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 10th October, 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.
Unifor Strikes at GM Canada Following Unsuccessful Contract Talks
– Unifor members initiated a strike against General Motors Canada.
– This action followed two weeks of intensive discussions that didn’t result in an agreement.
– The union had previously reached a “pattern agreement” with Ford Motor Co. of Canada last month. The specifics or terms of the earlier agreement with Ford have not been detailed in this news.
Polestar’s Q3 Deliveries Surge by 50%
– Swedish electric car manufacturer Polestar saw a 50% increase in EV deliveries in the third quarter.
– Approximately 13,900 vehicles were delivered in this period, predominantly the higher-priced, upgraded Polestar 2.
– This boost brings Polestar’s 2023 delivery total to 41,700, marking a 37% increase compared to the previous year.
– The momentum is expected to continue into the fourth quarter with the introduction of Polestar 4 deliveries in China. Polestar remains optimistic about reaching its delivery target of 60,000 to 70,000 cars in 2023.
– This projected growth comes even as the company shifts its emphasis to the premium market segment.
Mercedes-Benz Unveils eActros 600 Electric Truck
– Daimler Truck introduces the eActros 600, marking a shift from diesel trucks in the segment.
– eActros 600’s design is innovative, prioritizing technology, sustainability, and profitability.
– Gross combination weight: up to 44 tonnes. Payload with a standard trailer: 22 tonnes.
– Sales focus is primarily on Europe. The vehicle houses an electric axle with two motors and a four-speed gearbox. Electric system specifics: 800 volts, 400 kW continuous, 600 kW peak power. The drive is tailored for heavy long-distance transport.
– The eActros 600’s battery capacity is 621 kWh, split into three 207 kWh packs. 95% of this energy content is usable.
– Each battery pack weighs 1.5 tonnes, resulting in a total battery weight of 4.5 tonnes. The tractor unit’s wheelbase was extended to four metres to fit the battery packs.
– Estimated range: 500 km. With intermediate charging, daily range might exceed 1,000 km.
– Recuperation is adjustable over five levels, including one-pedal driving.
– Daimler Truck’s durability goal for the eActros 600 is 1.2 million km over ten years, with battery health remaining over 80% post this tenure.
– Charging ports: A CCS port and future MCS port, situated on the vehicle’s left behind the driver’s cab. An optional second CCS port can be added on the right side.
– Charging capabilities: CCS charging up to 400 kW; megawatt charging (MCS) to be available later.
– Customers can opt for an eActros 600 with a placeholder for the later MCS port; easy retrofitting will be available once the standard is set.
– Charging time for the 600’s batteries from 20% to 80% is approximately 30 minutes using one megawatt.
– Daimler Truck believes the eActros 600 will redefine fleet profitability in the long haul, eventually replacing most diesel trucks.
– Cost parity with diesel trucks is influenced by toll systems, electricity prices, and diesel costs. In France and Germany, the eActros 600 might surpass diesel truck profitability within a lifespan of about five years or 600,000 km, even though its price is approximately 2.5 times that of its diesel counterpart.
– Currently, a prototype fleet of around 50 units is in production.
2024 Kia EV9 Pricing Details: Top Model at $75,395
– Base model, EV9 Light RWD, starts at $56,395 including $1,495 for shipping.
– Reservations for four out of five trim levels to open on October 16. These include Light Long Range RWD, Wind AWD, Land AWD, and GT-Line AWD.
– Light Long Range RWD priced at $60,695 (shipping included) comes with a 99.8-kWh battery and features an Onboard Power Generator (V2L). This model supports vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities and offers captain’s chairs for second-row passengers.
– Wind e-AWD is priced at $65,395 (including shipping) and is the introductory dual-motor AWD variant. It boasts a combined 379 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Also, this model offers standard torque-vectoring AWD and a raised ground clearance of 7.8 inches.
– Land e-AWD starts from $71,395 (shipping inclusive). While it possesses the same power and standard features as the Wind e-AWD, it provides additional comfort, design, and tech features.
– GT-Line e-AWD, the top-of-the-line model, is priced at $75,395 (shipping included). Unique aspects of this trim include distinctive front and rear designs, gloss black finishes, 21-inch wheels, trim-exclusive interior details, electric relaxation-mode seating, and Standard Remote Smart Parking Assist.
– All EV9 trim levels come with standard DC fast-charging on an 800-volt framework, allowing for charging from 10% to 80% SOC in under 25 minutes.
– The 2024 EV9’s deliveries in the US are set to commence in late 2023. The vehicles will be imported from South Korea initially, with production expected to shift to Kia’s West Point, Georgia plant in 2024.
Volkswagen and Umicore Launch €1.7bn EV Battery Facility in Poland
– Volkswagen Group’s PowerCo and Belgian firm Umicore have collaborated to form Ionway, which will produce materials for EV batteries.
– Ionway has chosen Poland for its first-ever factory, with an investment of €1.7 billion (7.75 billion zloty).
– The facility will specialize in producing cathode active materials (CAM) for EV batteries.
– Nysa, located in the Opole province, is the selected town for this plant, marking it as the most significant investment the province has ever seen.
– Poland’s energy sector is notably among the most polluting in Europe, depending on coal for nearly 70% of its electricity production, the highest rate in the European Union.
– Poland has set a forward-looking target to source 75% of its power from renewables and nuclear energy by 2040, despite its current coal reliance.
– Recently, Mercedes-Benz declared its plan to pour in over €1 billion to establish its first all-electric van factory in Poland.
– In a similar vein, Volvo has also initiated its new electric vehicle tech hub in the Polish city of Kraków.
Labour’s Vision for EVs: Lifetime CO2 Labels & Battery Checks
– The Labour party unveils its “Plan for the Automotive Sector” to support the car industry and diminish consumer apprehensions about the electric vehicle (EV) shift.
– Opposes the government’s move to delay the prohibition of new diesel and petrol vehicle sales from 2030 to 2035.
– The plan leans heavily on the recently announced ZEV Mandate, which mandates car manufacturers to ensure 80% of their vehicles exhibit no tailpipe emissions by 2030. Experts believe this mandate mirrors the impacts of the postponed 2030 diesel and petrol ban.
– The party seeks to bolster consumer confidence in new and used EV acquisitions.
– For new EVs: A proposed ‘Electric Vehicle Confident’ label. This would equip consumers with information like:
– An EV’s entire CO2 footprint in comparison to its combustion-engine counterpart.
– Real-world range in diverse operational scenarios.
– Anticipated battery longevity.
– For used EVs: A plan to launch a health certification process for EV batteries. This proposal resembles a system overseen by the Norwegian EV Association. Sellers can opt to self-assess their vehicle via an onboard diagnostic tool and obtain a PDF certificate detailing the battery’s state.
– The blueprint also pledges to hasten the deployment of EV charging stations.
– Envisions binding government targets for the number of chargepoints.
– Advocates for the removal of certain current planning constraints.
French EV Subsidy Changes May Challenge Chinese Cars
– Automakers are submitting their electric vehicle specifications to French authorities.
– They hope to avail of the continuing subsidies under newer, stricter conditions.
– The new subsidy criteria may sideline several Chinese car models. The environmental rating for each EV will consider the full production cycle, encompassing carbon emissions from transportation and the resources used in construction.
– A unique online platform will compute these scores automatically.
– A government source indicated that these stipulations could disadvantage many Asian-manufactured models, even those that are top-sellers in France.
– Some of these popular models include Tesla’s Model Y, Model 3, Dacia Spring, and the MG4 from China’s SAIC group. The existing EV subsidy in France is 5,000 euros ($5,270) for most families and 7,000 euros for lower-income households.
– Car manufacturers can expect feedback by December 15 and will have the opportunity to contest unfavorable decisions.
Neta Embraces CATL’s Ultra-Fast Charging Battery
– Chinese EV manufacturer Neta Auto expands its alliance with battery behemoth CATL.
– The collaboration centers on CATL’s recently introduced Shenxing Battery.
– This battery, unveiled by CATL two months ago, is only the second of its kind to be integrated into an electric vehicle.
– Shenxing Battery employs lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry known for its rapid charging capabilities.
– A notable feature: vehicles powered by this battery can achieve a range of 400 kilometers after a mere 10-minute charge.
– CATL highlighted at their August reveal that this is the globe’s inaugural LFP battery to facilitate 4C charging.
California Accelerates Utility Connections
– California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, endorsed SB 410, targeting a faster interconnection of customers to the utility grid. This move also supports the state’s objective to electrify buildings and vehicles.
– Current distribution system enhancements in specific state regions can stretch between six months to a year, hampering customers from swiftly adopting clean energy appliances.
– The newly signed legislation mandates the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to establish “reasonable average and maximum target energization time periods” by September 30, 2024.
– Moreover, regulators are instructed to outline utility reporting protocols, facilitating the monitoring and enhancement of electrical corporation performance.
– Notably, Pacific Gas & Electric, California’s primary utility provider, has previously been under the microscope for interconnection lags.
E-fuels vs. Chinese EVs: A European Dilemma
While Europe considers e-fuels as a potential climate-neutral solution, their viability is challenged by superior Chinese electric vehicles. The energy requirement for producing synthetic fuels like petrol and diesel is five times more than direct battery electrification. A pressing debate in the European Parliament surrounds the environmental equivalency of synthetic diesel with battery and hydrogen trucks. However, the financial implication reveals that using e-diesel can inflate operational costs for transporters by nearly 50% compared to battery-electric trucks. Given these figures, major truck manufacturers are wary of the high costs of e-fuels and their inclusion in CO2 standards. Instead of focusing on e-fuels, which may only serve as a niche solution, Europe could better direct its political and financial capital toward establishing battery factories, securing essential mineral supplies, and fostering a robust European EV industry.
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
ANDREW WANEK
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
MATTHEW LONG
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