Congress

 

Manchin Furious At Biden EV Plan As Other Democrats Cheer — “Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin described as ‘horrific’ the Biden administration’s proposed guidance for implementing the climate law’s electric vehicle incentives, but other Democrats cheered the release. The West Virginia Democrat, who helped write the Inflation Reduction Act and was insistent on restricting EV tax credits, has for months been angry at the administration’s direction. This week, he said the administration would ‘try to screw’ him on the issue. On Friday morning, Manchin said the proposed guidance, which will be open to notice and comment, ‘completely ignores the intent of the Inflation Reduction Act.’ ‘It is horrific that the administration continues to ignore the purpose of the law, which is to bring manufacturing back to America and ensure we have reliable and secure supply chains. American tax dollars should not be used to support manufacturing jobs overseas,’ Manchin said. But Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), a staunch ally to the domestic auto industry, applauded the Treasury Department for working well within language in the Inflation Reduction Act that ‘as written was not well thought out.’ She was taking aim at provisions Manchin insisted on.” [E&E News, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

VIDEO: Manchin Mulls Suing Biden Admin Over Electric Vehicle Rules — “Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin tells CNN’s Dana Bash that ‘I’m looking at every option I possibly have’ to force the Biden administration to stop ‘manipulating’ the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.” [CNN, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

New Electric Vehicle Credit Rules Set, Over Manchin’s Objections — “The Treasury Department laid out specifics on how automakers can certify whether their electric cars qualify for new subsidies of up to $7,500 enacted in last year’s climate spending package. The new guidance released Friday largely stays the course with what Treasury telegraphed in a ‘white paper’ late last year on sourcing requirements intended to force supply chains out of China. It’s set to be formally published April 17, meaning new rules that could reduce the number of vehicle models that qualify for the full $7,500 will take effect the following day. The roughly two-week delay will give auto manufacturers time to figure out if their electric vehicles qualify under the new guidance, enabling them to certify sourcing and price information so consumers know which models can get the government-provided discount. Currently, 37 makes and models of all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids from 13 manufacturers are listed on an Energy Department website as options for subsidized purchases by consumers who meet the law’s income requirements. That list will be updated April 18 when the proposed rule takes effect, though changes could still be made in a final rule after the 60-day public comment period.” [Roll Call, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

 

Federal Agencies

 

Department of the Treasury (USDT)

 

3 Issues To Watch On EVs And Tax Breaks — “The Biden administration sought to provide firmer ground for electric vehicle buyers and manufacturers last week when it issued new tax rules, but unresolved questions could still scramble which cars qualify for breaks in the years ahead. The IRS was facing a heavy lift when it issued the rules Friday, intending to help clarify a high-profile piece of the Inflation Reduction Act that Congress passed last year. Uncertainty surrounds eligibility for a $7,500 EV rebate. Besides reducing America’s carbon emissions by rewarding consumers for buying EVs, the goal of the tax credits is to move EV supply chains out of China and stimulate a new U.S. battery industry. And since the bill was signed into law last August, other aims have entered the mix, such as extending the EV supply chain into allied regions like Japan and Europe, which the bill originally excluded. The tax credit touches not just Americans’ wallets but also the enormous auto industry and the United States’ relationships around the world. ‘Undoubtedly, there’s going to continue to be some questions,’ said Jennifer Safavian, the president of Autos Drive America, a trade group of foreign automakers that manufacture vehicles in the United States.” [E&E News, 4/3/23 (=)]

 

New List Of EVs Eligible For Tax Credits To Be Released Next Month — “A new and probably shorter list of electric vehicles qualifying for consumer tax credits will be released in a few weeks, as the Biden administration enforces stricter rules about how and where the vehicles are built. The Internal Revenue Service’s updated list will be published April 18, several months after the federal government began offering new tax credits of up to $7,500 for buyers of electric vehicles. Till now, consumers under certain income levels qualified for the credits so long as the EV was assembled in North America and priced under certain levels. But additional rules will apply as of April 18: The vehicle batteries will need to contain certain levels of materials that originate in North America or in countries with which the United States has a free-trade agreement. Those rules, designed to reduce manufacturers’ reliance on Chinese components, ‘will likely restrain the number of vehicles that qualify in the short term,’ a senior administration official told journalists on Thursday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preview the rules. The government will publish the list of qualifying vehicles at FuelEconomy.gov and update it regularly, the Treasury Department said.” [The Washington Post, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Big Questions Loom Around EV Tax Guidance  — “The Biden administration on Friday released guidance that it hopes will alter the landscape for electric vehicles by pivoting the nation from gas-guzzling cars and bolster its aggressive climate goals. But major questions remain around exactly how the new tax regime will keep out China-linked cars, components and minerals; whether and how the federal government can enforce the law; whether industry can scale up fast enough; and how many EVs will qualify for the $7,500-per-vehicle credit under last year’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act. The Treasury Department proposed rule laid out details for how the Inflation Reduction Act should be implemented. The guidance hews closely to a Treasury white paper released in December that established a multipronged requirement for electric vehicles to obtain the full $7,500 federal tax credit (Greenwire, March 31). Specifically, a car becomes eligible for half of the credit if at least 40 percent of the critical minerals in an EV battery are extracted or processed in the United States or in a country that has a free-trade agreement with the United States, or are recycled in North America. To receive the other half of the credit, 50 percent of EV battery components must be manufactured or assembled in North America. Eligible cars cannot contain battery components from ‘foreign entities of concern’ starting in January, a rule that kicks in for minerals the following year.” [E&E News, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Auto Cos. Gain Little Clarity In EV Battery Sourcing Rule — “Fewer electric vehicles will qualify for federal tax incentives under new regulations proposed Friday, but rising consumer demand and multibillion-dollar investments in EV manufacturing and infrastructure may still yield the forecasted boon for automakers and boost the domestic U.S. clean energy supply chain. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service unveiled highly anticipated proposed rules and guidance interpreting stringent — and complicated — domestic sourcing requirements for retooled tax credits made available in last year’s Inflation Reduction Act. Friday’s proposed rules address where critical minerals for EV batteries are sourced and where EV battery components can be manufactured or assembled to qualify for the expanded credits. Under the batch of complicated and highly technical requirements, automakers have an approximately two-and-a-half-week grace period to certify whether their so-called clean cars qualify, as the Treasury plans to publish its shortlist of tax credit-eligible EVs on April 18. However, the Biden administration is still fine-tuning rules for other provisions in the IRA and left open the possibility for new trade deals that might allow U.S. allies to benefit from what’s forecasted to be a burgeoning American EV market.” [Law360, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Treasury Floats EV Tax Credit Mineral Guide, But Defers Some Details —“Treasury Department officials are deferring details about how they will implement an exclusion from federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credits models that rely on materials from ‘entities of concern,’ though their release of guidance on the credit’s critical mineral restrictions is poised to limit the number of vehicles that can qualify for the full credit, at least initially. The long-awaited guidance, publicly released March 31, addresses key eligibility criteria for the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) section 30D consumer EV tax credit. Among other issues, it broadens a definition of ‘free trade nations’ that will boost eligibility for the incentives. In many cases, the proposed guide reaffirms preliminary approaches Treasury officials outlined last December, according to a source still reviewing the document. Federal Register publication of the document in mid-April will trigger the IRA’s critical mineral and battery component restrictions for vehicles placed in service April 18 or later, while also initiating a rulemaking process with the proposal subject to a 60-day comment period. The formal imposition of those mineral and battery requirements will effectively limit the number of vehicles that can qualify for the full EV credit, at least until automakers can successfully shift their supply chains to align with the IRA’s eligibility criteria.” [Inside EPA, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

New Rules Will Make Many Electric Cars Ineligible For Tax Credits — “The Biden administration on Friday released new rules that will significantly shorten the list of electric vehicles that qualify for federal tax credits. Officials hope the change will push carmakers to move their supply chains out of China and to the United States or its allies. The rules, issued by the Treasury Department, are a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Democrats passed last year to fight climate change by encouraging the use of zero-emission vehicles and green energy. The law also seeks to reduce the industry’s reliance on China, which makes most of the world’s batteries and dominates the processing of critical raw materials. For purchases of their electric cars to qualify for up to $7,500 in tax credits, automakers must meet strict requirements for where they assemble the cars and batteries and where they get the materials that go into batteries. Only a handful of vehicles are expected to qualify for the full credit when the rules, which are more stringent than previous requirements, go into effect April 18, down from 21 now. The new rules, which could be revised in response to comments from the public, will require that a certain percentage of the components and minerals in each electric car’s battery come from domestic sources or countries with which the United States has trade agreements.” [The New York Times, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Biden Makes Electric Vehicle Credits Elusive In Bid For US Auto Renaissance — “The Biden administration’s requirements for electric vehicle tax credits will reduce the number of models eligible for incentives until tens of billions of new investment in US manufacturing by automakers and suppliers kick in. The guidance released Friday clarifying provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act — President Joe Biden’s landmark climate bill — will leave few EVs eligible for up to $7,500 credits as of April 18, administration officials said. The reason: most don’t meet new requirements that battery components or critical minerals are sourced from North America or US free trade partners. The global auto industry eagerly anticipated the US Treasury Department’s notice, with lobbyists pushing for months to loosen up the sourcing and content requirements. While tax credits for consumers included in the legislation, known as the IRA, will be difficult to attain, those incentives and additional perks for manufacturers have helped trigger announcements of more than $52 billion in EV and battery investment in the US.” [Bloomberg, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Fewer Electric Vehicles To Qualify For Full $7,500 Tax Credit Under New Rules — “Fewer new electric vehicles will qualify for a full $7,500 federal tax credit later this year, and many will get only half that, under rules proposed Friday by the U.S. Treasury Department. The rules, which go into effect April 18, are required under last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, and are likely to slow consumer acceptance of electric vehicles and could delay President Joe Biden’s ambitious goal that half of new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. run on electricity by 2030. Biden’s administration concedes that fewer electric vehicles will be eligible for tax credits in the short term because of the rules, which set standards for where EV battery parts and minerals come from. But it says that, over time, more EVs and parts will be manufactured in the U.S., creating a domestic supply chain and more jobs. The credits and other measures also will end dependence on China for parts and minerals, which it now dominates, the Democratic administration contends. Electric vehicles now cost an average of more than $58,000, according to Kelley Blue Book, a price that’s beyond the reach of many U.S. households. The tax credits are designed to bring prices down and attract more buyers. But $3,750 — half the full credit — may not be enough to entice them away from less-costly gasoline vehicles.” [Detroit Free Press, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Will New Tax Rules Drive Or Stall The EV Market? — “By the time you read this, lobbyists for auto manufacturing and mining companies will be furiously combing through a policy document worth billions of dollars. The Treasury Department’s tax guidance released today will address one of the fundamental questions underlying President Joe Biden’s climate policy — how zealously to enforce Congress’ demand that the Inflation Reduction Act’s $7,500 tax credit for electric cars and trucks go to vehicles made with parts and minerals from the United States and its closest trade partners. As James Bikales reports, it’s unclear whether the Treasury rules will prove so restrictive for automakers that it stunts sales of electric vehicles. That would be a major blow to Biden’s goal of having zero-emission vehicles account for half of all new U.S. car and truck sales by 2030. A Treasury official conceded the rules will temporarily reduce the number of vehicles eligible for the full incentives, but said they would lead to a long-term increase ‘as new investments and American production come online.’ The department’s list of eligible vehicles is expected by April 18 and will be updated monthly, officials said.” [Politico, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

New EV Tax Credit Rules Could Make Things Worse Before They Get Better — “The U.S. Treasury Department along with the IRS released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the new clean vehicle provisions—EV tax credits—detailed in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and it looks like the plan doesn’t have any quick fixes. The basic elements are still there and for the most part is unchanged from the changes enacted by the original IRA. The $7,500 credit as well as the $80,000 MSRP limit for SUVs, trucks, and vans like Ford F-150 Lightning and the $55,000 MSRP limit for other smaller vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt remain in place. Here’s how that could change soon. To qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit, vehicles have to meet sourcing requirements for critical minerals and battery components. If a vehicle meets one out of the two requirements it can qualify for a $3,750 credit. So what is the Critical Mineral Requirement? As the NPRM states: ‘The applicable percentage of the value of the critical minerals contained in the battery must be extracted or processed in the United States or a country with which the United States has a free trade agreement, or be recycled in North America.’ For 2023 that percentage value is 40 percent which we already knew when we reported on the tax credits in February. Detailed in the NPRM released today is that the applicable percentage is set to increase by 10 percent year over year until 2027 when the the threshold reaches 80 percent.” [MotorTrend, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Everything You Need To Know About The IRS’s New EV Tax Credit Guidance — “The US Treasury Department today announced its expected EV tax credit guidance on the battery component and critical mineral sourcing requirements of the Inflation Reduction Act, changing the availability of EV tax credits in the US, with the net effect of reducing tax credit amounts for many vehicles purchased on April 18 or later. The Inflation Reduction Act includes a provision that limits the $7,500 EV tax credit to vehicles that are assembled in North America. Beyond that, a certain percentage of each car’s battery components need to be built in North America, and critical minerals need to be sourced from the US or a US free trade country, with these percentages increasing every year. Each of these two requirements make up half of the credit, so if a car qualifies for one but not the other, it’s eligible for $3,750 worth of federal tax credits. The NA-assembled provision went into effect immediately in August when the bill was signed, but the battery sourcing provisions were left up to the Treasury to decide. It was originally supposed to announce those specifics by December, but pushed back the deadline until today.” [Electrek, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

US Treasury Releases New EV Tax Credit Rules — “If it is true that the best compromise is the one that makes nobody happy, the new regulations pertaining to what manufacturers and consumers must do to qualify for the US EV tax credit that was part of the Inflation Reduction Act must be the greatest compromise in history. Other than Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, nobody is happy with the regulations as written. Nobody. In order to get some or all of the money, there are five hurdles the manufacturer and customers must clear first. Before we go any further, note that almost everything about the EV tax credit changes next January 1. As of that date, the tax credit will become more of a point-of-sale rebate that will be applied by the dealer to lower the price of a vehicle directly. But that is then and this is now. The new regulations are scheduled to take effect on April 18, which means customers have about 19 days to get the full credit, no questions asked, provided the car they are buying or leasing has its final place of assembly in North America and the sales price is $55,000 or less for sedans and wagons or $80,000 or less for SUVs and light trucks.” [CleanTechnica, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

US Government Publishes Detailed Funding Conditions — “The US Treasury Department has released the long-awaited conditions that electric vehicles must meet to qualify for tax incentives of up to $7,500 under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). There are no big surprises – though the eligibility of many EVs will be decided elsewhere. The rules apply to vehicles registered on or after 18 April 2023. To qualify for half the tax credit ($3,750), 40 per cent of the battery’s critical minerals must be extracted, processed or recovered in the US or in a country with which the US has a free trade agreement. That level will gradually rise to 80 per cent by 2027 – specifically, by ten percentage points each year. In other words, it will be 50 per cent in 2024. However, the broad outlines of this were already known. What is new in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) are the regulations on how this percentage value is to be determined. It will be a three-step process: determining the procurement chains, identifying ‘qualifying critical minerals,’ and finally calculating qualifying critical mineral content.” [Electrive, 4/3/23 (=)]

 

US Unveils Stricter EV Tax Credit Rules To Take Effect April 18 — “The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday unveiled stricter electric vehicle tax rules that will reduce or cut tax credits on some zero-emission models but grant buyers another two weeks before the new requirements take effect. The rules are aimed at weaning the United States off dependence on China for EV battery supply chains and part of President Joe Biden’s effort to make 50% of U.S. new vehicle sales by 2030 EVs or plug-in hybrids. The EV battery sourcing guidance issued on Friday triggers new requirements for critical minerals and battery components and takes effect for vehicle purchases starting April 18. U.S. officials acknowledge some vehicles will see credits cut or eliminated. Tesla (TSLA.O) said Wednesday the Model 3 rear-wheel drive credit will be reduced as a result of the guidance. The government will publish by April 18 a revised list of qualifying models and tax credit amounts.” [Reuters, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Many Electric Vehicles To Lose Big Tax Credit With New Rules — “Fewer new electric vehicles will qualify for a full $7,500 federal tax credit later this year, and many will get only half that, under rules proposed Friday by the U.S. Treasury Department. The rules, required under last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, are likely to slow consumer acceptance of electric vehicles and could delay President Joe Biden’s ambitious goal that half of new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. run on electricity by 2030. The new rules take effect April 18 and are aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on China and other countries for battery supply chains for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles now cost an average of more than $58,000, according to Kelley Blue Book, a price that’s beyond the reach of many U.S. households. The tax credits are designed to bring prices down and attract more buyers. But $3,750, half the full credit, may not be enough to entice them away from less-costly gasoline-powered vehicles.” [Associated Press, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Treasury Sets April 18 Start For EV Credit Sourcing Rules — “Automakers have less than three weeks to certify whether their new clean energy vehicles meet the consumer tax credit’s battery sourcing requirements under proposed rules released Friday by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. If the vehicles’ battery components and critical minerals in them are sourced in the U.S. or countries with a U.S. trade pact in compliance with the requirements, consumers can take advantage of the credit of up to $7,500 for vehicles they took possession of starting April 18, according to the proposed rules. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D , the requirements apply to vehicles placed in service after the date of the publication of the proposed rules. The rules will be published in the Federal Register on April 17, Treasury said in the proposed rules. 26 U.S.C.S. § 30D In the 61-page notice, Treasury proposed a three-step process to determine the percentage of the batteries’ critical minerals extracted, processed or recycled in qualified 20 trading partners, including Australia, Guatemala and Japan, for purposes of the sourcing requirements. The list of qualified countries is subject to change based on four criteria, such as the U.S.’ and partners’ commitments to impose no new trade barriers, the notice said. The department also proposed a four-step process to determine how much of the battery components were assembled or manufactured in the U.S., Canada or Mexico.” [Law360, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Tax Credits For Many American-Made EVs Will Drop On April 18 — “The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Friday posted guidance for battery materials, helping to clarify whether those buying EVs as soon as later next month will be able to claim the $3,750 credit dedicated to critical mineral origins under the new Clean Vehicle Credit. Based on an initial look, the rules will cast a wide net that follows the more liberal definition the administration previewed in December—allowing critical minerals from nations with which the U.S. has established free trade agreements to count toward the tax credit. The interpretation of the rules, as a result, includes this week’s agreement with Japan, and confirms that South Korea is included among many other nations. The less critical rules over critical minerals, despite the pushback over the original intent of the law as passed by Congress, are likely a good thing over the next several years for both automakers and vehicle shoppers, as it will assure that a wider pool of North American–made EVs are eligible for the credit’s full $7,500 amount. What was revealed Friday is a proposed rule, that will then be formed into a final rule after feedback from stakeholders. Rather than diving into all the fine details, what follows is a top-level view of what this new limitation means for shoppers in the immediate term and the EV market in a big-picture sense.” [Green Car Reports, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

US EV Tax Credit Rules Officially Change April 18, 2023 — “The US Treasury Department has finally come forward with its official battery production and battery materials sourcing guidelines related to the newly revamped US federal tax credit. Sadly, as expected, few vehicles are going to qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit. Nonetheless, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen shared: ‘Today, Treasury is taking an important step that will help consumers save up to $7,500 on a new clean vehicle and hundreds of dollars per year on gas, while creating American manufacturing jobs and strengthening our energy and national security.’ We’ve known the changes were coming for some time now. When the new EV tax credit was first announced, it appeared there may not be any EVs on the market that would qualify. Many are made by foreign automakers, produced outside the US, and/or use battery packs and materials that aren’t domestically sourced or produced. However, since the US Treasury hadn’t published the official requirements, there has been a loophole for most EVs since the beginning of 2023.” [Inside EVs, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

IRS Updates IRA EV Tax Credit Guidance, New Rules Apply April 18 — “The IRS has updated its guidance relating to the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) tax credit that applies to electric vehicles, with new rules coming into effect on April 18. The IRA’s $7,500 tax credit helps encourage companies to build EVs in the United States, and also incentivizes local sourcing of battery components, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign entities like China to build cells that the vehicles need. The full credit is $7,500, and half of that is dependent on a vehicle meeting the requirements for battery material sourcing. The other has to do with the region of manufacturing. To qualify for the materials half of the $7,500 credit, a defined percentage of the critical materials found in a battery pack must be ‘extracted or processed in the United States, or in any country with which the United States has a free trade agreement in effect, or … recycled in North America is equal to or greater than the applicable percentage.’” [Teslarati, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

 

Manufacturers, Fleets, & OEMs

 

BYD Co.

 

BYD Debuts The Dolphin & Seal In Costa Rica! — “BYD has been the #1 ‘New Energy Vehicle’ (NEV) selling company in Costa Rica for the past three years in a row. BYDs NEVs consist of plugin hybrids and full battery electric vehicles. BYD has already sold over 2,000 NEVs cumulatively in Costa Rica since it launched sales there a few years ago. The BYD Yuan Pro (locally known as the S1 PRO) SUV is the best-selling electric vehicle ever in Costa Rica and recently ranked in 6th place in the sales charts across all drivetrains. In Costa Rica, BYD has partnered with Cori Motors. Cori Motors has 15 years of experience in car distribution and has become the #1 seller of electric vehicles in the market. BYD is looking to intensify cooperation with local dealers to optimize the local sales and service systems, provide better experiences to Costa Rican users, and help accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in the region. This is a similar strategy to the one the company has employed in several markets around the world, and this has helped BYD to spread its footprint around the world.” [CleanTechnica, 4/2/23 (+)]

 

BYD Launches The Tang SUV, Han Flagship Sedan, & Yuan Plus In Mexico! — “The electric mobility sector is starting to get really exciting now, as a lot of the firms that manufacture electric vehicles are starting to seriously ramp up production. This is a welcome development, as we really need to get electric vehicles to as many markets as soon as practically possible to help supercharge the transition away from fossil fuel powered vehicles. One of the leading companies in the EV space is BYD. BYD sold just under 190,000 EVs in 2020. And in only two years, it managed to 10× this to over 1,863,494 vehicles last year. 10× in 2 years, how cool is that? In that time, BYD stopped making full ICE vehicles to focus only on battery electrics and plugin hybrids. Its plugin hybrids have also been upgraded with the new models — their ‘Super Hybrid’ DM-i and DM-p models.” [CleanTechnica, 4/2/23 (+)]

 

BYD Launches On The Spanish Market — “Chinese carmaker BYD is now selling its electric cars in Spain. It will soon kick off its Atto 3 SUV, Tang SUV and Han sedan sales there. BYD also sells the models in other European countries. The company is opening two of its ‘BYD Pioneer Stores’ in the country, one in Madrid and the other in Barcelone. The company does not give an exact opening date, only saying it will be ‘shortly.’ Stores in Valencia, the Canary Islands, Malaga and Seville, as well as ‘additional retail outlets in Madrid and Barcelona,’ will follow during 2023. The Astara, Quadis and Caetano Retail Spain will provide sales and aftersales support for BYD customers in Spain. In Europe, BYD already offers its electric cars in the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium and the UK. And ‘other European countries will follow imminently,’ the carmaker writes, but does not specify which ones. It is safe to assume that Finland and Iceland will be on the list. The carmaker recently signed new partnership deals in Europe, including with RSA. The two companies already work together in Norway. The new agreement is said to cover Finland and Iceland.” [Electrive, 4/3/23 (=)]

 

BYD Launches The ATTO 3, Han, & Tang SUV In Spain! — “BYD sold over 1.8 million electric vehicles (EVs) last year. As announced recently, BYD has a target of selling 3.6 million EVs this year. This would be an incredible achievement should the company manage to do it. Although the majority of these sales will be in its home market, a decent chunk of these sales are expected to come from BYD’s accelerated push to open up in new markets around the world. BYD has been on a roll announcing its entry into new markets on a seemingly weekly basis now. BYD has launched some of its new BEVs in markets all across the world, including India, Thailand, Australia, Austria, New Zealand, Cambodia, Nepal, Laos, Singapore, and more. This goes to show that a lot of planning has gone into this new aggressive export drive.” [CleanTechnica, 4/1/23 (+)]

 

Ford Motor Co.

 

Ford To Drop AM Radio In New Models, Except Commercial Vehicles — “Ford Motor Co. plans to stop putting AM radio in new gas-powered and electric vehicles beginning in 2024, including the all-electric Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning pickup, the Detroit Free Press has confirmed. ‘We are transitioning from AM radio for most new and updated 2024 models,’ Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood told the Free Press. ‘A majority of U.S. AM stations, as well as a number of countries and automakers globally, are modernizing radio by offering internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio options. Ford will continue to offer these alternatives for customers to hear their favorite AM radio music, news and podcasts as we remove amplitude modulation — the definition of AM in this case — from most new and updated models we bring to market.’ Commercial vehicles will continue to offer AM radio because of longstanding contract language, Sherwood said. Drivers often turn to AM radio for live traffic updates and weather reports, as well as emergency communication. ‘I don’t know how many companies have dropped AM radio for EVs, but most of the German companies and Volvo have and now Ford,’ said Mike Ramsey, an analyst with Stamford, Connecticut-based Gartner Research Group, which specializes in digital transformation and innovation.” [Detroit Free Press, 4/1/23 (=)]

 

Geely

 

Chinese Automaker Zeekr To Launch In Europe Next Year — “Zeekr, a Geely-owned luxury EV manufacturer, has announced plans for a 2024 European launch. Founded in 2021, Zeekr sold 71,941 vehicles last year in the Chinese domestic market. Given Zeekr’s relationship with Geely, the brand is by no means short on funds and can afford to spend hundreds of millions to ensure it expands rapidly. Currently it sells 2 vehicles, the 001 wagon and the 009 MPV. Meanwhile, the Zeekr X crossover is expected to enter production later this year. The Zeekr 001 can be equipped with a ginormous 140 kWh battery, resulting in a 641-mile CLTC range. Meanwhile, an 86 kWh battery comes as standard and a middle-of-the-row 100 kWh unit is also available. The 001 starts at the equivalent of around $45,000 in China. Zeekr’s other current offering, the 009, is a luxury MPV that starts at 499,000 CNY ($72,650). It can be specced with either a 116 kWh or 140 kWh battery, with the former getting a 436-mile CLTC range and the latter 510 miles.” [Inside EVs, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

General Motor Corp.

 

GM Sees Edge In EV Market From New US Tax Credit Rules — “General Motors Co. expects most electric vehicles made using its Ultium battery to be eligible for US tax credits, giving it an edge over competitors whose vehicles may no longer qualify for the benefit. Car buyers can get up to a $7,500 tax credit if they purchase a battery powered model subject to certain criteria outlined Friday by the Treasury Department as part of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. GM said it will have several EVs in production by the end of the year for which it is confident the full credit can be claimed. ‘This is a strategy that we have been executing for some time now that’s very well aligned with the goals of the US government’s recently passed policies to accelerate EV production and adoption,’ spokesperson Matt Ybarra said in a statement. Other automakers have suggested the new guidance will limit the number of vehicles that qualify for incentives once the new guidance goes into effect on April 18. EV market leader Tesla Inc. said it expects the rules will cut the amount of tax credits that can be claimed for the rear-wheel drive version of its popular Model 3. Ford Motor Co. said it will help buyers determine eligibility for tax credits on its EV models, without providing specifics.” [Bloomberg, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

GM Says It Expects Some EVs To Receive $7,500 US Tax Credits — “General Motors Co (GM.N) expects some electric vehicles (EVs) will qualify for $7,500 U.S. tax credits after stricter Treasury Department guidance takes effect April 18, the U.S. automaker said on Friday. ‘We expect a number of our Ultium-based EVs, including the Cadillac Lyriq and additional EVs launching this year like the Chevrolet Equinox EV SUV and Blazer EV SUV, to qualify for the full $7,500 credit in 2023,’ GM said in a statement. The EV battery sourcing guidance issued on Friday triggers new requirements for critical minerals and battery components. GM produces Ultium batteries at its joint venture Ultium Cells LLC plant in Ohio, the first of three planned U.S. battery factories with partner LG Energy Solution (373220.KS). GM currently also receives $7,500 tax credits for the Chevrolet Bolt and is eligible for $7,500 for the forthcoming 2024 model Chevrolet Silverado. GM said it expects its Bolt vehicles to qualify for some level of credit after the rules take effect.” [Reuters, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

GM Plans To Phase Out Apple CarPlay In EVs, With Google's Help — “General Motors (GM.N) plans to phase out widely-used Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technologies that allow drivers to bypass a vehicle’s infotainment systems, shifting instead to built-in infotainment systems developed with Google for future electric vehicles. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems allow users to mirror their smartphone screens in a vehicle’s dashboard display. GM’s decision to stop offering those systems in future electric vehicles, starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, could help the automaker capture more data on how consumers drive and charge EVs. GM is designing the on-board navigation and infotainment systems for future EVs in partnership with Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google. The decision to phase out CarPlay smartphone projection technology is a setback for Apple Inc (AAPL.O) in the competition with Google to capture more real estate on vehicle dashboards in North America. GM’s Chevrolet brand in the past boasted of offering more models with CarPlay or Android Auto than any other brand.” [Reuters, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

GM Shifting Away From Apple CarPlay, Android Auto As It Changes Infotainment Strategy For Future EVs — “General Motors Co. on Friday said it’s moving away from using the phone projection systems of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead, the Detroit automaker plans to use infotainment systems developed with Google on future electric vehicles. The system will be integrated with applications such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, Audible, Spotify and others. The new system will be available first on the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV and later on other select EVs, including the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, 2024 Cadillac CELESTIQ, and the 2025 GMC Sierra EV. Future EVs with this new infotainment system will also have GM’s new Ultifi software platform to enable ongoing innovation from the automaker and third-party collaborators. The system could give GM a chance to capture more data on how consumers drive and charge EVs.” [The Detroit News, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

GM Will Stop Offering Apple CarPlay On Future EVs — “Even though phone mirroring is one of the most popular tech features in today’s cars, GM said it will eliminate Apple CarPlay from its electric vehicles. The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV will be the first to get this downgrade, but other EV models will follow. GM will not remove CarPlay from any of its gasoline-powered models, which it only plans to build until 2035. GM said the change is needed to keep future EVs as integrated and connected as possible. The automaker will rely on a system co-developed with Google to operate its EVs.” [Car and Driver, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Hyundai Motor Co.

 

US: In March Hyundai Delivered The First 222 Ioniq 6 — “Hyundai Motor America reports the best March ever in the United States and the fifth consecutive month with a total monthly sales record. In March, the company sold 75,404 vehicles, which is 27 percent more than a year ago. So far this year, the company sold 184,449 units, which is 16 percent more than in 2022 at this point. March also brings the first-ever sales of the all-new Hyundai Ioniq 6 (222 units), which comes on top of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2,114 units). However, in the case of the Ioniq 5, the volume weakened by 22 percent year-over-year. The company offers a third all-electric car - Hyundai Kona Electric - but it does not report its results (it’s counted together with other powertrain versions). The total Hyundai Ioniq 5/Ioniq 6 sales amounted to 2,336 (down 13 percent year-over-year), which represents about 3.1 percent of the total volume. Hyundai BEV sales: Hyundai Ioniq 5: 2,114 (down 22% year-over-year) Hyundai Ioniq 6: 222 (new) Hyundai Kona Electric: N/A Total Ioniq family: 2,336 (down 13% year-over-year)” [Inside EVs, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Hyundai IONIQ 6 First Drive: Is Any Other Automaker Delivering More Value In High-Tech EVs Right Now? — “As we approach summer deliveries of Hyundai’s upcoming electric streamliner – the IONIQ 6 – I got the chance to get behind the wheel for the first time and share my thoughts. As Hyundai’s second model on its 800V E-GMP platform and one of the most aerodynamic EVs available, the IONIQ 6 is sure to provide an extremely joyful, sporty ride to owners while delivering some of the most advanced technology at quite reasonable costs. Ever since Hyundai launched its new EV-specific line of IONIQ vehicles in 2020, the 6 streamliner has been on our radar as one we’ve been dying to drive, especially after the quick success of its preceding sibling, the IONIQ 5. Hyundai teased first images of the aero-centric sedan in June of 2022, followed by a global debut event in mid-July. In October, Hyundai shared the targeted range and drag coefficient on the IONIQ 6, which now arrives as one of the most aerodynamic EVs on the market. Pre-orders began in the EU first and sold out in less than 24 hours. Following its official debut at Automobility Los Angeles last fall, Hyundai officially launched the IONIQ 6 in North America, which only flamed the fire of desire for this sleek EV on the 800V platform.” [Electrek, 4/2/23 (+)]

 

Stellantis

 

'Under Attack': UAW Leaders Decry Potential Layoffs At Sterling Heights — “Local United Auto Workers leaders representing employees at the Ram 1500 pickup assembly plant in Sterling Heights are decrying efforts by Stellantis NV that they say will cut and combine jobs and likely will result in layoffs. During an emergency meeting earlier this week, the plant’s management informed the UAW’s plant committee that it plans to eliminate 408 jobs by the end of the June, Local 1700 President Charles Bell said during a video with the local leadership that was uploaded on Friday to YouTube and wrote in a letter to the plant manager that was posted on Facebook. That figure doesn’t translate directly to layoffs, Bell said, but the number is large enough that the company likely would have to do layoffs at the plant that employs almost 6,500 hourly workers. … CEO Carlos Tavares has emphasized the need to find savings because electric vehicles are 40% more expensive than their internal combustion engine counterparts. He’s said manufacturing operations in North America have room for improvement based on best practices elsewhere, and that U.S. plants’ absenteeism is higher than those in Europe. Additionally, the industry is starting to see signs of growing economic uncertainty from inflation and higher interest rates. And the automakers could be against tough negotiations with the UAW when contract talks reopen later this year. Stellantis has yet to announce where the all-electric Ram 1500 REV will be built.” [The Detroit News, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Stellantis' Portugal Plant To Produce Large Series Fully Battery Electric Compact Vans — “Carmaker Stellantis NV (STLAM.MI) said on Friday its Portugal plant would become the first assembly plant in the country to produce large series fully battery electric compact vans by 2025. Stellantis’s Mangualde Production Center, which has made over 1.5 million vehicles, will produce battery electric light commercial vehicles for Citroën, Fiat, OPEL and Peugeot, the company said in a statement. Stellantis, the world’s third-largest automotive group by sales, planned to spend over 30 billion euros ($32.53 billion) through 2025 to electrify its vehicle lineup and boost its software content to catch up with rivals, including Tesla Inc (TSLA.O). Stellantis was created through the $52 billion merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA in 2021.” [Reuters, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Stellantis Will Build Evs In Portugal — “Stellantis has announced plans to manufacture electric vehicles in Portugal. From early 2025, the production centre in Mangualde will be the first assembly plant in Portugal to build battery-electric vans for Citroën, Fiat, Opel and Peugeot in large-scale production. Specifically, the Citroën ë-Berlingo, Fiat e-Doblò, Opel Combo-e, and Peugeot e-Partner models will roll off the production line there. In every case, the company will build a passenger and a light commercial version at the plant. ‘We are proud to announce that Mangualde will enter a new era with the production of large series of battery electric vans in Portugal to provide indispensable solutions for our business customers,’ says Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. Currently, the combustion versions of these models are produced in Mangualde. According to a Stellantis announcement, the plant will also have its own battery assembly line for the future production of electric vehicles. The manufacturer does not state the future annual capacity. However, a press release from the Portuguese government mentions almost 50,000 BEVs per year and the creation of 450 jobs.” [Electrive, 4/3/23 (=)]

 

Tesla Inc.

 

Tesla Sales Rise 36% In First Quarter, Following Price Cuts — “Tesla’s first-quarter vehicle sales rose 36% after the company cut prices twice in a bid to stimulate demand. The electric car, SUV and heavy truck maker said it delivered 422,875 vehicles worldwide from January to March, up from just over 310,000 a year ago. But the increase fell short of analyst estimates of 432,000 for the quarter, according to FactSet. The first quarter sales were a record for the company. Tesla cut prices in early March on its more expensive models, the S and X, by $5,000 to as much as $10,000. In January it slashed the sticker numbers on several versions of its EVs, making some eligible for a U.S. $7,500 federal tax credit. Some versions of the top-selling Model Y small SUV saw price trims of nearly 20%, and the base price of the Model 3 small car was dropped by 6%. The price cuts appeared to have raised demand despite increasing interest rates designed to slow the economy and curb inflation. Since the U.S. Federal Reserve began raising rates in March of last year, the average new vehicle loan has jumped from 4.5% to 7%, according to Edmunds data.” [The Detroit News, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Tesla Deliveries Rise To Record After Slashing Prices On EVs — “Tesla Inc. notched another record quarter of vehicle deliveries by a slim margin after cutting prices across its lineup early this year, suggesting orders may have slowed after an initial surge in demand. The electric-vehicle maker handed over 422,875 cars to customers in the first three months of the year, exceeding its fourth quarter total by about 4%. The result narrowly beat the average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg of 421,164 vehicles. After Tesla lowered the cost of its top-selling Model Y by as much as 20% and lopped up to $21,000 off its most expensive vehicles in the US, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said in late January that orders were running at almost twice the rate of production. The figures reported Sunday point to deceleration in demand the last couple months, as the company ended up making almost 18,000 more cars than it sold. ‘Continued excess production over deliveries will keep the debate going on price elasticity versus general demand weakness,’ Philippe Houchois, a Jefferies analyst with a buy rating on Tesla stock, said in a note.” [Bloomberg, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Tesla Sales Rose In The First Quarter — “Tesla sales rose 5 percent in the first three months of the year after it cut prices on its electric cars, helping to compensate for slowing economic growth and rising interest rates. Tesla said Sunday that it delivered nearly 423,000 vehicles from January through March, up from 405,000 in the last quarter of 2022. The company delivered 310,000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2022. The 36 percent increase from a year ago ‘indicates that demand for E.V.s remains strong, with Tesla the safe choice among E.V. buyers,’ said Ben Rose, president of Battle Road Research. ‘While the precise impact of recent price cuts and tax credits are difficult to determine,’ Mr. Rose said in an email, ‘both act as tailwinds for the company.’” [The New York Times, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Bloomberg | Price Cuts Driving Surging Demand For Tesla Models, Company Shares —“Tesla Inc. shares are set to mark their best-ever start to a year, buoyed by price cuts across the electric-vehicle maker’s lineup in a bid to boost sales. Investors will soon discover if all the enthusiasm was justified. The Elon Musk-led carmaker is expected to announce quarterly delivery and production figures in early April, providing an initial glimpse into how well the company’s strategy of chasing volume over profit margins worked. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg expect the Austin, Texas-based company to deliver a record 421,164 cars globally in the first quarter of 2023, up from the 405,278 it delivered last quarter. ‘In recent months Tesla has pivoted from being supply constrained to being demand constrained,’ Barclays analyst Dan Levy wrote in a note to clients, adding that while concerns about demand ‘temporarily halted when Tesla cut prices in early January, questions have resumed of late.’” [The Detroit News, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Tesla Breaks Delivery And Production Records–Again — “Tesla manufactured 440,808 and delivered 422,875 EVs in the first quarter of 2023 – a new record in both categories. Delivery figures are up 36 per cent compared to the 310,048 reported during the same period last year. Compared to the already record-breaking figures of Q4 2022, deliveries are up four per cent. To that end, Tesla built around 19,437 Model S/X vehicles from January to the end of March (10,695 delivered). The number of Model 3/Y vehicles produced was around 421.371 vehicles (412,180 delivered). Production and delivery figures are not broken down by region. However, the carmaker writes in its release that „we continued to transition towards a more even regional mix of vehicle builds, including Model S/X vehicles in transit to EMEA and APAC.’” [Electrive, 4/3/23 (=)]

 

Tesla (TSLA) Confirms New Record Deliveries, Beats Expectations — “Tesla (TSLA) has confirmed its Q1 2023 delivery and production numbers – confirming a new record quarter for both and beating expectations. With recent price drops and ramp-up in production capacity, Wall Street had high expectations for Tesla’s Q1 deliveries. Analysts had a consensus of about 420,000 vehicles delivered during the first three months of 2023. Today, Tesla released its official production and delivery results. The company confirmed that it beat delivery expectations with 422,875 vehicles delivered in Q1: ‘In the first quarter, we produced over 440,000 vehicles and delivered over 422,000 vehicles.’” [Electrek, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Elon Musk: Tesla Cybertruck Is Dead, $20,000 City Car Is Coming — “Lost in all the noise about new rules from the US Treasury Department defining which electric cars will be eligible for the federal EV tax credit as of April 18 — here’s a hint, the correct answer is ‘none’ — was a statement by Elon Musk that will rock the EV world to its very foundations. Speaking from inside a SpaceX Starship interstellar transport module, where he was personally installing the touchscreens that will control all aspects of future space flights, Musk told a reporter from SpaceShot that he recently had a dream after working 36 hours nonstop without so much as a bathroom break. ‘If I want people who are hardcore and have no personal life working for me, I have to set the example,’ he said.” [CleanTechnica, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Tesla Gigafactory Texas Achieves Production Of 4,000 Cars In A Week, But Trails Behind Berlin — “Tesla Gigafactory Texas has achieved a new production milestone of 4,000 cars in a week, but the factory trails behind Gigafactory Berlin in its friendly production ramp-up competition. The automaker has been simultaneously ramping up two major factories, Gigafactory Berlin and Gigafactory Texas, to volume production at the same time. It created a friendly competition between the two. When ramping up a new vehicle to volume production at a new factory, Tesla generally considers 5,000 units per week to be the goal. Last month, Gigafactory Berlin achieved that goal with 5,000 Model Y vehicles produced in a week. At the time, Gigafactory Texas was only known to be producing 3,000 Model Y vehicles per week and Tesla hadn’t updated the production rate since December.” [Electrek, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Black Ex-Tesla Worker Seeks $159m For Harassment In Retrial — “Counsel for a Black ex-Tesla worker who a California federal jury found was subjected to racial harassment urged a different jury Friday to award him $159 million, saying he ‘should receive millions and millions of dollars for what he went through.’ Tesla vehicle in front of a Tesla sign During his closing arguments, an attorney for a Black ex-Tesla worker who suffered harassment told jurors that it was their job to determine the amount of money it would take to make his client whole again, if that were possible. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Friday marked the final day of the five-day damages retrial in the case brought by former Tesla factory worker Owen Diaz. In 2021, another jury found that Diaz had been subjected to a racially hostile work environment and slapped the electric car company with a $137 million damages verdict. That victory was short-lived as the judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick, deemed the amount excessive and told the former Tesla freight elevator operator that he could take $15 million or allow new jurors to decide how much money he should receive. Diaz opted for a new jury. During closing arguments Friday, Diaz attorney J. Bernard Alexander of Alexander Morrison & Fehr LLP told jurors that it was their job to determine ‘how much money it would take’ to make his client ‘whole, if making him whole is possible.’” [Law360, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Tesla Atty Attacks Black Ex-Worker's Credibility In Bias Case — “A Tesla lawyer cast doubt Thursday on the credibility of a Black ex-worker who a jury found was subjected to racial harassment, suggesting at a damages retrial in California that the plaintiff had written his own doctor’s note to get out of work and hammering him about inconsistencies in his testimony. Thursday marked the second day on the witness stand for Owen Diaz and the continuation of his cross-examination by Tesla lawyer Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP. Diaz worked as a freight elevator operator at Tesla’s Fremont, California, car factory from June 2015 to March 2016 Spiro started the morning by noting that an email Diaz wrote to higher-ups at Tesla about an October 2015 incident in which he felt threatened by his supervisor didn’t indicate anything about race being a part of the confrontation. Diaz pointed out that he encouraged his bosses to check the surveillance video to confirm the supervisor had hurled a racial slur at him. ‘When you were first deposed in this case under oath and you were asked what happened in the elevator you also did not indicate that it had anything to do with race,’ Spiro shot back.” [Law360, 3/30/23 (=)]

 

Fifth Circ. Backs NLRB Ruling Over Musk Tweet — “A Fifth Circuit panel unanimously rejected bids by Tesla and the United Auto Workers to review a National Labor Relations Board decision Friday, affirming instead the board’s findings that a tweet by Elon Musk unlawfully threatened workers and that Tesla did not illegally solicit complaints from workers. A Fifth Circuit panel agreed with the National Labor Relations Board that a tweet by Elon Musk was threatening to workers considering unionization. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) According to Friday’s ruling, Tesla and the UAW each challenged two aspects of the NLRB decision that found merit to some of the unfair labor practice allegations lodged by the union. Tesla had asked the Fifth Circuit to overturn the NLRB’s ruling that a May 2018 tweet by Musk violated federal labor law. The tweet read: ‘Nothing stopping Tesla team at our car plant from voting union. Could do so tmrw if they wanted. But why pay union dues & give up stock options for nothing? Our safety record is 2X better than when plant was UAW & everybody already gets healthcare.’ Tesla argued Musk’s tweet ‘was not threatening on its face’ because it starts off by stating there is ‘nothing stopping’ employees from unionizing, UAW-represented employees at other companies do not have stock options, and the Twitter thread in which the tweet appears includes clarification from Musk that the original tweet was not a threat and he believed the UAW would take away stock options.” [Law360, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Court Orders Musk To Delete Tweet Threatening Union-Seeking Workers — “Elon Musk has been ordered by a US federal appeals court to delete an infamous 2018 Twitter post that contained a thinly veiled threat to Tesla workers who considered forming an union. The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Louisiana, ruled on March 31 that the billionaire must delete the tweet that suggested Tesla workers could lose stock options if they unionized and joined the UAW (United Auto Workers). The decision is a blow to Tesla, which has categorically opposed the UAW’s efforts to unionize the EV maker’s workers; at the same time, it’s a victory for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB is an independent federal agency that protects the rights of most private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve their wages and working conditions. As Automotive News reports, the ruling also puts Musk in the awkward position of having to retract one of his many controversial tweets after becoming the owner of Twitter.” [Inside EVs, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

Tesla Hit With Another Suit Over Alleged Parts Monopoly — “Tesla Inc. has been hit with another suit in California federal court accusing the company of having a monopoly on parts for its electric vehicles and of deliberately milking cash from customers trying to fix their cars. The complaint, filed on Wednesday by Orange County, California, resident Sean Bose, claims the company has violated federal antitrust law by designing warranties, policies and vehicles that force consumers to use only Tesla services for repairs. Bose’s suit joins a slew of other ‘right-to-repair’ cases accusing companies like Harley-Davidson Inc. and Deere & Co., which does business as John Deere, of illegally monopolizing the markets for repair services and compatible parts. According to the complaint, Bose purchased a used Tesla Model S in 2021 and has paid the car manufacturer for parts and repairs. Two other Tesla Model S owners, Virginia M. Lambrix and Robert Orendain, filed similar lawsuits against the automaker on March 14. Like Lambrix and Orendain, Bose alleges that if a Tesla owner needs repairs, they encounter a market for services monopolized entirely by the company. Because Tesla allegedly imposes warranties and other policies that ‘actively discourage’ owners of its vehicles from obtaining compatible parts from other sources, the automaker can maintain its monopoly, the owners say.” [Law360, 3/30/23 (=)]

 

Toyota Motor Corp.

 

54 Organizations Demand Toyota Shift To EVs Globally As New CEO Steps In — “A coalition of 54 consumer and environmental groups from 26 countries have written a letter to Toyota asking that the company phase-out fossil fuels globally by 2035, and in Europe by 2030. The letter is timed to coincide with the start of new CEO Koji Sato’s tenure at the company on April 1. Toyota occupies a commanding role in global auto manufacturing. It is not only the largest company in Japan by a longshot, but also often the world’s number-one automaker (sometimes swapping this title with VW). As a result, the company’s actions can set the tone for the auto industry. It also carries the respect of manufacturing companies outside of the auto industry, with its famous ‘kaizen’ production methods. Kaizen’s focus on efficiency has influenced manufacturing worldwide – somewhat to its recent detriment, as just-in-time production proved disastrous during COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.” [Electrek, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Volkswagen Group

 

VW Brand CEO Reveals That The Electric Golf Will Arrive 2028 At Earliest — “volkswagen-id3-meb-produktion-production-zwickau-2019-04-min Volkswagen has provided insights into its model planning for the upcoming EVs. According to brand CEO Thomas Schäfer, many points are still open – as the production of new electric cars will also depend on the demand for combustion engines. And this will also be decided in Brussels. In the interview with the German publication Automobilwoche, Schäfer confirmed the basic goal that the VW brand wants to sell only battery-electric vehicles in Europe. In the interview, the CEO of the VW brand made it clear that a new electric Golf will only be available on the basis of the upcoming SSP electric platform. And as things stand at present, this is planned for 2028. So there will be no ID. Golf before then. Schäfer justified the fact that the electric Golf needs the SSP with the ‘Golf genes’ that are to be found in the vehicle. For example, the model is to have ‘a flatter roof compared to the ID.3’, which is not possible based on the MEB or the further development MEB+. ‘Simply calling any vehicle that is not possible,’ says Schäfer. ‘We won’t make that mistake.’” [Electrive, 4/3/23 (=)]

 

 

EV Charging Cos. & Parts Mfrs.

 

BP plc

 

Uber And BP To Provide Fast EV Chargers To The Ride-Hailing Company’s Drivers — “Uber and bp announced Friday a global agreement to help the ride-hailing company’s drivers transition to electric vehicles by giving them better access to fast charging, the companies said in a press release. Uber’s goal is for all rides to be in zero-emission vehicles by 2030 in the U.S. and Canada. Drivers using Uber’s app will receive discounts for charging their vehicles with bp pulse, the energy company’s EV charging business. ‘The two companies will also explore working together on convenience and fuel offers,’ the press release said. More than 4% of all trip-miles on the Uber platform in the U.S. and Canada during the third quarter of 2022 were completed by zero-emission vehicles, an Uber spokesperson said in an email. That represented a leap of more than 11 times compared to the first half of 2021. The Uber spokesperson also said that electric vehicle uptake by drivers using Uber’s app in the U.S. is now eight times higher than that of drivers in the general population.” [Smart Cities Dive, 3/31/23 (=)]

 

Shell plc

 

Shell Dramatically Expands Its Network Of EV Charging Stations — “Shell has plans to increase its electric vehicle charging network, Shell Recharge, from 140,000 global charge points today to over 500,000 by 2025. Last week, the oil company finalized its purchase of the Volta charging network, which operates in 31 U.S. states. Shell now ‘owns and operates one of the largest public electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in the U.S.’ Shell paid $169 million cash for Volta. Shell made $40 billion in profits in 2022.” [Car and Driver, 4/1/23 (=)]

 

 

Electric Vehicles

 

EV Sales & Transition

 

US First-Quarter Auto Sales Set To Rise On Better Inventory — “U.S. auto sales are expected to rise for a second straight quarter as automakers are able to ship more vehicles to dealers on time, analysts said, while focus will also be on watching out for signs of plateauing demand. Vehicle production took a hit after the pandemic disrupted supply of semiconductor chips and other raw materials, hurting carmakers’ ability to meet the upsurge in demand for personal mobility. The companies have been playing catch-up ever since as the supply chain snags gradually ease. But rising interest rates and fears of a recession may play spoilsport in an industry where most vehicle purchases are financed with loans, analysts say. The average transaction price of vehicles, too, has surged over the last one year. ‘Consumers are facing credit uncertainty as rapidly rising interest rates have created barriers to entry for even the most qualified buyers,’ said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at auto research firm Edmunds.” [Reuters, 4/3/23 (+)]

 

As Auto Industry Struggles To Fill Good-Paying Jobs, Ford Unveils New Strategy — “Help wanted. Seriously. The global auto industry is bracing for a shortage of auto repair and maintenance technicians as the field feels the pinch of an aging workforce nearing retirement and too few recruits to fill the jobs they leave behind. Customers can expect to feel the pain — think even longer waits for service — unless automakers take drastic steps to recruit new talent. Back in the day, these folks were called mechanics. But things have changed. As much as the job may involve grease and wrenching, so, too, does it require understanding software technology. Vehicles continue to become more sophisticated as the industry moves from gas-powered to electric. On Thursday, Ford Motor Co. announced its investment in a potential solution. The Dearborn-based automaker said it has budgeted $1 million for scholarships to cover costs for students who want to become automotive technicians. The collaborative effort, which also includes the charitable Ford Fund and Ford dealers, aims to help 200 low-income students — or 50 per region in Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Illinois — obtain a two-year certification program. ‘Despite annual demand for 258,000 new technicians, there are only 48,000 graduates from technician programs each year nationwide,’ Ford said in its news release, citing data from a TechForce Foundation 2022 report and the U.S. Department of Labor.” [USA Today, 4/3/23 (=)]

 

EV Infrastructure

 

‘Free’ Employee Parking Is Actually Costing The Climate And Commuters — “Many businesses pay for space in a garage or lot so employees can park near the office. But Allen Greenberg of the Federal Highway Administration says when employers provide free parking, it comes at a cost to the climate and other commuters. The climate is changing, and our journalists are here to help you make sense of it. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and never miss a story. ‘They are encouraging employees to drive to work in congested cities and largely to block buses filled with low-income workers who are also trying to get to work, who are using the infrastructure much more efficiently,’ he says. So some places such as Washington, D.C., and California now have what are known as ‘parking cash-out’ laws. The details vary, but these laws essentially require that if companies pay for employee parking, they must offer equivalent benefits to non-drivers. That can take the form of a public transit pass or — for employees who walk or bike to work — cash equal to the market value of a parking spot. Greenberg says employees might use that cash for a new bicycle or put it towards rent so they can afford to live close enough to walk to work. ‘What we’re talking about here is not a new cost … not a burden, but rather an opportunity,’ Greenberg says.” [Yale Climate Connections, 4/3/23 (+)]

 

EV Resources & Technology

 

‘War Of The States’: EV, Chip Makers Lavished With Subsidies — “States are doling out more cash than ever to lure multibillion-dollar microchip, electric vehicle and battery factories, inspiring ever-more competition as they dig deeper into their pockets to attract big employers and capitalize on a wave of huge new projects. Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas have made billion-dollar pledges for a microchip or EV plant, with more state-subsidized plant announcements by profitable automakers and semiconductor giants surely to come. States have long competed for big employers. But now they are floating more billion-dollar offers and offering record-high subsidies, lavishing companies with grants and low-interest loans, municipal road improvements, and breaks on taxes, real estate, power and water. ‘We’re in the second war of the states,’ said John Boyd, a principal at the Florida-based Boyd Company, which advises on site selections. ‘That’s how competitive economic development is between the states in 2023.’ The projects come at a transformative time for the industries, with automakers investing heavily in electrification and chipmakers expanding production in the U.S. following pandemic-related supply chain disruptions that raised economic and national security concerns.” [Associated Press, 4/1/23 (=)]

 

 

International

 

China

 

China’s Unloved EV Chargers Point To Challenges For Public Plugs — “To support its transition from gas guzzlers to electric vehicles, China has rolled out more public charging facilities than the rest of the world combined. The problem is many are barely being used. New research from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies found that public charging posts in China are used on average about once a day. Some connectors along highway routes are particularly unloved, with an average utilization rate of 1%, according to the study. The low usage illustrates the tricky reality of public charging networks: Reliable infrastructure is needed to help ease consumers’ anxiety about running out of battery range, but more EVs are needed to make the stations economically viable. China’s predicament suggests that investments other countries are making to support higher electric-car adoption may take time to pay off. ‘Utilization of chargers is fairly low, so you’re not going to necessarily make a lot of money by having a charging business,’ said Anders Hove, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Institute. ‘It’s going to be a very low-margin business, so you’re going to have to have some government regulation to make sure the quality is kept up.’” [Bloomberg, 4/3/23 (=)]

 

ICE Car Values Plummet In China And It Is The Canary In The Coal Mine — “A looming crisis is brewing in China, as hundreds of thousands of unsold, polluting gas-powered vehicles may be rendered unsellable due to incoming emissions rules. It’s another sign that the global auto industry isn’t ready for the shift to EVs and will be caught unawares if it doesn’t ramp EV production fast enough. The new Chinese emissions rules were announced all the way back in 2016 and are set to go into effect in July. This gave automakers almost seven full years of notice to get it together and prepare to produce and sell less-polluting vehicles, more than enough time to bring a new model fully from original conception to production. The rules don’t ban all gas cars, but they do set stricter emissions standards on several pollutants released by internal combustion vehicles. Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen oxide, particulates, and other pollutants must all be reduced by a half or a third. Automakers seem to have planned to continue selling polluting vehicles up until the deadline, but then COVID hit. This affected the production of vehicles but also affected purchases. Auto sales dropped, and while sales have started to recover somewhat, most of that recovery has been in EV sales, while ICE sales are still depressed.” [Electrek, 4/1/23 (=)]

 

 

Research & Analysis

 

Gas Cars Are Embarrassingly Uncompetitive—Lifecycle Cost Analysis — “CleanTechnica has published many excellent 5-year total cost of ownership (TCO) articles comparing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) against similar internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). A 5-year timeframe is the norm for this type of analysis since many people flip their vehicles at this point. Invariably, BEVs prove to be cheaper than comparable ICEVs in these models, all things considered, even when purchase price of the BEV is higher. This is great to know, but if we want to understand the big picture — namely, the full impact of those BEVs across all owners for the vehicles’ entire lifetime — the 5-year comparisons do not capture this. Clearly, BEVs will continue to benefit their future owners with lower fuel costs, lower maintenance costs, and potentially longer life. A full life-cycle cost analysis captures this.” [CleanTechnica, 4/2/23 (+)]

 

2027 The Year It Is Over For ICE Vehicles — “Almost two years ago, CleanTechnica published my first article. I had been collecting data on the global uptake of electric vehicles since watching an interview with Elon Musk on TED Talks back in 2019. I had mapped, recorded, and extrapolated the data and thought maybe I should do something with it. EVs had been growing consistently at 60% per year and the startling conclusion was that by 2027, most new vehicles being sold would be electric. So, I thought I would write an article. CleanTechnica picked it up and I have been with them ever since — 585 articles later. Thank you, CleanTechnica. It’s yet another example of an interest growing into a hobby and becoming a job. I see it all around me in the new EV economy. This morning, going through my news feed, I was struck by this headline: ‘BMW M also forecasts that BEVs and PHEVs will overtake sales of ICEs as early as 2027.’ I’ve got news for BMW — by 2027, PHEVs won’t sell, and BEVs will be 90% of the market. If BMW isn’t making enough BEVs, it will lose market share.” [CleanTechnica, 4/2/23 (+)]

 

Study: Brands Not Meeting EV Demand Will Lose Market Share — “Automakers that don’t meet growing demand for EVs will gradually lose market share and struggle to find buyers for internal-combustion vehicles, Consumer Reports predicts. A recent study by the publication’s advocacy arm found that constricted supplies of EVs are creating pent-up demand that will play out over the next few years, reducing the potential market for gasoline and diesel cars. CR noted that its surveys recorded a 350% increase in demand for EVs between 2020 and 2022, but predicts that current supply levels won’t be able to satisfy that demand ‘until at least the end of the decade.’ ‘This rising tide of demand is projected to be met by lagging supply,’ according to a CR statement, ‘leaving many consumers who want a BEV to choose between settling for a gasoline vehicle they don’t want, joining an ever-expanding waitlist, or just waiting it out and holding onto their existing vehicle for longer.’ Roughly half of U.S. EV sales are of vehicles from Tesla, and it stands so high in market share partly because of such limited EV availability from other brands—and because other brands haven’t yet been as competitive on price, except for a few select models like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt EV.” [Green Car Reports, 4/2/23 (=)]

 

 

Opinion Pieces

 

The Dirty Secret About ‘Clean’ Electric Vehicles — “AUTOMOBILES EMIT tailpipe carbon emissions, we all know that, and these emissions in the aggregate are now the largest single source of carbon emissions in Massachusetts and many other states, surpassing the energy and building sectors. Efforts to reduce transportation sector emissions have rightly taken center stage as a matter of public policy, but the Commonwealth’s efforts to decarbonize are largely designed around the continuation of today’s highly auto-centric public realm. The approach being taken by Massachusetts places near-exclusive emphasis on transitioning the statewide vehicular fleet to electric-powered vehicles. But this approach, which certainly will have the effect of reducing tailpipe carbon emissions, will on its own do nothing to address the public health consequences associated with the significant other emissions and air pollution caused by an auto-centric society. A report published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine underscored a point many of us have been making for some time. In a moment when a national commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is encouraging massive investments in electric vehicles and EV charging infrastructure, we may be missing the forest for the trees.” [CommonWealth Magazine, 4/1/23 (-)]

 

 

 

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