Hello! Thank you for checking out this week’s EV North Newsletter!

Welcome to The EV North - a weekly newsletter that brings together some of the biggest EV news stories and delivers them to your inbox. There is a focus on Canada & North America but you’ll also find EV news from around the world!

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In this issue:

• GM Becomes Canada’s Top EV Seller as Tesla Sales Drop Sharply.

• Tesla Launches $1,000 “Everyday Hero” Discount in Canada for Teachers, Students, and First Responders.

• Real-World EV Range Tests Reveal Surprises: BMW and Mercedes Beat EPA Estimates While Ford and Tesla Fall Short.

• Tesla Forced to Shut Down 64 Superchargers on NJ Turnpike.

• Rivian Software Update: New Energy App, Faster Charging, and Enhanced Features for Gen 1 and Gen 2 Vehicles.

• + more!

Canada

GM Becomes Canada’s Top EV Seller as Tesla Sales Drop Sharply.

General Motors has taken the lead in Canada’s electric vehicle market as the country’s best-selling EV brand. Based on vehicle registration data from Q3 2024 and Q1 2025, GM says it sold more EVs in Canada than any other automaker during that period.

GM’s momentum continued into early 2025, with 5,750 EVs sold in Q1 alone. Sales were led by the Chevy Equinox EV (1,892 units), followed by the Silverado EV (894), and Cadillac’s new OPTIQ (615), which nearly matched the LYRIQ (720). Even low-volume models like the GMC Hummer EV showed gains.

Tesla, once the dominant EV player in Canada, saw a sharp decline in Quebec, Canada’s largest EV market. Provincial data shows just 524 Tesla registrations in Q1 2025, down from 5,097 in the previous quarter, a drop of nearly 90%. Nationwide figures have yet to be released, but Quebec’s numbers signal a broader trend.

This shift comes after both federal and Quebec EV incentives were paused earlier in the year, impacting overall sales. While GM's Q1 numbers are down from the 15,000 units sold in Q4 2024, its multi-brand approach (Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC) has helped it maintain a strong presence in the market.

Tesla’s decline is being attributed to more than just rebates. Public perception may have been affected by comments from CEO Elon Musk and ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the U.S.

GM plans to continue expanding its EV lineup with the upcoming Cadillac Escalade IQL, Lyriq-V, and Visiq, as well as the next-generation Chevy Bolt EV, which is expected to launch in 2026.

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Tesla Launches $1,000 “Everyday Hero” Discount in Canada for Teachers, Students, and First Responders.

Tesla has introduced its “Everyday Hero” discount program in Canada, offering $1,000 off the purchase of a new vehicle for eligible teachers, students, and first responders. This marks the first time Tesla has extended this type of incentive to Canadian buyers.

To access the discount, buyers must verify their eligibility. Once verified, participants can configure and order their vehicle through Tesla’s Design Studio. The $1,000 discount is applied automatically at checkout before taxes.

The program is available for all Tesla models, including the Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck. It can also be combined with Tesla’s current financing offers and referral program, which now includes free months of Full Self-Driving (FSD) instead of a cash rebate.

Tesla recently expanded the program in the United States to cover a wider group, including military members, veterans, and their spouses. While the Canadian version does not yet include military personnel, it mirrors the U.S. program for educators, students, and first responders.

The discount must be used at the time of purchase and cannot be added to existing or past orders. To get started, eligible Canadians can verify their status and begin their order directly on Tesla’s website.

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EV Around the World 🌏

Real-World EV Range Tests Reveal Surprises: BMW and Mercedes Beat EPA Estimates While Ford and Tesla Fall Short.

When it comes to highway driving, not all EV range estimates tell the full story. According to new highway-speed tests from Consumer Reports (CR), several popular electric vehicles perform better or worse than advertised. The tests measured range at a steady 70 mph (~112 km/h) to simulate real-world road trip conditions, and the results show just how much actual driving range can vary from EPA figures.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 Sedan posted the largest improvement, achieving 332 miles (534 km) , a full +67 miles (107 km) more than its EPA-rated 267 miles (429 km). Close behind was the BMW iX, which delivered 370 miles (595 km)compared to its 309-mile (497 km) EPA rating, a +61-mile (98 km) difference.

The top three largest gains over EPA estimates are:

• Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 SUV: +67 miles (+107km)

• BMW iX: +61 miles (+98km)

• BMW i4: +51 miles (+82km)

At the other end of the spectrum, several high-profile EVs came up short. The Ford F-150 Lightning showed the largest drop, ending its run at 270 miles, 50 miles (80 km) less than its EPA estimate of 320 miles. Other notable underperformers included:

• Ford F-150 Lightning: -50 miles (-80 km)

• Tesla Model S: -44 miles (-70 km)

• Volvo C40: -36 miles (-57km)

Full results and details can be found on the Consumer Reports website.

EPA range estimates are based on a mix of simulated city and highway driving, which may not reflect real highway performance. EVs often lose efficiency at higher speeds due to aerodynamics and the absence of regenerative braking opportunities. By contrast, CR’s real-world testing focuses solely on consistent highway driving, offering a more accurate benchmark for road trip planning.

All tested vehicles had between 3,218 km (2,000 miles) and 24,140 km (15,000 miles) on the odometer and were driven until fully depleted. Tests were performed in clear weather and summer temperatures 21°C - 32°C (70F - 90F), with climate control set to 22°C (72F) and cruise control activated. Charging scores and ease-of-use were also factored into the evaluations, including how quickly vehicles add miles on Level 2 and DC fast chargers.

For those who rely on highway range, CR’s testing offers valuable insights. BMW and Mercedes models may offer more highway confidence than expected, while some trucks and luxury sedans may require more planning around charging stops.

The discrepancies highlighted above indicate the importance of looking beyond sticker values when considering range for long-distance driving. EV buyers should consider not only EPA estimates, but also how a vehicle performs in real-world driving scenarios. CR’s test results and charging performance evaluations offer a clearer picture of what to expect beyond the spec sheet.

Tesla Forced to Shut Down 64 Superchargers on NJ Turnpike.

Tesla is being forced to decommission 64 Superchargers located along the New Jersey Turnpike, following a decision by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) to award an exclusive charging contract to Applegreen, a third-party provider. The affected stalls were located at eight service areas and have been in operation since Tesla’s agreement with NJTA began in 2020. That contract has now expired and will not be renewed.

Despite Tesla’s Superchargers being open to non-Tesla vehicles and widely recognized for reliability, the NJTA has opted not to allow Tesla to co-locate its infrastructure alongside Applegreen’s new installations. In response, Tesla has issued a statement expressing disappointment but confirmed that it had already prepared for this scenario. Over the past three years, the company built 116 Supercharger stalls just off the Turnpike to ensure continued access for drivers.

Some believe the decision may reflect broader political tensions, as Tesla and Musk have faced increasing criticism from public officials in recent years.

This move affects one of the busiest travel corridors in the U.S., and while Tesla users may now need to slightly adjust their routes, charging availability remains largely intact due to the company’s proactive expansion strategy.

As much as I may not agree with a lot of what Elon Musk says or does (in relation to personal choices or political choices), the move to remove the highly reliable and highly accessible Tesla Superchargers with tax payer money is absolutely insane!

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Rivian Software Update: New Energy App, Faster Charging, and Enhanced Features for Gen 1 and Gen 2 Vehicles.

Rivian has launched a major software update aimed at improving energy management, charging efficiency, vehicle security, and driver assistance. The updated in-vehicle Energy app offers a simplified layout with two main sections, Charging and Energy Monitor, designed to give drivers greater visibility into how energy is being used and how to optimize it both on the road and while parked.

Key New Features:

Detailed Energy Usage Insights

The Charging tab breaks down where energy goes during a session, battery, HVAC, accessories, and overall vehicle systems, while the Energy Monitor tab shows how features like climate control and outlets impact range in real time.

Trip Charge Target Notifications

When navigating with a charging stop, the system now provides a recommended charge target. A notification will let you know the ideal time to unplug and continue your trip, viewable in the vehicle or Rivian app.

Drive Efficiency Graphs

A new interactive graph visualizes how your driving habits affect range over time. Gear Guard animations offer quick feedback, and efficiency tips are provided based on recent driving behavior.

Interactive Charging Graphics

The redesigned graphs are now touch-responsive and sync in real-time across the vehicle’s center display and the mobile app, providing cost and time estimates that adjust dynamically.

On-Demand Battery Preconditioning

Drivers can now precondition the battery manually by warming or cooling it before reaching a charger to improve charging speed. A clear banner displays the battery’s status and readiness.

Charging Performance Upgrades:

Improvements to the charging curve benefit both Gen 1 Max Pack and all Gen 2 vehicles, particularly at DC fast chargers. Gen 2 Large Pack vehicles now charge at rates up to 215kW, delivering 15% more range in just 15 minutes. These enhancements stem from thermal and cell-level optimization using virtual simulation and real-world testing.

Multi-factor Drive Security:

A new optional feature, Multi-factor Drive, lets owners approve vehicle use through their smartphone or smartwatch. A notification is sent when someone attempts to drive, and owners can grant access through the app which is ideal for monitoring shared vehicle use or enhancing security.

Smarter Autonomy Visualizations:

Driver displays now show a more accurate view of surrounding vehicles. Gen 2 Rivians benefit from an upgraded machine learning model that improves detection in complex environments, like parking lots and multi-lane traffic, expanding perception range from three to five lanes.

This latest update from Rivian streamlines the EV experience with smarter tools, faster charging, and greater control tailored for drivers looking to maximize performance, security, and efficiency.

QuickEV

• Nobody Is Buying The Electric Mercedes G-Class: Report.

• Ford Recalls F-150 Lightning Pickup For Steering Failure Risk.

• Acura is selling a surprising number of EVs in the US with massive discounts.

• EV Batteries Got 20% Cheaper Last Year.

• The 2025 Audi RS E-Tron GT Is A Nail In The Coffin For Gas Performance.

• BYD expands megawatt charging for cars in China.

• Kia's Affordable EV4 Is Getting A Tesla Model 3 Performance-Fighter.

EV Tweet of the Week

Don’t worry - power windows are still an option!