➤ Tesla Model Y Delivers With BYD Battery; Delays Due to Registration Issues
➤ Geely's Zeekr 001 with New CATL Battery: The Longest-range EV on the Market
➤ XPeng's G6 SUV Enters Production and Prepares for Public Debut as Rivalry with Tesla Model Y Heats Up
➤ SAIC-GM-Wuling Cuts Prices on Mini EVs to Boost Rural NEV Adoption in China
➤ Electric Vehicles Capture 25% of China's Auto Market; BYD Dominates
➤ Shanghai's Gasoline Vehicle Licence Plate Auction Participation Dips to 99-Month Low Amid Rising NEV Adoption
➤ BMW to Assemble Next-Generation Electrified Neue Klasse Cars in China from 2026
➤ Holcim Partners with Volvo to Purchase 1,000 Electric Trucks by 2030 in Largest Commercial Order for Volvo
➤ VinFast's Long-Range VF8 Electric SUVs Reach US and Canadian Markets
➤ Lotus Type 133: The Company's First Performance Saloon Since the 90s Nears Completion
➤ Northvolt Completes Europe's Largest Energy Storage System Factory in Poland
➤ EU-US Deadlock Over Electric Car Tax Incentives
It’s EV News Briefly for Monday 22nd May. I’ll be back as usual at 5pm UK time, that’s Midday Eastern, for the full podcast. Patreon supporters get the episodes as soon as they’re ready AND ad free. You can be like them by
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Tesla started delivering its first Model Y’s with a BYD Blade battery from Giga Berlin this week. A customer has already received and registered one of these German Model Y RWDs. This model is equipped with a new BYD battery that, upon quick testing, has reported positive results. The charge rate hit 172kW at 25% state of charge and stayed there until 50%.
Geely has started shipping its new Zeekr 001 model, powered by the latest CATL "Kirin" battery. This model, boasting the longest range among electric vehicles in the Chinese market, 641 miles (1,032 km) with a 140 kWh battery.
XPeng has announced that the first production model of its G6 SUV has begun leaving the manufacturing line. The G6 is scheduled to be formally launched and delivered by the end of the second quarter, with a price range of 200,000 to 300,000 yuan ($28,450). XPeng sees the Tesla Model Y as the primary rival for the G6.
SAIC has cut the prices of several of its small electric vehicles (EVs) to promote their use in rural areas. The firm announced price reductions of up to 13,000 yuan ($1,850) for models in its Hongguang Mini EV family (15.7%).
In April, the sale of fully electric vehicles in China reached 444,000 units, constituting 25% of the country's auto market. An additional 165,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles sold during the month pushed the overall market share of plug-in or new energy vehicles to 34%.
In Shanghai participation in the May auction for gasoline vehicle licence plates fell to a 99-month low. Shanghai began giving free licence plates to buyers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in 2022. From January 2023, PHEVs were treated like conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, and owners will need to purchase licence plates via competitive bidding.
BMW has announced plans to start assembling its electrified Neue Klasse vehicles and their batteries in China from 2026. These next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) will be produced by BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA).
Swiss company Holcim will buy 1,000 Volvo electric trucks. The first 130 trucks are set to be delivered in 2023 and 2024. By replacing 1,000 current Volvo FH diesel trucks with 1,000 Volvo FH Electric trucks using green power on a typical route, up to 50,000 tonnes of CO2 could be saved annually.
VinFast has confirmed the arrival of its second shipment of VF8 EVs, including 1,879 longer-range vehicles, following an initial dispatch of 999 VF 8 City Edition SUVs in December 2022. VF8 Eco and VF8 Plus trim levels are EPA-rated at 264 miles and 243 miles, respectively.
Lotus is preparing to launch the Type 133, positioned as a rival to the Porsche Taycan. Spy photos suggest the Type 133 will feature a modern style, a sloping roof, and design elements drawn from the Evija and Eletre. The 112kWh battery pack from the Eletre will reportedly be included in the Type 133, potentially providing the sleek saloon with a range of over 400 miles.
Northvolt has completed the construction of its energy storage system (ESS) manufacturing plant in Poland and anticipates launching production by the end of 2023.
Tensions are escalating between Washington and Brussels over a plan to make European manufacturers eligible for U.S. electric car tax incentives. This deadlock is expected to prolong negotiations beyond the summer, potentially disadvantaging European manufacturers in the American auto market.
