- The EV North Newsletter
- Posts
- EV Canada Newsletter - Issue #8
EV Canada Newsletter - Issue #8
Weekly Recap Issue #8 - Tuesday, March 8th, 2022
If you like this rundown/summary of what’s going on with EVs in Canada please share it with someone (or people) that you think might enjoy it as well!
PS: Don’t forget to add us to your safe senders list to avoid us landing in your junk folder.
Also, if you would like to contribute, have any feedback or comments please email me:
Canada
Becancour, Quebec is going to gain 2 new EV battery related manufacturing plants.
Firstly, BASF, who develops chemical technology (among many other things) has acquired a site in Becancour, Quebec for a battery materials facility to manufacture battery materials and recycle batteries. This new site will help strengthen BASF’s position as a leading global cathode active material (CAM) provider.
As stated in BASF’s news release:
The site will also be well connected to BASF’s global metal sourcing network with provision for a nickel and cobalt intermediates base metal refinery and recycling of all battery metals (including lithium). The opportunity for potential future upstream investment integration supports BASF’s strategy to build an integrated, closed-loop battery materials ecosystem in all key regions.
Becancour is an ideal location as it offers highly efficient logistics and would rely on hydropower to reduce the carbon footprint of BASF’s products.
Project planning is underway with building completion in 2025.
General Motors in partnership with POSCO will expand GM's supply chain for their electric vehicle offerings with plan for a new cathode factory in Becancour, Quebec.
The new $400 million factory will be a strong strategic factor to supply materials to GM's new battery cell factories which will produce its new Ultium Cell in partnership with LG Energy.
Today, General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) and POSCO Chemical announced that they are working with the governments of Canada and Quebec to build a new facility in Bécancour, Quebec, estimated at $400 million (C$500 million). The new facility will produce cathode active material (CAM) for GM’s Ultium batteries, which will power electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC HUMMER EV and Cadillac LYRIQ.
Cathode active material, or CAM, is generally made of nickel, lithium, and other materials representing about 40% of the total cost of a battery cell.
Construction on the new plant is expected to start next year and production should start by (same as BASF's factory) 2025. By then, Ultium Cells will have several battery cell factories in production mode it will require significant amounts of CAM.
Canada based Latenda has unveiled an electric bus that performs even in Canada’s harsh winter conditions.
Latenda, who develops innovative and sustainable solutions for public transit, has announced the Electrip - a 30-foot electric bus built with 222-296kWh Cummins lithium-ion batteries and can charge in two hours with a 150kW DC charger.
While the range of the bus was not provided the on-board Cummins batteries are controlled via web-connected battery management system (BMS) and is said to be “highly efficient” according to Letenda.
The bus is very well insulated for efficiency in both the warmer months and colder months and has radiant floor heating for passenger comfort.
Ontario based service company, ONroute which has rest points across the province has announced the addition of EV charging stations at 6 of its locations.
ONroute locations typically serve as a resting stop where travelers can refuel both their stomachs and ICE vehicles, but now EV owners can charge up too!
ONroute is committed to adding EV chargers to all of their 23 locations to help EV owners travel across Ontario. Hopefully other gas stations will take notice. In my opinion it’s a no brainer as EVs take some time to charge, by placing EV chargers near restaurants and other amenities, EV owners are sure to stop and spend money while their EVs are charging.
Electric Autonomy recently announced the winners of their EV Fueling design competition. Where the challenge was to design and reimagine the highway gas stations we know today with the future of EVs in mind. You can check out the winners HERE.
EV Around the World 🌏
Tesla has been granted approval for Giga Berlin.
It's been months of back and forth between the government of Brandenburg, Germany and Tesla and finally approval for Tesla's Giga Berlin has been approved.
Although approval was granted, Tesla cannot begin production until the State of Brandenburg provide them with a document outlining the process that must be followed. The main concern of the State, was the environmental impact of the facility - and nearing the final approval stages, concerns emerged specifically related to water consumption.
The approval documents outline details related to Tesla's goal of manufacturing 500,000 vehicles per year at the Giga Factory. It also provides details on wastewater treatment, fire equipment, production of battery cells, and various warehouses, workshops, and labs.
When video footage was released with hundreds of vehicles outside of the Tesla’s Giga Berlin in the passed few weeks, it made me wonder how Tesla could produce those vehicles without approval. After doing some Googling and Twittering I discovered that Tesla was allowed to produce 2,000 Bodel Ys for test purposes only of which cannot be sold.
Sony and Honda join forces to build electric vehicles.
Sony and Honda have officially confirmed that they will work together to produce electric cars under a new joint-venture company. Together, Sony and Honda will develop, produce and sell high-value-added EVs through a "new company" and also develop services for emobility.
Sony has been taking part in the automotive scene, and testing out concepts as seen at CES in 2020 with the Vision S.
The Sony Vision-S 02 SUV concept was also revealed in January 2022.
"Sony's Purpose is to fill the world with excitement with the power of creativity and technology," Group Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in the announcement. "Through the alliance with Honda, which has been making such efforts, we would like to contribute to the evolution of mobility centered on the three areas of safety, entertainment, and adaptability."
Ford Motor Company's reorganization into Ford Model e (EV operations) and Ford Blue (ICE operations) finally provides an explanation as to why Ford opposed Tesla's attempt to register the Model E trademark in 2014.
Ford's opposition dashed Tesla CEO Elon Musk's hopes for a provocatively named lineup of cars that would include the Model S, E, and X.
Check out this hilarious video Elon Musk describing the situation:
Aston Martin will collaborate with Britishvolt to develop high performance battery cell technology.
Aston Martin plans to release its first battery electric vehicle in 2025 and a partnership with UK's battery cell manufacturer, Britishvolt, brings together two of UKs leaders in engineering who will create the next evolution in battery technology specifically designed for performance EVs.
Together, Aston Martin and Britishvolt will create a team for research and develop will design, develop and industrialize battery modules and a battery management system.
This collaboration is a major step for Aston Martin in continuing its electrification roadmap. Aston Martin’s first plug-in hybrid – the mid-engine supercar Valhalla – has a target delivery of 2024. By 2026, all new Aston Martin product lines will have an electrified powertrain option. Aston Martin's goal is to offering a core portfolio of EVs by 2030.
Aston Martin is developing alternatives to the internal combustion engine. Continuing its electrification roadmap, Aston Martin’s first plug-in hybrid – the mid-engine supercar Valhalla – will commence deliveries in early 2024. By 2026, all new Aston Martin product lines will have an electrified powertrain option, with a target for its core portfolio to be fully electrified by 2030.
Tobias Moers, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “This powerful collaboration combines Aston Martin’s 109 years of engineering mastery with the expertise of a fast-growing UK technology business. Working together with Britishvolt, I believe we can create new technologies to power benchmark-setting Aston Martin electric cars that will match our reputation for high performance and ultra-luxury with the highest standards of sustainability."
Orral Nadjari, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Britishvolt, said: “For a prestigious marque such as Aston Martin, staying true to its world-renowned brand of ultra-luxury, high-performance vehicles, whilst transitioning to electrification, means insisting on customised, sustainable battery cell technology that pushes the boundaries of performance. Britishvolt is excited to be collaborating with Aston Martin, helping accelerate that switch to electrification – I believe we make formidable partners. We are excited about the prospect of an all-electric Aston Martin powered by Britishvolt’s low carbon, sustainable battery cells. Collaboration like this is the only way forward for a successful energy transition.”
QuickEV
EV Meme of the Week
Some might find distasteful but…
