Welcome to the EV North Newsletter!

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In this issue:

• Electric Autonomy’s EV & Charging Expo.

• Halifax Deploys 60 New Electric Buses in Major Step Toward Zero-Emission Transit.

• Li-Cycle Begins Formal Restructuring Under CCAA and Chapter 15 Proceedings.

• Dodge Drops Canadian-Made Charger Daytona R/T, Delays Four-Door EV Variant.

• Cadillac’s EV Lineup Gains Momentum as Tesla Owners Make the Switch.

• ChargePoint and Eaton Launch EV Charging Partnership to Streamline Electrification Projects.

• + more!

Canada

Electric Autonomy’s EV & Charging Expo.

As you probably know, I was in Toronto last week for Electric Autonomy’s EV & Charging Expo and it was a phenomenal event. I highly recommend going next year whether you work in the industry or are simply an EV enthusiast. Aside from the industry insights, panel discussion and test drives - the latest EVs can be found on the exhibition floor. Here are a few that were on display this year:

Volkswagen ID. BUZZ

If you thought the ID. BUZZ was cool before, you should check it out in person. I’m not a van guy, but if I was, this would be the one. It’s minimalistic but hits on all of the right spots in what people look for in a modern vehicle.

Chevrolet Blazer SS EV

The Peel Police Department has added the Blazer EV to their fleet joining a Mustang Mach-E, which was the first EV to join the fleet in 2022. As of April 24, 2025 the Blazer EV has been deployed to the Peel fleet and covers around 100km per shift and provides approximately 400km in total range.

Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 is one of my favourite EVs. Sure it lacks some range, but the styling and performance wins out. With that said I do have 2 negatives about the Kia EV6 and that has to do with the user interface. Firstly, the cruise control and volume buttons on the steering wheel are on opposite sides from where the are typically located - not a major concern but will take some time to get used to. Secondly, the switch button to go between audio control and ventilation control is very confusing and annoying to have to use the button to switch between the two option panels. It would be nice to have the options all available at once.

Hyundai Ioniq 9

This EV is set to make a big impact on the EV SUV segment. I have mixed feelings on the styling, even in person - but as a 7-seater that gives over 500km of range and being priced starting at $60,000, it does make a good argument as the go to for a family SUV.

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Halifax Deploys 60 New Electric Buses in Major Step Toward Zero-Emission Transit.

Halifax Transit has officially rolled out 60 electric buses into regular service, marking the completion of Phase 1 in the municipality's zero-emission transit initiative. The $112-million project—funded by the federal government ($45M), the province of Nova Scotia ($37M), and Halifax Regional Municipality ($30M)—includes major upgrades to the Ragged Lake Transit Centre, such as charging infrastructure and rooftop solar panels.

The new battery-electric buses, manufactured by Nova Bus, replace older diesel models and are expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 2,800 tonnes per year. Project manager Anthony Edmonds noted that each vehicle features regenerative braking and diesel-powered auxiliary heaters to maintain performance during harsh Canadian winters.

While the electric buses maintain the same passenger capacity as the diesel versions, riders will notice a quieter ride and the absence of tailpipe emissions. To improve accessibility, each bus emits a low-volume warning sound to assist those with vision loss when approaching at slow speeds.

The deployment follows a testing and training period that began with the first bus arriving in late 2023. The remaining units entered service throughout the past year, with three officially starting operations in December.

The vehicles will be rotated across Halifax’s transit network to assess performance on varied terrain and conditions, including routes with hills and snow. Most of the city’s transit routes are already suitable for electrification.

Looking ahead, Halifax plans to expand its zero-emission fleet to 200 electric buses by 2028. Phase 2 of the electrification project will involve retrofitting the Burnside Transit Centre into a net-zero facility to accommodate the additional vehicles.

Li-Cycle Begins Formal Restructuring Under CCAA and Chapter 15 Proceedings.

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. has initiated restructuring efforts under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) and filed for recognition under Chapter 15 in the U.S. This allows the lithium-ion battery recycling company to pursue a sale or investment process while protecting its assets and operations.

The Ontario Superior Court granted Li-Cycle creditor protection through an initial stay of proceedings until yesterday, May 22, 2025, with Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. appointed as court monitor. Concurrently, Li-Cycle’s U.S. subsidiaries—operating major facilities in Arizona, Alabama, and New York, along with the Rochester Hub—sought recognition of the CCAA filing under U.S. law.

As part of its restructuring, Li-Cycle entered into a $10.5 million debtor-in-possession financing agreement with its largest secured creditor, Glencore. The funds will support working capital needs, including ongoing operations at its Germany Spoke.

A “spoke” refers to the initial facility where lithium-ion batteries are processed.

In addition, Glencore has agreed to act as a “stalking horse” bidder with a minimum $40 million credit bid for select assets, including Li-Cycle's Spokes in North America and Germany, its Rochester Hub project, intellectual property, and other assets. This agreement is subject to court approval and sets the floor price for the upcoming sale and investment solicitation process (SISP).

Li-Cycle is winding down its subsidiaries in Asia and certain parts of Europe, while maintaining operations in Switzerland and Germany. The company has not accessed any funding from its loan agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy, due to unmet conditions.

Defaults have also occurred under Li-Cycle’s convertible notes, held by Glencore and Wood River Capital, but creditor enforcement actions are currently stayed.

Despite financial challenges, Li-Cycle’s Board and management remain in place and are actively overseeing the business throughout the restructuring. The company will continue operating key assets while pursuing potential buyers or strategic partners.

At the scheduled hearing on May 22nd, Li-Cycle will seek court approval for the DIP financing, SISP, and the stalking horse agreement, along with an extension of the stay period. Results of the hearing are not yet known.

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Dodge Drops Canadian-Made Charger Daytona R/T, Delays Four-Door EV Variant.

Dodge has announced key changes to its electric vehicle lineup, pulling the Charger Daytona R/T from its 2026 plans and postponing the release of the four-door Charger Daytona EV.

The Charger Daytona R/T, assembled at Stellantis' Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, is being dropped due in part to newly imposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles. The entry-level electric muscle car had also struggled with sales despite heavy incentives, with more than 3,500 units reportedly unsold on U.S. dealer lots.

In response, Dodge is pivoting to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack, a higher-performance model delivering 670 horsepower. With a starting price around $90,000 CAD, the Scat Pack avoids direct competition with more affordable EVs from brands like Tesla and Lucid, while targeting buyers looking for performance and style.

The four-door version of the Charger Daytona, originally expected in early 2025, will now launch in the second half of the year as a 2026 model. This sedan variant will match the coupe in power and design but adds more cargo space—up to 1,090 litres with the rear seats folded.

Both the coupe and sedan Scat Pack models will be available with a new Track Package, including performance upgrades such as:

• Larger brakes

• Adaptive suspension

• Unique design elements like dual Fratzog stripes and an optional gloss black hood

Cadillac’s EV Lineup Gains Momentum as Tesla Owners Make the Switch.

Cadillac is gaining traction in the electric vehicle market, driven by strong interest from new customers, many of whom previously owned Teslas. Nearly 80% of Cadillac EV buyers are new to the brand, signaling a significant shift in the luxury EV segment.

Following the launch of the Optiq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ, Cadillac now offers a full range of electric SUVs across key segments. These new additions complement the midsize Lyriq, which has become a key driver of the brand's growth.

Cadillac recorded a 21% increase in retail sales in Q1 2025, which is its strongest performance since 2008. The momentum is being fueled in part by conquest sales from Tesla, with roughly 25% of Lyriq buyers now coming from Tesla, up from previous levels of 10–15%.

Cadillac’s Expanding EV Portfolio contains the Optiq, Vistiq, Escalade IQ, Celestiq and of course, the Lyriq.

According to S&P Global Mobility, Cadillac ranked eighth in U.S. EV registrations for March 2025, with an 86% increase year-over-year. While Tesla remains the top-selling EV brand, its growth has slowed, and Cadillac is gaining ground, particularly among customers seeking alternatives.

Cross-shopping data from Edmunds shows that consumers considering Cadillac EVs rarely look at Tesla models. Instead, buyers compare the Lyriq with vehicles like the Acura ZDX, BMW iX, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV9, and GM's own Blazer EV and Equinox EV.

With a complete electric SUV lineup in place, Cadillac is positioning itself to be a top-tier luxury EV brand in 2025 with continued growth in the coming years. Personally, Cadillac is making a strong case for itself as top choice for someone’s next EV. With a range of vehicles and price options, I’m excited for what Cadillac can do. GM as a whole has been making progress on their EV line up, and although they may not have the Tesla FSD technology or other tech, they might have found their place in between ICE converts and EV tech nerds.

Check out this video below highlighting the Optiq, which is currently Cadillac’s entry-level EV.

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ChargePoint and Eaton Launch EV Charging Partnership to Streamline Electrification Projects.

ChargePoint and Eaton have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating EV charging infrastructure deployment across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. The collaboration brings together ChargePoint’s cloud-based charging platform with Eaton’s energy management and distribution expertise to create a seamless, integrated solution for EV charging at scale.

The joint effort will offer turnkey EV charging solutions, including:

• EV chargers

• Power management systems

• Electrical infrastructure

• Engineering and installation services

These combined offerings are designed to simplify project planning, reduce installation time, and help customers optimize site energy use, whether for fleets, workplaces, residential buildings, or public transit.

A major focus of the partnership is advancing bidirectional power flow and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, allowing electric vehicles to act as energy sources for homes, buildings, and the grid.

With this collaboration, ChargePoint strengthens its role as a full-service EV charging ecosystem provider, helping customers manage hardware, software, and energy needs through a unified platform. Eaton adds its trusted energy distribution capabilities, enabling reliable power solutions for EV charging infrastructure at all levels.

From multifamily housing to commercial real estate, the ChargePoint–Eaton partnership is positioned to meet growing EV charging demands with scalable, cost-effective solutions that support the future of clean transportation.

QuickEV

• 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV lineup expanded with Trail Boss trim.

• Ford to split battery factory in Kentucky with Nissan.

• 'Unless I Die': Elon Musk Says He'll Still Be Tesla CEO In 5 Years.

• 2026 Toyota RAV4 Goes Hybrid Only, and the PHEV Now Packs 320 HP.

• FIRST LOOK: New 2025 Nissan Micra EV.

• BatteryPass-Ready develops test environment for battery passports.

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