Welcome to this weeks issue of the EV Canada Newsletter!

The weather is warming up so EV ranges are increasing! Yay!

But really, thanks for checking out the newsletter - I spend a lot of time putting the newsletter together and I do my best to find information that is not only relevant and interesting but also useful. There’s quite a bit of misinformation out there (if you don’t know that already) therefore sifting through the mounds of information and news available related to EVs can be tough!

With that being said, sharing the newsletter with your friends, family, coworkers, people you like, people you dislike and even people you meet at the public chargers would be much appreciated! Thank you.

Canada

Ford Invests in Canada's Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex as Part of its Global EV Strategy.

Ford Motor Company has announced plans to invest C$1.8 billion in its Oakville Assembly Complex in Canada to transform it into a high-volume hub for electric vehicle (EV) production. The investment will repurpose and transform existing buildings into a state-of-the-art facility, including a new 407,000 square-foot on-site battery plant that will utilize cells and arrays from BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky. The transformed campus will feature a facility for battery and vehicle assembly, taking a diverse strategic approach to expanding its EV production, including transforming existing manufacturing sites.

This marks the first time that a full-line automaker has announced plans to produce passenger EVs in Canada for the North American market. The Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex will begin to retool and modernize in Q2 2024 to prepare for production of next-generation EVs. This investment will help to create a modern, super-efficient, vertically integrated site and support Ford’s plan to scale production of EVs, making them more accessible to customers.

“Canada and the Oakville complex will play a vital role in our Ford+ transformation. It will be a modern, super-efficient, vertically integrated site for battery and vehicle assembly. I’m most excited for the world to see the incredible next-generation electric and fully digitally connected vehicles produced in Oakville,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO.

The investment allows Ford to leverage Ford of Canada’s skilled and experienced workforce. The current 487-acre Oakville site includes three body shops, one paint building, and one assembly building. The transformed campus will feature a new on-site battery plant that will produce battery packs for vehicles assembled on-site.

In addition to the Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex upgrades, Ford has also announced other initiatives aimed at expanding its EV production. It is creating an all-new EV manufacturing ecosystem in West Tennessee – called BlueOval City – the home of a battery plant and the future home of Ford’s next-generation EV pickup. Together with two battery plants in Kentucky, which are part of a joint venture with SK On, these sites will create 11,000 new U.S. jobs and are expected to begin production in 2025. Ford is also building a lithium iron phosphate battery plant in Marshall, Mich. Production is slated to begin in 2026, with 2,500 employees.

The company is also modernizing its vehicle assembly campus in Cologne, Germany, transforming it to become the Ford Cologne Electrification Center – the company’s first EV center of excellence in Europe. This site will be the production home of the electric Ford Explorer for European customers; production begins later this year.

Ford, LG Energy Solution, and Koç Holding have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to build one of the largest commercial EV battery cell production facilities in the European region. The project is on track to break ground near Ankara, Turkey, later this year, with production to start in 2026.

Ford has also been expanding production of its F-150 Lightning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn and the Mustang Mach-E at its Cuautitlan facility in Mexico this year.

By investing in these EV initiatives, Ford aims to scale production of EVs and make them more accessible to millions of customers. The company recognizes the importance of providing high-quality and affordable EVs to consumers to address climate change and meet the global shift toward electrification. With this investment, Ford is demonstrating its commitment to EV production and its willingness to invest in the necessary infrastructure to make it a reality.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has unveiled its first fully electric police cruiser, a Tesla Model Y, which has entered service in Langford, British Columbia. 

The electric vehicle will be used by the West Shore RCMP on southern Vancouver Island, where the geography and mild winter weather make it an ideal test environment, according to Superintendent Todd Preston.

The RCMP is hoping that the new Tesla Model Y will reduce carbon emissions and the cost of fuel and maintenance compared to standard police vehicles. The average cost of fuel and maintenance for one of the West Shore RCMP's cruisers was $11,100 in 2020, with prices rising alongside inflation since then.

In addition to the Tesla Model Y, the West Shore RCMP is expecting to receive two more electric vehicles later this year, including a Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV and Ford F-150 truck. The RCMP plans to evaluate the performance of these vehicles to determine where best to implement them across the country.

However, the RCMP acknowledges that the use of electric vehicles is not a one-size-fits-all approach for different detachments across the country, as the RCMP operates in a variety of regions with different geographic and weather conditions. Electric vehicles may not be tenable in northern regions, for example.

Other local police departments in Canada have already introduced electric cars to their fleets, including in Oak Bay, British Columbia, and in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

The RCMP's move to electric vehicles is part of a broader trend toward electrification in Canada. The Canadian government has set a goal of having all new light-duty cars and passenger trucks sold in Canada be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, with sales of new zero-emission commercial vehicles reaching 100% by 2040.

The RCMP's adoption of electric vehicles is a positive step toward reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system in Canada. As more police departments and other government agencies switch to electric vehicles, it will become increasingly important to ensure that the necessary charging infrastructure is in place to support these vehicles and to make electric mobility accessible to all Canadians.

Volkswagen Launches New Electric Drive Generation for ID. Family with More Performance and Efficiency.

Volkswagen has announced the launch of the new APP550 rear-wheel drive, a completely newly developed power unit for the ID. family, which will offer higher performance and improved efficiency for its electric model lineup. The new drive will be based on the modular electric drive (MEB) matrix, Volkswagen's vehicle architecture designed specifically for electric models.

The new powertrain will deliver an output of 210 kW (286 PS) with a maximum torque of around 550 Nm, providing superior power development from standstill and at higher speeds. The new APP550 electric drive achieves its high torque thanks to an enhanced stator with a higher effective number of windings and a larger wire cross-section, along with a rotor equipped with more powerful permanent magnets that have a higher load capacity.

The inverter, acting as the controlling “brain” in the powertrain, was also developed to supply the high phase currents needed for greater power and efficiency. The inverter's functional software ensures efficient system processes, such as the modulation methods for generating alternating current for the electric drive motor.

The new drive has an energy-saving cooling system that operates without an electrically driven oil pump. The system independently cools itself via the gear wheels of the gearbox and specially formed components for oil supply and distribution, while the heated oil is cooled by the vehicle’s coolant circuit, keeping the drive at operating temperature.

The new powertrain with gearbox, rotor, and stator will be produced at the Volkswagen Group Components plant in Kassel, which has been developing and producing electric drive motors and gearboxes for more than a decade. The new drive system is expected to be delivered in a 210 kW (286 PS) version by the end of this year.

EV Around the World 🌏

Polestar Unveils the New Electric Performance SUV Coupe: Polestar 4

Polestar, the Swedish electric vehicle (EV) maker, has unveiled its new electric performance SUV coupé, Polestar 4, which is the second SUV model in the company's line-up. Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, revealed that the design of Polestar 4 was based on a new approach to SUV coupé design, which focuses on rear occupant comfort and experience. To achieve this, the rear window has been eliminated to create a new kind of immersive rear occupant experience, while reclining seats and adjustable ambient lighting inspired by the solar system offer a comfortable and customisable driving environment. Polestar 4 is built on the premium Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) developed by Geely Holding, and is a D-segment SUV coupé with a large body and long, 2,999 mm wheelbase. The vehicle's aerodynamic efficiency is enhanced by the low nose, retractable door handles, flush glazing with frameless windows, rear aero blades, and air flow optimisation around the rear light bar. The EV is expected to be positioned between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 in terms of size and price.

Polestar is known for being a design-driven brand, and the design of Polestar 4 continues to build on key elements first shown by the Polestar Precept concept car. The new vehicle features unique Polestar light signatures with the separation of the dual blade front lights, while the Polestar emblem with millimetre-precision lighting from below adds a touch of class. The interior materials have been designed around the theme of 'soft tech,' with new colour and material choices exploring new executions for Polestar.

Polestar 4 is a more sustainable EV than previous models, with circular and low-carbon materials replacing traditional solutions. This includes measures for greater supply chain transparency, like blockchain traceability for risk materials in the batteries. A full lifecycle assessment (LCA) will be published alongside the Polestar 4 Product Sustainability Declaration in 2024, showing the true carbon footprint of the vehicle. The mono-material approach, first presented in the Polestar electric roadster concept in 2022, is applied to interior materials, allowing them to be recycled more effectively and efficiently.

Polestar 4 is the fastest production car developed by the brand to date. The EV's driving dynamics are true to the Polestar brand, with sharp steering and handling responses resulting in a thrilling and nimble driving experience for all occupants. The 0-100 km/h sprint can be completed in just 3.8 seconds, with a maximum power output of 400 kW (544 hp).

Polestar 4 is expected to be a game-changer in the EV market, providing a new kind of immersive rear occupant experience that is expected to set a new standard for SUV coupé design. The EV is set to be priced between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 and is expected to be available for purchase in early 2024.

Volkswagen unveils ID.7 with World Premiere.

Chinese EV Maker Zeekr Unveils New Electric SUV, Taking on Tesla in China and Europe.

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Zeekr has unveiled its new "X" electric SUV in China, which is set to compete with luxury automakers, including Tesla. The vehicle offers a range of up to 560km and has a starting price of approximately $37,000 CAD (189,800 yuan). Zeekr, which is owned by Geely, has been building its brand in China's increasingly competitive EV market.

The Zeekr X is the company's third EV model, following the launch of the Zeekr 001 sedan and the Zeekr 009 premium multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) earlier this year. Zeekr doubled its EV sales last year due to strong demand for its electric sedan, and it is now expanding its product line, with plans to launch two new electric models and expand into Europe.

Initially believed to be called the Zeekr 003, the new all-electric SUV has been named the "Zeekr X." According to Zeekr, the new SUV "transcends the limitations of all previous models named after 3, where X stands for infinite exploration, endless imagination, and endless transcendence." The company's CEO, Any An, said that the Zeekr X will offer advanced features typically found in premium cars, such as facial recognition and an optional in-vehicle refrigerator.

The Zeekr X is powered by two e-motors and a 66 kWh battery, which delivers up to 422 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle will be available in three different trims, with the lower-priced five-seat rear-drive "me version" delivering a range of 560 km (nearly 348 miles) and utilizing an aerodynamic design. This makes the Zeekr X a strong competitor to the Tesla Model Y, which has a base price of around apprix $51,000 CAD and a range of 545 km (338 miles).

Zeekr aims to deliver 40,000 units of the new electric SUV this year, with deliveries set to begin in China in June. The company plans to expand into Europe and "Asian markets outside of China" in the future, although no specific details have been provided.

Overall, the new Zeekr X electric SUV is a promising addition to the Chinese EV market, offering impressive range and advanced features at a relatively low price point. With the company's ambitious expansion plans, it will be interesting to see how the Zeekr X competes with other luxury automakers in China and Europe.

Nissan introduces the Arizon Concept EV.

QuickEV

• Tesla Cybertruck’s giant frunk has been spotted.

• [VIDEO] 2024 Chevy Blazer EV SS: Experience the Sound of Performance.

• BMW XM Label Red PHEV Debuts: Most Powerful Production BMW M Ever.

• [VIDEO] POV: Driving the Rivian Electric Van At Night.

• Genesis Launches All-In-One Home Charging Solution For EV Owners.

• [VIDEO] Watch Full-Scale Kia EV6 Model Emerge From 350,000 Lego Bricks.

• First Toyota electric sedan powered by BYD earns 5,000 orders on first sales day.

• [VIDEO] Model Y Vs Model X: Which EV SUV Should You Buy, And Why?

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