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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 Tuesday 12th September, Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to. 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.
US VOLCANO HOUSES WORLD’S LARGEST LITHIUM DEPOSIT
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have pinpointed the world’s most substantial lithium reserve inside the McDermitt caldera, an extinct volcano straddling the Nevada-Oregon border. This deposit, estimated at a staggering 120 million tonnes, dwarfs the previous record-holder, Bolivia’s salt flats, by twelvefold. As global demand for lithium is projected to reach 1 million metric tons by 2040, this find could be pivotal. Mining could kick off by 2026. Elon Musk weighed in on the topic, underscoring that while lithium ore is globally abundant, the real challenge lies in refining. He emphasized the significance of refining in producing key battery components.
US EV CHARGING: LESS ENERGY-INTENSIVE THAN SOME HOME APPLIANCES
Recent data from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, spotlighted by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, reveals that EV charging in US households isn’t the top energy consumer. In fact, air conditioning (2,775 kWh), space heating (2,717 kWh), and water heating (2,706 kWh) each surpass EV charging, which averages 2,363 kWh annually. Interestingly, most EV charging occurs during off-peak hours, like nighttime, aiding in grid load distribution. This energy consumption supports over 8,500 miles of EV driving each year.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE SALES SURGE IN 23 COUNTRIES
Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction globally, now accounting for over 5% of new car sales in 23 countries. Researchers at Bloomberg Green identify this 5% benchmark as a pivotal “tipping point,” indicating the dawn of widespread EV adoption. The trend is expanding, with Australia, Canada, Hungary, Spain, and Thailand recently joining the ranks. Economists note that technology adoption often follows an S-curve: slow during the early-adopter phase but rapidly accelerating as it becomes mainstream.
VOLVO’S ROUND-THE-CLOCK ELECTRIC TRUCK FOR DANFOSS
Volvo has recently delivered three state-of-the-art electric trucks to the Danish industrial giant, Danfoss. Remarkably, one of these trucks is designed to operate non-stop, 24 hours a day. To ensure minimal downtime, the trucks are equipped with rapid chargers from GodEnergi, allowing for quick battery top-ups during the typical 15-minute onloading and offloading stops. Extended charging sessions are reserved only for weekends. Enhancing the trucks’ efficiency, Danfoss Editron provides an on-board charger and electric power supply (OCEPS). This system not only facilitates an 8-9 hour overnight charge with its 43 kW of AC power but also doubles as a 43 kW electric Power Take-Off, powering various work functions.
CHINA AMPS UP EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE IN AUGUST
In August, China witnessed a robust expansion in its public EV charging infrastructure. The China Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance reported the addition of roughly 61,000 public charging piles, a notable 39.9% surge compared to the same month last year. Furthermore, from September 2022 through August 2023, the country consistently added an average of 54,000 new charging stations monthly.
XPENG SHIFTS FROM DIRECT STORES TO TRADITIONAL DEALERSHIPS
Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, like Xpeng, have traditionally differentiated themselves by selling cars through directly operated stores. However, in a strategic shift to enhance efficiency, Xpeng is transitioning towards a dealership model. As of June 30, Xpeng boasted a network of 411 stores. By partnering with traditional dealers, who bring valuable channel resources and flexible store-building capital, Xpeng aims to reduce its financial and operational burdens. This move will also enable Xpeng to swiftly penetrate emerging markets. This trend of reducing direct stores in favor of dealerships is gaining traction in the EV industry, with Zeekr, Geely Holding Group’s premium EV arm, also making similar channel adjustments.
FORD F-150 LIGHTNING WELCOMES APPLE MAPS FOR EV NAVIGATION
Ford’s F-150 Lightning electric truck now boasts Apple Maps integration, offering drivers a seamless navigation experience with charging station guidance. This update, revealed via a Ford dealer communication, follows its introduction to the Ford Mustang Mach-E models spanning 2021 to 2023. When tethered to CarPlay, Apple Maps taps into the iPhone, accessing vehicle and battery specifics to suggest timely charging stops.
Interestingly, Porsche’s Taycan employs Apple Maps to track real-time energy use, adjusting routes based on variables like elevation. The Taycan further enhances the driving experience with its built-in Charging Planner, prepping the battery for high-power charges. However, this isn’t available with Apple Maps navigation.
For non-Apple users, the Lightning offers no unique perks, just an alternate interface. Additionally, Ford’s new Charge Assist feature simplifies the charging process. Drivers can now locate, initiate, and pay for public charging directly via the infotainment system, sidestepping the FordPass app. This feature started rolling out in vehicle updates from September 4.
SHELL EYES SALE OF TESLA’S RIVAL, SONNEN
Shell is reportedly mulling over the sale of Sonnen, an energy storage contender to Tesla, which it had acquired in 2019 during a significant foray into the power sector. Valued at €500m ($535m) at the time of purchase, the potential divestment, as highlighted by Germany’s *Handelsblatt* newspaper, could involve either the full stake or a majority of it. This move aligns with Shell’s recent strategic shifts under its new CEO, Wael Sawan, who has been emphasizing the company’s core hydrocarbons operations. Adding to this transition, Shell recently inked a deal to offload its retail energy businesses in the UK and Germany to Octopus Energy. Furthermore, 2023 witnessed the departure of several top-tier offshore wind executives from Shell.
STELLANTIS DEBUTS MAJOR BATTERY TECH CENTER IN TURIN
Stellantis has unveiled a state-of-the-art battery tech center in Turin, Italy, following a €40 million investment. This facility, dedicated to in-house testing and development of EV battery packs, is a pivotal move in Stellantis’ strategy to boost its battery production capacity to 400GWh and significantly trim battery weight. Covering 8,000 square meters, the Mirafiori Battery Technology Centre is not only Italy’s largest battery testing hub but also one of Europe’s premier facilities. It’s equipped with 32 climatic cells, 24 of which are specialized walk-in chambers for battery pack assessments, offering controlled environments with temperatures ranging from -40°C to 60°C. These chambers will play a crucial role in various evaluations, including climatic stress and lifespan durability tests, as well as in refining battery management system software. Ambitiously, Stellantis’ CTO, Ned Curic, envisions a 50% weight reduction in batteries by 2030.
SWISS MOTORWAY STATIONS TO GET INNOVATIVE SOLAR FOLDING ROOFS
Switzerland’s motorway service stations are set for a sustainable upgrade, with 45 of them soon to be equipped with innovative solar folding roofs, courtesy of DHP Technology. This unique technology allows the solar panels to retract automatically during adverse weather, such as snowfall or strong winds, ensuring minimal damage from environmental stresses. The patented design not only promotes lightweight construction but also ensures clear traffic routes for large vehicles, thanks to supports that can reach up to six meters in height. While these solar roofs primarily aim to power on-site charging infrastructures, they also offer the dual benefit of providing shade during sunny days. To optimize solar energy consumption, integrated batteries will store excess power, with any surplus energy channeled back into the grid.
OCTOPUS EV AND CO CHARGER JOIN FORCES
Octopus Electric Vehicles has forged a partnership with Co Charger, emphasizing community-based EV charging. Through Co Charger’s innovative platform, individuals can share their private driveway chargers with neighbors. Impressively, this shared home charger network, as highlighted by Octopus, now stands as the UK’s second-largest charging infrastructure.
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
RON HUNTER
ROOSEVELT WATSON
SEIKI PAYNE
STEPHEN PENN
STEVE JOHN
THE PLUGSEEKER’S EV YOUTUBE CHANNEL
THOMAS J. THIAS
TIMOTHY PHILLIPS
TOMER SHAHAF
TYLER VOSS