Highlights from this week include: Porsche Taycan sales taking off; Tesla Semi coming soon?; Tesla Cop car saves enough money for a for a free one; Another Chevy Bolt recall + GM stick it to an owner too; Off-Roading – Bronco Vs Wrangler; Aston Martin & Mercedes-Benz going electric; New Brunswick Announces EV Incentives – and more…
Porsche
We’re only half way through the year and Porsche have sold and delivered almost as many Taycan’s (19,822) as they did in all of 2020 and it is on a par with the 911 with 20,611 sold/delivered. Porsche total sales of 153,656 vehicles, is an increase of 31% compared to 2020.
In Europe, Porsche recorded an increase of 25% with 40,435 units delivered, and in the U.S. sales increased an impressive 50% – 36,326 vehicles.
Tesla Semi
The Tesla Semi has been delayed about two years so far, but recent reports and rumours suggest that the all-electric Class 8 truck is closing in on production during 2021. When the Tesla Semi was unveiled, Elon Musk estimated that it would enter the market around 2019 – this target was eventually moved to 2020, and delayed again. If these recent reports and rumours prove accurate, then the Tesla Semi could indeed enter production sometime this year. There’s plenty of information HERE if you’re interested
Tesla Cop Car
The Westport Police Department in Connecticut has released a new financial analysis that is showing massive savings – as anticipated, after the purchase of a Tesla Model 3 that would be used as a police cruiser. The Police Department reports that it has already helped recoup the purchase price premium and helped save money for the department in its first full year of operation. More interesting details HERE
GM – Chevy Bolt Fires & Recalls
GM recalled 68,000 Bolt EVs in November of last year after a number of fires and decided that a software update would fix their problems. There have been at least two Bolt EV fires after the software update, which prompted GM’s recent announcement. Hyundai had a similar problem and eventually replaced all Kona EV batteries with newer ones.
From GM:
As part of this recall, GM will replace defective battery modules in the recall population.
- Customers should return their vehicle to the 90% state of charge limitation
- Additionally, we ask that customers charge their vehicle after each use and avoid depleting their battery below approximately 70 miles of remaining range, where possible.
- Customers should continue to park their vehicles outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging overnight.
In the meantime, customers who have not visited their dealer to receive the advanced diagnostics software should visit their nearest Chevrolet EV dealer to obtain the update. After obtaining the software, customers should still limit their state of charge to 90% and otherwise follow the advice above.
LG Blamed
LG Energy Solutions makes the battery for the Bolt and Kona EV. They agreed to replace the 82,000 batteries sold to Hyundai for the Kona EV, Ioniq, and Elec City buses. Hyundai later said that the problem was badly folded tabs, but LG denied this – putting the blame back on Hyundai. GM pointed out that they use a different separator – and a different factory, so they’re problem should be connected…or maybe it is. Now there’s a class action lawsuit against LG and a separate one against GM, alleging a systematic battery problem. There’s a ton of information HERE if you are interested.
More Bolt Issues
GM screws over customer when his Bolt EV catches on fire. GM confirmed his case to be a battery fire, but more than a year later, he is still making car payments on a car he doesn’t own. Electrek exclusively sat down with several owners of Bolt EV fires, and here’s one of their stories. This is the owner’s recount from his Bolt EV fire that occurred on June 29, 2020 – HERE
OFF-ROAD TEST – 2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak vs Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
If you’re interested in an entertaining comparison between the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe and the new kid on the block, the Ford Bronco Wildtrak check out this video. They are both more than capable off-roaders that deliver on their looks. These guys are from Ontario, so it has a Canadian connection to us as well.
More Bronco
With pricing ranging from $30,000 to $60,000 and Ford saying it already has 125,000 orders in the books, the money made from the Bronco will go a long way to help Ford revamp its entire line-up to electric and help fund the $30 billion Ford is promising to invest. It’s kind of ironic that the Bronco may be one of the last model launches that is entirely dependent on the combustible engine! At $100 per deposit, Ford have $12,500,000 in cash – before delivering one Bronco.
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Halifax Buses Going Electric
The city of Halifax will procure 60 electric buses and a tender for the first 60 e-buses (including charging infrastructure), will open this summer. The plans include to completely electrify its bus fleet of 340 diesels by 2028 at the latest. More information HERE
New Brunswick Announces Electric Vehicle Incentive Program
Starting July 8 2021, people who buy or lease eligible new – or used electric vehicles from a dealer in the province will be eligible for a rebate under the New Brunswick Electric Vehicle Incentive Program. Consumers who buy an eligible new electric vehicle in New Brunswick can also apply to the federal government’s Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program, resulting in up to $10,000 in combined rebates.
People who purchase or lease new qualifying battery electric vehicles and long-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may receive up to $5,000, and people who purchase or lease new short-range plug-in hybrids may receive up to $2,500. Those who buy used battery electric vehicles may receive up to $2,500 and purchasers of used plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may receive up to $1,000.
People who receive a provincial electric vehicle rebate are also eligible for a rebate of up to $750 for the purchase and installation of a Level 2 home charging station. New Brunswick will be using Transport Canada’s list of eligible vehicles.
Aston Martin
AM has announced changes to its future EV plans, including its first electric sports car. Aston Martin will focus on hybrid powertrains initially, but the Vantage and DB11 will be next-generation all-electric cars from 2025 onwards, with a purely electric SUV around the same timeframe. Plenty more information HERE
Mercedes-Benz Going All-In With EV’s – Eventually
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to become fully electric before the end of the decade, with new platforms and battery factories. M-B wants to become purely electric “wherever market conditions permit”- more than likely in China, Europe and North America, but much less likely in Latin America.
Three new pure E-platforms are scheduled to make their debut in 2025. Called EA, the platform will cover all medium-sized and large passenger cars and Performance models will be labelled AMG.EA. Electric vans and light commercial vehicles will be launched based on the new VAN.EA platform. All other new platforms are subsequently also to be purely electric.
Lots more information HERE
Arrival
EV startup Arrival has announced it has been chosen as a partner by the Anaheim Transportation Network to replace Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) buses currently operating in Anaheim, California, with Arrival’s zero-emission battery-electric buses. The US Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) is funding the cost with a $2 million grant award. Anaheim’s goal is to becoming California’s first all-electric bus fleet by 2025.
Arrival is a UK-based EV company has seen large investments from companies like Hyundai. They’ve also received large electric van orders from UPS and others. They plan to build multiple small manufacturing plants at various locations where they are needed, as opposed to one big plant and ship from there.
Study Dispels Myth That Electric Cars Pollute As Much As Gas-Powered Cars Due To ‘Dirty’ Grid
Credit: Electrek.co
There have been persistent myths pushed by electric vehicle detractors claiming that those sources of emissions actually make electric cars just as – or even more polluting, than gasoline-powered vehicles. But a new study dispels the myth that electric cars pollute just as much as gas-powered cars because they charge on a “dirty” electric grid, and mining for battery materials is polluting.
A new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) is debunking that with “a global comparison of the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of combustion engine and electric passenger cars.” Read more HERE
EV Automaker Rivian Begins Search For A Second Plant
Reuters is reporting that Rivian is planning on building a second U.S.-based assembly plant for vehicles and battery cells. Sources say that Rivian plans on choosing a physical location for the plant in the next two months or so, and wants to break ground as early as 2022. However, complications stemming from the pandemic could delay these plans and actually already have, as the automaker originally planned to select a location by this summer.
In addition to launching the R1T and R1S SUV this fall, Rivian also has an order for 100,000 EV delivery vans from Amazon. Prototypes of those vans have been out testing around California for some time now. Amazon aims to eventually replace its entire ICE-powered fleet with the electric vans.
And Finally…
That’s A Wrap! For this week. Until next time…
Copyright © 2021 by Iain Shankland. All rights reserved.
Text: Iain Shankland / Images: Respective Manufacturers / Outlets
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