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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!

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In this issue:

• Canada Pauses Federal EV Rebate Program Amid High Demand, Raising Concerns About Future Sales.

• Membertou First Nation Launching Electric Lobster Fishing Vessel in Cape Breton.

• Amazon Orders Over 200 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 Electric Trucks for UK and Germany Operations.

• Tesla's Updated Model Y Generates High Demand Following Launch in China.

• Honda to Launch Acura RSX as First Original EV with In-House Asimo OS in 2026.

• + more!

Canada

Canada Pauses Federal EV Rebate Program Amid High Demand, Raising Concerns About Future Sales. UPDATE: Some manufacturers are offering $5,000 in discounts!

The federal Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program in Canada has officially paused after unprecedented demand exhausted its remaining funds ahead of the planned March 2025 end date. Launched in 2019, the program provided up to $5,000 in rebates for battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle purchases, supporting over 546,000 ZEV sales and helping boost Canada's EV market share to 16.5% by late 2024.

The abrupt halt has caused confusion among automakers, dealerships, and prospective buyers. Orders pre-approved before January 13, 2025, will still receive the rebate, but new buyers must now cover full costs unless provincial incentives apply. Transport Canada has not clarified whether the federal rebate will resume, adding uncertainty to Canada's EV sales outlook.

While the federal program has paused, some provinces continue to offer rebates, though many have scaled back their programs:

• Quebec: Rebates reduced from $7,000 to $4,000 starting April 2025 after a temporary pause in February and March.

• British Columbia: Up to $4,000 for eligible buyers, limited by income requirements.

• Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Yukon, and Prince Edward Island: Incentives range from $3,000 to $5,000, subject to funding availability.

• Newfoundland and Labrador: $2,500 rebate ending on March 15, 2025.

• Manitoba: $4,000 rebate continuing until March 2026.

• Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nunavut do not currently offer provincial EV incentives.

Industry leaders fear the federal program's pause could disrupt EV adoption and hinder Canada's goal of 100% new ZEV sales by 2035. The iZEV program played a key role in helping hesitant buyers make the transition to electric, and its absence could slow the momentum achieved in recent years.

With an election on the horizon, there is no guarantee the program will be reinstated, leaving the future of Canada's federal EV subsidies uncertain. Industry groups are urging predictable policies to ensure a smoother transition away from incentives as EVs become more affordable.

The program’s pause creates a discussion around the growing demand for EVs in Canada with a focus on long-term strategies to support market growth and meet national climate goals even without government incentives.

UPDATE:

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

Membertou First Nation Launching Electric Lobster Fishing Vessel in Cape Breton.

The Membertou First Nation in Sydney, Nova Scotia, is set to launch Lektrike’l Walipotl, Canada’s first all-electric lobster fishing vessel, marking a significant step toward sustainable fishing practices in the region. Developed in partnership with Allswater, BlueGrid Energy, and Oceans North Conservation Society, this innovative project aligns with Membertou’s goal of achieving net-zero fisheries operations by 2025.

Lektrike'l Walipotl is a Mi'kmaw name that means "the boat that celebrates Membertou's leadership and innovation".

Nova Scotia’s lobster industry generates over $1 billion annually, with Cape Breton accounting for nearly 40% of the catch. However, the industry produces an estimated 82 million kilograms of CO2 emissions each year, comparable to emissions from 20,000 cars. By replacing diesel-powered boats with electric alternatives, Membertou aims to reduce this environmental impact significantly while improving working conditions for fishers by eliminating diesel fumes and noise.

A key feature of the electric vessel is its bi-directional charging technology, developed by Halifax-based BlueGrid Energy. This technology allows the boat’s batteries to feed power back into the local grid during periods of high electricity demand, providing an additional revenue stream for fishers and offsetting the higher upfront cost of electric vessels. According to BlueGrid CEO Andrew Boswell, this capability showcases the potential for integrating renewable energy solutions into the fishing industry.

Lektrike’l Walipotl is part of a broader effort to electrify Membertou’s fleet, with most vessels already operating within 20 kilometers of shore and returning to the harbor daily, making the transition to electric viable. The project also aims to demonstrate the feasibility of electric marine technology to the wider Atlantic Canada fishing community. Rob Crutcher, CEO of Allswater, highlights that battery-electric technology is proven globally, and this initiative bridges the gap by tailoring it to the specific needs of local fishers.

With testing scheduled to begin this year, Lektrike’l Walipotl is ready to set a new standard for sustainable fishing in Canada, showcasing how zero-emission technology can drive environmental and economic benefits for coastal communities.

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EV Around the World 🌏

Amazon Orders Over 200 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 Electric Trucks for UK and Germany Operations.

Amazon has made its largest-ever purchase of electric heavy goods vehicles, ordering over 200 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks, marking the largest single order for electric trucks in Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ history. These trucks will support Amazon’s middle-mile logistics network across the UK and Germany, transporting cargo containers between fulfillment centers, sort centers, and delivery stations.

More than 140 of these trucks will be deployed in the UK, where they are expected to handle over 300 million packages annually without emitting exhaust emissions. Amazon plans to expand its fast-charging infrastructure across key UK sites, including 360kW chargers capable of recharging the eActros 600 from 20% to 80% in just over an hour.

The eActros 600 features a 600+ kWh battery and a highly efficient in-house-developed electric drive axle, providing a range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) per charge under practical conditions, even with a gross combination mass of 40 tonnes. With intermediate charging during statutory driver breaks, the trucks can travel over 1,000 kilometers daily, depending on charging infrastructure availability.

The eActros 600 has undergone extensive real-world testing, including a 15,000-kilometer European Testing Tour across 22 countries. It has also earned the prestigious title of “International Truck of the Year 2025,” awarded by a panel of 24 commercial vehicle journalists from Europe.

This order demonstrates Amazon's commitment to reducing emissions in its logistics operations while advancing the adoption of sustainable transportation solutions in the freight industry.

Tesla's Updated Model Y Generates High Demand Following Launch in China.

Tesla’s refreshed Model Y is reportedly seeing high demand already in China, generating 50,000 orders within 24 hours, according to local reports. The updated electric SUV, which includes design tweaks, feature enhancements, and a new Glacier Blue color option, is set to begin deliveries in March. It has also been introduced in select markets like Australia and the Philippines, with Europe and North America launches expected in the coming months.

The updated Model Y, nicknamed "Juniper," features configurations in Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, and a "Launch Series" with exclusive materials and badges. Tesla has also included updates to its Full Self-Driving suite, enhancing the vehicle's appeal. The Glacier Blue color adds a fresh option to Tesla’s limited palette, drawing attention from customers seeking more variety.

Production of the updated Model Y is set to expand globally, with Gigafactory Berlin scheduled to start manufacturing it shortly. This move comes after the Model Y’s success in Europe, where it was the best-selling car in 2024, with 159,211 units sold across the EU.

The surge in demand reflects strong interest in the Model Y, already the world’s best-selling car. In China, the vehicle achieved 480,000 deliveries in 2024, and the refreshed design appears to capitalize on this momentum. Reports suggest that orders now may face delivery delays until April or May, indicating sustained interest.

With plans to grow global deliveries beyond two million units this year, Tesla’s updated Model Y could further solidify its position as a leader in the EV market while appealing to both new buyers and existing customers looking to upgrade.

EVerything EV at CES 2025 by Out of Spec Reviews:

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Honda to Launch Acura RSX as First Original EV with In-House Asimo OS in 2026.

Honda has announced the Acura RSX will debut in 2026 as its first fully original electric vehicle, built on its own EV platform and featuring the proprietary Asimo operating system. Unlike Honda’s current EVs, the Prologue and Acura ZDX, which use General Motors' Ultium platform, the RSX will be built entirely on Honda's technology, marking a significant milestone in the company’s electrification strategy.

The Acura RSX, inspired by last year’s Performance concept, revives a popular nameplate from the early 2000s. It will combine a sporty SUV design with coupe-like styling, delivering both performance and cutting-edge innovation. Production will take place at Honda’s new $4.4 billion Ohio factory, a joint venture with LG Chem, set to begin in late 2025.

The RSX will introduce Honda’s Asimo OS, a software-defined platform designed to control core vehicle functions and enable over-the-air updates. Named after Honda’s iconic humanoid robot, Asimo OS reflects the brand’s commitment to blending advanced software and electrification. This operating system will also power Honda's upcoming "Zero" vehicles, starting with the Honda 0 SUV.

With the RSX, Honda aims to position Acura as a leader in both electrification and digital innovation, combining performance heritage with a vision for a sustainable and connected future.

Acura Performance Concept:

QuickEV

• Lucid Air passes the Canadian winter test with flying colors.

• Tesla “recalls” over 230,000 vehicles due to rearview camera issue.

• [VIDEO] CES 2025: The Best Electric Motorcycles, E-Bikes & Weird Tech.

• LG Energy Solution to Batteries for Aptera’s Solar Electric Vehicles.

• Volkswagen ID. Buzz Named 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.

• Which EVs have Tesla Supercharger access?

• ChargePoint is doing something about all the EV charger cable-cutting crooks.

• Biden pushes through $635M in EV charger grants before Trump’s return.

EV Tweet of the Week

Wholesome content whether you are a fan of Tesla and/or the Cybertruck or not: