Briefly | 11 Jul 2023

It’s EV News Briefly for Tuesday 11th July. 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 clicking here.

Carvana has released its top-selling electric vehicles (EVs) for the first half of 2023, with the Tesla Model 3 ranking first and the Nissan LEAF second. Carvana's total EV sales have seen a significant increase of 786% over the past five years, indicating a growing interest in affordable EV ownership. The company offers over 46 different EV models, with more than 40% priced under $25,000, making them relatively affordable.

Volvo is reportedly planning to launch its first-ever people mover in China by the end of the year. A heavily camouflaged prototype, resembling the Zeekr 009 electric people mover, has been spotted in the country. The Volvo people mover is expected to share exterior styling and underpinnings with the Zeekr 009. It is rumored to feature a similar LED lighting arrangement to Volvo's EX30 and EX90 electric SUVs. It remains uncertain whether the vehicle will be released in other markets.

Tesla is laying off some of its electric-vehicle battery workers at its Shanghai plant in China. The company has not provided an official reason for the layoffs, but there are suggestions that automation equipment may be replacing the affected workers. These workers are involved in building battery modules and packs for Tesla vehicles. While some employees have been given the option to transfer to another department at the factory, the exact number of layoffs is unknown
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Tesla has unveiled its latest V4 Supercharger station in France, featuring longer cables and improved access with a more ergonomic pile placement. The station includes one charging pile dedicated to EV trailers and 11 others covered by metal structures that will eventually have solar roofs installed. The V4 Supercharger stations have the potential to offer faster charging speeds than the current V3 Superchargers, thanks to their theoretical maximum of 1MW.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös has announced that the company will blacklist any customer attempting to sell the new Rolls Spectre, the brand's first electric car, for profit. The announcement was made during the launch of the new car, which is set to be delivered later this year. Some dealers in Britain, who have sold the car at inflated prices, are reportedly unhappy with the brand's remarks. Rolls-Royce has implemented a rigorous testing program to ensure the car's quality.

Automobili Pininfarina has introduced the Battista Edizione Nino Farina, an exclusive edition of the all-electric hypercar model Battista. Each of the 150 units of the Battista Edizione Nino Farina takes 10 weeks to assemble, involving up to 1,340 hours of handcrafting. This special edition pays tribute to Battista "Pinin" Farina, the founder of Carrozzeria Pininfarina, and his nephew Nino Farina, the first-ever Formula 1 champion. The Battista Edizione Nino Farina, like other limited versions of the Battista, offers exceptional performance at a high price point.

Instavolt has revealed plans for the UK's largest rapid electric vehicle charging hub, located near Winchester. The "Super Hub" will include on-site amenities, solar arrays, and energy storage. It aims to install a significant number of rapid chargers for cars, towing vehicles, and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to contribute towards the goal of installing 10,000 rapid chargers in the UK by 2030. The exact number of chargers and the opening date are currently being finalized. Instavolt's Super Hub is the first of several planned hubs, providing reliable and easy-to-use chargers on the strategic road network.

Nio will launch its sleek ET5 electric sedan in the UK at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed. The ET5 features a 12.8-inch center infotainment and controls screen and Nio's personal voice assistant Nomi. It was first delivered in Europe in March and is equipped with two motors producing 360 kW of power, 700 Nm of peak torque, and capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds. The availability of the ET5 in right-hand-drive configurations means Nio's vehicles will be accessible to the UK, Australia, and New Zealand marke ts.

The UK's grid operator, National Grid, aims to reduce carbon emissions through smart charging for electric vehicles (EVs). Their Future Energy Scenarios report promotes aligning EV charging with periods of low demand and high renewable power supply, particularly during sunny and windy days. 

VinFast, a Vietnamese carmaker, has unveiled three new electric cars and electric bike models. The new electric cars include the VF 3, designed for the Vietnamese market, as well as the VF 6 and VF 7 SUVs. Technical details and prices for the VF 3 have not been disclosed. The VF 6 is available in two variants, offering 130 kW or 150 kW electric motors with a 399 km WLTP range. The VF 7, equipped with all-wheel drive and an additional 110 kW electric motor, has a 450 km range on a single charge and a battery capacity of 75.3 kWh.

Giovanni Palazzo has been appointed to lead Volkswagen Group's charging infrastructure and energy business, overseeing the Elli and Electrify America charging services. Palazzo's plans include expanding the fast charging network, developing a smart energy platform, and introducing new business models globally. He aims to strengthen collaboration between the brands and focus on load distribution, energy market optimization, and energy trading solutions. Volkswagen intends to consolidate its global activities in charging infrastructure and energy services under the Charging and Energy business field.