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

Does anyone else feel like the summer has just been flying by? Only 3 more weeks and the kids will be back in school!

Lots happening in the EV world these days - exciting time for Canadian EVers to get the opportunity to test out a variety of different EVs as legacy automakers try to catch up to the likes of Tesla and Rivian.

As always, we appreciate your support and be sure to drop us a message to say hi, provide feedback or ask questions just by replying to this email.

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In this issue:

• Tesla Launches Cybertruck in Canada: Starting Price of $137,990 CAD.

• ChargePoint Unveils Omni Port: The Ultimate EV Charging Solution for Seamless Compatibility.

• Rivian Announces New Charge Port Location for R2 Models.

• GMC Sierra EV: The Wait for the Denali Edition 1 is Almost Over.

• +more!

Canada

Tesla Launches Cybertruck in Canada: Starting Price of $137,990 CAD.

Tesla has officially introduced the Cybertruck to the Canadian market. The Cybertruck has been highly anticipated to make it’s debut on Canadian roads, although some have been spotted across the country from visiting Americans. Canadian reservation holders are now receiving emails to configure their orders for their Cybertruck - but already some reservation holders are hesitating over the price and luxury taxes applied. In Canada, the Foundation Series of the Cybertruck will start at a price of $137,990 CAD and the Cyberbeast $165,990 CAD.

The Cybertruck debuted in the United States in November 2023, with Tesla hosting a special event at Giga Texas to deliver the first 10 units. The initial deliveries began earlier this year, and Tesla has since delivered approximately 15,000-20,000 Foundation Series units across the U.S.

Canadians have been eagerly awaiting the Cybertruck's arrival, but deliveries were contingent on approval from Transport Canada. Tesla had previously received a crucial exemption from Transport Canada, and recent updates suggest that final approval is either complete or imminent.

As of August 8, 2024, Tesla has begun inviting reservation holders in Canada and Mexico to place their orders for the Cybertruck. According to an internal memo obtained by Drive Tesla, the initial pricing details are as follows:

Due to additional taxes, including the federal luxury tax, the final cost of the Cybertruck will be significantly higher. In Canada, after taxes, the AWD Cybertruck is expected to range from $165,000 to $175,000 CAD, while the CyberBeast could cost between $200,000 and $220,000 CAD.

Tesla is actively working to remove the luxury tax for the Cybertruck in Canada, which could impact future pricing.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Cybertruck and other Tesla developments as they unfold.

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

ChargePoint Unveils Omni Port: The Ultimate EV Charging Solution for Seamless Compatibility.

ChargePoint, a leader in networked charging solutions for EVs, has introduced the ChargePoint Omni Port, a revolutionary charging solution designed to eliminate EV connector confusion. The Omni Port combines the most common connector types into a single charging port, ensuring that both Tesla and non-Tesla drivers can easily charge their vehicles without the need for additional adapters.

ChargePoint's Omni Port is engineered to address the complexities of a multi-connector environment by automatically adjusting to fit various EV connectors. This new system removes the hassle of carrying separate adapters and eliminates the need to dedicate parking spaces to specific connector types. With Omni Port, drivers simply need to enter their vehicle’s make and model into the ChargePoint app, or select the correct connector on the charger screen, and the station will automatically provide the appropriate connection.

Omni Port is the only publicly available solution designed to address North America’s EV connector confusion across both AC and DC charging. It supports existing vehicles and future EVs by integrating prevalent connector types into a single charging port. This forward-thinking design ensures that public charging stations are prepared for a wide range of vehicles, including those with 800-volt architecture, providing maximum charging speeds.

Omni Port will be incorporated into new ChargePoint AC and DC charging stations at no additional cost and can be retrofitted onto existing ChargePoint CP6000 and Express Plus Power Link 2000 models. ChargePoint’s modular hardware design allows for quick and easy upgrades without the need for complete replacement of existing equipment.

The Omni Port system ensures that drivers experience a hassle-free charging process. The technology features cable management that accommodates any vehicle's port location and supports credit card payments for those who prefer not to use the ChargePoint app. This approach simplifies the charging experience and meets the needs of over 5.5 million EVs currently on North American roads.

Omni Port is set to begin shipping by the end of the year, enhancing both new and existing ChargePoint stations. This adaptable solution underscores ChargePoint’s commitment to providing flexible and innovative charging infrastructure for all EV drivers.

For more details, visit ChargePoint’s website.

Rivian Announces New Charge Port Location for R2 Models.

Rivian has confirmed that the charge port for the upcoming R2 models will now be positioned on the rear left side of the vehicle. This change marks a shift from the previously planned rear right location, which was intended for street-side charging and compatibility with Rivian’s own charging networks.

The decision to relocate the charge port is influenced by feedback from Rivian R1S and R1T owners, who have faced challenges accessing Tesla Supercharger stations with the current right rear charge port location. Many users have had to maneuver creatively to connect their vehicles to the Tesla Supercharger due to the positioning of the charge port.

The move aligns with Tesla’s long-standing preference for placing charge ports on the left rear, which has been well-received by users of Tesla vehicles. By adopting this location, Rivian aims to enhance the charging experience for R2 owners at Tesla Supercharger stations.

Rivian has already committed to adopting the Tesla-based charge port standard, known as J3400, as part of the North American Charging Standard (NACS). As of last June, Rivian began shipping free NACS adapters to R1 customers, integrating Supercharger stations into Rivian’s trip planning tools. The U.S. boasts 2,321 Tesla Supercharger locations with 26,217 charging ports, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Initially, Rivian considered the rear right charge port location as ideal for street-side charging, particularly in European markets and U.S. urban environments. , explained that extensive research influenced this decision, aiming to minimize the need for cumbersome charging cables.

While the charge port relocation has been confirmed for the R2, it is not yet specified whether this change will extend to the R3 models. The shift to the Tesla-compatible charge port suggests that Rivian is prioritizing ease of use on the Supercharger network, potentially boosting future traffic and revenue for Tesla stations.

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EV Around the World 🌏

GMC Sierra EV: The Wait for the Denali Edition 1 is Almost Over.

The highly anticipated 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 is set to hit dealers across the United States in the coming weeks and then Canada. The electric truck market has been rapidly expanding since Rivian introduced the R1T. Major players like Ford, Tesla, Chevrolet, and GMC have since launched their electric models, including the F-150 Lightning, Cybertruck, Silverado EV, and Hummer EV. With the GMC Sierra EV joining the lineup, buyers now have even more choices, though options remain relatively limited compared to traditional trucks.

Following its initial reveal in late 2022, GMC began taking orders for the Sierra EV in spring 2024. According to GM Authority, reservation holders should be on the lookout as the Edition 1 batch of Sierra EVs is expected to reach dealerships soon. As of mid-August, only 9 in-transit models were listed on Cars.com, indicating that initial inventory may be sparse and already committed to reservation holders or for demonstration purposes.

The 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will debut as the only trim for this model year, with a starting price of approximately $137,000 CAD. The vehicle’s specifications have also seen improvements, including:

• 700km electric range

• 10,000 lbs maximum towing capacity

• 1,450 lbs maximum payload capacity

• 754 horsepower

• 785 lb-ft of torque

• 0-100lm/h in 4.5 seconds

• 160km of range in 10 minutes of charging at 800V DCFC stations

• 10.2 kW off-board power

• 24-inch wheels

For those not ready to make the $137,000 commitment just yet, the 2025 model year is set to bring additional trims such as the Elevation and AT4. These trims are expected to be more affordable and will offer two battery capacity options estimated at 170 kWh and 200 kWh.

The GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 represents a premium choice for electric truck buyers, with its impressive range and power specs. However, the excitement will truly ramp up with the introduction of more affordable base and mid-level trims in the near future.

QuickEV

• Stellantis is investing more in Archer Aviation, developing a eVTOL aircraft.

• [VIDEO] The Lexus RZ 450e has some work to do according to Marques Brownlee.

• New York provides $200M in funding for electric school buses.

• [VIDEO] One Year With A Rivian Amazon Van: 'This Thing's Awesome'.

• ZEEKR announces record setting new LFP batteries.

• [VIDEO] BYD’s electric supercar race to 233 mph insanely fast.

• Volkswagen’s electric Golf may come sooner than expected with help from Rivian.

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