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Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily, your trusted source of EV information. It’s Monday 31st July it’s Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to.
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Honda’s Second Attempt At An EV
The Honda e:Ny1, Honda’s second electric car in Europe, is a compact crossover with range and charging capability more limited than its main rivals.
The e:Ny1 is based on a bespoke ‘F’ platform, housing a 68.8kWh battery that gives a claimed range of 256 miles. This figure is relatively modest, given that the 65kWh Hyundai Kona Electric offers up to 319 miles.
The vehicle features a 150kW motor on the front axle, allowing for a 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds. Peak charge speed is 78kW.
Sean Warrick at Autocar wrote: “That might not seem particularly rapid, but Honda says it has prioritised sustained higher rates over headline rapid charging figures, with “very little” drop when nearing capacity, which in turn helps to prevent battery deterioration and maintain range. Regardless, the e:Ny1 will get from 10% charge to 80% in around 45 minutes.”
The e:Ny1 is based on Honda’s new e:N platform, which will underpin 30 new electric vehicles by 2030.
The e:Ny1’s interior is one of its strong points, with a 15.1-inch touchscreen at its heart, backed up by a 10.25-inch digital dash.
The range starts with the £44,995 Elegance, but the higher-spec £47,195 Advance model is expected to account for the majority of UK sales.
Standard equipment includes a 15.0in touchscreen with sat-nav and smartphone mirroring, keyless entry, heated front seats, parking sensors, automatic wipers, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, and 18in alloy wheels. The Advance trim adds a panoramic sunroof, Honda’s Parking Pilot assistance system, a premium audio set-up, a powered tailgate, and a heated steering wheel.
Despite its price and range, the e:Ny1 is aimed at people looking to try an EV from a brand they know. It comes with a five-year warranty, five years of servicing, and five years of roadside assistance.
Sean Carson at Auto Express writes: “One area that could be improved is the Honda’s regenerative braking. The various levels are adjustable using the steering wheel-mounted paddles, but the system defaults back to its standard mode after a little while. The only way to hold your chosen level of regen is to select Sport mode.”
AutoExpress review > https://evne.ws/4591xIS
Autocar Review > https://evne.ws/3YddVWa
Kia’s EV5 Electric SUV Set to Rival Tesla’s Model Y in China
Kia is preparing to reveal its latest electric vehicle, the EV5, next month at the Chengdu Motor Show in China. The compact electric SUV is expected to compete directly with the Tesla Model Y, with a starting price of approximately $40,000.
The EV5 is part of Kia’s expansion into new segments, following the unveiling of its flagship EV9. The design of the EV5 is influenced by Kia’s “opposites united” design philosophy, featuring sharper sculpted lines, a powerful stance, and modern upgrades.
The EV5 replaces Kia’s signature Tiger Nose Grille with a new Digital Tiger Face. The interior is designed to create a “space of coexistence” to enhance interaction with people, nature, and technology.
The production version of the EV5 is expected to have a larger battery capacity than the current Kia EV6 (77.4kWh), reaching up to 82 kWh. The long-range model is expected to have a range of over 600 km (372 mi).
The EV5 will be based on a 400V system, unlike other Hyundai Motor Group EVs that ride on the E-GMP platform and use an 800V system. This allows Kia to offer the EV5 at a lower price.
The EV5 is entering a highly competitive Chinese EV market, where it will compete with EV makers like BYD and Tesla. With a starting price of around $40K, the EV5 is aimed directly at Tesla’s Model Y.
Kia expects the EV5 to play a crucial role in its push to win market share in the world’s largest EV market. It will be the automaker’s first model built in China that will also be shipped overseas.
mazda’s MX-30 EV: A Short-lived Journey in the US Market
Mazda has announced that it will discontinue the MX-30, its first electric vehicle in the American market, after the 2023 model year. The MX-30 will continue to be sold in Japan and Europe.
The MX-30 was limited by its 100-mile EPA-estimated range and its small battery of approximately 32.0 kWh. The single front-mounted motor’s 143 hp resulted in a slow 8.7-second acceleration to 60 mph from a stop.
The MX-30 was only sold in California, which resulted in very few sales. Mazda sold 181 MX-30s in 2021, 324 in 2022, and only 66 through June of this year.
Mazda recently updated its EV plans and has set an EV sales target of 25-40% by 2030. However, it doesn’t have any known EVs on the horizon, other than a sports car concept, which might become an electrified Miata. In the meantime, it plans to focus on “large platform PHEVs,” like the CX-90 and CX-70 PHEV, and the CX-50 hybrid.
With a base price over $30,000, it struggled to compete with more affordable and longer-range options like the Nissan Leaf.
Despite the promise of a rotary-engine range extender, the MX-30 struggled to find its footing in the American market.
Tesla’s Giga Shanghai: Breaking Records with a Car Produced Every 40 Seconds
Tesla’s Giga Shanghai factory continues to impress with its production rate. According to a recent interview with a factory employee, Giga Shanghai now produces one car in less than 40 seconds, improving on its previous record of 45 seconds.
Despite being built later than some of Tesla’s other factories, Giga Shanghai continues to set industry-leading performance figures. The factory produces each Model 3 or Model Y in record time, thanks to continuous optimization of production, efficiency improvements, development of new manufacturing processes, and improvements in vehicle design.
The representative from Shanghai visited the factory and was given a tour by a Tesla employee. The representative was particularly impressed by the production speed of the Model 3.
A video shared on Shanghai’s tourism handle provides an inside look at Giga Shanghai. A production-line worker explains how dozens of robotic arms work together at a single station to improve efficiency. The worker also describes how double-stacked workshops arrange production lines in an efficient manner.
To put this achievement into perspective, Ford reported in January 2023 that it produces the F-150 in 49 seconds at its factory in Dearborn, Michigan.
Giga Shanghai serves as Tesla’s export hub, supplying vehicles to nearby Asian countries, Australia, Europe, and even Canada, in addition to the domestic market. The factory’s production capacity is over 750,000 units per year, according to a company report.
The factory has already delivered nearly 500,000 vehicles in the first half of the year.
Ford’s F-150 Lightning Pro SSV: The Electric Police Trucks Now Patrolling US Streets
Ford’s new electric police trucks, the F-150 Lightning Pro Special Service Vehicles (SSV), are now hitting the streets across the US. These vehicles are being touted as “America’s first electric pickup truck purpose-built for police.”
The electric police truck comes with law enforcement-specific interior features. These include built-in steel intrusion plates in the front seatbacks, a reinforced instrument panel to handle police equipment, available red/blue and amber/white LED warning lights mounted on the roof, and police-grade heavy-duty cloth seats with reduced bolsters for easier access for holstered officers.
Municipalities can also opt for the extended-range battery and a 0 to 60 mph acceleration in under four seconds.
The Lightning Pro SSV comes with Ford Pro’s suite of tools, software, and services to assist municipal customers in transitioning to electric vehicles. This includes Ford E-Telematics, which provides insights on EV range, vehicle health, and other factors to maximize efficiency.
European Car Industry Can Withstand Cheap Chinese EVs
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has expressed confidence that Europe’s car industry can withstand the threat of cheaper Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports, thanks to France’s new automotive subsidies. These subsidies will only be paid for new EVs based on the emissions of their producers, which will impact manufacturers from China, where the industry relies heavily on coal-powered electricity.
Le Maire, who recently met with Chinese leaders in Beijing to discuss trade and investment, stated that he was “not concerned” about the threat to Europe’s carmakers from Chinese EV imports. He believes that Europe’s new legislative decisions pave the way for a less naive approach, taking into account the level of emissions of the industry.
European manufacturers are alarmed by China’s advances in EVs, with the country leading in battery production and its carmakers outselling Western rivals in China’s domestic market. Chinese EV sales in Europe could reach 1.5 million vehicles by 2030, equivalent to 13.5% of the EU’s 2022 sales, according to Allianz.
The new French law, due to be fully adopted by parliament by the end of the year, would likely disqualify Chinese-made EVs from incentives, which are worth between €5,000 and €7,000 per car for new electric vehicles.
Despite these measures, Le Maire stated that he would welcome more Chinese direct investment in Europe’s EV industry. China’s XTC New Energy Materials recently announced joint ventures with French nuclear group Orano to produce battery materials, and China’s EV leader, BYD, is considering building a factory in Europe.
Can We Trust Automakers to Build an EV Charging Network That Rivals Tesla?
Last week, seven of the largest automakers announced a joint venture to build a massive charging network across North America. This network, which is yet to be named, is expected to consist of no fewer than 30,000 charge points offering both Combined Charging System (CCS) and the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors.
This move comes as a significant shift in the industry, as until now, most major auto manufacturers were content to leave the infrastructure to others. Tesla was the only exception, having built a global network of speedy and reliable chargers that have helped alleviate range anxiety for its customers.
The new network promises to be a true rival to Tesla’s Supercharger and the Volkswagen diesel settlement-funded Electrify America. However, there are reasons to remain skeptical. Automakers’ recent realization about the importance of EV charging infrastructure could be seen as a late response to the EV revolution.
The success of this venture will depend on whether these automakers can effectively connect the EV charging experience with EV sales, something they have failed to do so far.
TechCrunch says infrastructure is unfamiliar territory for them, and it remains to be seen whether they are genuinely interested in selling EVs or if this is just a strategic move to stay relevant in the industry.
Chinese Battery Companies Exploit a South Korean Loophole to Circumvent US Subsidy Rules
Chinese battery companies are partnering with South Korean firms to take advantage of a loophole in US subsidy rules. Over the past four months, these partnerships have announced approximately $4 billion in investments in new battery factories.
The Chinese companies aim to leverage Seoul’s free-trade agreement with the US to qualify for tax breaks under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). However, analysts warn that these partnerships could be risky for Korean companies, as the US could still block joint ventures from any IRA tax benefits.
The article does not provide further details on the specific Chinese companies involved or the nature of the loophole. It also does not discuss the potential impact of these partnerships on the global battery market or the US’s response to this strategy.
Nio’s First Showroom in the Netherlands Set to Begin Trial Operations on August 8
Nio’s first showroom in the Netherlands, known as the Nio Hub, is set to begin trial operations on August 8. The Hub is located in Breukelen and will offer customers a full range of services.
The Nio Hub will display all of Nio’s models that have been launched in Europe and will support vehicle purchase, delivery, and maintenance. Customers will also be able to experience and purchase Nio Life products at the facility.
This is the latest move for Nio in the Netherlands, following the opening of the first Nio House in Rotterdam on March 23. The Nio House is a flagship showroom and a lifestyle space for Nio owners.
As of June 30, Nio had 125 Nio Houses worldwide, including 119 in China and six overseas. Its smaller Nio Spaces totaled 271 worldwide, including 263 in China and eight overseas.
On May 26, Nio announced that the first battery swap station it built in Europe with Shell, the world’s largest gasoline retailer, went live in Harmelen, the Netherlands. Nio and Shell plan to jointly install 100 swap stations in China by 2025 and operate pilot stations in Europe starting in 2022.
Nio Continues Expansion with 29 New Swap Stations in China
Nio has added 29 new battery swap stations in China, matching its all-time high for a single day set on June 30. This addition is part of the company’s ongoing end-of-month infrastructure expansion.
The electric vehicle maker added a total of 95 battery swap stations in July, bringing the total number of facilities in China to 1,638. Of these, 449 are located along highways. Nio’s goal is to have 2,300 battery swap stations in China by the end of the year, with 1,000 of those added in 2023.
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