RECORD DAY FOR TESLA’S SUPERCHARGER USAGE
On November 30, 2024, Tesla’s Supercharger network hit a new record, delivering 12 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy in a single day across North America. This figure marks the highest energy consumption ever recorded by the network.
consumption level is about six times higher than the daily average of 2.4 GWh reported in July 2019.
Tesla is actively expanding its Supercharger network, which surpassed 60,000 individual stalls worldwide by October 2024. Recent innovations include pre-fabricated Supercharger units that have reduced installation time to four days from production to deployment. Improvements at existing sites now feature more pull-through charging spots for trailers and better information on stall availability.
Looking forward, Tesla plans to launch V4 Supercharger cabinets in 2025, which will bring significant advancements. These will offer charging speeds of up to 500 kW for compatible vehicles, and 1.2 megawatts (MW) for Tesla Semi trucks. The new cabinets will also provide a 2% increase in efficiency and support up to eight charging stalls each, effectively doubling the current capacity.
Source: via Teslarati
https://evne.ws/3Bk8A8C
TESLA ENDS 0% LOAN OFFER BY DECEMBER 15
Tesla announced its promotion offering 0% interest loans for the Model 3 and Model Y in North America will end on December 15. The company urged potential customers to place their orders soon to guarantee delivery by December 31.
This loan program aims to increase vehicle deliveries in the last quarter of 2024. For the year, Tesla targets a total of 1,808,581 vehicle deliveries worldwide, which means it needs to deliver at least 514,926 vehicles in the final three months to surpass its previous annual total.
Achieving this target is particularly difficult, as Tesla has never delivered more than 500,000 electric vehicles in a single quarter.
https://evne.ws/3VyeUA2
EXPANSION OF TESLA’S SUPERCHARGER NETWORK IN NORDIC COUNTRIES
Tesla aims to significantly increase the number of superchargers in Nordic countries, focusing on Norway, by implementing pre-assembled units, according to Max de Zegher, a senior executive at the company. This announcement follows the launch of two new supercharger stations in Norway in a single day, noted by a user on X.
Mr De Zegher highlighted that the use of pre-assembled superchargers allows for deployment in harsh winter conditions, which is crucial for maintaining installation rates during freezing temperatures.
By the end of the third quarter, Tesla had 6,706 supercharger stations worldwide, featuring a total of 62,421 connectors.
Source: via Benzinga
https://evne.ws/3BluWXf
LEAPMOTOR C10 EARNS TOP EURO NCAP SAFETY RATING
The Leapmotor C10, an electric SUV, has received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.
The perception that Chinese goods are of inferior quality or mere cheap knock-offs is now outdated, especially when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs). In recent years, Chinese EV manufacturers have made significant strides in technology, quality, and innovation, challenging and often surpassing their Western counterparts.
Safety was something that Chinese cars have failed on in the past, but even this now matches or exceeds the global standards.
The C10 is the first product from the partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor, which aims to increase the availability of affordable, high-tech vehicles globally, using Stellantis’ established market reach.
The C10 is powered by a single permanent magnet motor producing 218 hp (160 kW) with a 69.9 kWh battery pack, offering a WLTP range of 262 miles.. The SUV can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds. When Autocar reviews it back in September, it has only 3.1 miles/kWh efficiency. That’s very poor by Tesla or the Korean standards.
Measuring 4,739 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, and 1,680 mm tall, the C10 is comparable in size to the BMW iX3. It features a minimalist design with smooth surfacing, flush-fitting door handles, and full-width LED light bars at the front and rear.
The C10’s interior adopts a minimalist approach, featuring a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. It includes a panoramic sunroof, 26 storage compartments, and a boot capacity of 435 liters.
If you’re looking for an Achillies heel (apart from the efficiency), the vehicle only supports DC fast charging up to 84 kW. IOn the UK, the Leapmotor C10 is priced from £36,500.
https://evne.ws/3VrsFRa
VOLKSWAGEN SHIFTS ID. BUZZ PRODUCTION TO POLAND
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) is considering shifting some or all production of the ID. Buzz electric van from its primary site in Hanover, Germany, to Poznan, Poland.
In 2024, VWCV invested in updates to the Hanover factory to support different versions of the ID. Buzz, following the end of the T6.1 model. Since late July, production of the T7 Multivan and ID. Buzz has been split across separate assembly lines. The ID. Buzz lineup now includes a standard model, a long-wheelbase version, and an all-wheel-drive GTX variant.
However, sales of the ID. Buzz have fallen short of expectations, with only about 15,000 units sold in the first half of the year, considerably lower than the goal of 130,000 annual sales. Production has been limited to two daytime shifts without any additional night shifts, meaning the Hanover-Stöcken plant is not running at full capacity for either the T7 Multivan or the ID. Buzz.
The next generation of VW vans will be manufactured in Turkey in collaboration with Ford, which will also include the electric models.
Given these developments, even a partial relocation of ID. Buzz production could have a major effect on the Hanover facility. With only two series currently utilizing the factory’s capacity and the potential loss of one model, there are concerns about the future viability of production in Hanover. The situation is particularly tense among VWCV employees, especially with the approaching fourth round of collective bargaining at Volkswagen.
Source: via Electrive
https://evne.ws/3ZHERQr
QUANTUMSCAPE’S PROGRESS IN SOLID-STATE BATTERY PRODUCTION
QuantumScape, in collaboration with Volkswagen, is making notable progress in the production of solid-state batteries, paving the way for large-scale manufacturing of its B-sample cells, anticipated for 2025. The company has set up a facility specifically for producing ceramic separators, a vital element of its battery technology.
Limited production of initial B-sample cells began in late October, and the completion of a specialized system called ‘Cobra’ for creating ceramic separators was crucial for expanding production. With this system now fully operational, initial processing of separators has started, and QuantumScape expects to manufacture B-sample cells at a gigawatt-hour scale.
The QSE-5, QuantumScape’s first commercial product, has a capacity of 5 amp-hours (Ah), an energy density exceeding 844 watt-hours per liter (Wh/L) and a discharge rate of up to 10C, enabling it to charge to 80% in just 12.2 minutes.
QuantumScape regards the QSE-5 as a significant milestone for both the company and the battery sector, claiming it is the first anode-free solid-state lithium-metal cell intended for automotive applications.
Source: via Electrive
https://evne.ws/4fmxF0J
SKODA REACHES 1 MILLION EV BATTERY PRODUCTION
Skoda Auto has marked a significant achievement by producing its one millionth electric vehicle (EV) battery system at its facility in Mladá Boleslav, Czechia. This plant started operations in 2019, initially focusing on battery systems for plug-in hybrid vehicles within the Volkswagen Group, before shifting to fully-electric batteries for the MEB platform.
The batteries manufactured at this site are used not only in Skoda vehicles but also in other brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, such as Volkswagen, SEAT, CUPRA, and Audi. The facility currently produces 1,500 battery units daily, supporting the Volkswagen Group’s larger electric vehicle objectives. It supplies battery systems for all Skoda battery electric vehicles (BEVs), including the Skoda Enyaq and Skoda Elroq, with capacities ranging from 55 to 91 kWh.
https://evne.ws/3VPWcEv
MILESTONE REACHED: 100 MILLION EV BATTERY CELLS AT LORDSTOWN
Five years after the partnership between General Motors and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution began in Ohio, the Ultium Cells facility in Lordstown marked a major milestone by producing its 100 millionth battery cell. This event was celebrated at the expansive Ultium Cells factory, which employs around 2,200 people, making it the largest employer in Northeast Ohio.
The production process consists of several phases: in the electrode area, materials are mixed and coated; during assembly, cells are stacked and packed; and finally, in the formation area, cells undergo heat and pressure treatment to receive their initial charge. The cells are then stored in controlled conditions to maintain quality before undergoing additional voltage checks prior to shipping.
Source: via The Vindicator
https://evne.ws/4g0pE2A
JFK AIRPORT TO INSTALL 24 NEW EV FAST CHARGERS
Revel, a firm focused on electric vehicle (EV) ridesharing and charging, is set to add to the charging at New York’s JFK Airport by another 24 fast chargers. This upgrade is anticipated to be operational by early 2025, bringing the total number of EV fast chargers at the airport to 46. These new chargers will be available for use by both for-hire and public vehicles, with Revel expecting it to become one of the busiest fast charging stations in the U.S.
Source: via ElectricDrives
https://evne.ws/4gnVrdn
STELLANTIS AND CATL TO BUILD BATTERY PLANT IN SPAIN
Stellantis, together with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, is set to invest €4.1 billion ($4.33 billion) in a new electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in Spain. This facility will be situated next to a Stellantis production site in Zaragoza, with plans to produce lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries starting by the end of 2026.
The plant aims for a production capacity of 50 gigawatt-hours, depending on the demand for electric vehicles in Europe and the support received from Spanish and European Union authorities. As electric vehicle costs remain high, automakers like Stellantis are increasingly turning to LFP batteries to attract a wider customer base.
This joint venture, with equal investment from both companies, will enhance Stellantis’ LFP battery offerings in Europe, enabling the production of more affordable battery-electric vehicles, including cars, crossovers, and SUVs in the B and C segments. This initiative is a key part of Stellantis’ plan to boost electric vehicle manufacturing in the Aragon and Galicia regions.
Stellantis has also invested in the ACC battery joint venture alongside Mercedes and TotalEnergies. ACC has begun operations at its gigafactory in France, though plans for additional factories in Italy and Germany have been delayed due to lower electric vehicle demand than expected.
The Zaragoza site will be CATL’s third battery plant in Europe, following a factory in Germany with a €1.8 billion investment that has a capacity of 14 gigawatt-hours and a new facility in Hungary, which is set to cost €7.3 billion and achieve a capacity of 100 gigawatt-hours.
Source: via autonews.com
https://evne.ws/3BvdRKn
STELLANTIS AIMS TO EXCEED 2025 CO2 TARGETS
Stellantis is optimistic about surpassing the electric vehicle (EV) sales needed to comply with the European Union’s stricter CO2 regulations set for 2025. This positive outlook comes from strong demand for its new electric models, as mentioned by CFO Doug Ostermann at the Goldman Sachs autos conference on December 4.
The company has received substantial orders for its Citroen e-C3, priced at €23,300 in Germany, and has seen increased interest in the battery-operated Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUVs. Ostermann indicated that these orders already exceed the required compliance percentage. Starting next year, the EU requires automakers to lower their average CO2 emissions to 93.6 grams per kilometer, down from 115 g/km this year.
To meet the 2025 target, Stellantis estimates that 24 percent of its new car sales in the EU must be fully electric. As of October, electric vehicles made up 11 percent of Stellantis’s total passenger car sales, according to Dataforce.
Source: via autonews.com
https://evne.ws/41oIXhl
KIA EV5 LAUNCHES IN NEW ZEALAND
The Kia EV5, a midsize electric SUV, is now available for sale in New Zealand, with prices starting at $67,990 NZD.
All prices include GST and on-road costs.
The base Light model is equipped with LED lights, dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera, and parking sensors. Every version features Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) for semi-autonomous driving, the Kia Connect app for remote vehicle management, over-the-air updates, and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Light+ model adds a powered driver’s seat and a 360-degree camera. The Earth variant offers options for either single or dual motors, along with enhanced features like auto flush door handles and a vehicle-to-load function. The high-end GT-Line model features a panoramic roof, body kit, and premium sound system.
All trims use an 88.1 kWh battery.
RIVIAN LEADS IN OWNER SATISFACTION SURVEY
Rivian has secured the top position in owner satisfaction for the second year in a row, outperforming BMW and Tesla. The latest Consumer Reports (CR) survey highlights that owners rated their R1S and R1T electric vehicles (EVs) highly, appreciating aspects such as comfort, speed, and ease of use. An impressive 86% of Rivian owners indicated they would choose the brand again.
Despite these positive ratings, Rivian ranks lowest in reliability. Steven Elek, who oversees auto data analytics at Consumer Reports, links this to persistent issues with EV technology and components like infotainment systems. The survey assessed data from approximately 300,000 vehicles from the 2022 to 2024 model years, examining 20 potential problem areas ranging from minor annoyances to major concerns such as engine and battery failures.
Rivian’s situation is not unique; both BMW and Tesla also show a trend of high owner satisfaction coupled with lower reliability scores.
https://evne.ws/4iIb01N
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