Hello! Thanks for checking in on this weeks issue of the EV Canada Newsletter.

It seems as though a lot of automakers are turning to celebrities to help with EV adoption. Kevin Bacon and his daughter Sosie teamed up with Hyundai, Paul Rudd as Antman and Evangeline Lilly as Wasp appeared in VWs ID.4 latest commercial, and Will Ferrell is bringing his talents to GM and Netflix for commercials for the Blazer EV and other GM vehicles.

Celebrity endorsements are nothing new when promoting vehicles, but there are some key reasons that they can benefit EV adoption. Here are some key reasons why I believe EV automakers should use celebrities for endorsements specifically for their EVs:

1. Increased Awareness: Celebrity endorsements can help increase awareness about EVs and the benefits of switching to them. Through their social media platforms and public appearances, celebrities can reach a large audience and help raise awareness about the importance of reducing carbon emissions and adopting more sustainable modes of transportation.

2. Credibility: Celebrity endorsements bring credibility to the product being promoted. Consumers tend to trust celebrities and their opinions, and a positive endorsement from a well-known celebrity can make a significant impact on consumer perceptions and purchasing decisions. This could help bring more consumers to the EV side.

3. Lifestyle Alignment: Many celebrities are known for their eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyles, making them ideal ambassadors for promoting EVs. By aligning themselves with the values and beliefs of their audience, celebrities can help create a connection with consumers and make EVs more appealing.

4. Reach a Younger Demographic: Celebrities are often popular among younger generations, making them ideal for promoting EVs to this demographic. Young people are more likely to be interested in new technology and environmentally conscious, making them prime targets for EV promotions.

Canada

2023 Genesis G80 Electric review - a luxury EV experience.

The 2023 Genesis G80 Electric is a full-size luxury sedan with an electric motor. It has 365 horsepower, 516 lb-ft of torque, and a range of 450 kilometers. It shares its underpinnings with the gas model and features an 800-volt electrical architecture for fast charging. With a Level 2 charger, it can be charged in 7.5 hours and with a 350 kW DC Fast Charger, it can charge from 10-80% in 21 minutes. The G80 also has a V2L function that allows it to power small appliances and charge other EVs. The car is only available in one trim for $105,000 CAD and comes loaded with features such as a 14.5” touchscreen, a 12.3” digital driver display, a wireless charger, and a 21-speaker audio system. Genesis offers a 5-year warranty and free maintenance in Canada and the US. Genesis at Home services are offered in Canada to customers within 50 km of a distributor.

Voltari 260, an electric boat travels to the Bahamas from Florida on a single charge.

Voltari, a marine electrification specialist, has started showcasing its flagship electric performance boat, the Voltari 260. The 740 horsepower all-electric vessel is a combination of the company's expertise in carbon fiber and electric powertrains. The team recently took the 260 on a single charge from Florida to the Bahamas, showcasing its impressive capabilities. Voltari was founded in Canada in 2021 after the company wholly-acquired Carbon Marine and LTS Marine, who previously designed and manufactured electric marine systems. The Voltari 260 is available for sale now for $450,000 and comes with a 142 kWh lithium-ion battery pack system. It has the ability to reach a top speed of 60 mph and has a range of 91 miles, making it the longest overseas distance traveled by a performance electric boat without recharging. Keep an eye on Voltari, as the company is set to shake up the marine industry and continue to innovate in the rapidly emerging electric boat market.

EV Around the World 🌏

Nissan unveils physical version of its futuristic electric convertible Max-Out concept.

Nissan has revealed a real-life version of its electric convertible concept, the Max-Out, at its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. The Max-Out was first shown as a rendering in 2021 when Nissan announced its $17.6 billion electrification strategy, which aims to produce 23 new electrified models by 2030. The physical version of the Max-Out will be on display at Nissan's Futures event, which is set to run through March.

The Max-Out is a two-seater with a sporty and low profile design that emphasizes speed and performance. Nissan claims it will provide a dynamic cornering experience and a balanced steering response with limited body roll, ensuring optimal driver and passenger comfort. Its distinctive grid pattern on the hood and wheels, as well as its rectangular front end, evoke a “retrofuturistic” aesthetic reminiscent of science fiction from the 1980s.

While its exact future plans are unknown, Nissan's motorsports boss, Takao Katagiri, has stated that the automaker is developing a new sports car for North America and Europe. There are speculations that the Max-Out could be a part of the Nismo lineup or a preview of a GT-R successor with hybrid or pure electric power.

Nissan aims for a 50% electrification mix for its Nissan and Infiniti brands by the end of the decade, with 15 of its 23 new electrified models being fully electric. In the US, Nissan's target is a little less aggressive, aiming for 40% of its sales to be EVs by 2040. The company's Ariya SUV is expected to hit dealerships this year, following a delay.

As a pioneer in electric vehicle sales, Nissan has a long history of innovation and leadership in this field. Despite having only the functional but unremarkable Nissan Leaf hatchback on the market, the company is poised to expand its electrified vehicle lineup with the Ariya SUV and the futuristic Max-Out concept.

I haven’t jumped on the MrBeast train, although it seems like the rest of the world has. MrBeast has over 132-Million subscribers in YouTube! Absolutely insane. 

However, there is no denying that MrBeast has changed a lot of peoples’ livces for the better. This includes how he recently helped 1,000 people with eyesight troubles, the ability to see once more. One lucky young man was even gifted a Tesla! See below for the heartwarming video.

BMW announces Announces $864 Million (USD) invesetment in Mexican production site for Neue Klasse EVs.

BMW is ramping up its electric vehicle production with an €800 million (approximately $864 million) investment to prepare its San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico for its upcoming Neue Klasse EVs. This comes after BMW's announcement of a $1.7 billion investment in October to expand its Spartanburg production site in the US.

The investment will result in the creation of 1,000 new jobs and will include a new 85,000 square meter assembly center for high-voltage electric vehicle batteries. The San Luis Potosí plant already has 3,000 employees and produces some of BMW's most popular models, supplying 74 global markets.

The facility will implement BMW's iFactory production strategy, which focuses on flexibility, green and resource-saving methods, and digitalization. The Neue Klasse EVs will be the new class of electric vehicles for BMW, using round lithium-ion battery cells developed for its sixth-generation Drive tech.

According to BMW, the new battery format will increase energy density by over 20%, charging speed and range by up to 30%, and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 60%. The automaker aims for a 50% electric vehicle share of total sales by 2030 and is investing in production capabilities to meet this goal. The first Neue Klasse cars are expected to roll off the production line at BMW's Debrecen, Hungary plant in 2025, followed by its Munich plant, and finally the San Luis Potosí facility in Mexico in 2027.

QuickEV

• Tesla Cybertruck beta prototype spotted ahead of production start.

• Rivian will lay off 6 percent of staff to cut costs amid EV price war.

• [VIDEO] Amazing behind the scenes of the Corvette C8 & E-ray production lines.

• Xpeng launches G9 SUV and P7 sedan for Europe.

• Ford CEO: next-gen EV pickup, new electric platform is in development.

• [VIDEO] Longest range EVs put to the test.

• Volvo plans to turn all core models to EVs by 2026.

• Rivian is laying off 6 percent of its employees — again.

EV Tweet of the Week

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