Hello and welcome to this weeks’ issue of the EV Canada Newsletter.

I’ve had a lot of conversations with people over the last year regarding EV adoption and whether selecting a Tesla, versus any other manufacturer was a good choice or not. This has been toying around in my head for awhile, so I wrote a little section below on it. Let me know your thoughts!

Canada

Tesla and Elon Musk: Can You Support One Without the Other?

In the world of electric vehicles, Tesla has become a household name. And with Tesla comes Elon Musk, the company's outspoken CEO who is loved by some and loathed by others. This divide has created a dilemma for EV adopters: should they support Tesla despite their personal opinions about Musk?

It's an interesting question that goes beyond just one person or company. In fact, it raises a broader issue about how we perceive the character of major corporate leaders and how it affects our buying decisions.

Elon Musk. It's no secret that his character is often controversial and he has made headlines for his Twitter rants, public spats with politicians, and even smoking marijuana on a podcast. But does that mean we should boycott Tesla altogether? Not necessarily.

While it's important to hold leaders accountable for their actions, we also have to consider the bigger picture. Tesla is one of the most innovative and successful electric vehicle manufacturers in the world. By purchasing a Tesla, you are supporting a company that is driving the transition to sustainable transportation and helping to reduce carbon emissions. You are also supporting the livelihoods of thousands of employees and suppliers who work for the company. A lot of people also don’t recognize that Elon Musk, although the largest individual shareholder of Tesla, has just ~13% of the total stock.

But what if we knew more about the personal character of other automotive manufacturing corporation CEOs? Would that affect our choices as EV adopters? It's an interesting thought experiment, but the reality is that we often don't know much about the personal lives and character traits of the CEOs of other companies - not just vehicle manufacturers. And even if we did, would it sway our buying decisions in the same way it does with Elon Musk and Tesla?

Tesla has some major advantages as an EV manufacturer, which includes their reliable supercharger network, no price gouging and dealer mark ups (what you see on the website is what you pay), and some would consider Elon Musk a positive influence for Tesla. There are also some disadvantages, such as, many people disagree with Musk’s personal character and choices he has made and don’t find his personality charming. Tesla has also had some quality issues when it comes to panel fitment/gap, paint quality and water leaks into tail light, and many users find the user interface of the vehicle hard to get used to.

At the end of the day, our primary concern as consumers is getting the best product at the best price. If a non-Tesla electric vehicle fits that criteria, then it makes sense to purchase it. If we want to accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation, then supporting innovative companies like Tesla is a step in the right direction and supporting EVs as a whole is important. Overall, EV adoption is the key point here - whether it’s a Tesla or not - doesn’t much matter if it suits your needs.

In conclusion, the issue of whether or not to support Tesla despite personal opinions about Elon Musk is a complex one. While it's important to hold leaders accountable for their actions, we should also consider the bigger picture and the impact of our choices on the environment and society. At the end of the day, the decision to purchase a Tesla or any other electric vehicle should be based on a combination of personal values, financial considerations, and environmental impact.

Michael Timmons

Tesla May Be Considering Mineral Extraction and Processing Project in Ontario, Canada

Tesla, has been exploring opportunities to venture into the battery materials business, specifically mining operations in Canada. In August 2022, Tesla started lobbying the Ontario government for manufacturing facilities, and a month later, it appointed the province's former battery mineral expert to its newly established Critical Minerals & Supply Chain Policy Advisor position.

According to reports, Tesla has been engaged in ongoing meetings with Ontario government officials, and it may be considering a project related to the extraction and processing of minerals in the area. The company has reportedly filed official paperwork with the Ontario government related to the potential project and is looking into the possibility of having an industrial facility in the region.

While there have been reports that Tesla may consider an automotive factory in Canada, the company recently decided to build its next North American EV factory in Mexico. Nonetheless, it may prove highly lucrative for Tesla to invest in Ontario and devise a business plan with the province.

It remains to be seen what Tesla is planning for Ontario, but reports suggest that the company is seeking to increase the competitiveness of Ontario and its ability to attract capital through approvals timeframes that are competitive with other locations while working with the government to identify incentives to further increase the attractiveness of Ontario. Some Canadian officials have visited Tesla's Fremont factory, and there may have been non-disclosure agreements involved in some cases.

EV & Charging Expo 2023: Premier Trade Show and Conference for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles in Toronto.

Electric Autonomy is excited to present the EV & Charging Expo 2023, a two-day trade show and conference in Toronto on May 17-18.I will be in attendance the first day, May 17th!

With over 50 exhibitors, dozens of speakers, and more than 2,000 attendees expected, this premier event will be held in Canada’s largest exhibition and convention centre. The EV & Charging Expo 2023 is aimed at fleet operators, building owners, and municipal planners looking to adopt zero-emission vehicles and ZEV infrastructure into their operations. The event will offer on-site, on-road test drives of commercial vehicles, knowledge-sharing sessions led by industry experts and early adopters, and the latest solutions in electric trucks, charging technology, and more.

The EV & Charging Expo 2023 will be a much-needed forum which consists of a two-day event is centered around hands-on interaction, education, information-sharing, and relationship building. These connective activities will help fill knowledge gaps and ease the transition to zero-emission transportation.

The conference program provides further opportunities for networking and learning. The sessions feature leading experts and early adopters who will share their experiences and insights in making the move towards a carbon-free transportation sector. Attendees will learn about case studies and data on fleet electrification, transitioning government fleets, installing charging in workplaces and multi-unit residential buildings, and securing connected vehicles. Furthermore, they will be able to take a selection of commercial EVs for on-road test drives.

Exhibitor booths will feature the latest solutions in vehicles, charging hardware and software, vehicle leasing, telematics, and more. ABB, SWTCH, Siemens, Uber, BMO Radicle, Signature Electric, Petro-Canada, Black and McDonald, Foss National Leasing, Kempower, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, Element Fleet, and numerous others have already confirmed their attendance as sponsors and exhibitors.

For more information on the EV & Charging Expo 2023 or to book tickets, visit here. The event promises to be an excellent opportunity for fleet operators, building owners, and municipal planners to learn and network with industry experts and early adopters, discover the latest solutions in electric trucks, charging technology, and more, and take on-site, on-road test drives of commercial vehicles.

EV Around the World 🌏

Australia’s new EV commercial will get you energized.

Aptera Motors provides video update.

Aptera Motors has released a video update on the progress of its solar electric vehicle (EV) project, revealing the development of tooling overseas, the Accelerator Program, and grants and funding. The update includes details about the process of manufacturing Aptera EV structural components, which uses die molds and a carbon composite material that can be recycled up to five times. The company's cofounders have also updated its solar development, accelerator program, funding opportunities, and solar EV tooling overseas. With over $14m already raised through the Accelerator Program, Aptera continues to explore new funding opportunities and capital investments to achieve scaled production. Its co-founders submitted an application for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program, through which they hope to purchase additional equipment that will be funded by the loan program.

Aptera has also been developing its solar panel technology, testing its inverter technology and is considering abandoning Silicon Carbide (SiC) in favor of Insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) inverter. The company is confident that continued crowdfunding and other capital investments should help it to reach its production target within nine months. The production start date will be delayed further as Aptera Motors continues to seek a big investor to provide the required funding.

Tesla Model S Plaid with Track Package: The Ultimate Performance EV.

Tesla has officially announced the highly anticipated Track Package for the Model S Plaid, offering a new level of performance for electric vehicle enthusiasts. This package includes several features aimed at enhancing the vehicle's performance on the track, making it a formidable competitor against gas-powered sports cars.

The Track Package includes several key upgrades to the already impressive Model S Plaid, such as a carbon fiber spoiler, lightweight wheels, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. These upgrades result in improved handling, grip, and overall performance on the track. Additionally, the package includes track-focused brake pads and rotors, ensuring reliable stopping power during intense driving.

Under the hood, the Model S Plaid with Track Package remains largely unchanged from the standard Plaid model. It still features Tesla's three electric motors, which provide a total power output of 1,020 horsepower and a top speed of 200 mph. However, the Track Package does include a unique tuning for the suspension and powertrain, further optimizing the vehicle's performance on the track.

The Model S Plaid with Track Package is not just a straight-line speed demon, either. It has also proven its worth on the racetrack, setting a new lap record for production EVs at Laguna Seca in California, beating out the Porsche Taycan by several seconds.

With the Track Package, Tesla has once again pushed the boundaries of what is possible with electric vehicles, demonstrating that they can compete with gas-powered sports cars in terms of performance and handling. The Model S Plaid with Track Package is truly the ultimate performance EV, and it will undoubtedly continue to set new records on the track.

Fisker delivers first Ocean SUV and provides details on swappable battery specs.

Fisker delivers its first all-electric Ocean SUV to a customer in Denmark, as it revealed the big battery capacity and charging times of its electric vehicle (EV). The Ocean is equipped with a 80 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and has a range of up to 350 miles. The EV can be charged up to 200 miles in just 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.

Fisker has also revealed that the Ocean is battery swap compatible, which means its battery pack can be swapped out in just a few minutes at a battery swap station. The company plans to make the Ocean's battery swap compatible by 2024.

The Ocean is Fisker's first EV and it features a unique design with a sloping roofline, panoramic sunroof, and a large infotainment screen. The EV also features recycled materials, vegan leather, and solar panels on the roof.

The Ocean is a big step forward for Fisker, and it's a sign that the company is serious about its electric vehicle ambitions. With a big battery capacity, fast charging times, and the ability to swap batteries, the Ocean is poised to compete with other top EVs in the market.

Clean Energy and Mobility

Rimac Group launches Rimac Energy: Cutting-edge energy storage technology.

Rimac Technology, known for its cutting-edge electric vehicle technology, has launched Rimac Energy, a new brand that will specialize in stationary Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Rimac Energy's ESS technology is built on a novel electrical architecture that delivers improved performance, safety, and availability, including up to 50% reduced energy losses and a 40% smaller system footprint. The company's product portfolio will include utility-scale ESS, commercial and industrial applications, and battery buffered charging solutions, all of which will be designed, developed, and produced in Europe. The first generation of stationary ESS and pilot applications are currently being developed in collaboration with select customers. Commissioning of pilot systems will commence in 2024, while high-volume ESS production is scheduled to begin in 2025 at the Rimac Campus in Croatia, with an annual production target of over 10GWh.

Founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili, Mate Rimac, believes that the company's head start in EV technology and dedication to sustainability make stationary storage solutions a seamless progression. The company is currently in discussion with several customers and has a pilot project with a leading renewable energy company underway to provide battery storage solutions for their solar and wind power plants. The company's unique technology is being developed and manufactured at Rimac's facilities in Croatia and is expected to be revealed later this year. With Rimac Energy's cutting-edge technology and production capacity, it is poised to make a significant contribution to building Europe's future energy ecosystems and driving the decarbonization of our energy networks.

Subsea Cable Maker Nexans Targets the Growing Offshore Wind Market.

Subsea cable manufacturer Nexans is looking to expand its business by targeting the growing offshore wind market. The company has announced plans to develop and manufacture subsea cables for the offshore wind industry, as well as other renewable energy sectors.

Nexans is already a major player in the subsea cable industry, with a strong track record in the oil and gas sector. However, the company is now looking to diversify its business and take advantage of the growing demand for renewable energy.

The offshore wind industry is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, driven by falling costs and increasing government support. This presents a significant opportunity for Nexans, which is well-positioned to supply the cables and other infrastructure needed to support this growth.

Nexans has a long history of working with renewable energy companies, having supplied cables for a number of major wind farm projects. The company has also developed a number of innovative cable technologies that are specifically designed for the offshore environment, including cables that can withstand high pressures and extreme temperatures.

According to Nexans CEO Arnaud Poupart-Lafarge, the company is committed to supporting the transition to renewable energy and sees the offshore wind market as a key growth area.

“Offshore wind is a fast-growing market, and we are very excited about the opportunities it presents for our business,” Poupart-Lafarge said. “We have the expertise, experience, and technology needed to supply high-quality cables for the offshore wind industry, and we look forward to working with our customers to help them achieve their renewable energy goals.”

Nexans has already secured a number of contracts in the offshore wind sector, including a deal to supply cables for the Vineyard Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts. The company is also involved in a number of other renewable energy projects, including solar and wave energy.

Overall, Nexans is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable energy infrastructure. With its extensive experience in the subsea cable industry and a strong track record in the renewable energy sector, the company is likely to play a key role in the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

QuickEV

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• [VIDEO] Rimac Nevera Casually Go Beyond 200 MPH On The Autobahn.

• Range Energy turns a semi-truck electric just by adding a trailer.

• [VIDEO] 2023 BMW XM pulls more power than advertised on dyno.

• 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Vs. Tesla Model Y: Are They Competitive?

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