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 Wednesday 12 March, I’m Martyn Lee and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to.
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NEW NISSAN CEO REINVIGORATES THEIR EV PUSH
Nissan Motor Co. has appointed Ivan Espinosa as its new CEO, replacing Makoto Uchida, who is leaving after five years. Espinosa, 46, was chosen during a board meeting on March 11 and will start his role on April 1.
Espinosa, a Mexican national, brings strong product knowledge and a global perspective to Nissan’s team. He aims to update the vehicle lineup and boost sales in key markets like the United States and China. As a well-known figure at Nissan, he offers leadership continuity while introducing fresh ideas.
Since April 2024, Espinosa has been chief planning officer, managing global product planning and motorsports. He has worked in global product planning since 2010 and has experience in Southeast Asia and Mexico.
Espinosa faces major challenges as Nissan tries to recover from losses, declining sales, low stock performance, and poorly timed product launches. The company expects rising debt next year, has a junk credit rating, and is dealing with the fallout from failed merger talks with Honda Motor Co.
LAMBORGHINI UNVEILS 2000HP ELECTRIC SUPERCAR
Lamborghini is creating its first electric vehicle, set to launch before the decade ends. This model will be based on the Lanzador 2+2 GT concept from 2023. Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume announced that the EV will use a platform developed by Porsche for Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche.
This platform supports up to 2,000 horsepower and operates at 980 volts. Blume said, “It’s a very specific set-up for Lamborghini.”
The new 980V electrical system marks a big step forward for Volkswagen Group’s performance vehicles. Most electric cars currently use a 400V system, while more are shifting to 800V for faster charging and better efficiency. Some Chinese models, like the Nio ET9, have even adopted a 900V system.
Blume confirmed that Lamborghini’s electric vehicle will be built at its Sant’Agata headquarters in Italy but did not share details about where the body or batteries will be produced.
They noted that since this EV is a new model and not replacing an existing one, it reduces the risk of harming sales and could even boost them.
VOLKSWAGEN TO MANUFACTURE ID.1 IN PORTUGAL BY 2027
Volkswagen will start producing the ID.1 model in Portugal in 2027, following the reveal of its prototype, the ID. EVERY1. The company chose the Portuguese facility for economic efficiency.
“The car will be built in our factory in Palmela in Portugal,” said Thomas Schäfer, VW brand boss, during a press briefing in Wolfsburg, Germany.
Producing the compact electric vehicle in Germany was too costly for Volkswagen, especially since the ID.1 is priced at about €20,000 (around $21,500). This cost also led to manufacturing the ID.2all, expected to launch in 2026 for €25,000 (about $26,800), in Spain instead of Germany. There are also strategic reasons for choosing Portugal.
Volkswagen’s battery unit, PowerCo, is building a battery cell plant near Valencia that will supply cells for these small cars. This supports producing the ID.1 in Portugal, where Volkswagen also assembles the Golf-sized T-Roc compact SUV.
Last week, Volkswagen presented its upcoming electric car in Wolfsburg. The ID.1 features a new 70 kW (94 horsepower) electric motor with a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour (81 miles per hour). While battery details are not yet available, Volkswagen has stated it will have a WLTP range of at least 250 kilometers (155 miles).
To speed up development of the ID.1, Volkswagen is partnering with American electric vehicle maker Rivian. The ID.1 will be the first VW model to use new electronics developed with Rivian to reduce control units and costs.
VOLKSWAGEN LOWERS EV PRICES WITH NEW BATTERY TECH
Volkswagen plans to offer more affordable electric vehicles in Europe using new battery technology that improves energy density and reduces weight. The upcoming ID.2, expected in 2026, will have an entry price around £20,000. The production version of the ID.Every1 concept, called ID.1, is set for 2027 with a price of about £17,000. Currently, Volkswagen’s cheapest electric model is the ID.3 hatchback at £30,000.
The company’s smaller battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will switch to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are generally cheaper than the Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries used in the current ID range. While LFP batteries have lower energy density than NMC batteries, Volkswagen plans to add more cells using a new “cell-to-pack” system.
This design is similar to BYD’s Blade battery. Unlike the existing MEB31 battery module that needs metal ribs for support, the new design removes this extra structure.
Volkswagen engineer Malte Schulz said, “The usable space is much better; we can pack in more energy density and it’s lighter.” This allows enough battery cells in the ID.1’s short wheelbase while keeping weight down since it has only a 94 horsepower (70 kW) motor.
The cell-to-pack design is scalable and can also fit higher-performance NMC cells for Porsche and Audi models later on. Initially, Volkswagen will not use a “cell-to-body” design like BYD’s Seal model but plans to develop it in the future.
Battery production will occur in Europe with pilot manufacturing at the Salzgitter gigafactory in Lower Saxony owned by Volkswagen spin-off PowerCo.
CYBERTRUCK TOW HITCH FAILS STRESS TESTS
Last year, WhistlinDiesel’s YouTube channel tested the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150. The Cybertruck’s tow hitch and part of its cast aluminum frame broke, raising concerns about its towing reliability. In contrast, the gas-powered F-150 with a steel frame kept its tow hitch intact.
Following these results, Zack Nelson from the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel examined the Cybertruck’s rear assembly strength using slightly more scientific methods.
The Cybertruck is designed to tow up to 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms), with a maximum tongue weight of 1,100 pounds (499 kilograms). Its tow hitch is connected to the cast aluminum frame.
Nelson used heavy equipment to apply force on the Cybertruck’s tow hitch and measured it with a crane scale. At 10,000 pounds (4,525 kilograms), creaking sounds were heard. When he increased the force to 10,400 pounds (4,717 kilograms), the rear frame broke apart.
Nelson noted that situations like hitting large potholes at high speeds could make an unbalanced trailer put full weight on the tow hitch. “If I see a Cybertruck towing on the freeway, I would not want to be anywhere close to that thing,” he said.
In comparison, a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with previous damage passed the same test. Its steel frame stayed intact as it handled 10,700 pounds (4,850 kilograms) of downward force without losing its tow hitch.
CHINA’S FEBRUARY NEV SALES HIT 892,000
In February, China sold 892,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs), and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). This gives NEVs a nearly 42 percent market share. Sales rose by 87.1 percent compared to last February but dropped by 5.5 percent from January due to the Chinese New Year.
Excluding exports, NEV sales were 760,000 units, a 92.6 percent increase year-over-year but down 4.2 percent from January.
Of the total NEVs sold, 544,000 were BEVs and 348,000 were PHEVs, showing a stable ratio between these types. Fuel cell vehicles made up fewer than 1,000 units.
Overall vehicle sales in China for February reached 2.13 million, a 34.4 percent increase from last year but a 12.2 percent decline from January. Electrified vehicles outperformed the overall market.
The NEV market share was 41.9 percent, up from 30.1 percent a year earlier. Projections for the second half of 2024 suggest that the NEV share could exceed 45 percent with monthly sales surpassing one million units. Given China’s usual slow start to the year, the results for January and February are seen positively.
EU STRICTER FLEET LIMITS DRIVE EV DISCOUNTS
Starting this year, car manufacturers in the European Union face stricter fleet limits. Not complying will lead to heavy fines, prompting analysts to expect more discounts for electric vehicles (EVs).
“We are currently seeing a noticeable increase in the discount level for e-cars,” said Beatrix Keim, director of the Center Automotive Research (CAR), to Automobilwoche. From December to January, the average discount for electric cars rose from 8.8% to 11.8%.
To avoid fines, manufacturers are likely to offer cheaper electric models in the EU by 2025. Experts say achieving at least a 20% market share for EVs is necessary to meet regulatory goals. However, Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, is expected to reach only an 8.3% EV share by 2024.
The European Commission is considering easing current CO₂ emission targets for manufacturers. Companies would have three years to meet fleet limits, helping reduce potential billions in fines. “The change would allow car manufacturers to compensate for exceeding targets in one or two years by over-meeting them in the other years,” explained the EU Commission.
Despite these plans, manufacturers must significantly boost electric car sales mainly through lower prices. This need is underscored by an EU decision that bans new cars emitting CO₂ starting in 2035.
FORD INTEGRATES TESLA CHARGERS WITH APPLE MAPS FOR EVS
Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E owners in North America can now use Apple Maps on CarPlay to find fast chargers with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs.
According to a Ford blog post, no software update is needed, but users must have an iPhone running iOS 17 or later. Drivers should set their charging network preference in Apple Maps to a NACS-compatible operator, like the Tesla Supercharger network.
Once set up, Apple Maps on CarPlay will create routes that include charging stops and show the estimated charge remaining at each stop and when reaching the destination. Ford worked with Apple to allow communication between the electric vehicle and the iPhone, but battery level updates only happen when connected via CarPlay. Using an iPhone on a mount without CarPlay won’t provide range estimates.
Apple Maps will also notify users if they need a NACS to CCS adapter at a charging station. Currently, Ford’s F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E come with a CCS1 inlet, while most Tesla Superchargers use NACS plugs. Ford EVs can charge at selected Superchargers in the U.S. and Canada, but an adapter is necessary.
However, using Apple Maps on CarPlay has limitations: neither the Mustang Mach-E nor the F-150 Lightning can precondition the battery for fast charging before reaching a DC fast charger. So, iPhone users must use their vehicle’s built-in navigation system to ensure the battery is at optimal temperature for charging.
Android users with Google Maps on Android Auto have this feature.
Ford notes that preconditioning is unavailable through Apple CarPlay under certain conditions: lacking an active Connected Navigation Subscription, if the predicted battery level upon arrival is below 5%, or if the estimated driving range at arrival is under 10 miles.
FORD DISTRIBUTES 140K FREE ADAPTERS FOR TESLA CHARGING
Ford has distributed all 140,000 free NACS adapters, allowing its electric vehicle (EV) drivers to use the Tesla Supercharger network. Nearly a year ago, CEO Jim Farley announced Ford would be the first U.S. automaker to access Tesla’s Supercharger infrastructure.
While new Ford models with a native NACS port will be available in a few years, the company has provided free adapters for now. Currently, Ford EV owners can access over 20,000 Superchargers, up from 15,300 last year. The number of drivers using the network is rising, with Tesla Superchargers accounting for nearly 20% of all public charging sessions for Ford EV owners in February.
The integrated Ford network has grown to over 44,000 DC fast chargers, a 53% increase from last year. Ford aims to improve the network’s uptime and reliability, achieving its highest first-time charge success rate in February 2025.
The NACS adapters were developed with Lectron for efficient production and quick delivery. Suzanne Robinson, an adapter developer, noted it is built for durability with “robust sealing” and strong materials, as Ford expects them to withstand multiple drops.
FORD GERMANY FACES HIGHER BANKRUPTCY THREAT DESPITE FUNDING
Union leaders at Ford’s German operations are worried about the risk of bankruptcy in the company’s European sector, even after a €4.4 billion ($4.8 billion) investment from its U.S. parent company.
On March 10, Ford announced this funding to reduce borrowing at its unprofitable Ford-Werke division. The company also plans to invest around €500,000 over the next four years in a business improvement initiative to achieve profitability in Europe.
This new financial support replaces a 2006 agreement where Ford’s U.S. parent would cover losses for its German subsidiary.
Ford-Werke manages Ford’s European passenger car business and manufacturing facilities in Germany and Spain. The end of credit lines from Ford Motor Co. means the company has removed insolvency protection for its German operations, increasing the risk of bankruptcy, according to Benjamin Gruschka, a union leader at Ford-Werke.
“In principle, it is now possible that the German subsidiary could go bankrupt in a few years if the situation does not improve,” Gruschka told Automobilwoche. “The mother has always been there for her daughter in the background, but that is over now.”
Ford-Werke has been losing money due to high costs and low demand and carries €9 billion ($9.7 billion) in debt.
Despite these issues, Ford is stronger in its commercial vehicle segment, where electrification is progressing more slowly.
Gruschka noted that Ford-Werke faces a competitive disadvantage because all sales of Ford passenger cars in Europe are on its balance sheet, while the profitable commercial vehicle segment is recorded by Ford’s U.K. subsidiary.
FARASIS INTRODUCES 6C FAST-CHARGING BATTERIES
Chinese battery maker Farasis Energy has improved its battery design to support 6C fast charging, allowing electric vehicle (EV) batteries to charge in under nine minutes. Charging an EV from 10% to 80% with the Farasis system takes just 8 minutes and 55 seconds, according to CN EV Post. This upgrade works for both lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium ternary batteries, though the latter is limited to a 5C charging rate.
The ‘C’ rating shows the ratio of battery capacity to charging power. For instance, a 1C rate for an 80 kWh battery means a charging power of 80 kW. In China, EVs like Li Auto’s Li Mega and Zeekr 001 with CATL batteries offer 5C charging, potentially adding a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) in twelve minutes. However, this maximum power is usually maintained only briefly.
At a forum in Shanghai, Farasis shared that its Super Pouch Solution (SPS) design improves heat dissipation, keeping battery temperatures below 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) during fast charging. This helps maintain efficiency and prevents overheating by increasing the heat dissipation area by up to 4.8 times for LFP batteries and four times for ternary batteries.
To develop these advanced batteries, Farasis used Reduced Order Modelling (ROM), which cuts evaluation time from eight to ten hours down to just ten seconds. This speed allows quick assessment of cell design changes without needing physical manufacturing.
Source: via electrive.com
https://evne.ws/3FkluoK
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