Happy Tuesday! Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for choosing the EV Canada Newsletter as your Valentine this year. We enjoy flowers, cards and chocolates. Gold and diamonds work too!

If you are hoping to receive your BEV or PHEV in Q1 of 2023, I am sending positive vibes your way as we all wait patiently for vehicles to be available. I hope you receive yours soon!

Canada

Tesla has secured a massive 1 GWh Megapack order for a large-scale energy storage project in Canada.

This new project is expected to add to Tesla's growing backlog, which has already resulted in a two-year lead time on new Megapack orders. The Megapack is Tesla's third stationary energy storage product, following the Powerwall and Powerpack. A single Megapack unit is a container-sized 3.9 MWh battery system that comes on-site, ready to install, and can be shipped in containers. It also boasts integrated modules, inverters, and thermal systems, making it 60% more energy-dense than the Powerpack. This makes it the preferred battery pack for large-scale energy storage projects.

The Oneida Energy Storage Project is the latest large-scale project to use Tesla's Megapacks. The project, which is the largest of its kind in Canada and amongst the largest in the world, will provide a gigawatt-hour of much-needed capacity to the Ontario grid. It will prioritize local Indigenous partnerships and environmental benefits. NRStor Inc. and Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation have been jointly developing the project since 2018, and they are also pleased to announce Northland Power's participation as an equity and operating partner.

The Tesla Megapacks will be used to store surplus power from renewable energy produced in Ontario and deliver it back to the grid at peak demand. Additionally, it will provide grid balancing services.

The Oneida Energy Storage Project is expected to be completed in 2025 due to Tesla's two-year Megapack backlog. However, this project will not only help to provide much-needed capacity to the Ontario grid, but it will also set an example for future sustainable energy projects with strong Indigenous partnerships and collaboration between industry and government.

Electric zambonis in Canadian arenas are gaining popularity for their “green” and health benefits.

As electric vehicles are gaining widespread adoption across Canada as consumers begin acknowledging the importance of going green. As electric cars and bikes become increasingly popular, there are other applications where zero-emission electric vehicles can make a significant difference. One such example is electric Zambonis.

I was quite surprised when I saw an electric zamboni resurfacing the ice at a local arena. It was right after my son finished his skating class that we saw it. He was actually the first to notice that it had a “ELECTRIC” sticker on the side of it. After looking into it a bit, many NHL Hockey teams have made the switch over to electric zambonis.

Traditionally, zambonis are powered by natural gas, gasoline, diesel, or propane, which emit carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. These emissions can pose significant health risks to players, spectators, and arena workers, especially when they are trapped in an enclosed environment such as an arena.

Health Canada reports that there have been numerous reported incidents of poisoning in Canadian arenas, frequently occurring during periods of ice resurfacing. The agency says that documented cases of carbon monoxide poisonings from resurfaced emissions in arenas have reported levels of 40 to 170 ppm (it recommends a short-term exposure limit of 25 ppm).

The pollutants aren’t fully cleared overnight by the ventilation system, meaning they can build up over time with more use, further aggravating the risks. Hence, switching to electric Zambonis could significantly improve air quality and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in ice arenas.

Electric-powered equipment, including Zambonis, can help eliminate carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions in ice arenas. Health Canada recommends using electric resurfacers, as arenas using electric Zambonis have been shown to have carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide levels similar to concurrent levels outside the arena, consistently below 1.0 ppm and 0.02 ppm. This highlights the effectiveness of electric Zambonis in ensuring clean and safe ice arenas.

Although electric Zambonis cost around $50,000 more upfront, the additional expenses are recouped through fuel and maintenance savings. Furthermore, electric Zambonis have a more extended lifespan than their traditional counterparts, which further offsets the higher initial cost. Switching to electric Zambonis is, therefore, a cost-effective solution for ensuring clean and safe ice arenas.

If you find yourself in local arenas often, it may be something to ask about or keep an eye out for!

EV Around the World 🌏

Ram Trucks unveil their electric pickup truck during the Super Bowl.

Ram Trucks unveiled the production version of its first all-electric pickup truck, the Ram 1500 REV, during the Super Bowl, following the reveal of the 1500 Revolution BEV Concept at CES 2023. Ram's Big Game commercial, humorously called "Premature Electrification," shows the Ram 1500 REV, which is similar to Ram's current 1500 pickup truck. Although it does not look like the 1500 Revolution BEV Concept, the Ram 1500 REV shares some body panels with the ICE-powered pickup, while its front and rear ends have unique details. These include the illuminated Ram lettering on the faux grille, L-shaped taillights, muscular-looking bumpers and hood, and headlights with a specific LED signature that is reminiscent of the 1500 Revolution BEV study.

Ram did not release the specifications of the 1500 REV, nor did it indicate if it's based on the BEV-centric STLA Frame platform. However, the automaker announced that the electric pickup will enter production in 2024 and will reach dealerships in late 2024, probably debuting for the 2025 model year. Ram Brand CEO, Mike Koval Jr., said, "The Ram brand has redefined the pickup truck segment before and will once again with the all-new Ram 1500 REV. We are on an exciting electrification journey that will see Ram push past the competition in areas customers care about the most: range, payload, towing, and charge time."

The commercial also gives a glimpse of the 1500 REV's interior, revealing a clear connection with the current gas-powered Ram 1500 truck. The dashboard features the same center console and UConnect touchscreen, but the battery-powered pickup also gets a screen for the front passenger, which has been a recent feature in upscale Jeeps.

Ram has opened customer reservations for the 1500 REV at RamREV.com for a one-time $100 refundable fee. Consumers can secure their spot to pre-order the vehicle through the Rev Insider+ program, which also unlocks privileges such as exclusive access to events, news, and information about the Ram 1500 REV.

Super Bowl EV ads.

In case you’re living under a rock, the Super Bowl took place on Sunday, February 13th, 2023 and as always, some commercials were hot… while others were not. This year though, some EV commercials were a big hit and at a cost of $7-million for a 30 second Super Bowl ad, automakers are sure to try and get the most out of their timeslot. Here are a 2 EV specific commercials (plus refer to above for another):

"Why Not An EV?" Starring Will Ferrell And Featuring EVs from Cadillac, Chevy, And GMC

Jeep: "Electric Boogie" Starring Marcia Griffiths, Amber Lee, Jamila Falak, And Moyann

EV infrastructure is just as important as EVs themselves.

Marques Brownlee, otherwise known as MKBHD, put together the video below with a story to tell, and it's a story that will likely hit home for anyone who's had some experience charging an electric car.

What do you think? I think Marques has some very good points. I know I am the “go-to” for anything tech support related with my family and in general it isn’t always straight forward for the average consumer to understand different chargers and speeds etc.

It all comes down to education and keeping things simple for easy EV adoption.

QuickEV

• Redwood Materials: $2 billion DOE loan for EV battery recycling operations.

• [VIDEO] Mercedes-AMG One PHEV tackles the track with 3rd person view.

• US: Subaru Solterra recalled again: wheels could fall off.

• [VIDEO] Rivian R1T Electric Pickup Vs Jeep Gladiator: Off-Road Rival Test.

• Ford cuts stake in Rivian to 1.15% - severely cuts ties.

• [VIDEO] Drag Race: Hummer EV VS Ford Raptor R, F-150 Raptor & Ram TRX.

• Mercedes-Benz unveils first Maybach PHEV.

• [VIDEO] Tesla Model X Plaid VS ICE-Powered Super SUVs.

EV Tweet of the Week

If you have a suggestion for EV Tweet of the week, send it to me!