Welcome to The EV North!

This is your weekly roundup of the most important electric vehicle news. While we spotlight updates from Canada and North America, we also feature key developments from across the globe.

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In this issue:

• Free 400 kW DC Fast Charging Now Available in British Columbia, Courtesy of On The Run.

• Hypercharge to Install 500 EV Chargers at Vancouver’s Oakridge Park Development.

• Tesla has released their Q1 2025 Update on Production, Deliveries & Deployments.

• Kia Expands EV Offerings with 2025 EV6 Refresh, 2026 EV4 Debut, and Global Recognition for EV3.

• Polestar Releases Annual Sustainability Report for 2024 Showing Significant Progress Towards Producing Climate-Neutral Vehicles by 2030.

• + more!

Canada

Free 400 kW DC Fast Charging Now Available in British Columbia, Courtesy of On The Run.

British Columbia has welcomed its first 400 kW DC fast charger, thanks to Canadian convenience store chain On The Run. Even better, charging is completely free for a limited time.

The new chargers, developed by ABB, are part of On The Run’s push to enhance EV charging infrastructure ahead of summer. At least four more 400 kW units are expected to launch across BC this spring, with additional installations planned in Ontario and Quebec later this year. Map below and can be found in full here:

https://www.ontherunstores.com/ev-charging#locations

The ABB A400 chargers support CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, with Tesla and other NACS-equipped EVs supported via adapter. However, Tesla users may experience reduced charging speeds, capped at around 50 kW.

To activate charging, drivers can use the Journie Rewards app. In addition to the A400 units, On The Run is also deploying ABB Terra 184 chargers rated at 180 kW across select sites.

While other providers like BP Pulse and Wallbox are actively rolling out ultra-fast 400 kW charging across North America, this move positions On The Run as a key player in Canada’s growing EV charging network—especially with the added incentive of free sessions.

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Hypercharge to Install 500 EV Chargers at Vancouver’s Oakridge Park Development.

Hypercharge Networks Corp has been selected to supply 500 Level 2 EV charging stations to Oakridge Park, one of Vancouver’s most ambitious real estate developments. From Hypercharge’s post below, it seems like the 500 chargers have already arrived on site!

Spanning 28 acres, Oakridge Park will feature 3,000 residential units, over 700,000 square feet of office space, and a mix of retail and community amenities. The project is being co-developed by QuadReal Property Group and Westbank Corp.

Hypercharge’s contribution includes 300 wall-mounted single port chargers and 200 overhead units—specifically designed for the high-density valet parking system at Oakridge Park. The overhead chargers provide a flexible solution that allows multiple stalls to access charging without fixed stall assignments.

To ensure seamless operation, Hypercharge’s software will be integrated into the site’s building management system, enabling real-time monitoring and smart control. Parking operations for the 6,000-space facility will be managed by Precise ParkLink.

The installation supports Oakridge Park’s vision of sustainability and modern mobility. “By partnering with Hypercharge, we are ensuring that Oakridge Park is equipped with a space-efficient EV charging solution that meets the evolving needs of our residents, tenants, and visitors,” said Chrystal Burns, EVP of Canadian retail at QuadReal.

The software that Hypercharge will use to simplify the charging experience for users, is there internal software called “Eevion” and will integrate with the building management system to create a positive user experience.

Vancouver-based Hypercharge continues to expand its presence in North America, offering EV charging hardware, smart network software, and a growing public charging network accessible through its proprietary app. As of February, the company had sold over 5,000 charging ports and reached nearly 25,000 registered users.

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EV Around the World 🌏

Tesla has released their Q1 2025 Update on Production, Deliveries & Deployments.

Tesla has produced over 362,000 vehicles and delivered over 336,000 vehicles for 2025, as summarized in the following table:

Tesla management also held a live company update and question and answer webcast that can be replayed here/below: Tesla Q1 2025 Financial Results and Q&A Webcast

They also released an investor deck, as they do each quarter which can be found here:
Tesla Q1 2025 Shareholder Deck

Here are some of the highlights pulled from the webcast:

• Elon Musk confirmed he will shift more of his time back to Tesla starting in May 2025, reducing his involvement with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

• Emphasized Tesla’s long-term focus on autonomy (robo-taxis) and humanoid robots (Optimus), believing Tesla could become the most valuable company in the world.

Financial and Business Performance

• Vehicle Deliveries: Decline in Q1 deliveries due to global factory retooling for the new Model Y and negative press.

• Gross Profit (Energy): Record gross profit in Tesla’s energy storage business despite lower deployments.

• Auto Margins: Declined due to lower volumes, factory changeovers, and reduced regulatory credit revenue.

• Bitcoin Impact: $472M Q1 drop from mark-to-market losses on Bitcoin holdings.

Full Self-Driving (FSD)

• Unsupervised FSD pilot launching in Austin in June 2025 (Model Y fleet).

• Expansion expected across the U.S. by the end of 2025.

• Generalized AI-based autonomy solution (not city-specific); Tesla is targeting safety levels meaningfully higher than human drivers.

• FSD pricing and potential tiering (supervised vs unsupervised) are being evaluated.

Robotaxi/Cybercab

• Robo-taxi launch will begin with 10–20 vehicles in Austin and scale from there.

• Most Tesla vehicles produced today are capable of being upgraded to robo-taxis via software.

Optimus Robot:

• Thousands expected in Tesla factories by end of 2025.

• Ramp is expected to reach 1 million units/year by 2029–2030.

• Progress slowed by rare earth export restrictions from China affecting motor components.

Affordable Models:

• New, lower-cost models planned for release in 2025, using existing production lines.

• Focus remains on cost-effective ownership and high monthly value rather than just sticker price.

Factory Upgrades:

• Major success updating all global factories for the new Model Y in Q1.

• Introduction of the “unboxed manufacturing” method for Cybercab—radically new production process aiming for a car every 5 seconds.

Vertical Integration:

• Tesla is more vertically integrated than any other automaker:

• Own lithium and cathode refineries

• In-house battery cell production (4680)

• High levels of localization in the U.S., China, and Europe

Tariffs:

• Tesla is better positioned than competitors due to regionalized production.

• Tariffs will impact both vehicle and energy businesses, especially energy storage products using Chinese LFP cells.

• Capex guidance remains >$10B in 2025 due to ongoing factory investments.

Megapack Growth:

• Gaining traction with utilities to boost grid performance.

• Grid-scale battery storage seen as critical to meeting demand from AI and electrification trends.

• New Megapack factory in China just launched operations to serve non-U.S. markets.

Powerwall 3:

• Well received but currently supply-constrained.

Outlook:

• FSD & Robotaxi: Expected to drive significant financial impact starting mid-2026.

• Optimus: Major long-term opportunity with mass adoption planned over next 4–5 years.

• Short-Term: Acknowledges brand and macroeconomic headwinds, but strategy is focused on sustainable, affordable tech-driven growth.

Kia Expands EV Offerings with 2025 EV6 Refresh, 2026 EV4 Debut, and Global Recognition for EV3.

Kia is reinforcing its electric vehicle presence with updates across its EV lineup, highlighted by a refreshed EV6, the North American debut of the EV4, and global recognition for the EV3. I’m really excited to see the new Kias hit the streets in Canada. I think each one has a place in the Canadian market and will help get consumers even more interested in EVs especially those looking within the small compact SUV segment.

2025 Kia EV6: Updated Styling and Longer Range

The refreshed 2025 Kia EV6 is now available in Canada, hitting dealerships soon (if they haven’t in your area yet!), featuring updated styling and enhanced performance. The lineup includes several trims:​

• Light RWD: Starting at $48,995 MSRP

• Wind RWD: $55,995 MSRP

• Land AWD: $58,495 MSRP

• Land AWD with Premium Package: $59,995 MSRP

• Land AWD with GT-Line Package: $61,495 MSRP

• Land AWD with GT-Line Limited Package: $64,995 MSRP​

These models offer improved battery capacities, with the long-range versions equipped with an 84 kWh battery, providing an estimated range of up to 513 kilometers. Most trims, excluding the GT, will be manufactured at Kia’s facility in West Point, Georgia.

2026 Kia EV4: Compact Sedan Makes North American Debut

The 2026 EV4 made its first North American appearance at the New York Auto Show. This compact electric sedan offers two battery options—58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh—delivering up to an estimated 482 km of range. It supports DC fast charging via the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port and features a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function. The EV4 will come equipped with Kia’s next-generation infotainment system, a 30-inch widescreen display, and is expected to arrive in the Canada early 2026.

Kia EV3 Named 2025 World Car of the Year

In a major achievement, the Kia EV3 was awarded the 2025 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. This compact crossover offers two battery configurations (58 kWh and 81 kWh) and a 204-hp motor, delivering up to 605 km of range on the WLTP cycle. While it’s not yet available in North America, the EV3 is expected to enter the Canadian market sometime in 2026. It continues Kia’s strong track record in EV awards, following the EV9’s recognition in 2024.

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Polestar Releases Annual Sustainability Report for 2024 Showing Significant Progress Towards Producing Climate-Neutral Vehicles by 2030.

Here are some main highlights and key findings of the report:

• 24.7% Reduction in GHG Emissions per Vehicle (since 2020 baseline).

• Polestar 4 now has the lowest carbon footprint of any Polestar car to date.

• Polestar Energy app launched, enabling smart and lower-emission charging.

• Mission 0 House continues development of a climate-neutral car by 2030.

• Polestar 7 to be produced in Europe, entering the high-growth compact SUV segment.

• Full life cycle assessments (LCAs) and traceability of critical materials across models.

Vehicle Sustainability Developments

Polestar 2:

• Emissions reduced from 26.1 tCO₂e (2020) to 23.1 tCO₂e (2024).

• Traceability via blockchain for cobalt, mica, lithium, nickel.

• Adoption of renewable aluminium and refined interior materials.

Polestar 3:

• Emissions at launch: 24.7 tCO₂e—lower than Polestar 2’s original.

• Production expanded to the US.

• Features sustainability declaration on interior materials for informed consumer choices.

Polestar 4:

• 21.3 tCO₂e cradle-to-gate footprint despite being larger with a bigger battery.

• 100% recycled textiles in major interior surfaces.

• Manual traceability mapping due to different supply chain—added manganese, copper, REEs.

Sustainability Strategy

Four Core Pillars:

1. Climate Neutrality

   • Goal: Climate-neutral car by 2030 (Polestar 0 Project).

   • Target: 90% reduction in emissions per vehicle by 2040 (from 2020 baseline).

2. Circularity

   • Emphasis on recyclable materials, extending vehicle life, and waste reduction.

3. Transparency

   • Supply chain mapping, material traceability, and public reporting.

4. Inclusion

   • Commitment to human rights, supplier audits, and gender diversity.

Polestar Energy & Bi-directional Charging

• Polestar Energy enables users to charge when grid demand is low and renewables are high.

• Bi-directional charging (starting with Polestar 3 in 2025) will allow cars to power homes (V2H) or return energy to the grid (V2G).

Challenges & Industry Context

• EV sector faces:

  • Rising electricity prices and reduced subsidies

  • Geopolitical and economic headwinds

• Yet, EV market is projected to grow from $396B (2024) to $620B (2030).

Reporting Integrity & Methodology

• GHG emissions recalculated for 2020–2023 using updated ISO 14083 standards.

• 2020 baseline adjusted to 45.9 tCO₂e per vehicle sold, revising future targets.

• The report aligns with GRI, SASB, and TCFD standards and received limited external assurance.

The full report can be found here: Polestar Sustainability Report 2024

QuickEV

• 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS First Drive Review.

• Volkswagen ID. Buzz Awarded 2025 World Car Design of the Year.

• Rivian delivers 70 electric delivery vans to HelloFresh.

• CATL unveils new EV battery that charges as fast as pumping gas.

• Mercedes-Benz Vision V Previews A Very Important People Carrier.

EV Tweet of the Week