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

Welcome to The EV North - a weekly newsletter that brings together some of the biggest EV news stories and delivers them to your inbox. There is a focus on Canada & North America but you’ll also find EV news from around the world!

Also, be sure to check us out on LinkedIn!

Before we jump into EV news, I wanted to take a minute to acknowledge the issues surrounding Canada and the US, as well as the involvement of Elon Musk. There’s a lot of unfortunate events and horrible actions that have taken place over the last few months - from tariffs, to vandalizism of Tesla vehicles and everything in between. While I personally do not agree with the actions of Elon Musk or his involvement in US politics and affairs, I also do not condone the destruction of the property of others (ie vandalizing Teslas). The goal has been to get butts in EV seats and that’s still the goal so that everyone can experience a greener future with top notch performance. Unfortunately, these days I can’t stand to be on X as the hatred that is being spewed is not for the faint of heart. It’s highly discouraging.

Lastly, I hope you all stay safe, maintain open minds, open hearts and do your research before posting on social media - misinformation and disinformation spread across social media platforms has created a major divide in Canada, and the world.

In this issue:

• Canada Pushes Back on Tesla: Incentives Cut and Auto Show Ban.

• Tesla Faces Scrutiny Over $43 Million in Canadian EV Rebates.

• Tesla Owners’ Data Exposed as Protests Against Elon Musk Intensify.

• SWTCH Cortex Simplifies EV Charging for Multifamily and Commercial Properties.

• BYD Unveils 1,000-kW Megawatt Charger for Ultra-Fast EV Charging.

• CATL and NIO Partner to Build the World's Largest Battery Swapping Network.

• Mercedes-Benz Unveils the 2026 All-Electric CLA with 792 km Range.

• + MORE!

Canada

Canada Pushes Back on Tesla: Incentives Cut and Auto Show Ban.

Tesla is facing increasing resistance in Canada, with officials taking steps to exclude the company’s products from incentive programs and public events. The backlash stems from Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s close ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump and ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada.

British Columbia has removed Tesla chargers, energy storage batteries, and inverters from its EV charger incentive program, meaning residents can no longer receive up to $350 CAD in rebates for Tesla products.

In Toronto, Mayor Olivia Chow announced that Tesla vehicles are no longer eligible for financial incentives for use as taxis or ride-share vehicles. The city previously offered reduced licensing and renewal fees for EV taxis until 2029, but Tesla has now been excluded.

Tesla was also banned from the Vancouver International Auto Show over safety concerns. The event’s executive director, Eric Nicholl, confirmed that Tesla was asked to withdraw following protests in Ottawa and Vancouver over the weekend, where demonstrators voiced opposition to Musk’s political ties and Trump’s recent comments about annexing Canada.

The backlash is affecting Tesla’s presence in Canada, as the company continues to lose favor among both officials and consumers. With declining sales and some owners selling their Teslas in protest, Canada’s actions reflect a broader shift in sentiment toward the EV giant.

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

Tesla Faces Scrutiny Over $43 Million in Canadian EV Rebates.

Tesla is under pressure after four of its Canadian stores reportedly claimed $43 million in federal iZEV rebates over a single weekend. The Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) is now calling for a full investigation by Transport Canada into the automaker's rebate filings.

The surge in rebate claims came immediately after the government announced that the iZEV program—which provided up to $5,000 per EV purchase—would be paused once funds were depleted. Between January 10 and 12, Tesla stores claimed roughly 8,600 EV sales, raising concerns about the legitimacy of these transactions.

One store alone reported 2,558 sales in a single day, a number that appears highly improbable. To process that many deliveries, it would have required over 70 employees working 12-hour shifts nonstop, which does not align with the store’s physical capacity. Additionally, rebate claims from a Quebec-based Tesla store appeared under addresses across multiple provinces, including Alberta and British Columbia.

Tesla has not responded to requests for comment, and concerns continue to grow over whether the company mass-claimed the rebates before the program officially ran out of funding. The CADA is demanding a full investigation to determine if Tesla followed the rules or manipulated the system to secure a large portion of the federal rebate pool. Transport Canada's response to these allegations will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how EV incentives are distributed in the future.

Tesla Owners’ Data Exposed as Protests Against Elon Musk Intensify.

A website (not to be named) has surfaced publishing personal information of thousands of Tesla owners, claiming that the only way to be removed from the list is to prove they have sold their vehicle. This comes amid growing global protests against Tesla and CEO Elon Musk, driven by his political affiliations and controversial actions.

Protests against Musk and Tesla began in February, with demonstrations outside stores across North America and beyond. The backlash stems from Musk’s ties to the U.S. administration, which has been pushing policies that could negatively impact EV adoption. Many EV advocates and former supporters are distancing themselves from Tesla, citing concerns over the company’s direction under Musk’s leadership.

The protest website in question includes a map pinpointing Tesla owners’ locations, as well as Tesla stores and Superchargers. While some of the data appears to be publicly available, other details—such as email addresses and social media handles—raise concerns about privacy violations. The site also promotes various forms of anti-Tesla demonstrations, urging individuals to engage in "creative expressions of protest."

The source of the leaked data remains unclear, with speculation that it may not have come directly from Tesla but rather from other publicly available records. Some Tesla owners have reported inaccuracies in the data, while others are alarmed by the potential risks associated with being targeted in this way.

While dissatisfaction with Musk and Tesla’s leadership continues to grow, I argue that targeting individual Tesla owners is misguided. Most Tesla drivers purchased their vehicles for their performance, range, and EV benefits, rather than as an endorsement of Musk's views. With many already choosing to sell their Teslas or switch to other brands, industry analysts expect this trend to continue unless the automaker can rebuild trust with its customers.

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EV Around the World 🌏

SWTCH Cortex Simplifies EV Charging for Multifamily and Commercial Properties.

SWTCH Energy has unveiled SWTCH Cortex, a next-generation EV charging solution designed to address key challenges for multifamily and commercial properties. As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, SWTCH Cortex offers a scalable, cost-effective, and intelligent approach to expanding EV charging infrastructure.

This cloud-based and onsite computing system allows property owners to install more charging stations without costly electrical upgrades. By leveraging advanced energy management, local computing for reliability, and wireless connectivity that eliminates extensive cabling, SWTCH Cortex makes it easier and more affordable to integrate EV charging into any building.

Key Features of SWTCH Cortex:

• Local Computing for Reliability – An onsite microcomputer ensures uninterrupted charging, even if the internet goes down.

• Advanced Energy Management – Unlocks spare electrical capacity, allowing more chargers to be installed without expensive panel upgrades.

• Wireless Networking – Reduces installation costs by up to 70% by eliminating the need for extensive Ethernet cabling.

• Smart Energy Coordination – Balances EV charging with electric heating and cooling systems, optimizing energy use across a property.

As EV adoption accelerates, solutions like SWTCH Cortex will be essential for meeting demand while keeping costs manageable for property owners.

To learn more, visit www.swtchenergy.com

BYD Unveils 1,000-kW Megawatt Charger for Ultra-Fast EV Charging.

BYD has introduced its new 10C Megawatt Flash Charger, capable of delivering 1,000 kW of power and adding 400 km of range in just five minutes. This charging system is designed for passenger EVs with 1,000V high-voltage architecture and represents a major step forward in fast-charging technology.

What does 10C even mean?

In battery technology, "10C charging" means the battery can be charged at a rate that is 10 times its rated capacity in terms of current, leading to a very fast charging time, typically around 6 minutes.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

C-rate: The "C" in "10C" refers to the C-rate, which is a unit of measure for the rate at which a battery charges or discharges relative to its maximum capacity.

1C: A 1C charge means the battery is charged to full capacity in one hour.

10C: A 10C charge means the battery can be charged at a rate 10 times faster than 1C, meaning it can be fully charged in approximately 6 minutes (1/10th of an hour).

Example: If a battery has a capacity of 100 mAh, a 10C charge would involve a current of 1000 mA (10 x 100 mAh). 

BYD’s new Megawatt Flash Charger is part of its Super e-Platform, addressing concerns over slower DC charging speeds in its previous models. These chargers, featuring 1,000V and 1,000A capability, can charge from 7% to 50% in just 4.5 minutes. Live demonstrations with the Han L EV and Tang L EV showed that the system reaches full 1 MW output within 10 seconds of initiating a charge.

This rapid charging is made possible by BYD’s latest battery advancements, which include a 1,500V silicon-carbide power module for efficient energy transfer. The technology supports a 580 kW rear electric motor, enabling 0-100 km/h acceleration in just two seconds and top speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph).

BYD has announced plans to install over 4,000 megawatt charging stations across China, further expanding its charging infrastructure. The company continues to see rapid growth, selling over 322,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in February 2025, a 164% increase from the previous year.

With these innovations, BYD is setting a new benchmark for high-speed EV charging, making ultra-fast recharging a reality for everyday drivers.

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CATL and NIO Partner to Build the World's Largest Battery Swapping Network.

CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited) and NIO have signed a strategic partnership to accelerate the expansion of battery swapping infrastructure, aiming to create the largest and most advanced swapping network for electric vehicles. This collaboration will enhance the adoption of standardized battery swapping technology, making EV ownership more convenient and cost-effective.

Under this agreement, CATL will support NIO in expanding its battery swapping network, integrating Choco-Swap technology into new models, including those from Firefly, NIO’s upcoming brand. The shared infrastructure will allow seamless battery swaps, improving efficiency and accessibility for EV drivers.

"Choco-Swap" refers to CATL's battery swapping ecosystem, a standardized system for EV battery swapping, aiming to address range anxiety and promote faster EV adoption.

How it works: EV owners can drive to a Choco-Swap station, where a drained battery ("chocolate bar") is quickly swapped for a fully charged one, similar to grabbing a new chocolate bar.

Benefits of the Choco-Swap:

• Standardization: CATL aims to create a platform-agnostic swap infrastructure for subcompact to mid-sized cars, including those with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) or nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries.

• Fast Swaps: The battery swap process is designed to be quick, taking around 1.5 minutes.

• Eco-friendly: Centralized battery management extends battery lifespan, reduces waste, and swapping stations can integrate renewable energy sources.

Both companies will work together to establish national battery swapping standards in China, ensuring broader compatibility across brands and models. This initiative is expected to lower costs, optimize battery utilization, and enhance the overall EV ecosystem, covering everything from battery development and swapping services to recycling and reuse.

By combining CATL’s battery expertise with NIO’s established swapping network, this partnership marks a major step toward scalable and standardized battery swapping, making electric mobility more accessible and efficient for drivers.

Mercedes-Benz Unveils the 2026 All-Electric CLA with 792 km Range.

The all-electric Mercedes-Benz CLA redesign showcases efficiency, intelligence, and driving experience. The CLA offers more space, comfort, and advanced technology than its predecessor. Equipped with next-generation electric architecture, it features a range of up to 792 km WLTP and ultra-fast charging, setting new standards in the EV market.

The CLA is the first vehicle powered by the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), offering seamless AI-driven connectivity with the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. This enables real-time updates for essential vehicle functions, including driver assistance, navigation, and infotainment. With integrated Google Maps and ChatGPT-powered MBUX Virtual Assistant, drivers can access real-time route planning, personalized recommendations, and advanced voice commands for an intuitive in-car experience.

Built on an 800-volt system, the CLA supports DC fast charging up to 320 kW, allowing drivers to add 325 km of range in just 10 minutes. The new 85 kWh lithium-ion battery offers 20% higher energy density, reduced cobalt content, and a 30% lower carbon footprint per cell. A two-speed gearbox optimizes acceleration and efficiency, delivering both strong performance and extended range.

The CLA’s GT-inspired silhouette, low roofline, and short overhangs create a sporty yet elegant look. The illuminated star grille introduces a new Mercedes-Benz design signature, while optional MULTIBEAM LED headlights and star-shaped taillights enhance visibility and style. A panoramic glass roof provides an open, spacious cabin feel with advanced heat insulation.

Inside, the CLA features a sleek, minimalist design with high-tech elements. The MBUX Superscreen spans the entire dashboard, integrating a 10.25-inch driver display and a 14-inch central touchscreen, with an optional passenger display. The floating center console, wireless charging, and premium upholstery options offer a sophisticated and driver-centric environment.

The CLA is the first Mercedes-Benz to feature an air-to-air heat pump, capturing waste heat from the drivetrain, battery, and ambient air to optimize energy use. This significantly reduces power consumption in cold climates, maximizing range.

With industry-leading technology, long-range capability, and striking design, the Mercedes-Benz CLA makes a strong case to be your next EV.

QuickEV

• Northvolt files for bankruptcy in Sweden – what now for its $7B Canada EV battery plant?

• Toyota Is Making Three New EVs, Including a Pickup.

• [VIDEO] Can You Fool A Self Driving Car?

• Kia Takes Four Victories in 2025 iF Design Awards.

• [VIDEO] Inside Tesla’s Model Y Upgrades – Exclusive with Lars & Franz.

• 2026 BMW i3 And BMW iX3: Our Best Look Yet.

• Rivian launches hands-off driving assist in latest software update.

EV Tweet of the Week