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 Friday 11 October, I’m Martyn Lee and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to.
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RECALL OF 34,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Audi and Porsche are recalling more than 34,000 electric vehicles due to a potential fire hazard.
This recall includes 27,527 Porsche Taycan units produced between 2020 and 2024 and 6,499 Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT models manufactured from 2022 to 2024. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified a manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery modules that can cause short circuits and, in some cases, fires. This defect stems from issues during the production process by a supplier.
To address this issue, Porsche and Audi will carry out a multi-phase recall. Initially, vehicle owners will be advised to limit their charging to 80% until diagnostic software is installed. After this, the affected vehicles must be brought to a dealership for battery inspection and software updates. If necessary, the battery modules will be replaced at no expense to the vehicle owners.
https://evne.ws/4eVAVkh
UK’S LARGEST BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY NOW ONLINE
The largest battery energy storage system in the UK has been launched in North Yorkshire. Named Lakeside Energy Park, it is located near Selby and has a capacity of 100 megawatts (MW), and 200 MWH, sufficient to power around 30,000 homes daily across England and Wales. This facility is designed to store energy generated from renewable sources like solar and wind, providing power during high-demand periods.
TagEnergy fully owns and operates the facility, with Tesla, Habitat Energy, and RES as key project partners. Tesla served as the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, providing Tesla Megapack 2XL lithium-ion batteries. Habitat Energy is responsible for market strategy and battery optimization, while RES oversees asset management.
https://evne.ws/3Y1ZMvo
VOLVO EX30 PRICING AND AVAILABILITY IN CANADA
In Canada, the EX30 is currently available at dealerships. The base model, the Core single motor EX30, starts at a minimum of $56,438 CAD, which is roughly $41,000 USD based on current exchange rates.
As I mentioned earlier in the week on this podcast, EX30s in Canada are imported from China but avoid the new Canadian tariff because they arrived before the October 1 deadline. These vehicles are also eligible for federal tax incentives in Canada. Once the current stock is sold, Canadian buyers will have to wait for shipments from Belgium, similar to U.S. customers.
https://evne.ws/403eAfQ
MILESTONE: ONE MILLION XC40/EX40 MANUFACTURED
The Ghent plant in Belgium marked a major milestone by producing its one-millionth XC40/EX40 model, just seven years after the initial XC40 model was built. This achievement highlights the popularity of Volvo’s premium SUV and supports the company’s strategy of local manufacturing. Stefan Fesser, the Plant Manager in Ghent, expressed pride in this accomplishment, stating, “We passed a very important milestone in the history of Volvo Car Gent today, and I’m very proud to announce that we have produced our one-millionth XC40/EX40.” He also noted the team’s focus on electrification, with more than 175,000 fully electric models already produced.
The XC40 was introduced in September 2017 in Milan, Italy, marking Volvo’s entry into the small premium SUV market. It quickly became popular, earning the European Car of the Year award in 2018, which was a first for Volvo. In 2020, the XC40 launched a fully electric version, the brand’s first mass-produced electric vehicle, establishing Volvo as a leader in the premium electric segment. The XC40 is designed for updates via over-the-air technology and features electric motors developed in-house. Earlier this year, the electric variant was renamed the EX40 to clarify Volvo’s electric vehicle lineup.
https://evne.ws/484zaOO
TESLA OFFERS 0% FINANCING FOR NEW MODELS
Tesla has introduced a new promotion in the U.S. that offers 0% annual percentage rate (APR) financing for buyers of new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles who select the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised package. This limited-time offer is available for orders placed starting today. Eligible customers can finance a Model 3 or Model Y at 0% APR for up to 72 months with a minimum down payment of 15%. This financing results in a monthly payment of $13.88 for every $1,000 financed.
Additionally, buyers may be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which can assist with the down payment if they meet the required criteria. This promotion coincides with Tesla’s upcoming We, Robot event set for October 10. For those interested in leasing, Tesla is also offering a $0 due at signing option. The goal of this initiative is to make Tesla’s FSD Supervised technology, which includes advanced driving assistance features, more accessible. This offer is exclusively available to customers in the United States.
https://evne.ws/3Y6g2LE
GM’S LFP BATTERY WILL SAVE $6000
General Motors announced its intention to use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells in future electric vehicles (EVs) to cut down on production costs. During an investor conference, GM executives indicated that integrating these LFP cells, along with changes in packaging and manufacturing processes, could reduce the production cost of the next Bolt EV by $6,000 compared to current versions.
GM is in discussions with TDK Corp., a Japanese firm, to produce LFP cells in the U.S. using technology licensed from CATL. Previous reports suggested that GM was also looking for a direct battery supply deal with CATL, facing challenges related to federal EV tax credit rules that impact Chinese intellectual property.
https://evne.ws/3NnhO6l
ZEEKR ENTERS NORWAY’S ELECTRIC VEHICLE MARKET
Zeekr, the electric vehicle brand of Geely Holding Group, is expanding into Norway, following its previous launches in the Netherlands and Sweden. This move is part of its strategy to increase its presence in the European electric vehicle market, which is prominent in Norway, where over 80% of new car sales are electric. Customers can start ordering the all-electric Zeekr 001 shooting brake and the Zeekr X compact SUV later this month, with deliveries anticipated by year-end.
Zeekr has set up a retailer network in Norway, beginning with Premium Cars Stor-Oslo in October, and will include more dealerships in major cities. This network will be complemented by Zeekr-authorized service centers and workshops.
https://evne.ws/3YoP9Es
VOLKSWAGEN ID. BUZZ NOW OPEN FOR U.S. ORDERS
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric minivan is now available for order in the United States, following the rollout of the online configurator on VW’s website. The vehicle was first introduced as a concept in 2017 and began sales in Europe during the summer of 2022.
In the U.S. market, only the long-wheelbase version is offered, with options for single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive. Buyers can choose from five different models, including two 1st Edition variants that are set to arrive by the end of this year. The base model, ID. Buzz Pro S, starts at $61,545.
The next model, the ID. Buzz Pro S Plus, is priced at $66,040, 1st Edition models start at $67,045 and come with distinctive 20-inch wheels and a panoramic glass roof with electrochromic dimming
All ID. Buzz models are equipped with a 91-kilowatt-hour battery, providing an EPA-rated range of 234 miles (377 km) for the rear-wheel drive version and 231 miles (372 km) for the all-wheel drive.
Although the electric minivan is produced in Germany and does not qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, it may still be eligible for leasing options. As North American customers await their deliveries, projected to occur before the year ends, they will initially only have access to the higher-priced 1st Edition trim
https://evne.ws/3ZYznkz
PRICE DROP FOR ELECTRIC MERCEDES G-CLASS
The electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class has seen a substantial price reduction from €200,303 to €149,967, which is a cut of over €50,000. The model, named the G580 ‘with EQ technology,’ was initially released as an Edition One variant.
Last year, Mercedes-Benz launched the fully electric G-Class, moving away from conventional petrol and diesel engines. The G580 features four electric motors that deliver a total output of 587 horsepower (435 kW) and 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. It is equipped with a 116 kWh battery, enabling a driving range of 468 kilometers.
With this price adjustment, the G580 becomes the most affordable electric option in the G-Class range. Who said EVs were the more expensive option?!
https://evne.ws/3Yhj9BT
RATAN TATA, INFLUENTIAL TATA GROUP LEADER, DIES AT 86
Ratan Tata, the prominent businessman who guided one of India’s oldest conglomerates and transformed it into a global leader, has died at the age of 86. His leadership lasted 21 years during his first term, ending in 2012, with a brief return as interim chairman in 2016.
In the economic boom of the 2000s, Tata adopted bold business approaches. In 2008 he acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion, along with the Tetley Group and Daewoo’s heavy-vehicles division.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) faced hurdles shortly after its acquisition due to the financial crisis, which reduced demand for luxury cars and limited credit availability. Although the Tata Group revitalized the brand within a few years, it faced new challenges, including reduced demand from China and the effects of Brexit. More recently, issues such as the pandemic and semiconductor shortages have further impacted JLR’s performance.
In the automotive sector, Tata encountered difficulties with the Nano microcar project. The goal was to create an affordable vehicle priced at 100,000 rupees (around $1,190.90) for Indian consumers who mainly used motorcycles. However, production of the Nano ended in 2018, roughly ten years after its launch.
https://evne.ws/3ZZEqkQ
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