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  • ⚡️🚗EV North Newsletter: Polestar continues Weeve partnership, Wagoneer S coming to Canada, Ford SuperTruck and All-Electric Explorer, Kia America Sales & more!

⚡️🚗EV North Newsletter: Polestar continues Weeve partnership, Wagoneer S coming to Canada, Ford SuperTruck and All-Electric Explorer, Kia America Sales & more!

Issue #109 - Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

In partnership with

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

Welcome to The EV North - a weekly newsletter that brings together some of the biggest EV news stories and delivers it 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:

  • Polestar Expands Partnership with Canadian EV Subscription Platform Weeve.

  • The All-new, All-electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S is Coming to Canada! – Jeep Brand’s First Global Battery-electric SUV.

  • Ford EV News: Unveiling the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck and Mass Production of the All-Electric Explorer

  • Record-Breaking May Sales for Kia America: Good Monthly Performance for EV6 and EV9.

  • +more!

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Polestar Expands Partnership with Canadian EV Subscription Platform Weeve.

Polestar has announced continued collaboration with the Canadian EV subscription platform, Weeve. Polestar aims to support Weeve's launch in Vancouver by increasing its fleet of Polestar 2 vehicles from 150 to 450 units, catering to the growing demand for electric vehicles in Canada.

Weeve, formerly known as Louelec, offers monthly electric vehicle subscription services that include maintenance and insurance. These services are tailored for drivers working with on-demand taxi and delivery platforms like Uber. Since its inception in 2020, Weeve has expanded its operations from Montreal to Ottawa, Toronto, and now Vancouver.

“We have been experiencing high demand for the current Polestar 2 vehicles in our fleet… Our expansion into the Vancouver market provides an opportunity to meet the demand for premium EV options, ensuring that on-demand taxi and delivery drivers have access to safe, reliable, and exciting transportation.”

Léo Bouisson, CEO of Weeve

“Polestar is committed to accelerating the move to electric mobility throughout Canada… The expansion of our collaboration with Weeve will allow more drivers to experience our premium EV products. We’re excited to work with Weeve as they continue to grow and support rideshare and delivery drivers in the Canadian marketplace.”

Hugues Bissonnette, Head of Polestar Canada

The collaboration with Weeve is a key component of Polestar's broader expansion strategy in Canada. Polestar is opening a new Canadian headquarters in Montreal and plans to increase its retail presence from three Spaces to eight Spaces in key markets across the country.

“Going green is a team sport that requires collaboration across the ecosystem, and we’re proud to partner with Weeve. Through our partnership, hundreds of drivers have had the opportunity to try an EV as their primary rideshare vehicle, experiencing the benefits and cost savings firsthand. At Uber, we’re committed to becoming a zero-emission mobility platform.”

Michael van Hemmen, General Manager of Mobility for Uber in Canada

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

The All-new, All-electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S is Coming to Canada! – Jeep Brand’s First Global Battery-electric SUV.

The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S marks Jeep's venture into the global battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market, launching first in the U.S. and Canada. This trailblazing SUV combines 4xe capability, cutting-edge performance, sleek design, and advanced technology.

The Jeep Wagoneer S powertrain outputs 600 horsepower, 617 lb.-ft. of torque, to provide a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.4 seconds. With an estimated range exceeding 480 kilometers per charge, it offers high-level performance. The Selec-Terrain traction management system includes five drive modes—Auto, Sport, Eco, Snow, and Sand—ensuring optimal handling in all conditions.

The Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition debuts with distinct black accents, an illuminated seven-slot grille, 20-inch wheels, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. Inside, it features 114 cm (45 inches) of usable screen space, premium heated and ventilated seats, and a 19-speaker, 1,200-watt McIntosh audio system.

Launching in Quebec and British Columbia in fall 2024, the Wagoneer S Launch Edition starts at $91,790 ($88,995 CAD MSRP plus fees). Availability will expand to other provinces as production increases.

The Wagoneer S is equipped with a 400-volt, 100-kilowatt-hour battery, capable of charging from 20% to 80% in just 23 minutes using a DC fast charger. Each Wagoneer S includes a 48-amp Level 2 home charger or public charging credits through Free2move Charge.

Built on the STLA Large platform, the Wagoneer S all-electric, four-wheel drive system ensures stable dynamics across various road conditions. The 3-in-1 EDMs (Electric Drive Modules) provide instant torque and efficient power distribution.

The Wagoneer S exterior includes a sloping roofline and flush door handles, contributing to a coefficient of drag (CD) of 0.29—the lowest ever for a Jeep vehicle.

The Wagoneer S includes over 170 standard and available safety features, such as Active Driving Assist, Intersection Collision Assist, and Drowsy Driver Detection. The Uconnect 5 system provides enhanced visibility and responsiveness, while the Jeep Connect app offers real-time vehicle data and dynamic range mapping.

Looking forward to seeing these on the streets this Fall. If you reserved one, what made you choose the Wagoneer S?

👋 Hello, one quick thing. If you’re enjoying this, can you do me a favour and forward it to a friend? Thank you!

EV Around the World 🌏

Ford EV News: Unveiling the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck and Mass Production of the All-Electric Explorer

Ford Performance has revealed its F-150 Lightning SuperTruck EV demonstrator, shrouded in camouflage, ahead of its highly anticipated testing at the world-renowned Pikes Peak. Set to be piloted by Romain Dumas, the current Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record holder, this event promises to showcase the cutting-edge capabilities of Ford's electric innovation on June 23, 2024.

The Ford Performance Motorsports EV demonstrator draws its design from the F-150 Lightning, developed in collaboration with STARD (an Austria-based Rallycross team founded in 2016). Engineered to achieve 6,000 lbs of downforce at 150 mph, the vehicle is primed for peak performance at Pikes Peak.

Data from the Pikes Peak program will refine software calibration and battery cell chemistry for production vehicles and future race programs.

The F-150 Lightning SuperTruck follows the high-performance Switchgear demonstrator, developed with RTR, enhancing the production Lightning platform with advanced features.

Ford has commenced mass production of the all-electric Explorer at its newly transformed Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, following a $2 billion investment. This state-of-the-art facility marks a pivotal moment in Ford's journey toward electrification in Europe.

The all-electric Ford Explorer is the first vehicle produced at the new facility. A new sports crossover EV will also be revealed soon, with production slated to start later this year.

Combining German engineering and American attitude, the all-electric Explorer boasts a superior standard specification, including a battery electric powertrain with over 600 km range on a single charge.

The Cologne facility is equipped with advanced AI, 600+ robots, and a digital twin system to ensure precision and quality while aiming for carbon neutrality, using 100% certified renewable electricity and biomethane. The plant focuses on reducing emissions, water usage, and energy consumption, with real-time monitoring for continuous improvement as Ford targets carbon neutrality across its European production footprint, including facilities, logistics, and direct suppliers, by 2035.

“The start of mass production of electric vehicles at the Cologne facility marks the beginning of a new era for Ford in Europe,” said Kieran Cahill, vice president of Manufacturing at Ford in Europe and International Markets Group.

With the launch of the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck at Pikes Peak and the mass production of the all-electric Explorer, Ford continues to drive innovation and sustainability in the electric vehicle market. These advancements highlight Ford's commitment to delivering high-quality, eco-friendly vehicles to customers worldwide.

Record-Breaking May Sales for Kia America: Good Monthly Performance for EV6 and EV9.

Kia America has set new sales records in May 2024, marking the company's second-best sales month in history. With 75,156 units sold, the automaker saw significant growth driven by the all-electric EV6 & EV9.

The all-electric EV9 three-row SUV saw a remarkable 39% increase in sales month-over-month, with 2,187 units sold. Kia's overall EV sales surged by 127% year-on-year, reaching 7,197 units—the highest monthly EV sales in the company's history.

Eric Watson, vice president of sales operations at Kia America, attributed the growth to the alignment of model development with consumer needs and robust vehicle supply. "Kia offers a balanced mix of electric, hybrid, and ICE models that are meeting customer demands," Watson said. "We expect to see increased showroom traffic and transactions through dealers."

In addition to the impressive sales performance, Kia America made several significant announcements in May:

  • Global Debut of Kia EV3: The upcoming all-electric Kia EV3 compact SUV was unveiled globally.

  • Start of U.S. Production for EV9: Production of the all-electric EV9 SUV commenced at the Kia Georgia manufacturing plant on May 30.

  • Awards and Accolades: The EV9 received top honors at the 2024 Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) Mudfest event, winning “Outdoor Utility Vehicle” and “Three-Row Family SUV” awards. Additionally, the EV9 was named the “Electric Vehicle of Texas” at the 2024 Texas Auto Writers’ Association Auto Roundup.

EV6 & EV9 Sales Breakdown for May 2024

Model

May 2024

May 2023

Year to Date 2024

Year to Date 2023

EV9

2,187

0

7,766

0

EV6

2,660

2,237

8,770

6,870

EV TOTAL

4,847

2,237

16,536

6,870

ALL VEHICLES TOTAL

75,156

71,497

320,531

323,838

EV6 & EV9 % of Total

6.4%

3.1%

5.1%

2.1%

Sales figures from Kia Global Media Centre

Kia America's record-breaking sales in May 2024 highlight the growing consumer demand for electric and utility vehicles. With a diverse lineup of EV, hybrid, and ICE models, Kia continues to meet customer needs while achieving historic sales milestones. The future looks bright for Kia as it expands its electric vehicle offerings and continues to innovate in the automotive industry.

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