   - 2017 Chevrolet Volt   - 2019 Kia Niro Hybrid   Original Source : https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kelley-blue-book-names-best-affordable-used-hybrids-electric-vehicles-for-2021-301342868.html  m QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With 2877 Superchargers globally and 25000 stalls, what do you think about Tesla’s plan to open up the network to everyone?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

EV News Daily - Electric Car Podcast

1160: Electrify America to phase out CHAdeMO | 29 July 2021

Show #1159.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Wednesday 28th July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   AMAZON ROLLS OUT ITS FIRST ELECTRIC DELIVERY VEHICLES IN METRO DETROIT   - The new Amazon electric delivery vehicle started making runs out of the Pontiac hub this week. There are currently three of them and staffers are getting trained on how to use them and the new in-vehicle systems on the roads of Oakland, Macomb and Genesee counties. The vehicles are Rivian pre-production electric trucks built at the Rivian Engineering Center in Plymouth.   Original Source : https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2021/07/29/amazon-rolls-out-its-first-electric-delivery-vehicles-in-metro-detroit/   REVEL TO LAUNCH TESLA TAXIS IN NYC AFTER ROW WITH CITY REGULATORS   - Controversial scooter startup Revel plans to launch its fleet of Tesla taxis in Manhattan next week after a heated battle with New York City regulators.   The service will launch next Monday and provide rides in 50 Model Y Teslas in Manhattan south of 42nd Street.   - Revel — whose ubiquitous blue scooters drew controversy last year after a trio of fatal accidents in New York — is able to launch the service due to an apparent change of heart by New York’s Taxi and Limousine Commission.   - On June 22, however, the TLC threw a wrench into the company’s plans when it issued an emergency rule change eliminating that exemption, a move that baffled observers including Tesla CEO Elon Musk.       But because Revel had initially sent its Tesla taxi paperwork for TLC approval in March — months before the rule change — the TLC ultimately decided to approve the company’s plan, a Revel spokesperson told The Post.   - Demand for Revel’s service has soared amid sky-high ride-share fares and a dire shortage of taxis, with 50,000 New Yorkers on a waitlist to use the service, the company said.   - Revel expects at least 15 Teslas to be in service next Monday and all 50 to be on the streets within three weeks. The company says its Tesla taxi service, which uses full time workers rather than contractors, is intended to be an ethical and eco-friendly competitor to Uber and Lyft   Original Source : https://nypost.com/2021/07/26/revel-to-launch-tesla-taxis-in-nyc-after-row-with-city-regulators/   TROUBLED EV COMPANY LORDSTOWN MOTORS GETS $400M LIFELINE   - Five weeks after Lordstown Motors issued a warning that it might not have enough funds to bring its electric pickup truck to market, a hedge fund managed by investment firm Yorkville Advisors has agreed to buy $400 million worth of shares over a three-year period   - The tumult within Lordstown Motors, which has resulted in the resignation of its CEO and CTO, has put the company at risk of failing. This new agreement could allow Lordstown to continue by providing the much-needed capital required to produce its first electric vehicle.   - Lordstown execs dug themselves into a deeper hole by attempting to calm investors a day after its CEO and CTO resigned with statements that they had binding orders from customers that would fund limited production of its electric pickup truck through May 2022. The company retracted those statements within days.   Original Source : https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/26/troubled-ev-company-lordstown-motors-gets-400m-lifeline-in-stock-sale-agreement   TESLA BANKS ON SHANGHAI GIGAFACTORY 3, ITS ‘PRIMARY VEHICLE EXPORT HUB’   - Tesla is relying on its Shanghai factory to meet global demand for its vehicles, as its other plants grapple with shortages of automotive chips and other car components.   - it had completed the transition of its US$2 billion Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai into a plant for deliveries around the world, 20 months after its inauguration in December 2019.   - Carmakers based in China have avoided the worst of the global shortage of semiconductors by virtue of an early recovery in production and sales after Beijing successfully contained its Covid-19 pandemic. This allowed them to secure supply of car components earlier than their global peers.   · Highlighted Source : https://share.getliner.com/IcGGv/ · Original Source : https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3142666/tesla-banks-shanghai-gigafactory-3-its-primary-vehicle-export?utm_source=pocket_mylist   EXELON JOINS ELECTRIC HIGHWAY COALITION; ENCOURAGES EV ADOPTION   - Exelon, a Fortune 100 energy company, announced today a commitment to join the Electric Highway Coalition, a partnership among 14 U.S. utilities to create a seamless network of rapid electric vehicle charging stations connecting major highway systems, stretching from the Atlantic Coast through the Midwest, South and into the Gulf and Central Plains regions.   - The members of the EHC have agreed to work together to ensure efficient and effective fast charging deployment plans that enable long distance EV travel, avoid duplication and complement existing corridor fast charging sites. Sites initially will be located less than 100 miles apart on major roadways. Additionally, each site will have at least two charging stations with universal vehicle compatibility and at least 100 kilowatts of output per station   Original Source : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210726005480/en/Exelon-Joins-Electric-Highway-Coalition-Encourages-EV-Adoption   SAMSUNG SDI CONFIRMS 1ST BATTERY CELL PLANT IN US   - Samsung SDI forecast the automotive chip shortage issue won't disrupt its scheduled electric vehicle (EV) battery production, as carmakers are aggressively shifting their business strategies to sell more EVs to meet stricter environmental regulations, the battery-making arm of Samsung Group said Tuesday.   - The shortages come as chipmakers have given priority to chips for IT devices and home appliances, which have been in robust demand due to the pandemic.   - The chip shortage issue will have a limited impact on our performance as carmakers prioritize EV production to meet environmental regulations   - Son Michael, senior vice president of the company, also confirmed that it will establish a battery manufacturing plant in the United States as battery cell makers are urged to set up factories there to take advantage of tax benefits. Under the United States―Mexico―Canada Agreement (USMCA) that took effect in 2020, cars that have 75 percent North American components can avoid tariffs starting from 2025.   Original Source : https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2021/07/129_312881.html   BLINK CHARGING WILL INSTALL DOZENS OF EV CHARGERS ALONG FLORIDA HIGHWAYS Original Source : https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/inno/stories/fundings/2021/07/27/blink-charging-electric-vehicle-chargers-florida.html       MERCEDES-BENZ EQS CHARGING ANALYSIS REVEALS IT'S FASTER THAN PLAID   - According to the chart, the peak charging power is almost 207 kW, which is a little bit more than in the specs (up to 200 kW). Starting at around 4-5% SOC, power very quickly increases to the peak level and remains flat at up to over 25% SOC. Then the power decreases gently to about 115 kW at 80% SOC, which is really a very nice charging curve.   - The average power in the very important range from 20% to 80% SOC is 155 kW, which is 75% of the peak value. Those are very good numbers, but the best thing is how consistent the charging is over the entire session:   - The net battery capacity of 107.8 kWh stands for about 94% of the total battery capacity (if our guess about 115 kWh is correct).   Original Source : https://insideevs.com/news/522577/mercedes-eqs-fast-charging-analysis/   EQA 250 CAUSES HEADACHES FOR MERCEDES-BENZ KOREA   - Mercedes-Benz Korea is having a major headache with its new electric vehicle (EV) called the New EQA 250, because the Korean government has yet to categorize the automobile as an EV, thus excluding prospective buyers from receiving a reduction in acquisition taxes.   - According to industry sources, the Mercedes Benz EQA EV, which was released in mid-July, has yet to be included in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's designated EV category which was updated last month. The exclusion exempts buyers of the EQA from receiving a 1.4 million won eco-friendly vehicle tax benefit.   - To be categorized as an EV by the ministry, a vehicle needs to have a minimum 5.0km/kWh energy consumption rate for a small sedan and over 5.0km/kWh for mid to large sedans with a minimum driving range of 150km on a single charge.   Original Source : https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2021/07/129_312739.html     ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING PRICES 'MUST BE FAIR' SAY MPS   - People must be protected from excessive pricing for public electric car charging, MPs have said. Charging an electric car at home is much cheaper than using public charge points.   - The government also needs to make charging infrastructure accessible and reliable, and make sure people in rural areas have equal access, the MPs added.   - Property developers should also be required to provide public charging points, and councils should make sure charging infrastructure is built, the MPs added.   - Graeme Cooper, head of future markets at National Grid, said that the energy network operator was "working with government to map out where critical grid capacity is needed to enable the faster roll out of charging points".   Original Source : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57963912   MER PARTNERS WITH OCTOPUS ENERGY FOR NEW ROAMING PARTNERSHIP    Original Source : https://uk.mer.eco/octopus-energys-electric-juice-network-customers-get-more-recharging-options-thanks-to-new-roaming-agreement-with-mer/     BMW INSTALLED 4,350 CHARGING POINTS TO DATE Original Source : https://www.electrive.com/2021/07/27/bmw-installed-4350-charging-points-to-date VW-BACKED QUANTUMSCAPE TESTING A 10-LAYER SOLID-STATE BATTERY CELL · Original Source : https://www.autoblog.com/2021/07/28/quantumscape-solid-state-ev-battery-cell/    QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With 2877 Superchargers globally and 25000 stalls, what do you think about Tesla’s plan to open up the network to everyone?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1159: Mercedes EV Platform Charges Faster Than You Think | 28 July 2021

Show #1158.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Tuesday 27thJuly. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   Tesla reports $1 billion in profit   - Tesla turned in some solid numbers for its quarterly earnings Monday, reporting more than $1 billion in net income — 10 times more than in the same time last year   - Tesla has now reported its seventh consecutive quarterly profit. Most of what it earned previously came from the sale of zero-emission vehicle credit to competitors. Those sales are expected to slip as other manufacturers launch their own EVs. But Q2 suggested Tesla won't need to rely on ZEV credits much longer, with the unexpectedly strong earnings coming almost entirely from retail sales of its EVs.   Original Source : https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/tesla-reports-1-billion-profit-sales-almost-doubling-last-quarter-n1275071   TESLA COMES OF AGE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME   - Its pre-tax margin of almost 11% also finally rivals leaders like Toyota Motor (7203.T) and General Motors (GM.N). With the industry in upheaval, Tesla’s coming of age has come at just the right time.   - While Tesla raked in $354 million of revenue in the second quarter from selling environmental credits to gas-guzzler producers like Stellantis (STLA.MI), strip that out, and its pre-tax margin was still healthy at just shy of 9%.   - Overall expenses rose almost 9% while revenue jumped around 14% from the first quarter.   Original Source : https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/tesla-comes-age-just-right-time-2021-07-26/   Tesla (TSLA) earnings Q2 2021   - Overall automotive revenue came in at $10.21 billion, of which only $354 million, about 3.5%, came from sales of regulatory credits. That’s a lower number for credits than in any of the previous four quarters. Automotive gross margins were 28.4%, higher than in any of the last four quarters.   - The company also reported $801 million in revenue from its energy business, including solar photovoltaics and energy storage systems for homes, businesses and utilities, an increase of more than 60% from last quarter.   - Tesla also reported $951 million in services and other revenues. The company now operates 598 stores and service centers, and a mobile service fleet including 1,091 vehicles, an increase of just 34% versus a year ago.   Original Source : https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/26/tesla-tsla-earnings-q2-2021.html   TESLA'S $11.958 BILLION REVENUE   - The company noted that this profit level was reached while incurring SBC expense attributable to the 2018 CEO award of $176 million in Q2   - Tesla’s quarter-end cash and cash equivalents decreased to $16.2 billion in Q2. This was mostly due to net debt and finance lease repayments of $1.6 billion   Original Source : https://cleantechnica.com/2021/07/26/teslas-11-958-billion-in-revenue-is-accelerating-our-transition-to-sustainability/   TESLA’S SOLAR AND ENERGY STORAGE BUSINESS RAKES IN $810M - the cost of revenue for its solar and energy storage business was $781 million, meaning that for the first time the total cost of producing and distributing these energy storage products was lower than the revenue it generated. That’s good news.   - Tesla installed 1,274 megawatt-hours of energy storage in the second quarter of 2021, a 205% increase from the same period last year. Similarly, the amount of solar energy deployed in the second quarter of this year was 85 MWh, up 214% from Q2 2020.   - Tesla points to several Megapack projects coming online and growing popularity in its combined solar and Powerwall product.   - one Megapack is about $1.2 million before taxes. In some states, Tesla says the earliest deliveries will be in 2023.   Original Source : https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/26/teslas-solar-and-energy-storage-business-rakes-in-810m-finally-exceeds-cost-of-revenue       HIGHLIGHTS FROM EARNINGS CALL 1 The global chip shortage situation remains quite serious   2 FSD subscription, we were able to launch Full Self-Driving subscription last month, and we expect it to build slowly and then -- but then gather a lot of momentum over time. Obviously, we need to have the Full Self-Driving widely available for it really to take off at high rates    3 So we expect to be producing the sort of new design of the Model Y in both factories in limited production later this year.   4 So let's see, the Model Y in Texas -- made in Texas and Berlin will be -- will look very much like the Model Ys we currently make, but there are substantial improvements in the difficulty of manufacturing. So for example, the Model Y made here and in Berlin will have a cast front body and a cast rear body, whereas the one in California has cast rear body but not a cast front body. We're also aiming to do a structural pack with 4680 cells, which is a mass reduction and a cost reduction, but we're not counting on that as the only way to make things work. We have some backup plan with a non-structural pack and 2170s essentially.   5 I mean we're missing -- for example, like a big struggle this quarter, was the module that controls the airbags and the seatbelts. And obviously, you cannot ship a car without those. That limited our production severely worldwide in Shanghai and in Fremont.   6  So the Cybertruck and Semi, both are heavy users of cell capacity so we've got to make sure we have the cell capacity for those two vehicles, or it's kind of pointless.  We can make a small number of vehicles, but the effect of cost if you make a small number of vehicles is insane, like they would literally cost $1 million apiece or more. There's a reason why you do things in volume production, which is to get the economies to scale and get the cost down. So we are looking at a pretty massive increase in cell availability next year. But it's not like in January 1.   7 I do -- I think probably there is a long-term shift more in the direction of iron-based lithium-ion cells rather over nickel. As the energy density sort of iron ores or iron phosphate, might as well support iron phosphates. They're taken for granted. But iron-based cells, lithium-ion cells, and nickel-based lithium-ion cells.   I think probably we'll see a shift -- my guess is probably to two-thirds iron, one-third nickel, or something on that order.    8 - Superchargers We're currently thinking it's a real simple thing where you just download the Tesla app, and you go to Supercharger. And you just indicate which stall you're in. So you plug in your car, even if it's not Tesla.   And then you just access the app and say, turn on this stall that I'm in for how much electricity. And this should basically work with I think almost any manufacturer's cars. There will be time constraints. If the charge rate is super slow, then somebody will be charged more because the biggest constraint at the Supercharger is time, how occupied is the stall.   And we'll also be smarter with how we charge for electricity at the Supercharger. So rush hour charging will be more expensive than off-hours is charging because there are times when the Superchargers are empty and times when they're jam-packed. And so it makes sense to have some time-based discrimination.   9  So an adapter is needed to work for EVs in North America. But people could buy this adapter. And we anticipate having it available at the Superchargers as well if people don't sort of steal them or something.   Andrew Baglino -- Senior Vice President, Powertrain and Energy Engineering We have a good solution to that.   10 Andrew Baglino -- Senior Vice President, Powertrain and Energy Engineering On the reliability side, as Elon mentioned, we have successfully validated performance and the lifetime durability of the 4680 cells produced in Kato, and we're continuing ongoing verification of that reliability. We're actually accruing over one million equivalent miles on our cells that we produce every month. In our testing activities, the focus on that is very clear. We want high-quality cells for all of our customers.   11 I see us sort of like consolidating around a 4680 nickel-based structural pack for long-range vehicles. And then not necessarily a 4680 format, but some other format for iron-based cells.   So right now, we kind of have the Baskin Robbins of batteries situation, where there's so many formats and so many chemistries, that it's like we've got like 36 flavors of battery at this point. This is just -- this results in an engineering drag coefficient where each variants of cell chemistry and format requires as to an amount of engineering to maintain it and troubleshoot, and this inhibits our forward progress. So it is going to be important to consolidate to maybe -- ideally two form factors, maybe three, but ideally two. And then just one nickel chemistry and one iron chemistry   12 We have a massive backlog in Powerwall demand that man to Powerwall versus production is an insane mismatch. Now part of that problem is also the semiconductor issue. So we used a lot of the same chips in the Powerwall as you do in a car, so it's like, which one do want to make? Cars or Powerwalls? So we need to make cars, so therefore Powerwall production has been reduced. But as the semiconductor shortage is alleviated, then we can massively ramp up Powerwall production.   13 any given price is going to be wrong, so we'll just adjust it over time as we see the value proposition makes sense to people. So we're just really -- I'm not thinking about this a lot right now. We need to make Full Self-Driving work in order for it to be a compelling value proposition. Otherwise, people are kind of betting on the future. Like right now, does it make sense for somebody to do FSD subscription? I think it's debatable. But once we have Full Self-Driving widely deployed, then the value proposition will be clear. And at that point, I think basically everyone will use it, or it could be a rare individual who doesn't.     In summary, and for balance, on the negative side...   Tesla Semi, Cybertruck & 4680 cells delayed to 2022 Why is the Model X AWOL? Why was the Model S halted and how’s the ramp? Elon said 1000GWh of batteries needed, or maybe 2000. Is that just a guess? Bitcoin? No clarity on Berlin & Austin ramp No disclosure of FSD take-rate when asked Strong warning that full year depends on chips Is Tesla insurance still on the roadmap?       QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With 2877 Superchargers globally and 25000 stalls, what do you think about Tesla’s plan to open up the network to everyone?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1158: Analysis + Audio – Tesla Q2 Earnings Call | 27 July 2021

Show #1157.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Tuesday 27thJuly. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   LUCID GOES PUBLIC   - Shares of luxury electric vehicle start-up Lucid Motors rose nearly 10% on Monday following their Nasdaq debut as the race to populate the world's roads and highways with electric vehicles continues to heat up.   - The startup received about $4.4 billion in cash from the transaction, after expenses, according to reports. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has invested more than $1 billion in Lucid. It will own about 60% of the company. The reverse-merger deal, which faced last-minute challenges being approved due to difficulties communicating to retail investors holding the stock to vote, values Lucid at around $24 billion.   - The Lucid Air has a price tag of around $70,000 after tax credits, while the Air Dream Edition will cost $162,000. The EV features an autonomous driving system with 32 sensors including long-distance Lidar   Original Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/lucid-motors-set-to-debut-with-valuation-of-around-24-billion/ar-AAMzfuL   PLUGIN VEHICLES HIT 19% MARKET SHARE IN EUROPE IN JUNE   - The European passenger plugin vehicle market continues in the fast lane, having gotten over 237,000 registrations in June and over a million registrations YTD   - Last month’s plugin vehicle share of the overall auto market was 19% (10% full electrics/BEVs), which pulled the 2021 plugin vehicle (PEV) share to 16% (7.6% for BEVs alone).   - #1 Tesla Model 3 — The sports sedan had another peak month, scoring 26,178 deliveries in June, its best performance ever in Europe and the second best performance ever by an EV in this market, only behind the 28,110 units of the ID.3 that Volkswagen registered (or, should I say, pre-registered) last December.   - #2 Renault Zoe — Its 8,244 deliveries in June show that the French hatchback is recovering its good form. This is its best score this year.   - #3 Volkswagen ID.3 — The German hatchback is slowly returning to form as well, getting 7,101 deliveries last month, its best score in 2021.   - #4 Volkswagen ID.4 — Sitting on the vortex of the current hottest trends (plugins and compact crossovers), much is expected from the new Volkswagen, especially considering that its ID.3 sibling is yet to fill the Volkswagen Golf’s admittedly big shoes. … In June, the Volkswagen crossover had 6,619 registrations.   - Still outside the top 20, a mention is due for the first full month of two important models, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 retro-futuristic XXL hatchback scoring 1,102 registrations, while the attractive Audi Q4 e-tron had 1,869 registrations in June   Original Source : https://cleantechnica.com/2021/07/25/plugin-vehicles-hit-19-market-share-in-europe-in-june-tesla-model-3-has-best-month-ever/   NEW MERCEDES EQE SUV CONFIRMED FOR LAUNCH IN 2022   - Mercedes has confirmed that a third pure-electric SUV will arrive in 2022 with the launch of the Tesla Model X-rivalling EQE SUV.   - It won’t be the largest Mercedes electric SUV we’ll see in the coming years, but it will be positioned towards the top end of the company’s EV line-up, sitting above the EQC and the smaller EQA and EQB SUVs when it arrives.   - The EQE badge will be shared across a large saloon and the SUV.   - From the A-pillars back, the SUV takes on more traditional 4x4 proportions. Compared to the EQC, styling changes include a stubbier bonnet, longer wheelbase and a more swept-back cabin.The EQE will sit on the same EVA2 underpinnings as the EQS limo. It also marks a shift away from the conventions set by the EQC, which uses a modified version of the GLC’s platform rather than dedicated electric architecture.   - As well as ensuring the EQE is able to accommodate a large battery, Mercedes has also been prioritising ultra-rapid recharging with the new architecture.   Original Source : https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/352810/new-mercedes-eqe-suv-confirmed-launch-2022   THE UK'S FIRST EV-ONLY TRACKDAY   - This is an exclusive event for EV owners to drive their vehicles on track. Llandow is perfect for all levels of driver and offers some technically challenging corners even though it's smaller than most other UK tracks.   - The number of cars on track at any one time will be very limited. We've invited Ed Moore and his team of driver coaches from Motorsport Events/Stay Sharp along. They will be on hand all day to give help and advice on and off track. This is the perfect chance to find out how your car performs on track in a relaxed atmosphere with like-minded EV owners. No earplugs required!   - This is also the very first time a trackday has been organised exclusively for Electric Vehicles in the UK, so you'll be making history!   - The nearest Tesla Superchargers are 11 miles from Llandow at Sarn services   - £180.00 Inc VAT   Original Source : https://www.tevo.solutions/events/the-uks-first-ev-only-trackday---18th-august-2021    VW PUSHES AHEAD WITH 'SUPER PLATFORM' FOR SELF-DRIVING ELECTRIC CARS   - Volkswagen Group will produce 40 million vehicles on its new electric "super platform" that will replace combustion-engine and full-electric platforms used by its brands including VW, Skoda, Seat, Audi and Porsche.   - The automaker is accelerating the development of the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) despite having only recently started the rollouts of its MEB electric platform for volume EVs and its PPE architecture for upscale electric cars.   - VW Group's development chief Markus Duesmann, who is also Audi's CEO, said the design of the SSP platform with its differing 'modules,' battery sizes and body lengths will allow plenty of brand differentiation.   - "We will reduce today's complexity by about 50 percent. And I think you can understand what this means for us in terms of economies of scale," Duesmann said.   - "By the end of this decade, we will have rolled out as SSP across all of our core segments and all brand groups," Duesmann said. By 2030, cars on the SSP platform would "already cover a bigger volume than PPE and MEB put together," he said.   Original Source : https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/vw-pushes-ahead-super-platform-self-driving-electric-cars   GOOD LUCK GETTING A STATE REBATE ON YOUR NEW ELECTRIC CAR   - Sam Dudley of Encino knows that California government has gone all in on zero-emission vehicles. So has he. He’s all about cutting back on greenhouse gases.In May, Dudley splurged on a new electric car, a metallic black Chevy Bolt EV LT. He loves it.But now it’s July, and the after-school program director, 39, wonders when the state will make good on the EV-incentive rebate money it owes him.He figures he’s due $4,500. He might have to wait until next year for a check to arrive, he said a rebate program representative told him by phone. And, he was warned, he and thousands of others might not get back as much money as promised, or might not receive any money at all.   Original Source : https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-07-23/good-luck-getting-a-state-rebate-on-your-new-electric-car   EUROPE TO BOOST BATTERY PRODUCTION AS ELECTRIC-VEHICLE SHIFT ACCELERATES   - If Europe is going to shift to electric cars, it will need lots of batteries. After years of slow progress, there are now plans to invest 40 billion euros (S$64 billion) in 38 European factories that could turn out 1,000 gigawatt hours of batteries per year,   - With average battery capacity of 60 kilowatt hours, that would be enough to power 16.7 million vehicles   - EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic recently said the planned factories put the EU "well on track to achieve open strategic autonomy in this critical sector".   - Europe has domestic sources of lithium, notably in the Czech Republic and Germany, but it will also probably have to depend on imports.  Mr Montique said Europe would likely end up "developing supply agreements with markets where there are abundant resources, favourable diplomatic ties, and strong investment frameworks" to reduce the threat of shortages.   Original Source : https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/europe-to-boost-battery-production-as-electric-vehicle-shift-accelerates   POLESTAR TO LAUNCH IN FURTHER NINE MARKETS   - wedish electric performance car brand Polestar said Monday that it will launch in a further nine markets in 2021 and double its retail locations to support the brand's continuing growth.   - The brand currently has city-center retail locations under its Polestar Spaces concept, but is introducing larger, easy-to-access out-of-town locations where the company can also hand over customers' cars, in a new concept called Polestar Destinations   - by the end of 2021 it will be present in 18 countries and have up to 100 retail locations,   Original Source : https://www.marketwatch.com/story/swedish-electric-car-brand-polestar-to-launch-in-further-nine-markets-double-retail-locations-271627299496   A ROBOT THAT CHARGES ELECTRIC CARS BY ITSELF   - The Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria teamed up with the ARTI Robots start-up and the electric vehicle service ALVERI to develop “ALVERI - CharBo” – a robot capable of charging parked electric cars without human supervision.  The robot can move autonomously between the cars, recognize charging connections, and plug in. Electric vehicles are on the rise, and so is the demand for charging infrastructure. This creates a noticeable disparity, which this robot aims to fix.   - At the moment, the charging lid of the vehicle needs to be kept open, so the robot recognises that it needs to be charged. In the future, the team plans to remove this inconvenience, by establishing some sort of communication between the vehicle and the robot, either through an app or something else.   Original Source : https://www.themayor.eu/en/a/view/graz-university-of-technology-presents-a-robot-that-charges-electric-cars-by-itself-8491   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With 2877 Superchargers globally and 25000 stalls, what do you think about Tesla’s plan to open up the network to everyone?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1157: Lucid Goes Public To Accelerate New Products | 27 July 2021

Show #1154.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Monday 26thJuly. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   THE SENATE’S E-BIKE ACT COULD MAKE ELECTRIC BIKES A LOT CHEAPER   - A bill that would offer Americans a refundable tax credit on the purchase of a new electric bicycle was just introduced in the Senate by Ed Markey (D-MA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). The bill is called the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment, or E-BIKE Act for short, and it’s the companion bill to one introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year.   - More people should be riding e-bikes than just those who can afford them. Driving is already highly subsidized across the country. We build cheap — often free — areas for parking, we invest in highways, drivers don’t pay for congestion or CO2 emissions, and zoning laws and taxes favor sprawl. We need to start accommodating bikes — and especially e-bikes — if we want more people to switch to greener forms of transportation.   - legislation would offer Americans a refundable tax credit worth 30 percent of a new e-bike’s purchase price, capped at $1,500   Original Source : https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/24/22590792/ebike-act-senate-brian-schatz-tax-credit-infrastructure   TESLA REPORTEDLY RESUMES MODEL S PLAID AND LONG RANGE DELIVERIES   - Tesla has reportedly resumed deliveries of the Model S Plaid and Long Range variants just days after reports of a hold were rumored to be delaying customer deliveries of the automaker’s flagship sedan. Several days ago, numerous Model S reservation holders were told Tesla would deliver their vehicles at a later time.   - Several sources indicate that Tesla has lifted the ban in Fremont, with reports of firmware issues being the culprit for the delayed deliveries. Teslarati contacted Tesla showrooms, and employees were unable to confirm nor deny whether the company did lift the hold, but did indicate there was a hold on the deliveries. The employees just didn’t indicate whether the hold was still active or not.   Original Source : https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-plaid-long-range-deliveries-resume-hold-lifted/   TESLA SOLAR TEAM SCOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT ELON MUSK   - Tesla's solar-power unit, Tesla Energy, asks a team of more than 20 employees to scour social media and reviews sites for customer complaints, a former employee told Insider.The person, who left the company this year and asked not to be named, said that as well as solving customers' issues, the team tried to get customers to delete their posts.   - A separate team of nine people looked specifically for posts aimed at CEO Elon Musk, the ex-employee said. This chimes with a job ad Tesla Energy put out in January for a "Customer Support Specialist" — the advert said applicants would address "social media escalations" aimed at Musk.   - On top of resolving the customer's issue, both employees said staff were instructed to politely ask customers to delete their social media complaints. Insider verified the identities and employment of both former employees.   Original Source : https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-solar-energy-elon-musk-complaints-social-media-panels-roof-2021-7   VW ID BUZZ GETTING THREE DIFFERENT VERSIONS   - VW wants to make sure there is an ID Buzz for everyone. The aspiring EV automaker explained that there will be three initial versions of the upcoming ID Buzz EV van targeting a host of different markets.   - The VW ID Buzz is first and foremost a spacious people mover. In Europe, VW plans to see a six-seat passenger version of the ID Buzz specifically targeting rideshare services.   - For American customers, the ID Buzz will arrive in 2024. The American ID Buzz will be a more traditional family van with seating for four passengers in the rear. Two of the rear seats will face forward while the other two will face the rear of the vehicle. Hopefully, your children or passengers are not prone to motion sickness.   -VW plans to build an ID Buzz specifically made to deliver all of the packages you keep ordering online.   Original Source : https://www.motor1.com/news/522257/vw-id-buzz-van/   CHINA: PLUG-IN ELECTRIC CAR SALES REACH NEW RECORD IN JUNE 2021   - Plug-in electric car sales surge in China to new record levels as multiple models are selling better than ever In June, some 235,000 passenger plug-in cars were registered (new all-time record), which is probably close to 160% more than a year ago. Moreover, the market share increased to 15% and 12% are BEVs.   - So far this year, about 1.1 million passenger plug-in cars were sold, which is 11% of the total market. BEV share stands at 9%.   Original Source : https://insideevs.com/news/522274/china-plugin-car-sales-june2021/   DETHLEFFS & ZF SET RECORD CROSSING THE ALPS WITH ELECTRIC CARAVAN   - Dethleffs had already presented the prototype of a caravan with its own electric drive in 2018, which was developed together with the Erwin Hymer Group and ZF Friedrichshafen. Now, the project partners have demonstrated the practical readiness of the concept in a challenging caravan tour across the Alps.   - From Isny, the Audi e-tron Sportback pulled the electrically powered caravan E-Home Coco all the way to Lake Garda – without a charging stop. Normally, the additional weight of the trailer and especially the increased air resistance drive up the consumption of the towing vehicle (regardless of the drive technology).   - For this journey at an average speed of 62.4 km/h, the e-tron Sportback consumed 62 kWh of energy (i.e. 21.2 kWh/100km), the e-home Coco 74 kWh (19.2 kWh/100km).   - A towing force sensor is installed in the towing device itself. This is supposed to detect whether the towing vehicle is accelerating, decelerating or rolling.   - The E-Home Coco also has a recuperation system   Original Source : https://www.electrive.com/2021/07/25/dethleffs-zf-set-record-crossing-the-alps-with-electric-caravan   IRISH ‘LEADING THE CHARGE’ IN PUSH FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES   - Ireland is in first place in Europe in providing charging points in service stations for electric vehicles (EVs).  A survey of 19 European countries showed Ireland has the highest proportion of filling station forecourts with EV charging points – 7.46pc of the country’s filling stations have charging points installed. Denmark is in second on 5.37pc. The figure for the United Kingdom is 1.76pc, while Germany is at 1.04pc.   Original Source : https://www.independent.ie/life/motoring/car-news/irish-leading-the-charge-in-push-for-electric-vehicles-40687106.html   IN VANCOUVER, EVERY CAR SPACE IN NEW HOTELS MUST HAVE AN EV CHARGER   - The Vancouver City Council has approved new regulations that would require EV charging infrastructure be installed in all new non-residential buildings in an effort to expand access to the ever-growing population of EV drivers.   - Additionally, 100% of new car-share stalls and 100% of parking stalls in new hotels must also have EV charging infrastructure.   - Vancouver City expects the new regulations will have minimal increase on new construction costs while significantly reducing or eliminating future costs of retrofitting buildings for EV charging infrastructure.   Original Source : https://thedriven.io/2021/07/23/in-vancouver-every-car-space-in-new-hotels-must-have-an-ev-charger   TESLA MODEL S PLAID IMPRESSIONS: RE-INVENTING THE WHEEL!   - PLAID Model S is stupid fast. And is better built than ever. But that yoke tho   Original Source : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyKQ7qtTJag   SVOLT LAUNCHES PRODUCTION OF COBALT-FREE BATTERY CELLS - ELECTRIVE.COM   - SVOLT has started series production of its novel cobalt-free nickel-manganese battery cells (NMX) in Jintan, China.   - Cobalt, which is normally used in NCM cells for thermal stabilisation, is not used in the new cells. Instead, the cathode is stabilised by “specially developed doping and coating processes”. Thus, the NMX cells – even without cobalt – are said to offer a “higher thermal stability as well as overall safety than NCM811 cells”.   - From the end of 2023, the novel batteries can also be produced at the planned plant in Saarland for the European market.   Original Source : https://www.electrive.com/2021/07/23/svolt-launches-production-of-cobalt-free-battery-cells   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With 2877 Superchargers globally and 25000 stalls, what do you think about Tesla’s plan to open up the network to everyone?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1156: China’s Plug-In Market Share Now An Impressive 15% | 26 July 2021

Show #1154.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Sunday 25thJuly. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   RIVIAN RAISES ANOTHER $2.5B, PUSHING ITS EV WAR CHEST UP TO $10.5B   - Rivian announced Friday that it has closed a $2.5 billion private funding round led by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, D1 Capital Partners, Ford Motor and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates Inc.   - “As we near the start of vehicle production, it’s vital that we keep looking forward and pushing through to Rivian’s next phase of growth,” Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said in a statement. “This infusion of funds from trusted partners allows Rivian to scale new vehicle programs, expand our domestic facility footprint, and fuel international product rollout.”   - Rivian has raised roughly $10.5 billion to date. The company did not share a post-money valuation.   Original Source : https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/23/rivian-raises-another-2-5b-pushing-its-ev-war-chest-up-to-10-5b   RIVIAN RAISES $2.5 BILLION IN NEW FUNDING ROUND LED BY AMAZON, FORD   - The company said it has raised about $10.5 billion to date. Rivian closed a $2.65 billion investment round in January and another $2.5 billion round last July. It raised $1.3 billion in December 2019 and at least $1.5 billion before that.   - The funding announcement comes after Rivian on Thursday said it plans to open a second manufacturing plant in the U.S. Multiple U.S. states have submitted bids for the facility, referred to internally as “Project Tera.” Rivian is slated to announce the plant in the coming months and break ground early next year, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the situation.   Original Source : https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/23/rivian-raises-2point5-billion-in-new-funding-round-led-by-amazon-ford.html   VOLKSWAGEN EXPECTS CHINA EV SALES TO SOAR IN H2   - Volkswagen expects sales of its ID series of electric vehicles in China -- the world's largest car market -- to pick up significantly in the second half of the year, Chief Executive Herbert Diess said on Thursday.   - Volkswagen wants to sell between 80,000 and 100,000 of the series in China,   - In the first half, deliveries of battery electric vehicles (BEV) in China more than doubled to 18,285   Original Source : https://finance.yahoo.com/news/volkswagen-expects-china-ev-sales-090843603.html   TESLA POWERWALL OWNERS IN CA CAN FEED ENERGY BACK INTO GRID   - Tesla will let Californian owners of its Powerwall battery feed electricity back into the power grid during periods of high energy demand to prevent blackouts in the state.   - Tesla announced its plan to create a "virtual power plant" last week, and on Thursday launched a support page for the beta test telling Californians how it would work and where they can sign up.   - participants who opt in will receive a push notification on their phone a few hours before a period of high demand. They'll receive another notification as it begins, but won't need to do anything.   - Tesla Virtual Power Plant is a public good program to support the California grid, and there is no compensation for Tesla or customers," the company said, although it added that customers getting paid for their energy was a "possibility in the future."   Original Source : https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-powerwall-virtual-power-plant-california-grid-solar-energy-2021-7   TESLA MODEL S STEERING YOKE IS MANDATORY   - Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted Friday, which was reported on by Electrek. That's right; there will be no option for a regular wheel,   - We also suspect that retrofitting one from an earlier S or X will be difficult, if not impossible.   - either deal with the weird and nonsensical steering wheel or go and buy a Porsche Taycan   Original Source : https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-model-s-steering-yoke-mandatory   MOBILE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ROLLS OUT IN MOSCOW   - Electric vehicles (EV) charger manufactuer L-Charge has rolled out a mobile service on the streets of Moscow to provide on-demand charging.   There are also plans to deploy similar mobile units in Paris, Berlin, New York, Amsterdam and London.   - The company said there are already a number of companies in the world offering the opportunity to summon an electric car charger, but the chargers all operate on the power bank principle and themselves need to be recharged. It claims its service differs in that it is a mobile mini power station which itself generates energy, stores it and enables other vehicles to recharge without needing to be connected to the grid.   - The energy is generated from liquefied natural gas   - Moscow has already implemented the list of measures aimed at supporting EV development, making parking for EVs free-of-charge, as well as providing free charging at public chargers.   Original Source : https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/news/news/mobile-electric-vehicle-charging-rolls-out-in-moscow-6652   A THOUSAND CHARGING STATIONS TO BE INSTALLED AT UBS ARENA   - Charging stations for electric vehicles are set to arrive in Elmont this fall with the opening of the UBS Arena at Belmont Park   - In March, UBS Arena developers partnered with Boston, Mass.-based XL Fleet to build 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations at the site and deploy fleets of electric vehicles for use by New York Islanders fans and concert-goers attending events at the new 19,000-seat arena. It will be one of the largest electric vehicle stations in the United States, and will help meet New York’s growing demand for electric vehicle charging stations.   Original Source : https://www.liherald.com/elmont/stories/a-thousand-charging-stations-to-be-installed-at-ubs-arena,133640   THE FIRST BATCH OF NIO ES8 REACHES NORWAY   - NIO announced that the first batch of NIO ES8 cars were shipped from Shanghai to Norway on July 20, which opens a new chapter in the company's history. Customer deliveries of the ES8 SUVs are expected to commence in September.   - NIO's electric cars in Norway will be accompanied by the entire package of services, including NIO House, the chargeable, swappable and upgradable NIO Power system, NIO Service and Delivery Center, as well as NIO App and NIO Life.   - BYD will start sales of its electric cars (BYD Tang EV) in Norway, while the Xpeng and SAIC's MG are already there.   Original Source : https://insideevs.com/news/521823/first-nio-es8-reached-norway/   NEW AUDI RS Q E-TRON IS 671BHP RANGE-EXTENDER DAKAR WEAPON   - Audi will enter the notorious Dakar Rally in January 2022 with its all-new RS Q E-tron rally-raider, which it refers to as an "electrifying high-tech test laboratory".   - With up to 500 miles to cover every day for two weeks, the RS Q E-tron needs to have an onboard charging solution, for which Audi has chosen the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine used in its now-retired RS5 DTM racer, which is unconnected to the wheels and serves as a generator for a 50kWh, 370kg battery pack, developed with an unnamed technical partner.   - The petrol engine will spin at “particularly efficient” speeds of between 4500-6000rpm   - An electric motor taken from Audi's 2021 Formula E car, features on each axle, while a third unit serves as an energy converter between the battery and combustion engine.   Original Source : https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-audi-rs-q-e-tron-671bhp-range-extender-dakar-weapon   GM ISSUES 2ND BOLT RECALL   Original Source : https://www.independent.co.uk/news/gm-issues-2nd-bolt-recall-faulty-batteries-can-cause-fires-detroit-ford-vermont-new-jersey-south-korea-b1889553.html   LOOKING TO BUY A TESLA CAR? YOU MAY WANT TO PRICE INSURANCE FIRST   Original Source : https://finance.yahoo.com/news/looking-buy-tesla-car-may-163254052.html   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1154: Rivian Raises Another $2.5B Before A Vehicle Is Delivered | 25 July 2021

Show #1155.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Sunday 25thJuly. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   JIM BURNESS FROM NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM AND ALOHACHARGE.COM   Rather than having a DC Fast charger stop at 80% and unlock the cable, I think it makes more sense to use price signals to encourage proper etiquette. For example, perhaps at 80% the pricing should go up by $.25/kWh and at 90% another $.25/kWh. If you desperately need the charge, you can still get it, but if you don’t, you’re encouraged to get out of the way.    PETE GLASS Many EVs can blast through charging at 80%, like my i3 which is good to  86% and the taper only bites at 92% when it’ll drop below 30kW. The old Audi eTron will keep up 45-50kW right to 100% so 80% is a rule of thumb not an ‘ideology’! I think a better idea is for a 50kW rapid to cut off and release the cable when power delivered drops below a certain level, the question is what? Possibly somewhere around 20kW although mine has ‘coldgated’ at 18kW once when I plugged in with a cold soaked battery. So perhaps in the 11-15kW zone. HPCs can have different tougher rules but still need to let e-Golfs and other older cars charge. Furthermore they should fail to initiate charge at 7kw or less to keep out PHEVs etc. on the AC plug [unless a dual charging unit with DC + AC co-charging]. This could possibly be pushed to 11kW although the AC plug is a handy failsafe backup if the CCS is broken.   ADRIAN BOND FROM COLCHESTER EVs This takes me back to my laundrette days: If the washing/drying is finished and the owner ain’t there, you move the washing on. That was the ‘rule’. So if we accept that for rapid chargers, unless there is an indication otherwise (like a note), then we can accept that 80% is pretty much finished for Higher powered chargers.  So yes, I’d be happy for them to remove the charger from my Leaf, which is set to 80% anyway. Or… maybe charging should be set to 30 minutes by the charger? After which, the charger stops anyway and is available for others?  If you really need a bit more, restart the charge.  And as you found, most drivers only stop from 20-40 mins anyway.   BRENDAN HUTCHINS I haven’t thought this through fully, but what if the first bulk of charging time, say up to 80%, was at the regular rate of cost, and above that is both slower and costs 50% more? Or maybe once it’s fully charged there’s still a fee rate for the parking spot? That would incentivize watching your time and moving on.    RAJEEV NARAYAN I agree that in the situation where charging is scarce and people are waiting to charge, DC Fast charging should be discontinued once the charge rate drops significantly. For different cars, with different batteries/larger buffers/800V, etc... this point may not occur exactly at 80%. Also some cars, such as the hyundai Ioniq, is still apparently able to charge at 100kW at 80% SOC.  So I would suggest not a cut off at exactly 80%, SOC, but once the  SOC is at at least 80% and the charge curve for that particular vehicle drops to some low level, say 40-45 kW, and it's charging at less than 50% of its peak rate, then a shut off/cable unlock is reasonable. That being said, I would not want to penalize someone who really needs to charge to say 90% to get to their next destination. Perhaps the default would be to shut off charging once rate drops significantly but the user had the option to override if needed.     GRANTON SMITH CCS/rapid charge above 80%: I'm lucky because I've never yet had to wait for a DC fast charger... There are so few EVs here. That won't be the case forever!! I think why not have a price signal to people charging for that last 20%? Especially here in Oz where distances are greater sometimes I have needed that bit extra in the battery to be sure I'll get to where I'm going, but I do this so occasionally that I wouldn't actually mind if that last part of the charge got a little bit more expensive. That was people that are just opportunity charging will most likely not wanna stick around.   SACHA Automatically stopping the charge at a given SOC sounds like a good idea indeed (particularly in North America where charging sites often have only one or two CCS chargers). Tesla does something similar - charge state limit  is automatically set to 80% when using high use superchargers; it helps nudge people in moving on if they can. Having a minimum charge rate might helps also.    PETE BREMY I think it depends on the location. If a DC fast charger is located high volume urban area, and if there are other chargers within an “80% drive” in basically all directions, then I think the limit is a good idea. However, in rural areas where chargers may be scarce, it may be a bad idea, even if high volume, especially for those who cannot charge at home.    Tesla already does this in the USA.  I’ve stopped at two superchargers already that limited me to 80%, with a screen message declaring that station a high volume station. One of them, however, was at the edge of a remote area of northern New Hampshire that borders Canada. It’s understandable that it’s high volume being the last supercharger in line before the first Canada supercharger 192 miles away. Vacationers, or multi-family unit dwellers might have a problem and be forced to return to the charger often too.    MARIO CABALLERO Cables should not release but pricing should be higher after 80%. If you have a low range EV (like the e-Golf that I have), I need every ounce of electricity that I can get. Sometimes I need to charge up to 85% to be able to make it to my destination.   RON BARBER Here is an example of why chargers or government cannot make a blanket statement about stopping charges at 80%. 73% to 89% in 8 minutes pulling 13kWh. That’s 97kW average speed. Started at 105kW and slowed to 85kW at 88kW. It’s a Taycan. Even when doing long trips I try to stop charging at 95% when it slows to 25kW or so. I know my Chevy Bolt would be dog slow past 80% so I understand the idea. My other email had more thinking, short cables on DCFC is the main reason it makes no sense.   MARKUS JUNGWIRTH I would say NO. It might be necessary to charge more then 80% to get to your destination without any trouble. I´m aware of that above 80% HPCharging is more like… hunting snails or riding a turtle, but…    I would prefer, that the companies who are running these charging stations are offering a Knigge for EV-Owners with all the DOs and DONTs Printed on a flyer, brochure, small case for your charging cards, parking disc….  Made in a very gentle way without patronizing somebody. You got the idea :-)   JERALD BURNS Hi, I live in West Virginia USA.  We have very few fast chargers. Only 1 or 2 fast chargers at car dealers which is really not for general public. In other words we need to charge to neat 100 percent when on a trip.    TOM JAMES I think the car should release the cable once the charge is complete, so someone else can plug in. However I don’t see the need for the charge to stop at 80%. I know some cars’ charge curve rapidly slows down after 80% but that’s due to the battery management software of individual models. We have two 28kwh Ioniqs which can rapid charge up to 69kw speed and maintain a fast rate all the way up to 94% state of charge, at which point the car stops the charge, so we’re often done long before other EVs charging at below 50kw, even though we fill up more than 80%. I think the simple answer is we need many more high powered chargers to be installed to cope with the rapid uptake of EVs.   ROBERT MACROWAN On my 28klw Ioniq if the auto button is activated the cable can be removed once the charging as completed no need to unlock the car. If I was selfish enough to leave my car unattended for a long period on a rapid I would expect it to be unplugged. Having said that I only take what I need for the journey so my average time on a rapid is 15 minutes.    RON BARBER Auto disconnect service and releasing plug lock at a predetermined percentage makes no sense on DCFC as the cables are too short and parking too constrained to virtually ever get another car in without hitting the current car and DCFC is really the only place auto disconnect at 80% would make sense.  Also this would have to be an option anyway because sometimes you do need to go above 80% to make it to the next charger on your trip.   MARTY WALSH Auto-release at 80% should be an option you select when you activate the plug. Maybe even remind the user of the reduced efficiency for an affirmation.   STEPHEN TROYER The charger definitely should automatically turn off at 80% and disconnect. I'd add to that, it should also ping the owner's phone and keep sending notifications until they move their car. "Hey, your car is t charging anymore! Hey! People are waiting for your spot!"   MARK ORRICO Do I think DC fast chargers should stop at 80%, no I don’t think so, especially here in the US where we have somewhat limited infrastructure, I know that could be used as an argument to stop at 80% but sometimes we might need that extra charge to get to the next charger on a road trip. Perhaps something like that could eventually be implemented with more chargers around. I think an alternative would be to increase the cost when the cars charging rate drops below a certain percentage of its max wattage, some cars may still take a faster rate up to 90 instead of 80 making the time at the charger more useful. I think perhaps being kicked off after 95% might be fair though.      QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With 2877 Superchargers globally and 25000 stalls, what do you think about Tesla’s plan to open up the network to everyone?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1155: Question Of The Week Answers | 25 July 2021

Show #1153.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Saturday 24th July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   SATURDAY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT LLEWELLYN   Welcome to another Saturday Special interview, and this week it’s one of my cleantech idols. Robert Llewellyn started Fully Charged as a man-and-a-camera hobby which has grown into live events, cleantech consumer education, car reviews, and so much more.   Robert is the reason I started this podcast. When I found Fully Charged I binged myself on every video he made, and couldn’t wait for the next one. Then I started searching for EV  news every day to fills those gaps, and realised I could make a daily podcast out of all the stories I was finding.    I’ve met Robert a few times of the years but never had a chance to talk in such depth. Today’s podcast is another collaboration with my pal EV Nick for the livestream series we’re doing on Youtube…     QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1153: Saturday Special Interview with Robert Llewellyn from Fully Charged | 24 July 2021

Show #1152.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Friday 23rd July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   MERCEDES PLANS TO GO ALL-ELECTRIC BY THE END OF THE DECADE   - Daimler said Thursday that its Mercedes-Benz brand would “be ready to go all electric at the end of the decade, where market conditions allow.”   - from 2025 all of Mercedes-Benz’ “newly launched vehicle architectures will be electric-only.”   - Daimler explained how it planned to launch three pure-electric architectures that year: MB.EA, which will relate to medium and large passenger cars; AMG.EA, which will focus on performance vehicles; and VAN.EA, for light commercial vehicles and vans. Models based on these platforms will be electric only.   - From 2025 onward, consumers will also have the option of purchasing an “all-electric alternative for every model the company makes.”   - “In total, investments into battery electric vehicles between 2022 and 2030 will amount to over 40 billion euros.”   Original Source : https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/22/mercedes-plans-to-go-all-electric-by-the-end-of-the-decade.html   MERCEDES ACCELERATES ELECTRIC SHIFT WITH $47 BILLION PUSH   - Mercedes is betting the luxury segment will shift faster toward battery cars than the mass market because of customers’ greater purchasing power.   - The company didn’t give a concrete date for when it will phase out combustion engines, saying the pace of the shift toward EVs will vary widely across regions. It pledged to be ready to go all-electric by the end of the decade where conditions allow.   - It’s flanking the EQS with models including the compact EQA and plans to unveil the electric version of its bestselling E-Class sedan at the Munich auto show in September.   - Mercedes said it expects plug-in hybrid and fully electric cars to account for more than half of global car sales by 2025, five years sooner than the company forecast months ago. By 2039, it aims to turn its new-car fleet carbon-neutral.   Original Source : https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-22/mercedes-vows-to-be-ready-for-car-markets-going-electric-only   MERCEDES-BENZ TO BUILD EIGHT BATTERY FACTORIES   - “We have a very clear plan to rapidly scale BEVs; we want to get on this journey to a BEV (battery electric) only world,” Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG CEO Ola Källenius said during a media call after the announcement. “We want to be the people that make that happen, not just let it happen for us and go with the flow, but really taking initiative. And we believe also that the luxury segment, where we belong, has all the hallmarks of being a leading segment for this transition.”   - Thursday it acquired U.K.-based electric motor company YASA, and has determined it will need battery capacity of more than 200 gigawatt hours. To hit meet those needs, Mercedes plans to set up eight battery factories with existing partners and one new partner to produce cells.   - The new plants, which includes one in the United States, four in Europe and three in China, is on top of the company’s already planned network of nine factories that will be dedicated to building battery systems.   - The company said it will team up with new European partners to develop and efficiently produce future cells and modules.   - Mercedes said it has partnered with Sila Nano, the Silicon Valley battery materials startup that raised $590 million earlier this year, to help it improve its next generation of batteries. Specifically, Sila Nano is helping Mercedes increase energy density by using silicon-carbon composite in the anode, which should boost range and allow for shorter charging times. Mercedes is also looking into solid-state battery technology.   Original Source : https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/22/mercedes-benz-to-build-eight-battery-factories-in-push-to-become-electric-only-automaker-by-2030   ELECTRIC MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS LAUNCHES IN 2024   - Mercedes-Benz will launch a battery-electric version of the iconic G-Class in 2024, the automaker said on Thursday. Confirmation of the electric G-Class, which could go by the name EQG, was made during a presentation outlining Mercedes' plans to transition to a full-electric brand by 2030.   - The big and blocky G-Class will require a substantial kilowatt-hour rating and Mercedes may want to wait until battery technology improves. It isn't clear whether Mercedes will electrify the G-Class platform, or install the G-Class body on one of its electric platforms.   - if you want an electric G-Class today, there's a company in Austria by the name of Kreisel that offers an electric conversion,   Original Source : https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1125923_electric-mercedes-benz-g-class-launches-in-2024   CHINA FRICTIONS STEER ELECTRIC AUTOMAKERS AWAY FROM RARE EARTH MAGNETS   - As tensions mount between China and the United States, automakers in the West are trying to reduce their reliance on a key driver of the electric vehicle revolution - permanent magnets, sometimes smaller than a pack of cards, that power electric engines.Most are made of rare earth metals from China.   - Now manufacturers amounting to nearly half global sales say they are limiting their use, a Reuters analysis found.   - Because some can generate a constant magnetic force, the magnets they make are known as permanent magnets.   - BMW says it has redesigned its EV technology to make up for a lack of rare earths; Renault SA (RENA.PA) has slotted its rare-earth-free Zoe model into a growing niche of small urban cars that do not need extended driving ranges.   - Over the past two decades, Western countries largely withdrew from producing rare earth metals, which involves complex processing and often noxious byproducts. Today, China's dominance runs through the entire production chain.   Original Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-frictions-steer-electric-automakers-away-rare-earth-magnets-2021-07-19/   NEW YORK CITY DOT TO INSTALL 120 CURBSIDE LEVEL 2 CHARGERS   - New York City plans to install its first curbside charging stations by this October. According to The Wall Street Journal, the city’s Department of Transportation will install 100 Level 2 charging ports for public use and 20 for the city’s vehicle fleet. Public charging will reportedly cost $2.50 per hour during the day and $1 per hour overnight.   - The first of the city’s new charging stations has been installed in the Norwood section of the Bronx. The DOT has picked network operator FLO to manage the network under contract with local utility Consolidated Edison.   Original Source : https://chargedevs.com/newswire/new-york-city-dot-to-install-120-curbside-level-2-chargers/   SHELL RECHARGE IS COMING TO WAITROSE   - Shell Recharge has announced plans to build hundreds of electric vehicle charging points at Waitrose stores over the next few years. The supermarket chain specifically plans to host up to 800 charging stations at up to 100 Waitrose stores across the UK by 2025.   - the deal will see Shell Recharge equipping roughly a third of Waitrose locations with EV charging. Each location is expected to have six 22 kW and two 50 kW chargers, making a total 6,400 chargers.   - This will represent the first move from Shell Recharge into destination charging, with customers able to charge their vehicle while shopping.   Original Source : https://www.zap-map.com/shell-recharge-coming-to-waitrose/   TESLA DROPS DOWN THE RANKINGS TO ‘BELOW AVERAGE QUALITY’   - Tesla has dropped to ‘below average quality’ while three leading Chinese electric vehicle start-ups are now making ‘top-quality cars’ in their respective segments, according to a new survey, ratcheting up pressure on the global leader in the world’s largest automotive market.   - Tesla’s Model 3 ranked third in the midsize battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment, falling behind BYD Co’s Han BEV and Xpeng’s P7, according to the JD Power 2021 China New Energy Vehicle Initial Quality Study released on Thursday   - NIO’s ES6 now ranks highest in China’s luxury BEV segment, the Xpeng’s G3 is the best compact BEV while Li Auto’s Li One secured the top spot in the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)   Original Source : https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3142148/tesla-drops-down-rankings-below-average-quality-mainland-auto   TESLA RAISES PRICES ON MODEL 3 AND MODEL Y Original Source : https://www.thestreet.com/tesla/news/tesla-raises-prices-on-model-3-and-model-y-jul-22   TESLA PUTS NEW MODEL S DELIVERIES ON HOLD, AND IT'S UNCLEAR WHY Original Source : https://electrek.co/2021/07/23/tesla-puts-new-model-s-deliveries-on-hold/   MERCEDES CHARGING $575 PER YEAR IN GERMANY FOR 10-DEGREE REAR STEERING ON EQS Original Source : https://www.motor1.com/news/521960/mercedes-eqs-rear-wheel-steering   S. KOREA ACCOUNTS FOR ONE-THIRD OF GLOBAL EV BATTERY MARKET IN JAN.-MAY   Original Source : http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210721000939   100 DAYS TO SAVE THE NEXT 100 YEARS WITH CLIMATE, JOHN KERRY SAYS Original Source : https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/climate-change-100-days-john-kerry-b946792.html   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/ 

1152: Mercedes Disappoints With Latest EV Ambition | 23 July 2021

Show #1151.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Thursday 22nd July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   NEW 2021 KIA EV6 BOASTS UP TO 328 MILES OF RANGE   - Kia has confirmed more specifications for its new EV6 electric crossover, with the bespoke electric car to offer a maximum of up to 328 miles of range from a full charge. Kia EV6 prices start from £40,895, with first deliveries expected to arrive in October, while the range will consist of three trim levels of two drivetrains. Every UK model also comes as standard with the company’s long-range 77.4kWh battery, rather than the entry-level 58kWh unit offered in other markets.   - Thanks to the new E-GMP underpinnings, which features the latest 800-volt electrical architecture, the EV6 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes, while maximum DC rapid charging capability stands at 239kW. As a world first, the EV6 also has the capability to transform a power feed from a more common 400-volt rapid charger to 800 volts thanks to a clever motor and inverter set-up, allowing the EV6 to charge at its maximum capacity.   - To help boost range the EV6 features six different regenerative braking settings. This includes completely off, modes 1 to 3, ‘i-Pedal’ – which allows maximum energy harvesting and brings the car to a stop without touching the brakes, allowing one-pedal driving – and an auto setting.   - The Kia EV6’s wheelbase is 2,900mm long despite the EV6’s relatively compact dimensions, pushing the wheels close to the model’s extremities to maximise space inside.   - Boot space stands at 520 litres, rising to 1,300 litres with the rear seats folded down. There are also an additional 52 litres of storage space at the front in rear-drive models   - Kia claims that with more than 35 percent charge left in the battery, the EV6 can also tow loads weighing up to 1,600kg, which is strong for an electric car.   Original Source : https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kia/ev6   Matthias Schmidt on Twitter: - .@Daimler unveils details from its CO2 compliance busting new Mercedes S-Class PHEV. EV only range ~100km leading to lower BiK tax rate (just 7% pa in UK compared to ~37% for ICE) CO2 average of 22-14g/km (WLTP) with a curb weight of ~2.4t  = CO2 compliance golden ticket   Original Source : https://twitter.com/auto_schmidt/status/1417819155416424452   TESLA PLANS TO OPEN ITS CHARGING NETWORK TO OTHER EVS LATER THIS YEAR   - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) plans to open its network of superchargers to other electric vehicles later this year, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said on Twitter.The electric-car maker's fast charging network, with over 25,000 superchargers globally, has given it a competitive edge. Meanwhile, other carmakers have formed alliances or invested in startups for networks as they rush new electric vehicle entrants to market.   - "We're making our Supercharger network open to other EVs later this year,"   - Germany's transport minister said last month he was trying to convince Tesla to open its charging network to other carmakers to make it easier for drivers of electric vehicles to charge.   - President Joe Biden's administration late last month embraced a bipartisan Senate deal to spend $1.2 trillion on infrastructure projects, including $7.5 billion on electric vehicle infrastructure, including charging stations.   Original Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-plans-open-up-its-charging-network-other-evs-later-this-year-2021-07-20/   ELON MUSK: TESLA TO OPEN UP GLOBAL CHARGING NETWORK TO OTHER EVS LATER THIS YEAR   - Until now, there have never been any details about how or when the company would open up its Supercharger network of 25,000 chargers. Details are still slim. For instance, it’s unclear where it would initially open up, which automakers have reached agreements with Tesla and whether Tesla owners would get priority. However, Musk did finally attach a timeline of sorts by noting this would kick off before the end of 2021.   - Way back in 2014, Musk said he’d be willing to open up the designs in order to build a standard that can be used interchangeably across the industry.   - Tesla has its own connector, which means automakers would have to provide or sell an adapter to owners of its EVs to access the Supercharger network. It’s a different story in Europe. Tesla uses the CCS direct current connector in Europe, making this the most likely region for Tesla to open up first.   Original Source : https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/20/elon-musk-tesla-to-open-up-global-charging-network-to-other-evs-later-this-year/   2022 TESLA MODEL Y BEGINS RHD PRODUCTION   - Tesla has commenced right-hand drive production of the 2022 Model Y, with initial examples destined for Hong Kong. The Model Y – which is currently produced in the United States and China – will be sourced from the company’s Shanghai plant for the Hong Kong market, where it went on sale earlier in July ahead of planned deliveries in September.  With the heavily-related Model 3 now manufactured in China for the Australian market, it is likely versions of the electric SUV destined for Australia will also be sourced from China.   Original Source : https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/2022-tesla-model-y-right-hand-drive-production-hong-kong   TESLA LOWERS THE PRICE OF ITS 'FULL SELF-DRIVING' COMPUTER UPGRADE   - After criticism from owners, Tesla has reduced the price of a computer update required for its new "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) feature, Electrek has reported. The hardware HW 3.0 update will now cost $1,000 rather than $1,500, a 33 percent drop in price. To get the feature, owners will have to pay a monthly subscription fee of up to $199 on top of that, or $10,000 all in one shot.   - Tesla famously said in 2016 that all its EVs produced going forward would have full self-driving hardware   Original Source : https://www.engadget.com/tesla-reduces-the-price-of-its-full-self-driving-computer-upgrade-by-500-091157676.html   STELLANTIS HAS 5 YEARS TO ABSORB 40% EV COST HIKE   - The maker of Jeep and Ram has five years to absorb the roughly 40% increase in costs that electrified vehicles represent before Stellantis NV could face restructuring and job cuts, CEO Carlos Tavares said Wednesday.   - It requires billions of dollars in capital investment and new talent: Stellantis said earlier this month it will spend about $35.5 billion by 2025 on electrification.   - Tavares didn't provide a figure for where the automaker stands on achieving the $5.9 billion in annual cost savings it projected from the merger. He, however, did say the company is ahead of its plans and could perhaps increase its expected cost savings in 2022.   - In China, it also has signed a deal with an unnamed partner to manufacture vehicles. Stellantis on Tuesday also validated an investment for solid state batteries, which it says will come to market in 2026, with an unnamed supplier.   Original Source : https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/chrysler/2021/07/21/stellantis-ceo-carlos-tavares-five-years-absorb-electric-vehicle-costs-before-job-cuts/8038712002/   LUCID MOTORS PLANS TO LAUNCH IN GERMANY IN 2022   - Lucid Motors plans to begin delivering its cars in Germany next year, as the new Country Manager Roberto Russo, confirmed to electrive. Also in 2022, the Air sedan is to arrive in other European countries too.   - Russo himself had announced on LinkedIn that he would become Lucid Motors’ Country Manager Germany with immediate effect.   - Russo, an e-mobility specialist, did not yet want to confirm exactly which versions of the Air will be offered in Europe. In 2012, he joined Tesla as sales manager for the European launch of the Model S   Original Source : https://www.electrive.com/2021/07/21/lucid-motors-plans-to-launch-in-germany-in-2022/   41 PERCENT OF CONSUMERS SAY THEIR NEXT CAR WILL BE ELECTRIC   - According to a new survey conducted by EY, 41 percent of consumers planning to buy a car say their next vehicle will be a plug-in. And they're mainly making that decision because of the environmental impact.   - EY surveyed 9,000 consumers across 13 countries   - The last time the firm conducted this survey, in September 2020, just 30 percent said their next car would be either a battery EV or plug-in hybrid EV.   - . In China, for example, 48 percent say their next car will be an EV, and only 43 percent say it will have an internal combustion engine   - In South Korea, 51 percent indicate that an EV will be their next vehicle. In Singapore, 53 percent want an EV, and in Italy, a whopping 63 percent said their next vehicle would be a plug-in.   Original Source : https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/07/41-percent-of-consumers-say-their-next-car-will-be-electric   TENNESSEE TO ADD ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING IN STATE PARKS   - Tennessee officials say they are partnering on an initiative to add electric vehicle charging stations at state parks.   - The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation says it will team up with electric vehicle automaker and automotive technology company Rivian on the project that seeks to add charging stations at all 56 state parks.   - Charging will initially be free for drivers. Any future costs for drivers will depend on systemwide use to recover electricity costs.   Original Source : https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-tennessee-b91d55b6b42704cdf6ca85b1e696d1cb   ASTON MARTIN DB11 AND VANTAGE REPLACEMENTS WILL BE ELECTRIC   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1151: Musk Promises (Again) To Open Up Superchargers For All | 22 July 2021

Show #1150.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Wednesday 21st  July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   RIVIAN EV: BEZOS, BLUE ORIGIN SPACE CREW RIDE TO LAUNCH SITE IN STYLE   - Whenever you're about to rocket into space, you have to ride to the launch site in style. It's just how these things work. And that's what Jeff Bezos and crew did Tuesday as they headed to the Blue Origin rocket that took them into space for a few minutes.   - the soon-to-be space travelers first boarded a beholden-to-gravity electric vehicle made by start-up Rivian. Amazon, which Bezos founded and chairs after recently stepping do wn as CEO, invested in Rivian and ordered 100,000 electric vehicles from the company for shipping purposes.   Original Source : https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2021/07/20/rivian-ev-jeff-bezos-blue-origin-space/8024249002   VW GROUP'S EV SALES JUMP 165% IN FIRST HALF OF  YEAR   - Europe was the automaker's top EV market, with sales of 128,078, up 156 percent. The U.S. and China were a distant second and third, with U.S. sales up 321 percent to 18,514 and China up 110 percent to 18,285.   - VW Group's sales chief, Christian Dahlheim, said the automaker expects sales in China to get a significant boost in the third quarter from the June market launch of the ID6 seven-seat electric crossover.   - Audi, which sells the Q4 e-tron and e-tron GT, saw its full-electric sales grow 69 percent to 32,775. Porsche, whose only full-electric car is the Taycan, sold 19,822 EVs, up 342 percent. Skoda's full-electric car sales were 17,697, up 257 percent, while Seat sold 6,172 full-electric cars, up 186 percent.   Original Source : https://europe.autonews.com/sales-segment/vw-groups-ev-sales-jump-165-first-half-boosted-europe-demand   FAW-VOLKSWAGEN BEGINS DELIVERIES OF THE ELECTRIC ID.6 CROZZ SUV IN CHINA   - FAW-Volkswagen, the joint venture of Chinese automaker FAW Group and Volkswagen, has started deliveries of the ID CROZZ SUV, newest member of the ID family of electric vehicles for the China market, local news outlet Gasgoo reports.   - Deliveries of the ID.6 CROZZ to customers in China began on July 18.   - The ID.6 CROZZ is the sister model of the ID.6 X SUV, which is built by VW's other joint venture SAIC Volkswagen in Shanghai.   - The ID CROZZ is available in two battery options, 62.6 kWh or 84.8 kWh.   Original Source : https://www.futurecar.com/4751/FAW-Volkswagen-Begins-Deliveries-of-the-Electric-ID-6-CROZZ-SUV-in-China   TESLA SEMI ELECTRIC TRUCK IS FINALLY ABOUT TO GO INTO PRODUCTION   - After years of delays, Tesla is finally about to start production of Tesla Semi, its all-electric semi-truck.   - sources familiar with the matter told Electrek that the drive axle production line is ready and the general assembly line is going through its final debugging before starting production.   - Tesla has indicated that the electric truck would enter production this year with some deliveries to customers, but the company didn’t release any details about the planned production. Tesla has revealed that it plans to use the first few Tesla Semi trucks for its own operations, but some long-time reservation holders are also expected to take delivery this year.   Original Source : https://electrek.co/2021/07/20/tesla-semi-electric-truck-finally-go-into-production   Acceleration 0-60 mph with 80k lb - 20 sec Speed up a 5% Grade - 60 mph Mile Range - 300 or 500 miles Powertrain - 4 Independent Motors on Rear Axles Base Price (300 mile range - $150,000) Base Price (500 mile range) -  $180,000   Original Source : https://www.tesla.com/semi   Elon Musk on Twitter: "@WholeMarsBlog You don’t even need to touch the shifter in new S. Auto detect direction will come as an optional setting to all cars with FSD." / Twitter   - Auto detect direction will come as an optional setting to all cars with FSD.   PLUGSURFING RENEWS EROAMING PARTNERSHIP WITH HUBJECT   - Hubject and Plugsurfing announce the renewal of their long-lasting international roaming partnership. Hubject will continue to give Plugsurfing access to their eRoaming platform intercharge, effectively giving Plugsurfing customers access to 150,000 charging stations across Europe.   - Hubject and Plugsurfing rely on Hubject’s intercharge platform, which promotes interoperability. The partners name values like accessibility, variety of choice, seamless connection and transparency. In practice, Plugsurfing customers can find, access and pay for charging at the participating charge point operators via the company’s RFID charging key and mobile app.   Original Source : https://www.electrive.com/2021/07/20/plugsurfing-renews-eroaming-partnership-with-hubject   2023 ROLLS-ROYCE SILENT SHADOW IS THE UPPER-CRUST EV   - Rolls-Royce is BMW's ultra-luxury brand, and its first production electric vehicle—and likely the first from any of the few brands in such rarified air—is believed to be called Silent Shadow. An entirely new entry in the brand's portfolio (meaning it won't replace any model, as has been rumored), it's likely a sedan rather than an SUV.   - Rolls-Royce floated the idea of an EV a decade ago with the 102EX concept, a fully electric seventh-generation Phantom, but found little appetite among its wealthy customers. Rolls people were also quoted as early as last year saying there still isn't customer demand for electric ultra-luxury cars   Original Source : https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-rolls-royce-silent-shadow-electric-luxury-sedan-future-cars   FOSSIL FUEL CONSUMPTION IN THE UNITED STATES HITS A 3-DECADE LOW   - US fossil fuel consumption fell by 9% in 2020, says the Energy Information Administration.         Coal accounted for 13% of US fossil fuel consumption in 2020, its lowest annual share since 1949.  Petroleum products were the most-used fossil fuels in the US in 2020. Natural gas, used mostly to generate electricity and heat, took its largest annual share on record.         While fossil fuel use falls, renewables are continuing to rise to new records.   - You have to go as far back as 1991 to find a similar level of fossil fuel consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic and warmer weather have driven the decline, according to the United States Energy Information Administration’s Monthly Energy Review.   Original Source : https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/us-fossil-fuel-consumption-eia   CAR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE IMOVE CLOSES $22.3M SERIES A   - Into this space has appeared imove out of Norway, with what appears, at least, to be a new twist on the whole thing: a white-label platform offered to industry to enable it to offer these car subscription services under their own brands. Imove’s platform allows users to subscribe to electric vehicles from 18 different manufacturers and more than 50 different models.   - The startup has now closed a €19 million / $22.3 million Series A round   - imove allows a company in automotive, finance, insurance or even electricity and telecoms to offer car subscriptions as an alternative to car ownership or leasing.   Original Source : https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/20/norways-electric-car-subscription-service-imove-closes-22-3m-series-a-led-by-autoscout24   ROYAL MAIL SWITCHES ON ALL-ELECTRIC COMPANY CAR SCHEMES   - Royal Mail announces a new initiative to ensure that all its company cars will be electric by 2030. By 2025, only electric company cars will be available to order. By April 2022, colleagues who need a car to do their job will be eligible for a new zero tailpipe emissions company car scheme.   Original Source : https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-mail-group/royal-mail-switches-on-all-electric-company-car-schemes/   EV CHARGING SUPERHUBS PLANNED FOR WEST MIDLANDS   - Two grid-scale battery storage facilities are to be built in the West Midland, creating the power infrastructure for mass-scale, rapid electric vehicle charging.   - The new sites, located in Coventry and Sandwell, are being developed by battery storage and EV charging specialist Pivot Power   - The new sites are part of Pivot Power’s programme to build a national network of Energy Superhubs. The company, part of EDF Renewables since 2019, is looking to deliver to 2GW of battery storage   - The new sites will replicate Pivot Power’s Energy Superhub Oxford model, which is nearing completion and will provide a blueprint for towns and cities across the UK to cut carbon and improve air quality. The hub, first announced two years ago, will have up to 10MW of power on site, initially powering 38 fast and ultra-rapid chargers.   Original Source : https://fleetworld.co.uk/ev-charging-superhubs-planned-for-west-midlands   NEW LONG-RANGE MG 5 EV ON SALE NOW FROM £26,495   - MG has launched a new, long-range version of the MG 5 EV. It’s available to order now, with prices starting from £26,495 including the government’s £2,500 plug-in car grant.   - It’s powered by a 61.1kWh battery pack (up from the 52.5kWh cell in the standard car), which increases the estate’s range from 214 to 250 miles.   - The new battery pack also offers support for 100kW DC rapid charging   - The MG 5 EV’s safety equipment is bundled into the standard-fit MG Pilot package, which also includes items like adaptive cruise control and traffic jam assist, meaning the electric estate can automatically keep pace with stop-start traffic.   Original Source : https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/electric-cars/352856/new-long-range-mg-5-ev-sale-now-ps26495   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1150: Rivian Shuttle Bezos & Co. To Space | 21 July 2021

Show #1149.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Tuesday 20th July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   EV ORDERS SURPASS ICE VEHICLES AT ZENITH   - JUNE saw orders for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) overtake internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for the first time at independent leasing and fleet management company Zenith. The transition to BEV in cars account for 54% of orders in June compared to 32% in the same month last year. Over the Past 12 months, 41% of orders were for BEVs.   - Demand for electric vans also increased in June to account for 69% of van orders compared to 1% in June 2020. Over the last 12 months, demand for fully electric vans has built to account for almost 1 in 3 van orders.   - Zenith says that salary sacrifice is helping company car drivers to transition to BEVs. In one scheme, 85% of orders have been for BEVs, with the remaining 15% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. It will lead to an average saving of 372 tonnes of carbon for each year the vehicles are on the road.   Original Source : https://leasingbrokernews.co.uk/ev-orders-surpass-ice-vehicles-at-zenith   TESLA MODEL 3 IS #1 ELECTRIC CAR IN GERMANY IN JUNE, VW E-UP REMAINS 2021 LEADER   - The German plugin vehicle market scored over 64,000 registrations last month, with both plugin powertrains rising fast   - last month’s plugin share ended at 24% (12% BEV), with BEVs outselling PHEVs for the first time this year   - The yearly plugin vehicle market share climbed to 23% (11% BEV). There were 312,287 plugin vehicle registrations in the first half of the year. So, this market is firmly in The Disruption Zone and well ahead of last year’s score of 14% plugin vehicle market share. Will we see the final 2021 market share hit 25% 30%?   - Looking at last month’s best sellers, the Tesla Model 3 was the winner, hitting 4,462 deliveries, a new record for the sports sedan in Germany. The Tesla top seller ended ahead of the two Volkswagen frontrunners, the #2 e-Up and the #3 ID.3, which, by the way, had its best score of 2021 last month (2,448 registrations). Expect the compact Volkswagen to have a stronger second half of 2021.   - we should mention that several new models are in ramp-up mode, like the Korean Hyundai Ioniq 5, an XL retro-hatchback with a unique personality. It scored 514 registrations in only its 2nd month on the market. The Opel Mokka EV, possibly the most attractive model in the whole Opel lineup, hit a record 655 registrations last month and could be another Stellantis model to reach the table soon. There’s also the Opel Corsa EV and Fiat 500e.   Original Source : https://cleantechnica.com/2021/07/18/tesla-model-3-is-1-electric-car-in-germany-in-june-vw-e-up-remains-2021-leader/   NYPD BUYS $47K TESLA MODEL 3 FOR HIGHWAY PATROL DIVISION   - The NYPD has added a new eco-friendly ride to its fleet: a Tesla Model 3, The Post has learned.   - The luxury electric vehicle — which came with a $47,740 price tag — will be used by the department’s highway patrol division, city records show.   - The department, which acquired the ride last month, said the long-range version of the car "is optimized for police highway patrol operations," according to the procurement papers.   - Other police departments have also bought Teslas and say they expect thousands of dollars in savings on gas.   - In December, when Hastings-On-Hudson unveiled its new electric patrol car, the department just north of the Big Apple told News12 it would save $8,500 in fuel within five years.   Original Source : https://www.foxnews.com/auto/nypd-buys-47k-tesla-model-3-for-highway-patrol-division   MODEL 3 POLICE CRUISER SAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS   - The purchase premium is recouped in one year. After four years, the savings are enough to pay for another Tesla. One EV saves 23.5 tons of CO2 emissions annually.   - Using a Tesla Model 3 for police duty was a new idea back in Dec. 2019 when the Westport Police acquired one for use as a fully customized police cruiser, going into service in Feb. 2020. This was the second Model 3 to be acquired by a police force (Bargersville, IN was the first), but according to the Westport Police, this was the first one to be fully tricked out for law enforcement.   - The biggest single item in the customization is the license plate reader, and it is here that there was a savings of $10,000 ($8,000 vs $18,000) due to taking advantage of the technology native to the Tesla. As far as Pilot discounts, there was no charge for added cameras, lights, siren, and the weapons rack. These discounts amounted to just over $14,000.   - There are two items that applied only to the Tesla. One is a spare tire for $800. (The Ford comes with a spare.) The other is a charging station at a cost of $1000 for hardware and installation.   - The department is getting two shifts per day on a single charge and charging the vehicle overnight. This is assumed to be the usage pattern of future Teslas, so the conservative assumption on charging is that the charging equipment expense will be required for each Tesla procured and it is included in the Next vehicle. There could potentially be a savings opportunity in the future with a dual-port charger.   - The costs were calculated based on driving 23,060 miles in a year.   Original Source : https://evclubct.com/tesla-police-vehicle-saves-westport-tens-of-thousands-of-dollars/   ELECTRIC MERCEDES G-CLASS COULD COME TO IAA MUNICH AS EQG CONCEPT   - A new report from German magazine mbpassionblog claims we will get a first taste of the silent G-Class in early September at the IAA in Munich. It is believed an EQG concept will be unveiled at the show to preview the production model arriving either next year or in 2023. Confirmed technical specifications are not available at this point, but it's safe to assume it will have dual electric motors to enable a four-wheel-drive system everyone expects from a G.   - EQG won't be a dedicated electric vehicle as it's the case with the flagship EQS and the upcoming EQE, with both getting SUV versions in 2022. Instead, the EQG is believed to take the shape of an electric adaptation of the combustion-engined G-Class. It's said to have all the off-road tricks of the conventionally powered model along with a large 108-kWh battery with enough juice for about 311 miles (500 kilometers) of range   Original Source : https://www.motor1.com/news/521003/mercedes-eqg-iaa-munich-2021/   LIGHTYEAR ONE WILL BE MANUFACTURED BY VALMET AUTOMOTIVE   - Valmet Automotive, a manufacturing contractor who also delivered the Fisker Karma, the original Porsche Boxter and Cayman, and multiple Saab and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Valmet Automotive will now be in charge of producing the Lightyear One, as the two companies announced.   - the Lightyear One, it is the electric car with substantial solar panels over its body that managed to run 710 km with a fully charged 60 kWh battery pack. That will make it one of the most efficient electric vehicles around when deliveries start. Valmet Automotive should start producing it in summer 2022. The first prototypes should be built in January 2022.   - 11.8 km/kWh – or 7.3 mi/kWh,   Original Source : https://www.autoevolution.com/news/lightyear-one-will-be-manufactured-by-valmet-automotive-from-summer-2022-on-165535.html   REBOOTED SMART TO PREVIEW ELECTRIC CROSSOVER AT 2021 MUNICH AUTO SHOW   - A rejuvenated Smart will use the inaugural international mobility show taking place in Munich, Germany, in September to present a concept car previewing an upcoming electric crossover.   - over the weekend Mercedes-Benz's design chief, Gorden Wagener, who is leading the design of a future battery-electric Smart lineup, posted new teaser photos to social media.   - Expect the production version of the concept to be a subcompact model similar in size to the Mini Countryman. Smart will also continue to offer a new generation of its traditional minicars.   - The new Munich mobility show, which has replaced Germany's traditional auto show in Frankfurt, starts Sept. 6.   Original Source : https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1132301_rebooted-smart-to-preview-electric-crossover-2021-munich-auto-show   VW TO MAKE EV BATTERIES WITH CHINA'S GUOXUAN IN GERMANY   - In May 2020, VW announced the acquisition of a 26% stake in Guoxuan, China's third-largest EV battery maker after Contemporary Amperex Technology and BYD.   - The German auto group will build its second EV battery plant in Salzgitter in a joint effort with Guoxuan High-tech to produce low-cost batteries for economy EVs, the company said in a statement on last Tuesday.   Original Source : https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/VW-to-make-EV-batteries-with-China-s-Guoxuan-in-Germany   TESLA'S GROHMANN FACILITY EXPANSION IN GERMANY IS NEARING COMPLETION   Original Source : https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-grohmann-expansion-germany-completion-update/   ELECTRIFY AMERICA COMPLIMENTARY CHARGING TO VOLVO Original Source : https://electriccarsreport.com/2021/07/electrify-america-to-provide-complimentary-nationwide-fast-charging-to-volvo-xc40-recharge-and-c40-recharge-owners/   TESLA MODEL 3 LR 82 KWH: NEW RECORD IN BJØRN'S 1,000 KM CHALLENGE   Original Source : https://insideevs.com/news/521066/tesla-model3-lr-record-1000km/   BENELUX COUNTRIES TO ENSURE CHARGING ACROSS BORDERS   Original Source : https://www.electrive.com/2021/07/18/benelux-countries-to-ensure-charging-across-borders/   SINGAPORE LOOKS TO POWER UP ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING NETWORK   Original Source : https://www.zdnet.com/article/singapore-looks-to-power-up-electric-vehicle-charging-network/   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1148: Tesla Beats German Auto Makers On Home Soil | 20 July 2021

Show #1148. If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Monday 19th July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   TESLA LAUNCHES SUBSCRIPTION FOR FULL SELF DRIVING   - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) said on Saturday it has introduced an option for some customers to subscribe to its advanced driver assistance software, dubbed "Full Self-Driving capability", for $199 per month, instead of paying $10,000 upfront.   - Tesla said the subscription service is available in vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving computer 3.0 or above.   - Tesla has been testing its new semi-autonomous driving software for city streets and last week released "FSD Beta v9" to a limited number of customers.   Original Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-launches-subscription-service-advanced-driver-assistance-software-2021-07-17/   TESLA LAUNCHES ITS FULL SELF-DRIVING SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE FOR $199 PER MONTH   - For those who own a vehicle without the FSD computer (HW3.0), they can still order the monthly subscription, but they are going to have to pay $1,500 for the computer upgrade, which is included in the $10,000 price of a direct purchase. Finally, Tesla is also selling the package for $99 per month for those who already purchased the now-defunct Enhanced Autopilot package, which already included some of the features in the FSD package.   Original Source : https://electrek.co/2021/07/16/tesla-launches-full-self-driving-subscription-package-199-per-month/   TESLA DEBUTS 'FSD' SUBSCRIPTION FOR $199 PER MONTH   - One eligible owner shared a notice they received from Tesla on Friday with CNBC, which said:“Full Self-Driving capability is now available as a monthly subscription. Upgrade your Model Y ... for $199 (excluding taxes) to experience features like Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Auto Park, Summon and Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control. The currently enabled features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous.”   - FSD features are “subject to change, limited by region,” and can only be used on Tesla vehicles that have newer hardware and Autopilot technology installed.Drivers are responsible for tolls, parking or other traffic violations that happen in a Tesla that’s operating with FSD features engaged.Tesla can increase the price for a subscription any time, but will give drivers a one-month advance notice before billing them at a new rate. Owners can cancel FSD any time but the company won’t prorate their monthly payment if they do. Tesla can suspend or cancel a driver’s FSD subscription if they use the technology, “for anything unauthorized or inappropriate” or for non-payment.   Original Source : https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/17/tesla-debuts-fsd-subscription-for-199-per-month.html   SK INNOVATION TO GET 90M EURO IN INCENTIVES FROM HUNGARY   - South Korea's SK Innovation Co. will receive incentives worth 90 million euro ($106 million) from the Hungarian government for investing in the country with a project to build a battery plant, the company said Sunday.The energy and chemical subsidiary of the nation's No. 3 conglomerate, SK Group, has been constructing its second battery plant in Europe with an annual production capacity of 10 gigawatt hours in Komarom, a northwestern city of the European country, the company said.   - SK Innovation will invest 904.5 billion won ($792.7 million) to build the plant and start mass-producing batteries for electric vehicles (EV) next year.   Original Source : http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210718000059&utm_source=pocket_mylist   IONIQ 5 VS VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 VS FORD MUSTANG MACH-E   - Never mind an EV shortlist: if you’re looking for a new car then the Ioniq 5 should be seriously considered. It’s got plenty of range, ultra-fast charging, excellent comfort and lots of kit. The interior is vast and packed with the best tech here, plus it has great performance for the cash – a Mach-E with similar speed is on the wrong side of £50,000. The Hyundai is practical, refined and has its own identity, cementing a deserved win.   - The Mach-E is a brilliant electric car, although in RWD Standard Range form it loses out when it comes to practicality, charging and range, hence its second-place finish. Yet the Ford offers the best driving experience in an electric car at this kind of price, with enjoyable handling and a responsive powertrain, plus it’s packed with tech, and the entry-level model is pretty strong value, especially on PCP finance.   - The ID.4 falls to third place, but it’s definitely still a great choice. It’s the most practical of these three and also the most comfortable. It has a slightly longer range than its rivals   Original Source : https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/hyundai/ioniq-5/355583/ioniq-5-vs-volkswagen-id4-vs-ford-mustang-mach-e   BMW TESTS VEHICLE-TO-GRID EV CHARGING SCHEME WITH I3 FLEET   - A group of 20 customers in Germany have been given BMW i3 electric cars equipped with the new technology, and an additional 30 are set to be delivered to business users over the next few weeks.   - BMW hopes it will turn electric cars into ‘mobile energy storage devices’ that can supply electricity to the grid when needed.   - Those taking part in the pilot scheme will also benefit from a new technology package. This consists of new in-vehicle and backend technology developed by BMW; an intelligent charging wallbox from Kostal; and the networking for interconnecting the electric car, wallbox and electrical installation in the customer’s building with the power grid from energy firms Bayernwerk, KEO and Tennet. BMW says the scheme is needed due to the growing need to control energy flows and consumption as the number of electric vehicles increases.   Original Source : https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news-technology/bmw-tests-vehicle-grid-ev-charging-scheme-i3-fleet   SQUAD - A SELF-CHARGING SOLAR CITY CAR   - Dutch startup Squad Mobility has come to market with a small, relatively affordable SQUAD Solar City Car, which is also suitable for shared urban mobility services. The two-seater vehicle charges automatically in sunlight and has the option of swappable batteries if its charge is low.   - Even in northern countries the sun gives enough energy for average urban use. The solar panel works in any light, also in the shade. The vehicle is powered by electric motors and batteries so it also works in the night, in winter or indoors . When extra range is needed, the portable batteries can be charged directly from a normal power socket.   - Squad Mobility points out that, as the average person in this LEV segment drives 12 km per day, this is enough on most days. They are aimed squarely at the urban mobility space and can reach top speeds of 45 km/h (28 mph).    Original Source : https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/meet-squad-a-self-charging-solar-city-car-for-daily-urban-mobility   NET ZERO WEEK 2021   - We all need to radically reduce our carbon emissions to combat the effects of climate change. Reaching net zero will require many new measures, innovative solutions, aggressive government policies and plenty of human effort both at work and at home. Net Zero Week is part of this much needed momentum. The UK’s national awareness week highlights our challenge and provides the best expert advice and information to help us all better understand the challenge and how to benefit from making changes. Our greatest pursuit requires us all to take on our fair share of tackling emissions to stop global warming.   Original Source : https://netzeroweek.com/#/   HOW EVERRATI SWAPS TESLA POWERTRAINS INTO PORSCHE 911S   - Former fintech entrepreneur Justin Lunny is looking to keep old sports cars on the road for as long as he possibly can. A devoted gearhead, Lunny's passion for cars has led him to swapping gas for electricity with new company Everrati.   - The company's working on '89 to '93 Porsche 911s (called the "964" generation) for now, but expansion is on the way.   - The team is from the likes of McLaren, Jaguar Land Rover, and more. Each car is extensively tested and set up before anyone outside of the company gets a look at it.   - Everrati's Porsche 911 comes with a more tried and tested setup that'll make a certain group of EV fans very happy: a Tesla powertrain   - If battery tech moves on, Everrati can upgrade its componentry. Or if you want to put a gas motor back, the conversion is fully reversible — though Lunny said Everrati can turn your Porsche's old engine into a coffee table if you'd like.   Original Source : https://www.businessinsider.com/how-everrati-swaps-tesla-powertrains-into-porsche-911s-2021-7   CHINESE TESLA CHALLENGER XPENG PRICES ITS P5 SEDAN FROM US$24,700   - Xpeng Motors has priced its upcoming P5 sedan from as low as 160,000 yuan (US$24,700) to lure thousands of price-sensitive domestic buyers, heating up competition days after Tesla unveiled a cheaper version of its all-electric sport-utility vehicles. Four of the six versions will be fitted with lidar units, a critical technology in autonomous driving with delivery expected to start from October   - The P5 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon flagship SA8155P computing platform. The higher versions of 460E and 550 E are fitted with two lidar units, 12 ultrasonic sensors, five millimetre-wave radars and 13 high-resolution cameras. The 550P and 660P versions will be equipped with two additional lidars.   Original Source : https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3141548/chinese-tesla-challenger-xpeng-prices-its-p5-sedan-us24700-after   ELECTRIC CAR LITHIUM DEMAND POWERS MINING REVIVAL IN UK Original Source : https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210718-electric-car-lithium-demand-powers-mining-revival-in-uk   QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/

1147: Tesla Launches Subscription For Full Self Driving | 19 July 2021

Show #1147.   If you get any value from this podcast please consider supporting my work on Patreon. Plus all Patreon supporters get their own unique ad-free podcast feed.   Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Sunday 18th July. It’s  Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.   Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.   NEW 2023 BMW 5 SERIES CAUGHT ON CAMERA FOR THE FIRST TIME   - The next-generation BMW 5 Series will go on sale in 2023 and will be available with an all-electric i5 variant   - Our spy photographers have spotted the next-generation BMW 5 Series in the midst of its development programme for the first time.   - i5 variant, which will allow it to compete directly with the upcoming Mercedes EQE and the recently revised Tesla Model S.   - The iX3 was the first BMW to feature the firm’s fifth-generation electric drivetrain. In the SUV, it consists of a 282bhp electric motor mounted on the rear axle and an 80kWh battery pack, which is good for a range of 285 miles. However, the electric 5 Series could push this range figure past 300 miles, thanks to its more aerodynamic body.   Original Source : https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/5-series/352865/new-2023-bmw-5-series-caught-camera-first-time   JAMES BOND’S NEW CAR IS A PLUG-IN HYBRID—THE ASTON MARTIN VALHALLA   - Aston Martin has just added a new plug-in hybrid to its lineup. It's one that can tackle the Nürburgring as well as the Low Emission Zone, though it's probably more at home at the track;   - the boffins from Warwickshire have brought forth a mid-engined supercar with a V8 and two electric motors, a carbon-fiber chassis, more than 1,300 lbs of downforce, and a total power output of 937 hp.   - The electric drive motor units are each capable of up to 201 hp (150 kW), although not at the same time—the 400 V lithium-ion traction battery is only capable of outputting 201 hp   - that means that the hybrid system can send all 201 hp to the front axle—which it does in EV-only mode, for example. Or it can send all of that to the rear axle, although in practice the car will apportion battery power to both axles based on the road (or track) conditions and the demands of the person behind the wheel. The electric motors also eliminate the need for a reverse gear in the transmission.   Original Source : https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/07/aston-martins-next-car-is-a-mid-engined-plug-in-hybrid-called-valhalla/   KIA SOUL EV WON'T COME TO THE U.S., CONFIRMED AND EXPLAINED   - The Chicago Auto Show is the first show where the Kia EV6 has been displayed for the public to see, and it's highly impressive. But it got us wondering about another Kia EV that was announced a couple years ago but still hasn't shown up in America: the Kia Soul EV. We spoke to a Kia representative, and he didn't have good news.   - The Soul EV won't be offered in the U.S. It was delayed in part because of supply issues, and the company reportedly wasn't going to bring the next-generation version, here, but apparently even the current one is officially dead for the U.S. The representative said Kia is making the Niro EV the small electric crossover focus for America.   Original Source : https://www.autoblog.com/2021/07/14/kia-soul-ev-discontinued-america-us/   ALLEGO TO PROVIDE CHARGING FOR RADISSON HOTELS   - Allego has entered into a collaboration with Radisson Hotel Group to build charging infrastructure for electric cars at its hotels. Allego will provide and operate AC and DC charging solutions at more than 220 Radisson Hotel Group locations across Europe.   - Radisson hotels in high-traffic locations will offer ultra-fast (150 kW and above) and fast (50 kW) chargers, while AC chargers will be provided for guests staying overnight or attending meetings and events. The high power chargers (HPCs) are also intended to appeal to shorter stay guests, who will be able to use the on-site restaurants or other “convenient amenities” of the hotels while charging.   Original Source : https://www.electrive.com/2021/07/15/allego-to-provide-charge-points-for-radisson-hotels   BIRD ADDED THIS PUZZLE TO BLOCK DRUNK ELECTRIC SCOOTER RIDERS   - Drunk riding is a big problem with shared electric scooters. It’s just as illegal (and dumb) as drunk driving, but that hasn’t stopped scores of riders from engaging in the dangerous practice. And so now Bird is rolling out a new update that the company hopes will stump would-be inebriated scooter riders before they can rent an electric scooter and hit the road.   - Bird’s latest addition is called “Safe Start” and will become active between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. As the company explained, between those hours, “riders attempting to unlock a Bird will now be asked to verify that they can safely handle the vehicle by correctly entering a keyword into the app. Those who may be under the influence are encouraged to choose an alternative method of transportation such as a taxi or ride-hailing service.”   Original Source : https://electrek.co/2021/07/15/bird-is-adding-a-puzzle-to-its-electric-scooters-to-keep-drunk-riders-off   POPULAR FULL HYBRIDS NO ‘GREENER’ THAN TOP DIESEL IN RECENT EMISSIONS TESTS   Original Source : https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/07/popular-full-hybrids-no-greener-than-top-diesel-in-recent-emissions-tests/   WM MOTOR SELLS 15,665 VEHICLES IN H1, TO LAUNCH NEW SEDAN Original Source : http://autonews.gasgoo.com/m/Detail/70018421.html   EV owners claim supplemental registration fee unfair ‘punishment’ for being energy conscious Original Source : https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/opinion/ct-ptb-davich-indiana-hybrid-vehicles-surcharge-st-0716-20210715-ituqypv6kndgzdnvno7g3uiy7u-story.html   China’s “dreamchild” is stealthily winning the battery race · Original Source : https://www.economist.com/business/2021/07/17/chinas-dreamchild-is-stealthily-winning-the-battery-race   QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWERS   DARIN TIBBITS 20 minutes.   ANTHONY CARROLL 10-15 minutes is about right for a pit stop on a road trip. People constantly underestimate how much time they spend at a freeway gas station or rest stops. Montana did a study showing that the mean dwell time at their rest stops was 8-11 minutes.   https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/20643/dot_20643_DS2.pdf   PETE BREMY I think it would be beneficial to also ask our ages as a part of that question. I’m 68, I stop for 25-30 minutes, longer than I used to when I was younger. If I was 30, I’d have said 10 minutes.   GREG LEFF I would say that somewhere between 200-250 miles is the right point to take a 15-20m break. Just looking at the trips my family has taken over the years we seem to need to do one or more of the following in that timeframe - refuel, eat, stretch legs.  The most I think I would want to drive would be 300 miles with no breaks.    ALLEN BUSSSELL 30 MINS   RON BARBER Optimal Road Trip Stop Time. Wife and I would say 15-20 min.   EDUARD PERTÍÑEZ I normally drive as long as I can in my long distance trips. Not that I do so many trips anyway. Only once every year or so. That said, it really does not matter how long does it take. When I used a fossil car I may try to travel 400-600km without refilling and then after refilling I might continue using as little time as I could while eating some sandwitches. Now, I maybe have a coke while the car is being charged, or I will eat in a restaurant so I can fully recharge the car in an hour. The point is that, as soon as it is eficient and I end up doing something, I really don't mind how much it takes. It is like travelling along France. You may have planned to have fast stops, but you won't be angry if you end up in a nice restaurant close to the gas station only because you and your family happened to be hungrier that you anticipated, will you?   KP 45 mins. That’s how long we stop when we are on a long distance road trip (350 kms).  And if it’s 650-800km, then it’s three times 45 minute stops.  What do we do: 1. Restroom 2. Light Snacks/ Quick Dining 3. Stretching out by Walling around for 10-15 minutes.    MARK ORRICO I think 5-80% in 20 minutes or less would be what I would really like to see for charge time on a road trip. I’d probably want to get 250 miles of range in that time frame too. If we had more chargers, similar to the number of gas stations we have in the US I’d be cool with less range. This isn’t what I have with my current vehicle but I’m not taking it on road trips either.    QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM   With chargers still being rolled out, should they automatically stop charging (and should the car release the cable) at 80%?   Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com   It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast.   And  if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing.   Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.   PREMIUM PARTNERS PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE BRAD CROSBY PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI AUDI CINCINNATI EAST VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST NATIONALCARCHARGING.COM and ALOHACHARGE.COM DEREK REILLY FROM THE EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK – FOR BUYING AND SELLING EVS IN THE UK EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM/   PARTNERS DAVID AND LISA ALLEN BOB BOOTHBY FROM MILLBROOK COTTAGES – 5* GOLD SELF CATERING COTTAGES DARIN MCLESKEY FROM DENOVO REAL ESTATE JUKKA KUKONEN FROM WWW.SHIFT2ELECTRIC.COM RAJEEV NARAYAN IAIN SEAR JULIETTE SODERGREN MICHAEL LUMBLEY

1146: BMW’s i5 Caught On Camera | 18 July 2021

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