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

Sorry I missed you last week - but it’s been a crazy busy time between family, work and everything in-between. I hope you are all having a great summer enjoying the things you love most with the people you love most!

Canada

EV Maintenance tips from Garage EV Owner, Chad MacLean.

I recently virtually connected with Chad MacLean, owner of Garage EV. As being someone who has worked for Tesla, Mercedes Benz on their EQ PHEV and now runs Garage EV, so I was excited to reach out to him for his thoughts on EV maintenance. Luckily for me, he was as enthusiastic as most of us EVers are and had a lot to share! Thank you Chad!

Here is what he had to say:

“As a shop we see some trends from different brands. Since Tesla, our specialization, is the largest volume of EVs that we see, I usually use them as my main example but almost all subjects can be applied to all EVs.

Tires:
Tires, are the biggest consumable item and should be rotated approximately every 10,000km. Also when choosing a tire the most important factor is choosing an XL (Extra Load) rated tire. Also paying particular attention to the treadwear rating is equal to or greater than the OEM tire. If you are trying to squeeze the most efficiency out of your vehicle some EV tires offer less rolling resistance, noise properties etc.

Brake Services:
Regen braking being a great feature to turn your kinetic energy back into energy for your battery does come at a cost. Regen uses your drive motors to slow your vehicle similar to engine braking in an ICE vehicle. This means your hydraulic service brakes (standard brakes) don't get used very much which saves the wear but the rotors get rusted, pads can be subject to delamination and calipers seizing. This can be avoided with simple annual brake services / inspections. I have spoken to many new EV owners and the sales associates may neglect to mention this or not aware themselves, so the brakes are often neglected. When an issue arises so can the costs of replacements. If brakes are neglected and not serviced, there is a potential that warrantable repairs could be voided. Similar to not changing your oil and having engine failure. Especially in the areas where salt and corrosion are present, 20,000km or annually is a good general time for inspection.

Batteries:
As a technician who had worked for Tesla as well as Mercedes Benz when their EQ PHEV started to come out the battery reliability has never been a huge issue. Do HV (high voltage) batteries fail, most certainly however not at the rate people think. Also it's usually an internal electrical component that fails and can be replaced. There are many high mileage Teslas (almost 450,000km) that the batteries have remaining 85% plus capacity. However these batteries are on people's minds as I get many comments about this. I don't really see a concern.

Some tips to help keep your battery as healthy as possible is good charging habits, charging on a level 2 charger at your house is the best way for your battery to keep itself happy. This is because the battery construction is many cells and level 2 (A/C charging) lets the battery management system ( BMS) balance the battery. Fast charging is a great way to get your battery up to charge to get back on the road and batteries are designed for this but do put more stress and overtime, can cause more degradation compared to a vehicle charged at home consistently every night.

EVs have 12V (Low voltage batteries) to power everything like a conventional ICE vehicle. The High voltage battery supports these batteries similar to your alternator in your ICE. However in an EV it's done through electronic management. The capacity of these 12V batteries is much lower since there is no starter to turn but the 12V is used by control units which are responsible for your high voltage side. So checking the battery periodically is good. A failing battery can cause all sorts of funny faults and errors with an EV. So staying on top of it during maintenance checks is good.

Alignment and suspension:
Alignments and suspension checks are important going back to tire wear. The added weight on rough roads can gradually affect alignments which also contribute to tire wear. This is the same for ICE vehicles but most ICE owners are not trying to squeeze the most efficiency out of their vehicles.

Air conditioning system:
Another item that is overlooked is the A/C system. When air conditioning fails in an ICE vehicle, many users just live with it as it's more of a comfort item. However in EVs the air conditioning system can be integrated into your battery and drive unit cooling system. This maintains temperatures so your vehicle can operate correctly. During hot days if the cooling system is not cooling the battery / drive unit sufficiently the system will utilize chillers which use the A/C system to cool. Having a fault in your A/C system can cause loss of power or other cooling issues.

Overall EVs have less complexity and the benefits are also great but these vehicles need to maintained just like any other vehicle to stay operating in peak condition.”

The team at Garage EV are very experienced when it comes to electric vehicles, their specific nuances vs conventional gas-powered vehicles, and e-bikes as well!
Be sure to check them out for your EV maintenance needs!
website: https://garage-ev.ca/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garageevcanada

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

Kia Halts EV9 Reservations in Canada Due to Strong Demand: Limited Allocation Raises Questions.

KIA Motors has decided to temporarily suspend reservations for its sought-after EV9 model in Canada. This decision follows a remarkable surge in reservations that should not have taken the industry by surprise. However, industry insiders reveal that Kia had allocated only 500 units of the EV9 for the entirety of the 2024 model year in Canada, a decision that has sparked discussions given Kia's annual sales record of 68,258 vehicles in the country.

The limited allocation of the EV9 units to Canada has caught the attention of experts, particularly in light of the burgeoning demand for full-sized SUVs in North America and the lack of sufficient all-electric options in this segment. Speculation abounds whether Kia's decision was a calculated strategy to generate buzz or if there are genuine supply challenges on the automaker's end.

The EV9, positioned as Kia's flagship electric vehicle, boasts the attributes that align with the preferences of modern consumers. With seating for seven passengers, it offers a targeted EPA range of approximately 485 kms—a remarkable feat in the electric SUV space. This versatile SUV is equipped to tow up to 5,000 pounds and features the Highway Driving Pilot, Kia's counterpart to Tesla's Autopilot. Kia asserts that the Highway Driving Pilot can achieve Level 3 autonomy, employing a comprehensive sensor suite that includes 15 sensors, including two lidar laser sensors.

Built on Hyundai Motor Group's 800V E-GMP platform, the EV9 enjoys substantial charging capabilities, enabling a swift 10 to 80 percent fast charging in under 25 minutes. While the entry-level variant offers 204 horsepower and rear-wheel drive, a dual-motor iteration with 380 horsepower and a 6-second 0-100 km/h acceleration time will also be available.

Production of the EV9 is slated to commence in South Korea initially, with plans to expand manufacturing to Kia's West Point Assembly Plant in Georgia from 2024 onwards. Let’s hope there is more allocation made for Canadians as it will be exciting to see these vehicles on Canadian roads.

Toronto, Canada-based EV Battery Recycler, Li-Cycle Expands to Europe.

Li-Cycle, a prominent North American EV battery recycling firm, has successfully inaugurated its pioneering lithium-ion battery recycling center in Europe. The newly established facility in Magdeburg, Germany, stands as one of the continent's largest battery recycling centers, equipped to handle complete EV battery packs.

Situated northwest of Leipzig, the Magdeburg Spoke marks Li-Cycle's first venture into the European market. With the first primary processing line already operational within the sprawling 20,000-square-meter facility, the center is fully equipped to process entire EV battery packs. The launch of its second main line is scheduled for later this year.

Each of the main processing lines has a substantial annual processing capacity of up to 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery material. Li-Cycle has further revealed plans for an "additional 10,000 tonnes of ancillary capacity," hinting at a potential expansion that could elevate the Magdeburg Spoke's total annual capacity to an impressive 30,000 tonnes. This projection would establish the facility as one of Europe's most significant of its kind.

Li-Cycle, listed on the NYSE under the symbol LICY, currently operates four Spokes across North America: located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, as well as in Rochester, New York; Gilbert, Arizona; and Tuscaloosa, Alabama in the United States.

When factoring in the Magdeburg facility, Li-Cycle anticipates an aggregate input processing capacity of up to 81,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery material annually.

Li-Cycle's Spokes generate a vital intermediate substance called "black mass," a mixture that contains valuable battery components such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. The company's strategic plan involves processing this black mass at its forthcoming "Hub" facilities. These Hubs will refine the materials into battery-grade end products, optimizing them for reuse within new battery cells.

The first Hub facility, located in Rochester and funded by a substantial $375 million loan from the US Department of Energy, is presently under construction and poised to become operational later this year.

Li-Cycle's commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation is further highlighted by its collaborative venture with Swiss mining giant Glencore. The two companies are actively developing a 50/50 joint venture to establish a commercial Hub in Europe. This project aims to repurpose a section of Glencore's existing metallurgical complex in Portovesme, Italy, situated in Sardinia. If the ongoing feasibility study yields positive results, the Portovesme Hub would emerge as one of Europe's primary sources for recycled battery-grade lithium, nickel, and cobalt.

EV Around the World 🌏

Fisker Reveals Four New EVs: Ronin, Pear, Alaska, and Force E in Major Product Vision Day 2023.

Fisker, a prominent EV manufacturer, has taken the stage by storm during its highly anticipated Product Vision Day 2023 event. The occasion witnessed the unveiling of an impressive lineup comprising four new electric vehicles, set to complement the existing Ocean SUV within the next few years.

Highlighting the event was the introduction of the Ronin flagship electric supercar, boasting an astounding range of 600 miles. Positioned as a "technology carrier," the Ronin will serve as a platform to showcase groundbreaking innovations. Fisker also took the opportunity to present the Pear compact electric hatchback, the Alaska electric pickup truck, and the adventure-oriented Force E package designed for the Ocean SUV.

An Innovative Addition: The Fisker Pear

Of significant interest was the announcement of the Pear, symbolizing "Personal Electric Automotive Revolution." This compact EV is projected to commence at a base price of $29,000 USD, potentially further reduced to $22,400 USD with federal incentives.

Built on the SLV1 platform, the Pear embraces a "steel plus plus" structure, utilizing 35 percent fewer components. Featuring dual-motor all-wheel drive, it aims for a 300-mile range. The anticipated launch timeline for the Pear is mid-2025.

The Pear showcases distinctive design elements, including sleek headlamps, an illuminated Pear logo, radar sensors, and a front grille reminiscent of the Ocean SUV. Rear highlights encompass a wraparound LED taillamp and the innovative "Houdini trunk," which tucks seamlessly into the rear bumper to facilitate easy loading and unloading in tight urban spaces.

Reviving Luxury: Fisker Ronin

Adding to the excitement, Fisker presented the Ronin, a world-first four-door convertible EV with a carbon fiber hardtop. With limited availability, this handcrafted luxury GT echoes the design of the brand's initial vehicle, the Fisker Karma. With a striking silhouette, active aero flaps, and a tri-motor setup delivering over 1000 horsepower, the Ronin is set to rival the future Tesla Roadster. Anticipated launch in the US is slated for the end of 2025.

Venturing into Pickup Territory: Fisker Alaska

Fisker's foray into the burgeoning electric pickup truck arena comes with the Alaska. Positioned as a sustainable and lightweight offering, the Alaska occupies a unique space between compact and mid-size pickups. Designed on the FT31 platform, a modified Ocean base, it features innovative elements such as the versatile "Houdini trunk" midgate, and boasts a 230 to 340-mile driving range, sharing power units with the Ocean SUV.

Adventurous Add-On: Fisker Force E

The Force E package adds a bold adventure touch to the Ocean SUV, catering to thrill-seekers. With an off-road focus, it includes robust features like protective plates, enhanced clearance, and special dampers. This dynamic package, available for purchase in Q1 2024, promises to enhance the Ocean's versatility for a wide range of enthusiasts.

Elevating vehicle intelligence, the Pear will debut Fisker's cutting-edge supercomputer, the Blade. This advanced computing unit boasts remarkable capabilities, including an impressive speed of 6.2 teraflops and the capacity for high-quality graphics rendering and predictive artificial intelligence capabilities.

Do you enjoy one or all of the following?

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Then The EV Universe if the place for you! Check it out below:

Clean Energy and Mobility

Tesla Solar Roof Review: $0 Power Bills for 1 Year, Marques Brownlee's Experience.

Renowned tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, and admittedly I am a fan. Marques often known as MKBHD, known for his tech evaluations and boasting over 17 million YouTube subscribers, has shared his comprehensive one-year review of the Tesla Solar Roof system, a part of his home's energy solution.

Installed with 29.313 kilowatts of Solar Roof tiles and equipped with three Powerwall batteries storing up to 40.5 kWh, Brownlee's system was a substantial investment of nearly $121,000, inclusive of batteries.

In his in-depth 30-minute video, MKBHD outlines that despite being a Tesla vehicle owner, he opted for Tesla's renewable energy system, acknowledging it's not the most immediately accessible or cost-efficient choice available. The entire system's upfront cost amounted to $120,948.04, which was mitigated by a federal tax credit, reducing it to approximately $93,000. Notably, throughout the year of utilizing the solar system, his energy bills totaled $0.

Despite the system's varying energy yield across seasons, MKBHD indicates that the accumulation of net metering credits during peak solar months offset lower production periods. Based on his home's power consumption patterns, he anticipates recouping his investment within a 10 years.

Tesla introduced its Solar Roof tiles in 2016, with mass production commencing in 2020. The company contends that covering a home with these photovoltaic shingles costs less than installing conventional solar panels alongside a new roof. The durability of the tempered glass tiles is also touted to surpass that of standard roofing materials.

Tesla further offers standalone photovoltaic panels for retrofitting onto existing roofs. The company asserts the installation of over 500,000 solar systems, yet precise numbers for Solar Roof installations remain undisclosed.

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