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

First! Who remembers “Pimp My Ride”?

Remember when MTV was all about music videos and wild car transformations? Well, get ready to feel some serious nostalgia because Resurrected Rides is revving up to bring back that early 2000s magic!

Launching on Netflix July 24th, this new series is a blast from the past mixed with cutting-edge automotive wizardry. Remember Pimp My Ride? Yeah, these are the same folks behind it, but they’ve amped it up for today’s audience. Comedian Chris Redd, from SNL fame, is taking the wheel alongside a crew of top-notch mechanics. Together, they’re not just fixing up cars – they’re turning them into jaw-dropping masterpieces.

Here’s what you’ll find below 👇️ 

• Canada Considers Tariffs on Chinese EVs Following U.S. and EU.

• EVs Take On Pike’s Peak: Ioniq 5N, Rivian, and Ford SuperTruck Break Records.

• Rivian and Volkswagen Group Announce Joint Venture for Cutting-Edge Vehicle Software Technology.

• CATL Powers Electric Plane with Groundbreaking Battery Technology.

• +more!

Canada

Canada Considers Tariffs on Chinese EVs Following U.S. and EU.

As per BNN Bloomberg, the Canadian government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is preparing potential new tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. This move aims to align Canada with similar actions recently taken by the U.S. and European Union.

While final decisions are pending, the government is expected to announce public consultations on tariffs targeting Chinese EV imports soon. Officials, speaking anonymously, suggest these measures are likely to affect Chinese EV exports to Canada significantly.

Trudeau faces mounting pressure both domestically and internationally to follow the U.S. lead. In May, President Joe Biden's administration announced plans to increase tariffs on Chinese-manufactured EVs to a rate of 102.5%. Similarly, the European Union recently declared its intention to raise tariffs on Chinese EVs, potentially reaching up to 48% on certain models.

Western nations are increasingly worried about China's overproduction of key goods, viewing it as a strategy to dominate supply chains and undermine their industries. Chinese firms like BYD Co. are aggressively expanding in global markets, making battery-electric vehicles a significant concern.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized China for exploiting low labor standards and dirty energy to produce cheap EVs. He urged Trudeau's government to match the U.S. tariffs, warning of potential job losses in Ontario and Canada if swift action isn't taken.

In 2023, the value of Chinese EVs imported to Canada skyrocketed to $2.2 billion, up from less than $100 million in 2022. This increase was partly driven by Tesla Inc.'s shipments of Model Y vehicles from its Shanghai factory to Vancouver. However, the primary concern for the Canadian government is not Tesla, but the influx of low-cost vehicles from Chinese automakers.

Publicly, Trudeau and his cabinet have stated they are monitoring international actions but have not committed to new tariffs. At a recent Group of Seven leaders' summit, Trudeau discussed Chinese production concerns. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's office indicated that Canada is "actively considering next steps to counter Chinese oversupply," though specific measures were not disclosed.

Canadian auto industry groups have called for stiff tariffs, emphasizing the need to stay aligned with the U.S. due to the closely integrated auto supply chains between the two countries. The majority of Canada's auto production is exported to the U.S., making alignment crucial, especially with the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Trudeau is navigating carefully to avoid potential Chinese trade retaliation. Some environmental advocates argue that keeping EV costs low is essential to boosting consumer adoption. Meanwhile, both the federal government and Ontario's provincial government are investing billions into developing a domestic EV industry, from mining critical battery minerals to assembling vehicles.

Significant subsidies are planned for new factories proposed by major automakers like Volkswagen AG, Stellantis NV (owner of Chrysler), and Honda Motor Co. These investments aim to establish a robust domestic EV manufacturing ecosystem in Canada.

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

👋 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 🌏

EVs Take On Pike’s Peak: Ioniq 5N, Rivian, and Ford SuperTruck Break Records.

The 102nd running of the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb saw the Rivian R1T, Hyundai Ioniq 5N, and Ford SuperTruck all making impressive performances and breaking records.

The Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb is one of the world's longest-running races, held since 1916. It starts at an elevation of 2,862m (9,390 feet) and finishes at 4,300m (14,110 feet), featuring a grueling 20km (12.42-mile) course with a 7.2% vertical grade. Historically, the high altitude has challenged gas-powered vehicles due to reduced oxygen for combustion. However, EVs, which don't rely on oxygen, have consistently excelled in this "Race to the Clouds."

The Rivian R1T Ascend Quad Max, in its unmodified form, shattered last year's production truck record by 30 seconds, achieving a time of 10:53.883. This set a new record for any production truck, gas or electric.

The Ioniq 5N ran in both stock and modified categories. The unmodified version, driven by Ron Zaras, posted a time of 10:49.267, setting the record for electric production vehicles. Meanwhile, the modified Ioniq 5N TA, driven by Dani Sordo, set a record for modified electric SUVs with a time of 9:30.852, outperforming even the Tesla Model S Plaid.

The heavily-modified Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck, with 1,400hp, was the fastest vehicle of the day, clocking in at 8:53.553 despite a brief shutdown that cost valuable seconds. It continued Ford’s tradition of high-performance entries at Pike’s Peak.

These achievements prove the advancing capabilities of electric vehicles, particularly in high-altitude and high-performance contexts where traditional internal combustion engines struggle. The Rivian R1T, Ioniq 5N, and Ford SuperTruck not only set new records but also highlighted the growing dominance of EVs in competitive racing.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Announce Joint Venture for Cutting-Edge Vehicle Software Technology.

Rivian Automotive and Volkswagen Group have announced plans to form an equally controlled joint venture (JV) aimed at developing next-generation software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms for future electric vehicles. Volkswagen Group will invest an initial $1 billion USD in Rivian, with an additional $4 billion USD planned.

This partnership is expected to accelerate software development for both Rivian and Volkswagen Group, combining their strengths to lower costs per vehicle and speed up global innovation. Rivian’s proven hardware design and integrated technology platform will form the foundation for the JV, benefiting both companies' vehicles. Rivian will contribute its expertise in electrical architecture and license its existing intellectual property to the JV.

Both companies aim to launch vehicles with the new technology in the second half of the decade. In the short term, Volkswagen Group will utilize Rivian’s existing electrical architecture and software platform, accelerating their transition to a pure zonal architecture. Each company will continue to operate their respective vehicle businesses independently.

Volkswagen Group plans to invest $5 billion in Rivian. The initial $1 billion investment will be through an unsecured convertible note that will convert into Rivian’s common stock, subject to regulatory approvals by December 1, 2024. An additional $4 billion investment is planned as part of the transaction.

Significant work has been done to ensure compatibility between Rivian’s electrical architecture and Volkswagen Group’s vehicles. The JV formation is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, pending definitive agreements and regulatory approvals. Lazard is serving as the lead financial advisor, and BDT & MSD Partners is advising Rivian.

Clean Energy and Mobility

CATL Powers Electric Plane with Groundbreaking Battery Technology.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer, has successfully tested a 4-ton electric plane powered by its ultra-high energy density battery. By 2028, CATL aims to unveil an 8-ton civil electric aircraft with a range of 2,000 to 3,000 km (1,200 to 1,800 miles).

CATL introduced its new Condensed Battery at the Auto Show in Shanghai last April. This battery boasts an impressive energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg, double that of the average EV battery. CATL's technology is paving the way for the electrification of passenger aircraft, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.

CATL has been collaborating with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to develop electric planes. The establishment of CATL’s aviation unit last summer marked a strategic move towards designing and developing civil aircraft and components such as engines and propellers. The successful test flight of a 4-ton electric aircraft demonstrates the rapid progress CATL is making in this field.

On Tuesday, CATL announced its ambitious plans to introduce an 8-ton commercial electric aircraft by 2027 or 2028, with a standardized range of around 2,000 to 3,000 km (1,200 to 1,800 miles). The aircraft will utilize CATL’s Condensed Battery, which is powerful enough to support long-range flights, making it feasible for private and business jets.

In addition to its advancements in aviation, CATL is also developing next-generation sodium-ion batteries. These batteries are expected to offer lower costs, longer life, and better cold performance, with a potential launch as early as next year.

QuickEV

• Vandals Tag 34 Tesla Cybertrucks With Profanity Directed at Elon Musk.

• Tesla is reportedly in talks to use Michelin’s airless tires.

• [VIDEO] 2025 Rivian R1S And R1T: I'm Amazed At What's New.

• Rimac, Maker Of Million-Dollar EV Hypercars, Launched A Robotaxi.

• Bugatti Tourbillon unveiled with 1800-hp V16 plug-in hybrid powertrain.

• [VIDEO] 2025 Rivian R1: Watch It Rip It On The Racetrack.

• New Porsche Charging Lounge opens for business in Ingolstadt.

• NIO's New Battery Swap Station 4.0 Is Faster, Bigger And Automatic.

• [VIDEO] Here’s How Tesla’s Latest FSD Version Works In The Real World.

• BMW cancels $2 billion battery cell order from Northvolt.

EV Tweet of the Week