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 X / Twitter and LinkedIn!

In this issue:

• Canada Imposes 25% Tariff on U.S. Vehicle Imports in Response to U.S. Trade Actions.

• Manitoba Expands EV Charging Network with 51 New Stations Across the Province.

• ChargePoint Unveils Next-Gen AC Level 2 Charging Architecture with Bidirectional Capability and Faster Speeds.

• Tesla Spring Update Brings Adaptive Headlights, Expanded Dashcam Features, and New Navigation Options.

• Verge Motorcycles Sets New EV World Record: Over 310 Kilometres on a Single Charge.

• + more!

Canada

Canada Imposes 25% Tariff on U.S. Vehicle Imports in Response to U.S. Trade Actions.

Canada has announced a new 25% tariff on vehicles imported from the United States, effective immediately, in response to ongoing U.S. tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles. The move, confirmed by Canada’s Department of Finance, is a direct response to trade measures initiated by the U.S. government and aims to pressure the U.S. to lift its current restrictions.

The new Canadian tariff applies specifically to vehicle parts and finished vehicles that do not meet the regional content requirements outlined in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Vehicles built using North American supply chains that meet USMCA rules will see reduced or no additional tariffs.

While the full 25% rate won’t apply to most cars—given the integrated nature of automotive manufacturing across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico—consumers may still see higher vehicle prices. Approximately 60% of vehicles sold in Canada are imported from the U.S., making this a significant development for the auto industry and buyers alike.

Some automakers have already raised prices or paused shipments to Canada in anticipation of the tariff’s impact. The Canadian government has stated the tariff will remain in place until the U.S. removes its tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles.

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

Manitoba Expands EV Charging Network with 51 New Stations Across the Province.

The Government of Manitoba is investing $500,000 to install 51 new electric vehicle charging stations as part of its effort to expand EV infrastructure and promote cleaner transportation. This initiative is funded through Manitoba’s Climate Action Fund and supports the province’s Affordable Energy Plan.

The new charging stations will be located in Brandon, Morden, and a number of rural, northern, and Indigenous communities. Of the 51 total chargers, 12 will be installed at three multi-unit residential buildings, helping to address the growing need for home charging options in denser areas.

These new installations build on previous EV infrastructure investments in communities such as The Pas, Thompson, Ile des Chênes, Dunnottar, Holland, Cypress River, and Treherne. The expanded network will improve access to charging and support the province’s transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes highlighted that as more Manitobans consider switching to electric vehicles, increasing the availability of public charging stations is key to reducing emissions and supporting a cleaner transportation future.

Manitoba’s Climate Action Fund continues to support projects that lower greenhouse gas emissions, grow EV infrastructure, and foster local climate adaptation initiatives.

To view Manitoba’s Affordable Energy Plan, visit www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/energyplan/mb-affordable-energy-plan.pdf

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EV Around the World 🌏

ChargePoint Unveils Next-Gen AC Level 2 Charging Architecture with Bidirectional Capability and Faster Speeds.

ChargePoint has announced a major update to its AC Level 2 charging technology, introducing a new product platform designed to deliver faster charging, bidirectional energy flow, and advanced energy management features. The new architecture is tailored for commercial, residential, and fleet applications across North America and Europe.

Key features of the updated AC Level 2 charging platform include:

• Bidirectional charging (V2X): Enables electric vehicles to provide power to homes, buildings, or feed energy back to the grid.

• Faster charging speeds: Delivers up to 80 amps (19.2 kW), allowing a typical EV to reach full charge in about four hours—twice as fast as standard AC Level 2 chargers.

• Dynamic load balancing: Automatically adjusts charging based on building power usage to optimize efficiency without overloading circuits.

• Smart home integration: Supports connections with solar systems, battery storage, and energy management platforms.

• Series-wiring capability: Allows multiple chargers to operate without requiring expensive electrical upgrades—ideal for fleet depots, multifamily units, or homes with more than one EV.

• ChargePoint Omni Port: Supports all common North American connector types from a single unit.

With an estimated 61% share of the U.S. public AC Level 2 charging market, ChargePoint continues to lead EV infrastructure innovation. The company’s new charging products will comply with regional regulations such as MID and Eichrecht in Europe and ENERGY STAR in the U.S.

The next-generation models will be available in Europe starting summer 2025, with a North American rollout expected by the end of the year.

Tesla Spring Update Brings Adaptive Headlights, Expanded Dashcam Features, and New Navigation Options.

Tesla’s latest software update is rolling out across supported models, bringing a range of upgrades focused on safety, convenience, and entertainment.

Key Features in the Spring 2025 Release:

Adaptive Headlights (Canada & U.S.):
Vehicles equipped with the required hardware can now use adaptive headlights that reduce glare by automatically dimming specific headlight sections. This helps improve night-time visibility without disturbing oncoming drivers or cyclists. Enable via Controls > Lights > Adaptive Headlights.

Blind Spot Camera on Driver Display (Model S/X):
The blind spot camera feed now appears directly in the instrument cluster for better visibility when changing lanes. Enable it under Controls > Display > Automatic Blind Spot Camera and select Driver Screen.

Dashcam & Side Camera Recording (Newer Model S/3/X/Y):Side (B-pillar) cameras now record in Dashcam and Sentry Mode, increasing coverage from four to six camera angles. The redesigned Dashcam Viewer offers a grid view and easier video navigation.

Alternative Trip Planning:
Drivers can now select from multiple route options:

• Fastest: shortest travel time

• Best Amenities: routes with top-rated restaurants, restrooms, and shops nearby

• Fewer Stops: limits charging stops

• Charging station pages also display nearby amenities within walking distance.

Comfort Drive Mode on Autopilot (Cybertruck):
Cybertruck will now switch to Comfort Drive Mode when Autopilot is engaged, improving ride quality during long drives.

Lane Departure Assistance (Cybertruck):An enhancement to Lane Departure Avoidance now provides steering assistance. A blue line on the touchscreen highlights lane boundaries when the system is active. Customize in Controls > Autopilot > Lane Departure Avoidance.

Trunk and Frunk Height Memory:
Model 3, Model Y, New Model S/X, New Model 3: Set and save trunk height for specific locations like your garage.

Cybertruck: Save frunk height based on location.
Simply adjust to your preferred height and press and hold the close button until you hear a chime.

New Navigation Option: Avoid Highways
Drivers can now select “Avoid Highways” under Controls > Navigation for more flexible routing.

Improved Language Support:
Quickly switch keyboard input languages via Controls > Display > Keyboards.

Keep Accessory Power On:
Continue using USB ports, low-voltage outlets, and wireless chargers after exiting the vehicle, as long as the battery is above 20%.

Additional Enhancements:

• Media search results now filter by source for quicker access.

• Apple Music playlists over 100 songs can now be shuffled.

• Easily scroll through SiriusXM favourites using steering wheel controls.

• Sign in to Amazon Music Free with Premium Connectivity or WiFi.

• See the next track in YouTube Music’s “Up Next” queue.

• Vehicles now automatically reconnect to your phone hotspot when driving begins.

This update enhances the Tesla driving experience with smarter features, more control, and improved media functionality—all part of Tesla’s continued software evolution.

You can check out the article published by Tesla on X here:

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Verge Motorcycles Sets New EV World Record: Over 310 Kilometres on a Single Charge.

Verge Motorcycles has officially set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled on a single charge by a production electric motorcycle. The record-setting ride took place on March 22, 2025, in London, where the Verge TS Pro covered an impressive 310.689 kilometres (193.053 miles) without recharging.

The ride lasted just over 16 hours and was completed within the London M25 ring road, navigating everyday city traffic, stoplights, and pedestrian zones—demonstrating the bike’s real-world efficiency in typical urban conditions. Remarkably, the Verge TS Pro still had approximately 7% battery remaining at the end of the journey.

The attempt was led by experienced EV drivers Sam Clarke and Sara Sloman, both recognized figures in the electric mobility space. The ride was closely monitored using professional-grade tracking equipment to ensure data accuracy. Webfleet managed performance data collection, while Generate Media documented the entire event. The AA (Automobile Association) provided support throughout the effort.

The Verge TS Pro is a serial production model, showcasing the practical capabilities of electric motorcycles for long-distance urban travel. This milestone reinforces Verge Motorcycles' place at the forefront of EV technology and design.

QuickEV

• An Electric Chevrolet Corvette? GM Is Thinking About It.

• Tesla reveals latest Giga Texas production milestone.

• 2025 Audi RS e-tron GT: Supercar Speed Meets Daily Driver Comfort.

• EVs Are Far Less Likely To Break Down Than ICE Vehicles: Study.

• Lime announces recycling cooperation with Redwood Materials.

• Chevy Silverado EV, New Chevy Bolt Will Get Cheaper LFP Batteries.

• Stellantis presents solution for electric van conversion.

EV Tweet of the Week

Some companies zig, while others zag. Interesting location for the charge port: