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

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In this issue:

• Zero-Emission Vehicles Account for 12.9% of All Vehicle Sales in Canada.

• Durham Region Transit Welcomes First Six Electric Buses.

• Lotus Eletre Carbon Hyper EV SUV Now Available In North America, and Lotus Unveils the Theory 1 Concept.

• KIA EV3 Overview from South Korea

• GM Begin Talks for Joint Battery Factory.

• Fisker Ocean Owners Responsible for Recall Repair Costs Amid Bankruptcy.

• + more!

Canada

Zero-Emission Vehicles Account for 12.9% of All Vehicle Sales in Canada.

Sales of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in Canada hit a new milestone in the second quarter of 2024, representing 12.9% of all new vehicle sales.

Compared to the same period last year, when ZEVs made up 10.1% of sales, this year’s growth highlights the rising popularity of both all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The second quarter also showed an increase over the first quarter of 2024, where ZEVs accounted for 11.3% of new vehicle sales.

During Q2 2024, a total of 65,733 zero-emission vehicles were sold in Canada out of 511,173 units overall, according to data released by Statistics Canada. Notably, plug-in hybrids experienced significant growth, with a 43.1% year-on-year increase in sales, while all-electric vehicles saw a 36.1% rise.

All-electric models continue to dominate the ZEV market, comprising approximately 75% of total ZEV sales.

Quebec remains the frontrunner in ZEV sales, accounting for 51.5% of all zero-emission vehicle purchases in Canada. Ontario and British Columbia follow, representing 21.9% and 18.5% of sales, respectively.

Manitoba showed the largest proportional increase in ZEV adoption, with 736 new vehicles registered in Q2, marking a 92.2% increase from the previous year. This surge can be attributed to the introduction of a $4,000 incentive for purchasing zero-emission vehicles in April.

Sales of electric vehicles in Canada are on the rise. While global demand may be slowing, the percentage of EVs in the market continues to grow, albeit at a less aggressive pace than anticipated. As a result, automakers are reevaluating their targets and strategies to align with this evolving market landscape. With increasing consumer interest and government incentives driving adoption, the future looks promising for zero-emission vehicles in Canada.

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

Durham Region Transit Welcomes First Six Electric Buses.

Durham Region Transit (DRT) has announced the delivery of its first six all-electric buses, marking a significant milestone in the region's commitment to sustainable transportation. These buses will operate from the Oshawa depot in Ontario, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and promoting a greener future.

The new electric buses, manufactured by Nova Bus, provide a range of 225 kilometers on a single charge. While specific model details have not been disclosed, DRT has indicated that these vehicles will serve routes with high rider volume and long cycle times, optimizing efficiency and service for commuters.

The procurement of these buses and the necessary supporting infrastructure has been made possible through a $12.1 million investment from the Canada Community-Building Fund. Additionally, DRT has secured a credit agreement with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to purchase an additional 98 electric buses, furthering its transition to a sustainable transit fleet. The transport operator aims to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2037.

Regional Councillor Marilyn Crawford, Chair of the Transit Executive Committee, expressed gratitude for the federal government’s partnership, emphasizing the importance of the Canada Community-Building Fund and the CIB’s support in making this project a reality.

👋 Hello, one quick thing. If you’re enjoying this, can you do me a favour and forward it to a friend? Thank you!

EV Around the World 🌏

Lotus Eletre Carbon Hyper EV SUV Now Available In North America, and Lotus Unveils the Theory 1 Concept.

Eletre Carbon: The Ultimate Luxury Hyper SUV

Lotus has launched the Eletre Carbon, an ultra-luxury variant of its electric hyper-SUV. Prices starting at $313,500 CAD ($229,900 USD), the Eletre Carbon features a blend of performance, luxury, and advanced aerodynamics as Lotus tests waters in the electric SUV market.

Key Features of Eletre Carbon:

• Luxurious Interior: Available in three new leather colorways from Bridge of Weir, featuring a dynamic quilting design that enhances aesthetic appeal and comfort.

• Performance-Oriented Design: With rapid acceleration from 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) in just 2.95 seconds and a top speed of 265 km/h (165 mph), the Eletre Carbon is one of the most powerful SUVs globally.

• Advanced Aerodynamics: Equipped with six driving modes and state-of-the-art active aerodynamics to enhance speed and handling.

• Innovative Technology and User Experience

• The Eletre Carbon incorporates cutting-edge technology, including:

• Next-Generation Infotainment: A 15.1-inch OLED touchscreen display and an immersive audio system powered by KEF.

• Safety and Performance Enhancements: Features include advanced braking systems and over-the-air updates for continuous improvement.

The Lotus Theory 1 Concept

The Lotus Theory 1 is a three-seat, 986HP electric concept car that embodies the future of intelligent performance vehicles. This model marks the first representation of The Lotus Theory, a new design manifesto rooted in three core principles: Digital, Natural, and Analogue (DNA).

Digital: Represents an immersive, intelligent, and intuitive driving experience.
Natural: Focuses on human-centric design that fosters emotional connections.
Analogue: Reflects Lotus's ongoing commitment to performance engineering.

At the heart of the Theory 1 is LOTUSWEAR, an innovative driver system designed to deliver a personalized experience for all occupants. This system features adaptive soft robotic textiles that respond in real time to provide enhanced comfort and support.

Key functionalities include:

• Haptic Feedback: Pulses on the steering wheel guide the driver during turns.

• Multiple Drive Modes: Range, Tour, Sport, Individual, and Track modes optimize the driving experience.

• The Theory 1 integrates a comprehensive suite of technology, including:

• 360-Degree Autonomous Driving Sensor Suite: Equipped with LiDARs, HD cameras, and advanced radar systems, ensuring driver confidence and safety.

• Immersive Audio Experience: A binaural audio system designed in collaboration with KEF, providing bespoke soundscapes for all passengers.

Check out this overview of the Kia EV3 as Motormouth goes to South Korea to check it out!

GM Begin Talks for Joint Battery Factory.

General Motors (GM) is in discussions to establish a joint battery factory focused on producing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells for electric vehicles (EVs). This potential collaboration involves the Japanese electronics group TDK, which would manufacture the LFP cells in a new facility in the USA under a technology license from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL).

The negotiations signal GM's commitment to enhancing its electric vehicle production capabilities by incorporating LFP battery technology, known for its cost-effectiveness and safety. This partnership with TDK and CATL could significantly bolster GM’s supply chain for EV batteries, ensuring a reliable source of essential components for its growing lineup of electric vehicles.

LFP cells are gaining popularity in the EV industry due to their thermal stability and longer lifespan compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. By investing in LFP technology, GM aims to reduce costs while maintaining high performance, making electric vehicles more accessible to consumers.

Check out the video below from Engineering Explained related to LFP batteries and their technology:

Fisker Ocean Owners Responsible for Recall Repair Costs Amid Bankruptcy.

Customers of Fisker Ocean electric vehicles are facing unexpected costs related to recall repairs. According to a notice on the automaker's website, owners will be required to pay for labor associated with inspections and repairs, even as Fisker provides necessary parts at no charge.

As reported by Autoevolution, Fisker's announcement comes during the company’s ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The website states that while parts will be supplied for free, the labor costs for inspection and repair work will fall on the vehicle owners. This news is particularly concerning for owners hoping to address multiple recalls, as it remains unclear when parts will be available.

Fisker has had three open recalls for the Ocean model as of June 2024, including a significant issue with doors that may not open properly. In July, an additional recall was issued for potential water pump failures, impacting 7,545 vehicles.

Fisker has committed to delivering free over-the-air software updates to resolve some issues without the need for physical repairs or parts. For example, a recent update aimed to address a regenerative braking problem that prompted yet another recall in August. However, these updates may not extend to resolving all software-related features, potentially leaving the Ocean in a state of limited functionality.

Typically, when automakers face bankruptcy, dealer funds are established to cover recall repairs. However, Fisker lacks a dealer network, which raises concerns about compliance with federal laws that mandate consumer protection during recalls. Without a mechanism for covering labor costs, affected customers may find themselves in a challenging position.

In the wake of these developments, many unsold Fisker vehicles are expected to be acquired by American Leasing, which has struck a deal to purchase them for $14,000 each. This arrangement may include efforts to keep the fleet operational, but details remain uncertain.

For fun I decided to see how much the Fisker Ocean is demanding on AutoTrader Canada. Prices range from $38,000 CAD for the 2023 Fisker Ocean AWD to $47,000 CAD for the Fisker Ocean Extreme. Surprisingly there were only 10 available when I searched Canada wide.

Here’s a video from Rich Rebuilds on why you should buy a Fisker Ocean:

QuickEV

• Dodge’s first electric Charger Daytona is now officially open for orders.

• [VIDEO] Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Silently Attacks the Nurburgring.

• Porsche Macan Electric Gets Over 300 Miles Of EPA Range.

• [VIDEO] Cybertruck Las Vegas Light Show.

• CATL launches ultra-high-energy-density EV bus battery.

• [VIDEO] New Tesla Model 3 Performance v BMW M3 CS v AMG C63 S E Perf.

• [VIDEO] James May gives his thoughts on the Tesla Cybertruck.

• [VIDEO] Nio ONVO L60 Might Be Better than Tesla Model Y.

EV Tweet of the Week

From our friend, Jaan, over at the EV Universe: