Thank you someone upping their support for August, JAN TORE GJØBY a podcast PARTNER
Welcome to a new Patreon Producer DAVID LARDER⚡👍
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 Sunday 6th August, Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to.
Trying a new thing so you know when to expect a show. We go live at 5pm UK, that’s Midday Eastern. Patreon supporters get the episodes as soon as they’re ready and ad free. You can be like them by clicking here.
Fisker Eyes NACS Integration and Teases Possible Tesla Collaboration
During Fisker’s latest earnings call, the company’s CFO and COO, Dr. Geeta Gupta-Fisker, provided updates on its adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and potential collaboration with Tesla.
Fisker has already partnered with ChargePoint in North America and Deftpower and Allego in Europe to offer extensive charging coverage. These alliances aim to make electric vehicle (EV) adoption more appealing and lessen concerns about limited range.
The company revealed a fully drawn-up agreement for NACS, awaiting only Tesla’s signature. This indicates a potential for Fisker to utilize Tesla’s Supercharger network, greatly improving charging convenience for Fisker EV owners.
Tesla’s Model 3 “Highland” On the Horizon
Tesla is reportedly gearing up to switch production to a revised version of the Model 3, known under the code name “Highland.”
The current Model 3 production at the Shanghai factory is expected to cease on August 14, while the first examples of the new version are already in test production.
Full-scale production of the revised Model 3 in China is planned to commence in September, according to reports on Twitter.
Chris Zheng, who revealed information on Twitter, stated that Giga Shanghai started the production of Model 3 Highland this week. An interesting detail he shared is that the factory will alternate between producing the new version and the old one: two days for each. How Tesla manages this alternation is still unclear.
A significant delay in delivery dates for the Model 3 in Europe has been noted, signaling the changeover to the new version. New orders might not be delivered until late 2023 or even January 2024 for the Performance variant.
The new Model 3 might feature a redesigned front and rear, with taillights akin to the Porsche Macan and an overall look similar to the Model S. Rumors also indicate the removal of steering column levers for turn signals, headlights, and windscreen wipers, following the Model S design.
Speculations abound that the Chinese-produced Model 3 may include new battery cells from CATL with lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) chemistry. This could increase the base model’s range although charging performance might be slightly diminished.
A focus of the Model 3’s redesign is said to be on reducing the number of components and complexity in the interior, aiming to streamline production.
Tesla’s Superchargers in Canada Shift to Energy-Based Billing
Tesla has announced a change in its Supercharger billing structure in Canada, now charging customers based on the kilowatt-hours (kWh) used, rather than per minute.
This decision comes six months after Measurement Canada allowed charging providers of Level 3+ chargers to bill customers per kWh. Level 2 and Level 1 chargers were approved for kWh billing in October 2022.
Tesla and other critics had voiced concerns that the previous time-based billing model was an unjust practice. Before adopting this new kWh billing structure, EV station operators had to obtain approval from Measurement Canada, meet a 10-point list of requirements, and submit written applications.
After getting approval, Tesla’s app pricing switched automatically to per kWh billing across Canada.
The per-minute billing system that was previously in place had four tiers, with prices rising as the charging speed increased, divided into brackets of below 60 kW, above 60 kW to 100 kW, above 100 kW to 180 kW, and above 180 kW.
Canada has over 1,490 Superchargers as of March 2023, exclusively accessible to Tesla drivers.
Europe Gears Up for MG4: SAIC Plans to Build Electric Compact Model in the Region
SAIC’s MG Motor brand is planning to manufacture its electric compact model MG4 in a European factory, with the location still to be determined within the next two or three years.
Earlier in July, reports emerged that the Chinese car company SAIC was considering building an electric car plant in Europe.
William Wang, the European head of MG Motor, has highlighted that production in Europe would be more expensive than in China, due to factors such as energy costs and labor expenses.
Wang sees the need for localized production if sales reach 200,000 cars a year in Europe, and aims to avoid a ten percent import duty.
The UK could be a possible location, as it’s MG’s largest European market, and SAIC owns a research and development center in Longbridge near Birmingham. However, significant investment would be required since the assembly plant there was dismantled earlier in the decade.
MG4 electric series will be the first to be built in Europe when the plant is constructed. The company announced the addition of a new top model, the MG4 XPower with 320 kW four-wheel drive, and plans a new variant with a larger battery for the standard single-engine model.
The brand seems to be flourishing in Europe, with SAIC reporting 115,000 MGs sold across the continent in the first half of 2023, more than doubling last year’s numbers during the same period.
Cadillac’s Celestiq Electric Vehicle Set to Start at an Astonishing $340,000
GM has officially revealed the starting price for the Cadillac Celestiq, which will be a staggering $340,000 before options.
Initially, when GM announced the Celestiq, it was clear that it would be expensive as it would be hand-built. Still, the target market was unclear, and now it seems they’re aiming for the high-end luxury market, akin to Rolls Royce.
While the car is customizable, with plenty of options available, not much has been officially disclosed about the powertrain specifications of the Celestiq.
Indicators from the company suggest that the electric vehicle will boast a range of about 300 miles, have 600 horsepower, and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds.
GM’s focus thus far has been on the design and technology aspects of the Celestiq. The vehicle will be the first Cadillac to feature Ultra Cruise, an advanced hands-free driver assistance system with a unique 360-degree view sensor suite.
Manhattan Considers Congestion Pricing Discounts for Electric Vehicles
A group of Manhattan elected officials are advocating for discounts on congestion pricing for electric vehicles (EVs), planned to take effect in 2024.
New York City is on track to be the first city in the U.S. to launch congestion pricing, which will charge extra tolls for vehicles traveling into Manhattan’s central borough, as part of the Central Business District Tolling Program.
The officials argue that since EVs don’t contribute significantly to smog and pollution in the Central Business District, they should be eligible for these toll discounts.
The exact amount of the discounts is still unclear, but the idea is inspired by London’s policies, which introduced congestion pricing in 2003, raised fees in 2019, and aims to make central London entirely car-free in the long run.
Kia’s EV6 Takes on Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 with Matching Lease Price of $399 per Month
In the U.S., the purchase price of the Kia EV6 Wind model starts at $50,025, making it $3,190 more costly than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE.
However, Kia has now made its EV6 electric crossover available for lease at the same monthly rate as the Ioniq 5, lowering the previous lease price by $30 per month.
In California, the advertised lease deal for the EV6 Wind is $399 for 36 months with a $4,999 down payment, under a 10,000-mile per year contract. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE has the same lease cost.
Both vehicles have an effective monthly cost of $538 and are eligible for incentives such as the $2,000 California Clean Vehicle Rebate.
The same lease price might lead some electric vehicle enthusiasts to consider the EV6 as a superior value due to its higher outright purchase cost.
Kia’s offer also includes a 7,500 lease incentive, exploiting a loophole in the Inflation Reduction Act for EVs built outside the U.S.
Europcar Adds Luxury Mercedes Electric Models to Its UK Fleet
Europcar has expanded its UK electric fleet with premium Mercedes Benz models, including the EQA 250 SUV, EQC 400 4Matic 4×4, and the EQE 300 saloon.
These high-end electric cars are available for both business and private motorists for short-term hire and long-term rental across the UK.
Europcar’s expansion aligns with its ‘One Sustainable Fleet’ program, targeting at least 20% of its vehicles to emit less than 50g/km by the end of 2024.
To aid the transition to electric vehicles, Europcar now offers certified electric vehicle experts and comprehensive vehicle handover and charging instructions at selected UK locations.
U.S.’s Biggest EV Charging Facility Set to Debut Near Sacramento Airport
WattEV, the charging company, has revealed plans to launch the largest electric vehicle charging facility in the nation near Sacramento International Airport, with a projected opening in late 2025.
With the help of a $34 million federal grant from the California Transportation Commission, the company plans to install 120 chargers in total. This includes 30 fast chargers for passenger vehicles and 90 high-power chargers for medium and heavy-duty commercial electric vehicles.
The chosen site for this massive facility is strategically placed across interstate 5 from the airport’s air freight hub and will cover over 100 acres of land.
This facility is to be significantly powered by renewable energy, with 15.6 megawatts coming from solar power and an additional 7.2 megawatts supplied by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
A Glimpse into the Electric Ship Revolution
Over 1 GWh of batteries are now operating in ships worldwide, marking a significant 72% growth in the industry in 2022.
Electric ferries have been the cornerstone of the electric ship market, contributing to 37% of maritime battery capacity deliveries from 2019 to 2022. Norway is leading this trend with around 100 electric ferries in operation.
Market saturation is expected in the electric ferry segment, especially in Norway, where government targets are likely to be exceeded next year.
Electric and hybrid vessels are typically custom-built for efficiency in electric propulsion. However, the recent uncertainties due to the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have negatively affected new-build contracts for electric ships.
IDTechEx’s report provides detailed forecasts for the next 20 years in various electric vessel categories, including sales, battery demand, and market value. The report also includes technology analysis and pricing information for marine Li-ion battery systems and electric propulsion systems.
The electric ship industry’s future is seen in hybrid cargo vessels, with steady new contracts for container ships. Zero-emission regulations and the potential for larger battery systems will likely drive battery installations in these vessels.
Less than 1% of the global merchant fleet operates on alternative fuels, including batteries, but the efficiency improvements offered by battery systems create substantial potential for growth.
Tesla Infotainment Systems Prove Vulnerable to Ingenious Jailbreaks
Tesla’s infotainment systems have been found to be susceptible to a near-irreversible jailbreak that allows owners to unlock paid in-car features for free. These features can range from improved bandwidth to enhanced acceleration and heated seats.
Academic researchers discovered that it’s possible to gain access to the internal Tesla network for authenticating cars. This enables advanced modifications like breaking geolocation restrictions and transferring a Tesla’s “user profile” to another vehicle.
A team of doctoral students and independent researcher Oleg Drokin targeted this system. They will present their findings at Black Hat USA in the session titled “Jailbreaking an Electric Vehicle in 2023 or What It Means to Hotwire Tesla’s x86-Based Seat Heater.”
The attack involves physical access to the car’s Infotainment and Connectivity ECU (ICE) board and employs a known voltage glitching attack to subvert the MCU-Z’s AMD Secure Processor (ASP). The cost of additional hardware for the attack is about $100.
This fault injection method gives almost irrevocable access, enabling arbitrary changes to Linux that can survive updates and reboots.
After executing the glitching attack, the team extracted a unique hardware-bound RSA key used to connect to Tesla’s internal service network, opening up further possibilities like getting around geofencing for advanced features.
The researchers also pointed out the potential to migrate a car’s identity to another car computer. A used Model 3 car computer can cost $200 to $400 on eBay, while Tesla sells it for $1,700 to $2,700.
More Miles Per Charge: Electric Vehicles’ Expanding Range
The average range of electric vehicles (EVs) has tripled over the last decade.
A decade ago, an average EV could travel 73 miles per charge, compared to today’s 223 miles.
The average cost of an EV has risen from $36,000 in 2011 to about $55,000 in 2021.
Despite the overall price increase, there are still affordable EVs with over 200 miles of range priced under $40,000.
How Electric Cars Sparked a Global Culture War
Diesel truck owners are using a modification called “rolling coal” to emit black smoke, symbolizing a protest against electric vehicles (EVs). A company was fined $1m for selling devices that enable this illegal act.
The shift from fossil fuels to electric cars has created tensions globally. Concerns include the cost of upgrading, potential job losses, “range anxiety” about how far an EV can travel on a charge, and China’s emergence as an EV leader.
Road transport is responsible for 15% of global carbon emissions, so the transition to EVs is essential for reducing emissions and improving air quality.
Politicians and media are creating divisions over EVs, often portraying a divide between wealthy EV owners and working-class individuals relying on traditional vehicles.
The electric car’s simpler design could change the automotive industry, leading to job losses.
Germany’s automotive industry employed 460,000 people in 2022, with many jobs tied to petrol and diesel models.
Cars have long been status symbols, and the transition to EVs has become part of a broader “culture war.” Some argue that the real issues are financial and practical, not cultural.
Asking our listeners recently where you listen, Jeff Helinski said: “Listening to you on my way to work in Melbourne, Aus. So weird hearing Swindon is getting a V4 super charger. we’re coming home in Sept for 10 days, do u know of any good EV car sharing services or ev rental companies in Oxford?”
Peter Bødker says: “I’m listening to the podcast in my daily car commute (Kia e-Niro, EV of course). I’ve changed my job a year ago, and that has given me a longer commute”
PREMIUM PARTNERS
PHIL ROBERTS / ELECTRIC FUTURE
PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI
AUDI CINCINNATI EAST
VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST
NATIONAL CAR CHARGING ON THE US MAINLAND AND ALOHA CHARGE IN HAWAII
DEREK REILLY FROM NEVO.IE AND THE NEVO EV REVIEW IRELAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL
OCTOPUS ELECTROVERSE – GLOBAL PUBLIC CHARGING MADE SIMPLE WITH ONE APP AND ONE MAP.
LEASEPLAN ELECTRIC MOMENTS – PROVIDING ALL THE TOOLS AND GUIDANCE EV DRIVERS NEED
PARTNERS
RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK
JUKKA KUKKONEN FROM WWW.SHIFT2ELECTRIC.COM
RAJEEV NARAYAN
BATTERY REPORTS FOR EVS AT RECURRENTAUTO.COM
JAN TORE GJØBY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
ADRIAN BOND
ALAN SHEDD
ALEX BANAHENE
ANDERS HOVE
ANDREA JEFFERSON
ANDREW LUOMA
ANDY NANCARROW AND LILIAN KASS
ASEER KHALID
BÅRD FJUKSTAD
BILL CALHOUN
BLAINE MCKINNEY
BLUNDERBUSS JONES
BRENDAN MCCARTHY AT NORTHFORK IRONWORKS
BRIAN OLEARY
BRIAN THOMPSON
BRUCE BOHANNAN
CHAD LANE
CHARLES HALL
CHRISTOPHER BARTH
COLIN HENNESSY AND CAMBSEV
CRAIG ROGERS
DAVID DYSART
DAVID FINCH
DAVID LARDER
DAVID MOORE
DAVID PARTINGTON
DAVID PRESCOTT
DC EV
ED CORTEEN
EDDIE RAGASA
ERIC HANSEN
ERU KYEYUNE-NYOMBI
FREDRIK ROVIK
GARY A HAMMOND
GENE RUBIN
GEORGE TORTAROLO
HEINRICH LIESNER
HELMUT SELKER
IAN ‘STILL WATERS UK’ BENJAMIN
IAN (WATTIE) WATKINS
IAN GRIFFITHS
IAN SEAR
JACK OAKLEY
JACOB KUEHNE
JAMES PENFOLD
JAMES STORR
JAN FROM EMOBILITYNORWAY
JIM MORRIS
JOHN SCHROEDER
JOHN VAN DEVOORT
JON AKA BEARDY MCBEARDFACE FROM KENT EVS
JON MANCHAK
JUAN GONZALEZ
KESTER SANDBACH
KEVIN MEYERSON
LAURENCE D ALLEN
LEE BROWN
LUKE CULLEY
MARCEL WARD
NATHAN GORE-BROWN
NATHAN KING
NATHANIEL FREEDMAN
NEIL E ROBERTS FROM SUSSEX EVS
OHAD ASTON
PAUL STEPHENSON
PETE GLASS
PETE GORTON
PETER & DEE ROBERTS
PETER RYNER
PHIL MOUCHET
PHILIP FORRESTER
PHILIP TRAUTMAN
RAYMOND ROWLEDGE
REALTORS CHOICE PHOTOGRAPHY
ROB FROM THE RSTHINKS EV CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE
ROBERT GRACE
ROOSEVELT WATSON
SEIKI PAYNE
STEPHEN PENN
STEVE JOHN
THE PLUGSEEKER’S EV YOUTUBE CHANNEL
THOMAS J. THIAS
TIMOTHY PHILLIPS
TYLER VOSS