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Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily, you trusted source of EV information. It’s Wednesday 8th March it’s Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to.
2024 HYUNDAI KONA DETAILS REVEALED, INTERIOR IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED
– Summary: The new 2024 Hyundai Kona is larger, more luxurious, and has a “seamless horizon” front light bar. The two main complaints about the previous model were the lack of space in the rear seats and limited cargo volume, both of which have been addressed with the new version. It has a dual 12.3-inch display screen and physical climate controls.
The new Hyundai Kona Electric has been updated with more power and a longer range. The standard version has a 114.6 kW powertrain and 48.4 kWh battery, while the “Long Range” model has a 160 kW powertrain and 65.4 kWh battery, with a maximum driving range of 490 kilometres. It also has faster charging, with a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 41 minutes, and features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, allowing devices to be plugged in while the car is powered on. It also has features designed for colder climates, such as battery preconditioning and a “frozen charge door prevention system.” The design of the electric version is inspired by the Staria van and Ioniq, and is larger than the current generation, with a 150 mm increase in length, 25 mm increase in width, and 60 mm increase in wheelbase.
For Europe on the WLPT test cycle, the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric offers two battery packs, Standard and Long Range, with estimated ranges of 212 miles and 304 miles respectively. The U.S. EPA range for the big battery is 260 miles. It features a front-mounted electric motor with outputs of 154 horsepower and 214 horsepower, and has EV-specific features such as Vehicle-to-Load capability and a Smart Regenerative System. It has an increased length and width compared to its predecessor, and its interior has been made larger and higher-tech. It also offers features like a Surround View Monitor, Bose Premium Sounds System, and Over-the-Air updates.
The Kona will be released in the U.S. in the third quarter of the year with pricing details to follow.
– Original Source: https://insideevs.com/news/655866/2024-hyundai-kona-electric-powertrain-specs-are-out/
– Original Source: https://www.electrive.com/2023/03/07/new-kona-electric-has-more-power-and-longer-range/
THE ALL-NEW BYD ATTO 3 DEBUTS IN THE UK
The Atto 3 is an electric family SUV from BYD that utilizes the company’s e-Platform 3.0 and is equipped with the distinctive lithium-iron phosphate Blade Battery, which provides a decent official range of 261 miles (420 km) and efficiency of 3.98 miles per kWh. The exterior styling is conventional and comparable in size to the Kia Niro EV and Volkswagen ID 4. However, the interior design is more playful and offers a 15.6-inch touchscreen that can rotate from landscape to portrait. The car’s infotainment system is generally intuitive, with the key functions easily accessible, and there are physical buttons and voice control for convenience. The car features a heat pump as standard, and the base-level Active models come with heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a vehicle-to-load output.
On the road, the Atto 3 is unassuming and comfortable, with good acceleration and steering, although it lacks a full one-pedal function. The car is priced competitively for its class, starting from £36,490, rising to £38,990 for the top-spec Design model. The car has been designed to be a credible contender in one of the most competitive car segments going, making it a statement of huge ambition for BYD’s future plans. However, there is no pressing reason for UK buyers to choose the Atto 3 over more familiar brands, and it remains to be seen what finance deals will be on offer. Overall, the Atto 3 is a pleasant electric family SUV that offers a decent range and a playful interior design, and is a testament to BYD’s capabilities and ambitions.
With 88kW peak charge rate, OTA updates, a 5 star Euro NCAP rating, the BYD ATTO 3 is now available to order in the UK with customer deliveries starting from 15 March 2023.
BYD say it’s the world’s first mass-produced 8-in-1 electric powertrain BYD has an exceptional vertical integration capabilities within the supply chain. BYD integrates 8 key components incorporating VCU, BMS, MCU, PDU, DC-DC controller, on-board charger, drive motor and transmission, producing the world’s first mass-produced 8-in-1 electric powertrain system, greatly optimising space utilisation and energy efficiency.
– Original Source: https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/the-all-new-byd-atto-3-debuts-in-the-uk/
– Original Source: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/byd/atto-3
TESLA DELIVERS FIRST HARDWARE 4.0 VEHICLES, BUT WITHOUT AUTOPILOT
– Summary: Tesla has started delivering vehicles with hardware 4.0 installed, but certain features are not available. Photos of the first Teslas with hardware 4.0 were snapped in one of Tesla’s vehicle lots and a poster on Reddit shared pictures and video of his 2023 Model X delivery. The software for HW4 is still a work in progress, and Tesla is anticipating Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to follow with HW4 deliveries at some point this year. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that HW4 will not be available for retrofits due to it being difficult to pop into HW3 vehicles, and it will not be necessary as long as HW3 remains safer than a human. The HW4 system is expected to be significantly improved from HW3, including more cameras, radar, and a radar heater. Tesla previously provided some details of this computer at its AI Day event, and additional specifications were revealed today by Tesla hacker Greentheonly. The camera quality does not seem to be significantly different from the previous version, and the vehicle is still in the process of being fully functional.
TESLA MODEL Y BECAME GERMANY’S 2ND BEST-SELLING CAR IN FEBRUARY
– Summary: In February, Tesla Model Y became the second best-selling car in Germany, with 6,442 units sold. This was made possible by the Giga Berlin factory, which can quickly manufacture and deliver vehicles to customers. This made it possible for Tesla to surpass the long-dominant domestic cars in the top-selling cars list. It is expected that Tesla Model Y will become the best-selling car in the world in 2023.
– Original Source: https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/tesla-model-y-became-the-second-best-selling-car-in-germany-in-february
TESLA COMMITS TO 48-VOLT AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICS
– Summary: Tesla is set to become the first vehicle manufacturer to eliminate 12-volt electrical components, replacing them with 48-volt systems. This shift is due to the increasing power demands in vehicles and the need for smaller and lighter wires, e-fuses and controllers. The cost of 48-volt components has been an obstacle, but in EVs, this cost can be eliminated with a power converter that steps down the high-voltage from the traction battery. Other carmakers are also planning for 48-volt vehicles and Tesla’s VP of hardware engineering believes it is the future of low voltage design.
ALL-ELECTRIC MG 4 – DUBBED “BARGAIN OF THE YEAR” – IS LAUNCHING IN AUSTRALIA THIS WEEKEND
– Summary: The MG 4 is an all-electric hatchback set to launch in Australia this weekend at Fully Charged Live. It has already been tested on Australian roads and has been given a five-star safety rating by EuroNCAP. It has won multiple awards in the UK and is offered in two variants, the SE and the Trophy. It has a range of 435 km with 11 kW AC and 135 kW DC charging. It is expected to have a starting price of under $42,000, making it eligible for most state and territory incentives. It is expected to do well due to its sleek design and affordability.
– Original Source: https://thedriven.io/2023/03/08/all-electric-mg-4-dubbed-bargain-of-the-year-is-launching-in-australia-this-weekend/
OFFICIAL: NEW MINI COOPER EV BRINGS 215BHP AND 240-MILE RANGE
– Summary: The new Mini Cooper hatchback will serve as the foundation of a revolution in Mini’s move towards full electrification, with a 50% electric sales split targeted by mid-2025. The car, which has been redesigned with new bulbous headlights, will be offered in both combustion- and electric-powered forms, with the electric Cooper arriving in May 2024 and the combustion Cooper in July 2024. Along with the Aceman crossover and the larger Mini Countryman SUV, the three-car range is a statement of Mini’s intent for the future.
– Original Source: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/official-new-mini-cooper-ev-brings-215bhp-and-240-mile-range
VOLVO EX90 COMES WITH SELF-DRIVING HARDWARE, ACCESSIBLE BY A SUBSCRIPTION
– Summary: The Volvo EX90 is the company’s most advanced vehicle, featuring an array of sensors, including a LiDAR bump on its roof which will enable autonomous operation. The software for this feature is still in development, but Volvo is looking into monetizing it through a subscription service. The EX90 comes with 16 ultrasonic sensors, 8 cameras, 5 radars, and a roof-mounted LiDAR, all of which are standard equipment that is mostly for safety. Once the software is developed, it will likely be accessible only to subscribers, either through a recurring fee or a one-time subscription. The car will still cost around $80,000.
– Original Source: https://jalopnik.com/volvo-ex90-subscription-based-self-driving-tech-1850197959
BEVS START TO REPLACE PHEVS IN SWEDEN
– Summary: In February, electric vehicles continued to dominate auto sales in Sweden, with a 54.0% share. Full electric share grew substantially, whilst plugin hybrid share decreased. The Volvo XC40 was the best selling BEV, and the market is expected to regularly exceed 80% share a couple of years from now. Plugless HEVs are slowly decreasing, and combustion-only powertrains have averaged under 29% recently. Policy changes have sought to support BEVs over PHEVs, and some newer BEV models have been detected further down the rankings. The Tesla Model Y has been gaining popularity, and could potentially pressure the Volvo XC-40 in the future. Swedish auto order books are “cold” due to the abolition of incentives in 2022, but the relative merits of plugins remain strong compared to ICE vehicles.
– Original Source: https://pushevs.com/2023/03/07/bevs-start-to-replace-phevs-in-sweden/
LONDON NOW HAS MORE ELECTRIFIED BLACK CABS THAN DIESEL TAXIS
– Summary: LEVC’s TX electric black cab has become increasingly popular in London over the years and now represents over 40% of all black cabs on the road, overtaking the diesel-powered TX4. The TX fleet has travelled 534 million miles globally and prevented 162,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions since 2018. The model offers 78 miles of pure electric range and 333 miles of total flexible range on the WLTP test cycle, and is the only taxi of its kind that can accommodate a forward-facing wheelchair.
With over 6,000 electric TX taxis now operating in the capital and LEVC’s new strategy to become a leading zero-carbon mobility technology company, the transition away from fossil fuel is accelerating.
– Original Source: https://newspressuk.com/publicReleaseView/106041/61208?token=BXyqmD2pcn4yMdeIq6Jz&email_encrypt=aGVsbG9AZXZuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tRW1haWxIYXNo
LAMBORGHINI’S NEW V-12 POWERTRAIN IS A 1001-HP THREE-MOTOR PLUG-IN HYBRID
– Summary: Lamborghini has announced a new hybridized 6.5-liter V-12 powertrain with up to 1001 horsepower. It features three electric motors, two up front and one integrated with an eight-speed double-clutch transmission, and a 3.8 kWh battery pack. It has a compression ratio of 12.6:1 and can reach 9500 rpm, producing 814 horsepower and 535 pound-feet of torque. The V-12 engine is complemented by two axial-flux motors powering each wheel at the front, allowing for torque vectoring, with a third motor integrated into the transmission at the back. The battery can be recharged from a socket, via regenerative braking or with the V-12 acting as a generator. Lamborghini will reveal the full car and its name at the end of the month.
– Original Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43216936/lamborghini-v-12-phev-engine-specs-details/
CHINA’S XI ADMITS MIXED FEELINGS ON CATL’S EV BATTERY SUCCESS
– Summary: Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed mixed feelings about the success of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest battery maker. Xi made these remarks during a closed-door meeting with industry and commerce representatives at the annual session of parliament. CATL has recently signed a deal to license its technology to a new electric vehicle battery plant Ford Motor Co is building in Michigan, and is looking to raise at least $5 billion by listing global depositary receipts in Switzerland. CATL has offered to cut costs for Chinese automakers, demonstrating its market power and widening China’s cost advantage in electric vehicles.
He cautioned that the growth of emerging industries should be well planned and risk assessed, and that companies must balance development with security. China is a dominant force in electric-vehicle battery making, with BYD Co. in second place, and CATL’s agreement with Ford Motor Co. to work together on battery manufacturing in the US is being scrutinized by Chinese authorities.
UK: SWARCO TO LAUNCH POGO ULTRA-RAPID EV CHARGING NETWORK
– Summary: SWARCO Smart Charging is launching PoGo, a nationwide ultra-rapid EV charging network to encourage and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and provide EV owners an improved driving experience. The network will include over 2,000 ultra-rapid charging stations over the next four years, strategically located with easy access to public amenities. EV drivers will be supported by 24/7 customer support and regular servicing and maintenance from an experienced EV-driving engineering team. PoGo is intended to be a simple, hassle-free network to use and will have multiple charging options available. The team leading the network is led by Eugenio Herrero, who is working to ensure an even spread of ultra-rapid chargers across the UK.
– Original Source: https://electriccarsreport.com/2023/03/uk-swarco-to-launch-pogo-ultra-rapid-ev-charging-network/
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP EXPECTS 8 IN 10 PASSENGER CARS TO BE EVS BY 2030 AFTER BOOSTING SALES TARGET
– Summary: Volkswagen Group has revised its EV sales target for Europe to 80% by 2030, up from the 70% originally stated in its 2021 Accelerate electrification strategy. This revised target is the most ambitious goal of all the Group’s marques and is a result of high demand for its ID lineup of vehicles and its commitment to its electrification strategy. To help reach this goal, Volkswagen is launching a refreshed version of its ID.3, unveiling an ID.7 near-production model, and introducing an all-electric Tiguan SUV for 2025.
– Original Source: https://electrek.co/2023/03/07/volkswagen-group-passenger-cars-evs-2030-sales-target/
BILL GATES RIDES ELECTRIC VEHICLE ON RECENT INDIA TRIP. ANAND MAHINDRA CHALLENGES HIM TO A RACE NEXT TIME
– Summary: Bill Gates recently took a ride in the Mahindra Treo, an electric rickshaw capable of traveling up to 131km and carrying up to 4 people. Gates shared a video of the silent ride and commented on the importance of innovation in order to achieve a zero-carbon world. Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra, shared the video and challenged Gates to a three-wheeler EV drag race against him and former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on his next trip to India. Gates and Mahindra had previously met at an event where Gates gave Mahindra a signed copy of his book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster.
Bill Gates on Instagram: “India’s passion for innovation never ceases to amaze. I drove an electric rickshaw, capable of traveling up to 131km (about 81 miles) and carrying up to 4 people.”
– Summary: Bill Gates was amazed by India’s passion for innovation, evidenced by the electric rickshaw he drove, which has a range of 131km and can carry up to 4 people.
– Original Source: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpbFNcsN1d-/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
AMPRIUS TECHNOLOGIES SELECTS COLORADO FOR GIGAFACTORY SITE
– Summary: Amprius Technologies has selected the city of Brighton, Colorado for their 775,000 square foot gigafactory facility. The factory will have an initial capacity of 500 megawatt-hours, with the potential to reach 10 GWh in the long run. The selection of the Colorado site was based on criteria such as the existing factory size and electric power, proximity to materials and transportation infrastructure, and cost reduction due to the factory’s layout. In addition, Amprius has split into two business units focused on product and technology development and manufacturing scale-up. The initial phase of the factory is planned to be operational in 2025, creating more than 330 jobs, The initial phase is being funded by a $50 million cost-sharing grant from the US Department of Energy Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains.
– Original Source: https://www.electrive.com/2023/03/07/amprius-will-make-battery-cells-in-colorado/
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING IS THE NEWEST WORKPLACE PERK
– Summary: EV charging is becoming a popular option for employees, providing convenience and potentially cheaper electricity rates. Companies are also partnering with fleet companies and providing destination chargers which reduces the strain on the electrical grid. Charging at the workplace can also help make up for gaps in available street charging for those without access to a driveway or garage.
FREE POWER WITH EV SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE COULD GET MORE ELECTRIC
– Summary: Origin Energy is launching a subscription car service and offering some customers free power to get more electric vehicles on the road. The services and discounts are designed to help Australians access electric vehicles, power them and pay for them. Origin is offering subscriptions for 12 electric vehicle models, including Tesla, Polestar, BYD, MG and Volvo. They are also launching an electricity plan for electric vehicle drivers, giving them free home charging during certain hours. This is part of a larger effort by energy companies to boost adoption of electric vehicles in Australia.
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