Ioniq 6 range, Mazda PHEV, GM battery flexibility, EV tax credit price caps: The Week in Reverse

Which automaker promised “radically simplified” future EVs with smaller batteries?

And which one doesn’t see 300-mile EVs as the long run?

That is our look again on the Week In Reverse—proper right here at Inexperienced Automotive Studies—for the week ending February 3, 2023.

One of many largest information nuggets of the week within the effectivity nook concerned one other upset of Tesla. Hyundai Ioniq 6 beats the Tesla Mannequin 3 in vary, in addition to effectivity, with an EPA ranking of 361 miles. In rear-wheel-drive kind, it ties the all-wheel-drive Lucid Air Pure in effectivity.

Think about the CEO of Mazda as amongst a relative minority of automaker executives who don’t see the vary race, and even 300-mile EVs, as the long run. Mazda revealed its upcoming flagship, the CX-90 plug-in hybrid SUV, with seating for as much as eight. Characteristic particulars, pricing, and specs are all but to return, however the CX-90 arrives this spring and might be a compelling new PHEV for giant households. 

GM has constructed a robust argument round its large-format pouch cells which are on the core of its U.S. Ultium EV push. But now GM is sort of versatile with battery format, in line with CEO Mary Barra this week. Provided that, and GM’s three Ultium Cells crops already introduced, what concerning the economies of scale GM has touted in protecting as a lot as doable to at least one format?

Ford CEO Jim Farley on Thursday revealed that the corporate will likely be aiming to make its future EVs “radically simplified,” with smaller batteries, fewer components, and the potential to be in-built tens of millions.

Toyota not too long ago introduced a brand new CEO and gave the inexperienced mild to its first devoted, large-scale EV platform. However as we famous, placing a latest presentation in context, that doesn’t sign a higher dedication to EVs or a concession to environmentalists who assume the automaker is misguided.

Volvo is reportedly planning an expanded EV lineup for China and Asian markets that will embody extra sedans, SUVs, and a luxurious van—though it’s definitely not but clear which of these new fashions may come to Europe or the U.S.

Volkswagen has reportedly authorized an EV smaller than the ID.4 for the U.S. market, with potential North American meeting. A North American battery plant can also be being thought-about for Canada. Is that this the return of the e-Golf, or one thing else completely?

An Audi electrical off-road SUV may use the platform from mum or dad Volkswagen Group’s upcoming Scout EV model, in line with a report. Maybe arriving round 2027, it could rival the Mercedes EQG, Jeep Recon, and Rivian R1S. 

The primary 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV has been auctioned off for $500,000, with proceeds to learn Tread Frivolously. Though as we’ve famous earlier than, the Hummer EV most undoubtedly doesn’t tread frivolously; it would truly be the heaviest SUV ever. 

Electrify America introduced that will probably be offering {hardware} and help for about 1,000 fast-chargers at 200 TravelCenters of America (TA) areas, alongside main highways at about 50-mile intervals. These chargers are to be put in over the following 5 years, with a few of them among the many 1,800 stations EA plans by 2025.

In California, EV gross sales added as much as about 16% of auto gross sales in 2022. And whereas Tesla as soon as once more took a mammoth lead, with the Mannequin 3 topping gross sales charts within the state, we checked out whether or not different manufacturers are getting nearer. 

A examine commissioned by a local weather coverage assume tank and backstopped by UC Davis analysis has discovered that limiting the dimensions of EV batteries would minimize the demand for lithium by as a lot as 42%—by all the advantages together with diminished air pollution and financial benefits. However convincing the market to purchase EVs with smaller batteries is a tougher promote.

Lawmakers in Kansas have referred to as for a tax on public EV charging, however not house charging. Some are criticizing the proposal for its “double taxation,” because the state already hiked EV registration charges, and for the way it disincentivizes those that lease or reside in condos. 

In line with a brand new examine from a non-profit, it’s going to take 1,104 EV fast-charging stations to fill out federal Various Fuels Corridors and lay the inspiration for a federally funded nationwide charging community of 500,000 connectors. However it’s going to undoubtedly take extra on higher-traffic routes and for connecting adjoining routes, it argues.

Ford earlier within the week introduced worth reductions throughout its 2023 Mustang Mach-E lineup. They undid among the worth hikes given to the lineup final August, bringing the entire lineup of Customary Vary fashions under what was then the $55,000 worth cutoff for the lineup to say the EV tax credit score.

And we closed the week with some information that’s going to make an enormous distinction for some EV customers over the following month or extra. The U.S. Treasury Division introduced a change in what will likely be thought-about an SUV underneath EV tax-credit worth cap necessities, and it ought to increase the value cap of many fashions—just like the Mach-E—as much as $80,000 and assist ease confusion over some mannequin lineups that had been referred to as vehicles in a single configuration and SUVs in one other. Put merely: See if the EPA information on the window sticker calls it an SUV. 

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