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 Saturday 14th 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.
Kia EV9’s 2024 Light Long Range RWD Hits 304-Mile Estimate
– The upcoming Kia EV9 three-row SUV has been given an EPA rating of 304 miles for its Light Long Range RWD model.
– It comes equipped with a standard 76.1-kWh battery, paired with a 160-kW (215-hp) motor driving the rear wheels.
– There’s also an optional larger battery pack: a 99.8-kWh unit. It can be paired either with a single 201-hp motor or a more powerful dual-motor setup, delivering 283-kW (379-hp) with all-wheel drive.
– A standout feature is the EV9’s 800V electrical system which enables ultra-quick charging. Specifically, it can recharge from 10% to 80% capacity in under 25 minutes using high-speed DC chargers.
– The vehicle can handle a peak DC charging speed reaching up to 236kW.
Volkswagen Boosts EV Deliveries by 45% in 2023
– Volkswagen reported a 45% surge in electric vehicle deliveries, totaling 531,500 units globally within the first three quarters of 2023.
– Breaking down the nine months: the company moved 321,600 units in the first half and an additional 209,900 units in the third quarter.
– Geographically, most of the EV deliveries (64%) were made in Europe. China claimed the second spot with 22%, and the USA stood at 10%.
– Diving deeper into brand specifics:
– Volkswagen’s primary passenger car division was responsible for 273,000 of those electric deliveries, accounting for just above half of the group’s total BEVs.
– Audi followed with 123,000 vehicles, contributing to 23% of the group’s EV deliveries.
– Skoda shifted 54,400 units, representing 10%.
– Seat/Cupra sold 32,300 vehicles, contributing 6%.
– Porsche’s tally was 27,900 vehicles, equivalent to 5%.
– Volkswagen’s commercial division delivered 19,600 vehicles, making up 4% of the group’s EV sales.
Tesla Semi Outperforms Rivals in Range and Efficiency
– In recent real-world tests, the Tesla Semi achieved approximately 400 miles on a single charge, with an impressive 80% recharge time of just 45 minutes.
– During a three-week trial involving 22 electric freight-hauling tractors, Tesla’s Semi emerged superior in terms of daily miles covered, validating that EV trucks can match the day’s work of diesel trucks.
– When squared off against competitors such as Nikola, BYD, Freightliner, and Volvo, Tesla’s Semi demonstrated superior road uptime and daily mileage.
– From September 11 for eighteen days, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency meticulously monitored these trucks, collecting data on aspects like charging infrastructure, ownership costs, and driving performance.
– One potential advantage for Tesla’s success in this test might be the nature of their trial runs. The Tesla Semi, used by Pepsi, focused on longer routes with fewer stops. For instance, on its longest mileage day, the Tesla Semi made only five stops. In contrast, the Nikola truck made 13 deliveries, and an eCascadia did 10.
– This test indicates that companies like Pepsi can potentially cover as many miles using an electric truck as they would with a diesel one, but without the environmental impact and cost.
https://jalopnik.com/tesla-semi-wins-range-test-against-volvo-freightliner-1850925925
Tesla Investors Eager on Cybertruck Delivery Insights for Q3 2023
– The primary concern for Tesla investors in the upcoming Q3 2023 earnings call revolves around the Cybertruck deliveries.
– Investors’ top question by share representation: Predictions for Cybertruck deliveries in 2024
– Second in line: Expected availability date for Model 3 Highland in the US.
– Investors are also keen on updates about the 4680 Cell, especially advancements in performance and cost savings from the previous battery day revelations.
– Details are sought about: (i) Factory capacity expansion in Berlin and Austin, and (ii) Launch timelines for Gigafactory Mexico.
– Investors question the rationale behind the price reduction of FSD, especially with anticipated advancements and the imminent launch of robotaxi.
Stockholm Initiates Historic Downtown EV-Only Zone in 2025
– Stockholm announces a ban on gasoline and diesel cars in a 20-block commercial district by 2025.
– This move marks the first of its kind for a European capital. The initiative targets pollution reduction, noise control, and the promotion of electric vehicles. The proposed “environmental zone” will exclusively permit electric vehicles.
– Exceptions to this rule include emergency vehicles and transportation means for the disabled.
– Taxi Stockholm is rapidly transitioning to emission-free vehicles.
– Amsterdam sets an ambitious goal to have all transportation, including cars, emissions-free by 2030.
– Paris’s mayor faced challenges when proposing a ban on diesel cars prior to the upcoming Olympics, with a further plan to phase out gasoline cars by 2030.
BYD’s Upcoming Electric Truck Design Unveiled
– A patent leak has unveiled the design for BYD’s forthcoming electric pickup truck, anticipated to launch by the close of this year. Earlier in April, the truck was seen during its concluding testing phase, heavily camouflaged yet bearing a resemblance to the leaked patent illustrations.
– The new EV from BYD is poised to challenge the likes of Ford’s F-150 Lightning, Geely’s Radar RD6, and the Dongfeng Rich 6 EV in the market.
– Speculation suggests that the truck might be available both as a fully electric and a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) model. On the inside, the vehicle has been observed to feature a head-up display sourced from Huawei.
https://electrek.co/2023/10/13/byd-electric-truck-patent-reveals-new-ev-due-2023/
FIAT Introduces Mobile Charging Service in Europe
– FIAT has rolled out an on-demand charging solution for owners of the Fiat New 500 and Abarth New 500e.
– Using a few taps on the FIAT app, users can request a quick charge regardless of their vehicle’s location, without needing to be present.
– The service, powered by E-GAP, offers mobile charging using 100% renewable energy.
– Currently available in 13 cities across Italy, France, Spain, and Germany including Rome, Milan, Paris, and Berlin.
– The service aims to expand to 15 European cities by the end of 2023.
– To use, customers book a charging slot via the app. A van equipped with mobile charging infrastructure then travels to the car’s location for the charging session.
– Users choose their address, set a charging time and specify how much charge they need. Payment is made directly through the app.
– After scheduling a charge, users receive a notification on the FIAT app. They must then grant E-GAP permission to access their car during the selected time slot.
– The charging service is priced at 0,50 €/kWh.
– This on-demand charging offer is already operational in certain Italian cities for the Fiat New 500 and Abarth 500e, with plans to roll out in Germany and Spain shortly.
London’s 1,000th Electric Bus Hits the Roads
– Transport for London (TfL) proudly introduced its 1,000th zero-emission bus into service.
– This milestone bus is the StreetDeck Electroliner, operated by Metroline from its Edgware garage.
– Wrightbus is the manufacturer behind this electric bus, which is equipped with the cutting-edge Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS).
– A significant step forward, TfL has its sights set on a fully zero-emission bus fleet by the year 2034.
– The city has been aggressive in its stance against pollution; this is evident in the rigorous anti-pollution measures it’s been implementing.
– Vehicles not adhering to the Euro-4 standard for petrol engines or the Euro-6 specification for diesel engines are now subjected to a charge when traveling through London’s core areas.
https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/one-thousandth-e-bus-in-london-enters-service/
UK-EU Progress Towards Avoiding Post-Brexit EV Tariffs
– The UK and EU are nearing an agreement to prevent post-Brexit tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs), which could provide a significant uplift to the car manufacturing sector.
– Previously adamant about introducing “rules of origin” from January 2024, Brussels is now reconsidering and has proposed a delay after understanding potential impacts on car pricing.
– The current discussions involve potentially extending the introduction of these rules by an additional two years. These rules, if enacted, would implement a 10% tariff on EVs.
– This move follows consistent persuasion from the UK to postpone these rules. This persuasion became more pronounced especially after Stellantis (Vauxhall’s parent company) voiced concerns that such tariffs would render the production of EVs in the UK economically unfeasible.
– Car manufacturers, along with the UK, have cautioned against introducing these rules too soon. They highlight that it might make European vehicles more expensive in the UK market, inadvertently giving a competitive advantage to Chinese cars.
Nio Ramps Up Production with Three New EDS Lines
– Nio introduces three new electric drive system (EDS) production lines in anticipation of future growth and the debut of the Alps sub-brand.
– Comau, an Italian automation expert, provided Nio with adaptable EDS automated assembly lines. These lines facilitate co-production of Nio’s third-gen induction motors and permanent magnet synchronous motors.
– These three new lines boast an impressive annual production capacity of 1 million EDSs.
– Two of these lines are set for mass production this year, while the third is slated for October 2024.
– All currently available Nio models feature dual electric motors. Consequently, 1 million EDSs can serve the requirements of 500,000 vehicles.
– Nio began in-house development of EDS in 2015 due to the absence of suitable systems on the market.
– In July 2020, Nio’s EDS production tally hit 100,000. By July 29, 2022, the count reached 500,000.
https://cnevpost.com/2023/10/14/nio-adds-3-eds-lines-capacity-1-million/
ABTC Launches Li-ion Battery Recycling Hub in Nevada
– The American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) initiates operations at its lithium-ion battery recycling facility situated in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, McCarran, Nevada.
– The facility boasts the capability to handle over 22,040 tons of battery feedstock materials annually.
– The inaugural phase will see the conversion of battery feedstock materials into a range of recycled items. This includes copper, aluminum, steel, a type of lithium intermediate, and a black mass intermediate substance.
Archer Gains $65M for Mega eVTOL Factory Construction
– Archer has secured a total of $65 million in financing, to cover the lion’s share of expenses for Archer’s first major manufacturing site located in Covington, Georgia. Construction of this facility kicked off earlier this year in March.
– On top of the fresh $65 million investment from Synovus, Archer has access to $150 million in equity capital from Stellantis, available for drawdown over the current and coming year.
– Archer’s debut Midnight aircraft was assembled this past May at their base in Palo Alto, California.
– This aircraft stands out with its five-seat tiltrotor design, meant to carry one pilot and four passengers. It comes equipped with 12 propellers; the front six can tilt forward during cruise mode, while the rear six stay fixed.
– Relying on lithium-ion batteries for power, this innovative aircraft promises an estimated range of roughly 52 sm (which translates to 45 nm) and a cruise speed clocking in at 130 knots.
– Archer envisions their Midnight aircraft drastically reducing typical road commutes. Instead of spending over an hour in a car, travelers could be airborne for a mere 10 to 20 minutes.
– Further emphasizing its viability, Archer suggests that its flights will not only be safe and eco-friendly, but also relatively quiet. They will also be competitive in terms of pricing with popular ridesharing options like Uber and Lyft. An added perk? The aircraft’s batteries boast a speedy 10-minute charge time, perfect for consecutive short-distance trips.
https://evworld.com/php/rss_redirect.php?rssid=54040
Suzuki Factory Gears Up for Flying Car Production in 2024
– A Japanese eVTOL vehicle manufacturer has confirmed plans to begin production of its flying cars at a Suzuki facility. Production is scheduled to kick off in Spring 2024.
– This manufacturing endeavor will be channeled through a newly established subsidiary called Sky Works Inc., which will be based at the Suzuki-owned site in Iwata-city, Shizuoka.
– The subsidiary’s ambitious goal? To roll out as many as 100 SkyDrive flying vehicles every year.
– Beyond the obvious draw of electric propulsion offering quieter operations, SkyDrive’s vision is all about accessibility and routine use. They’re engineering EAVs (Electric Air Vehicles) that are capable of taking off and touching down right in local neighborhoods, positioning them as an everyday transport solution.
https://evworld.com/php/rss_redirect.php?rssid=54049
Harris Ranch Clears Air on Tesla Supercharger Rumors
– A recent article from sfgate.com hinted at a “dirty secret” concerning Tesla’s Supercharger station at Harris Ranch on California’s I-5.
– The article implied that the world’s largest Supercharger facility, boasting 98 charging bays, relies on a concealed diesel power plant.
– Contrary to this claim, Harris Ranch confirmed that a structure near the Supercharger, presumed to be a diesel plant, is in fact an office and storage space for the Harris Ranch Express BBQ management team.
– Harris Ranch categorically denies the presence of any diesel plants or generators within its premises.
– To dispel doubts and maintain transparency, Harris Ranch welcomes the public and interested parties to inspect the site personally.
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