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

Quick question: Should Teslas (or Teslas with FSD) be banned from driving tests?

A teen was denied their driver’s license because the tester believes that FSD was enabled and driving for the teen. This shows the lack of understanding of the FSD option - as reports indicate that the Tesla in question does not have FSD, nor did the tester know how to tell if FSD was enabled or not.

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In this issue:

• Canada Considers U.S.-Style Ban on Vehicle Hardware and Software from China and Russia.

• Tesla Charging Stations Now Accessible to GM Electric Vehicles: NACS Adapters Coming Soon.

• Lion Electric Launches First Fully Electric Tow Truck in North America.

• Tesla Announces Latest Supercharger Site Voting Winners and Opens New Voting Round in Europe.

• Redwood Materials Partners with BMW for Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling.

• Norway Achieves Milestone: Electric Vehicles Outnumber Petrol Cars.

• DOE Launches $45 Million USD Initiative to Enhance EV Battery Technology with Renewable Energy.

Canada

Canada Considers U.S.-Style Ban on Vehicle Hardware and Software from China and Russia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Canada, Chrystia Freeland, stated on Tuesday that Canada is "absolutely" considering a ban on vehicle hardware and software sourced from China and Russia, aligning with recent U.S. initiatives.

Freeland's comments followed an announcement from the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which proposed a ban on the sale or import of connected vehicles that incorporate specific hardware and software linked to China or Russia.

The U.S. proposed regulations aim to prohibit technologies that enable "external connectivity and autonomous driving capabilities in connected vehicles." According to the Commerce Department, this action is a proactive measure to safeguard U.S. critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of drivers.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo also stressed that the initiative is designed to protect the privacy of U.S. citizens, noting the potential risks associated with foreign technology.

The proposed rules would apply to all cars, trucks, and buses, excluding agricultural and mining vehicles not operated on public roads. The software ban is expected to affect vehicles starting from the 2027 model year, while the hardware ban will impact vehicles beginning in 2030.

This consideration follows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent announcement of a 100% tariff on all Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), effective October 1, mirroring the U.S. stance. Additionally, a 25% surtax on imports of steel and aluminum products from China will take effect on October 15.

China has responded by lodging a complaint against Canada at the World Trade Organization (WTO), alleging that Canada has violated WTO rules with its proposed tariffs.

As Canada evaluates its position on the proposed ban, the implications for the automotive industry and national security remain a focal point of discussion among government officials, industry leaders, and labor groups.

Are you on Reddit? Check out our subreddit at https://reddit.com/r/evcanada 

Tesla Charging Stations Now Accessible to GM Electric Vehicles: NACS Adapters Coming Soon.

Tesla's Supercharger network is now open to General Motors (GM) electric vehicles in Canada, fulfilling a long-awaited partnership between the two companies. However, there is a key detail: the approved North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters for GM vehicles will not be available until later this year.

Starting today, GM owners can preorder the NACS adapter through the GM website, priced at $310 CAD ridiculous!

Shane Peever, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at GM Canada, stated, "…
Actually it doesn’t really matter what Shane has to say because the truth of the matter is, is GM is looking to make some money by selling NACS connectors while other manufacturers are offering them for free such as Rivian and Kia!

As of March 2023, Canada hosts 1,490 Tesla Superchargers, part of a larger network of 17,800 Superchargers across North America. Most Superchargers provide a charging speed of at least 250 kW, making them an efficient option for GM EV drivers.

Once equipped with a NACS adapter, GM vehicle owners can visit any generation V3 Tesla Supercharger station and plug in to recharge their vehicles. GM's press release highlights that customers can utilize their mobile apps and OnStar connectivity to easily locate available Tesla Superchargers, check station status, initiate charging, and manage payment for charging sessions.

GM advises drivers to purchase the NACS adapter directly through their local GM dealership. Using the official adapter is recommended, as it is designed to protect GM EV batteries during charging. The automaker also cautions that using non-GM NACS adapters may void vehicle warranties.

Lion Electric Launches First Fully Electric Tow Truck in North America.

Lion Electric has delivered the first fully electric tow truck in North America, now part of the CAA-Quebec roadside assistance fleet. This innovative vehicle, known as the Lion5 flatbed, is touted as the first 100% electric tow truck in service across the continent.

Developed from the Lion5 medium-duty chassis and equipped with a flatbed body designed by XpaK Industries, this delivery represents a historic moment for CAA-Quebec, celebrating over 80 years of service in the region.

The Lion5 chassis is powered by a 210 kWh in-house 800V battery pack, offering an impressive range of up to 310 km (over 190 miles). Its energy-efficient, high-torque electric motor delivers 315 horsepower, enabling the vehicle to eliminate between 75 and 100 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually compared to traditional diesel trucks.

Additionally, the electric tow truck is expected to cut CAA-Quebec’s energy (fuel) costs by approximately 80%, alongside a 60% reduction in regular maintenance expenses compared to gas or diesel counterparts in the same class.

The Lion5 tow truck was delivered in July and will undergo rigorous testing for a year, tackling various towing scenarios and extreme weather conditions. CAA-Quebec plans to share its findings with partners throughout Canada and the AAA in the United States, further enhancing the future of electric roadside assistance.

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EV Around the World 🌏

Tesla Announces Latest Supercharger Site Voting Winners and Opens New Voting Round in Europe.

Tesla has unveiled the winners of its latest Supercharger location voting round, updating its website to reflect the new sites now "in development." This announcement was made via the Tesla Charging account on X, highlighting the ongoing commitment to enhancing the EV charging experience for drivers.

The newly selected Supercharger locations primarily consist of sites in the United States, with additional winners in Canada and various regions across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Each winning site is marked on Tesla's Find Us web page with a trophy icon, indicating its development status.

Winning Supercharger Locations in the U.S. for Q3:

• Prescott, Arizona

• Durango, Colorado

• Brent, Florida

• Southern Pines, North Carolina

• Hershey, Pennsylvania

• Murfreesboro, Tennessee

• Galveston, Texas

• Escalante, Utah

Winning Supercharger Locations in Canada for Q3:

• Lake Louise, Alberta

• Saint-Sauveur, Quebec

Winning Supercharger Locations in Europe for Q3:

• Pula, Croatia

• Hlavní město Praha, Czech Republic

• Livorno, Italy

• Ostroda, Poland

• Worcestershire, United Kingdom

Winning Supercharger Locations in Asia-Pacific for Q3:

• Narrandera, Australia

• Izumo City, Japan

• Wirye, South Korea

Since launching the Supercharger voting feature in 2022, Tesla has empowered its community to participate in the expansion of its charging network. The voting process occurs every three months, allowing users to suggest new locations and vote on previously proposed sites. Each participant can cast five votes per round, with the most popular locations prioritized for development.

Tesla has also indicated a focus on building more pull-through Superchargers to enhance user convenience. Recently, CEO Elon Musk engaged with his followers on X, asking for feedback on regions lacking charging infrastructure.

Redwood Materials Partners with BMW for Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling.

US-based battery recycling company Redwood Materials, founded by former Tesla CTO JB Straubel, has announced a new agreement with BMW of North America for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries from its electric and hybrid vehicles. This partnership encompasses all BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad models in the US.

Redwood Materials will collaborate with BMW’s extensive network of nearly 700 locations across the country, including dealerships and distribution centers. Used lithium-ion batteries will be collected and sent to Redwood for recycling, where the company is capable of an impressive recycling rate of 95% to 98% for critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper.

The recycled materials from this initiative will primarily be utilized in the production of batteries for vehicles manufactured at BMW’s plants in Spartanburg and Woodruff, South Carolina. BMW aims to assemble at least six all-electric models and their corresponding high-voltage battery packs at these facilities by the end of the decade. AESC, BMW’s battery cell manufacturing partner, is also located nearby.

Redwood Materials currently processes over 40,000 tonnes of battery material annually, equivalent to 15 to 20 GWh of battery capacity. The company’s commitment to sustainable practices is reflected in its partnerships with major automotive brands, including Volkswagen and Audi. Additionally, Redwood recently acquired Redux Recycling, a German battery recycling company based in Bremerhaven, further expanding its capabilities.

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Short Circuits

Norway Achieves Milestone: Electric Vehicles Outnumber Petrol Cars.

In Norway, electric vehicles (EVs) have officially surpassed petrol cars in number for the first time. As of September 2024, over 50% of the registered cars in the country are electric, marking a significant milestone in the shift towards sustainable transportation. This growth is attributed to Norway's strong incentives for EV adoption, including tax breaks, exemptions from tolls, and access to bus lanes. The country's commitment to reducing carbon emissions has made it a global leader in electric vehicle usage, setting an example for other nations to follow.

DOE Launches $45 Million USD Initiative to Enhance EV Battery Technology with Renewable Energy.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $45 million funding initiative aimed at advancing battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs) powered by renewable energy sources. This funding will support projects that enhance battery performance, sustainability, and recycling processes, with a focus on reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The initiative is part of the DOE's broader strategy to promote clean energy and increase the adoption of EVs, ultimately contributing to the nation's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The funding is expected to spur innovation in the EV sector and improve energy storage solutions.

QuickEV

• Kia to Offer North American Charging Standard (NACS) Adapters in Early 2025.

• Electric Vehicle Network and PowerON receive national EV awards.

• [VIDEO] Kia EV3: The One We’ve Been Waiting For?

• Faraday Future launches new brand and previews new models.

• [VIDEO] Bugatti Chiron SS vs Rimac Nevera: TOP SPEED Drag Race (250+ MPH).

• New Rivian EVs Come With A Tesla Charging Adapter.

• [VIDEO] The Silverado EV Has The Longest Range I've Ever Seen.

• Kia OTA update adds enhances EV Route Planner, SoundCloud and voice control.

• [VIDEO] Changan NEVO E07: SUV? Truck? Better than Cybertruck?

• It Turns Out Charging Stations Are Cash Cows For Nearby Businesses.

EV Tweet of the Week

Meanwhile in B.C. : Someone got more than they bargained for when walking in their garage.