The Weekly Round Up - EV News for April
Bringing you the EV news dominating the headlines in April.
Welcome to BookMyGarage’s EV Hub Weekly Round-Up, where we bring you the EV news that is dominating the headlines this week. With only the essential details about the week’s biggest news articles, we aim to keep you in the loop with all things EV.
April 30th
10,000th Xiaomi EV Rolls Off Production Line
Chinese tech company Xiaomi has seen the 10,000th unit of their SU7 EV roll off the production line, just 32 days after the model was launched.
Xiaomi shared the milestone on Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website, today, stating that the factory is in full swing to expand its production capacity, to help with their delivery target of 100,000 units in 2024.
The company launched the SU7 officially on March 28th, offering three options: standard, Pro, and Max.
The prices of these vehicles stand at RMB 215,900, RMB 245,000, and RMB 299,900 respectively.
As of April 20th, 70,000 orders had been locked in, which was revealed by Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun at the Beijing Auto Show.
5,781 units were delivered 28 days after the model’s launch.
Xiaomi wrote, "We believe that one day, there will be Xiaomi cars riding on every road around the world!"
MG’s EV Sports Car Arrives in UK
MG’s Cyberster model has arrived in the UK, with the order books being opened to the public this week.
The Cyberster EV is the first new sports car to feature an MG badge since the MG F ceased production in 2011.
The EV comes in two trim levels, the Trophy trim and the flagship Cyberster GT, with prices starting at £54,995 and £59,995 respectively.
The Trophy model boasts a 77kWh battery and a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds, delivering 470Nm if torque via its rear wheels.
The Cyberster GT is the most powerful production model in MG’s 100-year history – reaching 62mph in an eyewatering 3.2 seconds.
The Chinese brand claimed that it will be the worlds first ‘affordable’ EV roadster.
MG’s UK sales have been impressive over the past few years, and in 2022 it exceeded 51,000 units, more than five times their level five years previous.
California Reaches EV Charging Infrastructure Milestone
California has reached an impressive milestone in the development of its EV infrastructure – there is now one charging station for every five gas stations.
Announced in a press release from the office of Governor Gavin Newson on Saturday, the state ow has 105,000 individual public or shared private EV chargers, surpassing the one-fifth marker.
California is well ahead of most US states when it comes to EV charging infrastructure, and the milestone marks their success ahead of the 2035 new gas car sales ban.
California also takes the lead for overall adoption of BEVs – if California was its own country, it would rank fourth in worldwide EV sales, following China, the rest of the USA, and Germany.
Last year, one third of all US BEV sales happened in California.
Low income Californians may be eligible for grants and rebates to buy an electric vehicle, as a part of the California Climate Action’s Zero emissions vehicle program.
April 23rd
Google Maps Now Offers EV Charger Locations and Reports Using AI
Google Maps are upgrading their software to add real-time details about EV charging points.
The update will include charger status, location, and how many plugs are available. Maps will also include expected range when EV drivers are using turn-by-turn directions, and provide suggestions for where and when to charge, based on the car’s battery levels.
Drivers will also be able to filter hotels by whether they have EV charging capabilities, to make planning a journey even easier.
One of the features uses artificial intelligence to provide summaries detailing exactly where a charging point is, which will make locating chargers inside multilevel car parks, for example, effortless to find.
They will also show reviews for charging points and stations, so that drivers know the point is reliable and will be able to charge successfully.
Cars with built-in Google infotainment systems will get the features first and will roll out globally. Certain features will be added to the mobile version of Google Maps in the coming months.
Sales Dip Leads To Tesla Price Cuts in Major Markets
Tesla have cut prices in US, Chinese and German markets following a sharp fall in global vehicle deliveries in the first three months of 2024.
Due to fierce competition from the Chinese EV manufacturers, US brands such as Tesla are finding themselves in an intense price war.
In China, the price of the revamped Model 3 has dropped by 14,000 yuan (£1,526), to 231,900 yuan (£25,903.99).
Prices of the Model Y, Model X, and the Model S were all reduced by $2000 in the US.
Chinese rivals such as BYD, Nio, and now Xiaomi, have been rolling out cheaper EV models to appeal to a wider audience.
Tesla’s shares have fallen by more than 40% since the start of this year.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, posted on X, formally Twitter, that “Tesla prices must change frequently in order to match production with demand.”
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Introduces EV Charging Facilities
Electric vehicle chargepoint operator, RAW Charging, has launched EV charging facilities at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, made up from 38 charging bays across the park, including the guest, hotel, and staff car parks.
The collaboration with Merlin Entertainments marks RAW’s expansion into UK attractions, aiming to provide thrill-seekers with ways to charge their EVs whilst visiting top UK theme parks and attractions.
The news follows Merlin Entertainment’s pledge to reduce their environmental impacts across their attractions, and to contribute to the national infrastructure that supports the ever growing number of EVs on the UK’s roads.
Last year, Dare Ilori, the Group Sustainability Director at Merlin Entertainments, said: “Offering EV charging to our guests through our partnership with RAW Charging is exactly what we as an organisation should be doing to help make lower emission solutions accessible for the public.
“Sustainability sits at the heart of Merlin Entertainments and as we continually grow and expand our attractions, we know that reducing carbon emissions is the right thing to do to protect our planet. We’re making headway in reducing our annual worldwide carbon emissions and by taking steps like this in installing EV charging hubs across the UK, we are taking action to help pave the way for a greener future and adding to the experience for our guests each year.”
Charging at the park can be paid for using a contactless credit or debit card, an RFID card, or by using the ChargePoint App.
April 16th
Public Asked To Suggest EV Chargepoint Locations in North Somerset
North Somerset Council have asked the residents to put forward potential locations for EV charge points after receiving funding to improve the local charging infrastructure.
The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund has awarded the council with £851,000 to support those without access to off-street parking or driveways, so that they are able to make the switch to electric.
The council aims to address gaps in the network in more rural or disadvantaged areas. The funding is also supporting the council’s plans to reduce carbon emissions.
Suggestions coming in include outside homes, shop car parks, workplaces, and local parks.
Cllr Hannah Young, North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for sustainable travel said that ‘any suggestions’ for new charging sites are welcome, so that the council can do their part in supporting the local’s switch from ICE to EV.
New Porsche Macan EV is Now on Sale
The Porsche Macan EV is now available to buy in the UK.
The Macan, Porsche’s smallest SUV, is now available as an electric car, with an impressive 381-mile range, and a 95kWh battery as standard – 65 miles more than the Porsche Taycan.
The car can reach 62mph in a quick 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 137 miles per hour. It also boasts an impressive charge time of 21 minutes.
The EV is offered in two trims, as the standard Macan 4 Electric, or the Macan Turbo Electric, which reaches a top speed of 162mph.
Prices for the new model start from £69,800.
Voltpost Debuts Commercial Lamppost EV Charging Solution
Voltpost have announced that their award-winning curb side EV charging solution will now be available to a commercial market.
The solution is designed to be especially helpful for those living in multi-unit housing, with no access to dedicated parking spaces. The system has an integrated retractable cable management system which has 20 feet of cable for access to any part of the vehicle and can accommodate two to four charging ports.
The cable can rotate to 90°, meaning that the cable is not a hazard to pedestrians or traffic.
The company is developing and deploying EV charging projects in major U.S. metro areas, including New York, Chicago, Detroit and others, this spring.
Jeff Prosserman, Co-Founder and CEO of Voltpost, said: “Voltpost is striving to make EV chargers as common as the traditional lamppost. We are empowering people with convenient and affordable charging access that fits into the fabric of the built environment,”
As we bring our differentiated curb side and parking lot charging solution to market, we are confident that Voltpost will build more sustainable and resilient communities by decarbonizing mobility.”
April 9th
Volvo Sets Global All-Time Sales Record – All Thanks To EVs
BEVs accounted for 23% of all Volvo sales last month, which was 78,970 vehicles worldwide.
‘We are making good progress towards our annual sales target of at least 15% growth and in the months ahead we will focus on ramping up sales of our EX30,’ Volvo Cars said in a statement.
The Swedish automaker expects EVs to account for 50% of its sales volume by 2025 and have a plan to only sell electric vehicles by 2030.
The increase in sales has been down to the introduction of the Volvo EX30, which is both the brand’s smallest model, and the fastest – when purchased with the dual motor trim, the car beats the Tesla Model Y in a 0-60 test by 0.1 seconds (the EX30 in 3.3 seconds, the Model Y in 3.4).
“Our ambition is to sell the EX30 around the world at an attractive price point, easing the transition to driving an electric Volvo car for more people while also contributing to company margins,” said Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars’ chief executive. “Adding production in Ghent is a logical move as we aim to capture the strong demand for our exciting small electric SUV across the globe.”
Apple Employees Laid Off Due To Cancelled EV Project
Over 600 workers have been laid off after the plans for the Apple EV have been scrapped.
614 employees were told of their job losses in late March according to California state records, which marks the brand’s first significant round of layoffs since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many of these layoffs are set to be from Apple’s Santa Clara’s offices, where the majority of the EV project was taking place.
The plans were abandoned in February of this year after delays and concerns surrounding profit margins.
Cuts are also set to affect workers in Apple’s display development office, as plans for the next-generation Apple Watch screens have also been scrapped.
According to Bloomberg, many of the 2000 staff have been moved to the artificial intelligence division following the U-turn in the plans.
First-Of-Its-Kind Home EV Charging Solution Installed
A Stirling resident will be testing Scotland’s first ever through-pavement home EV charging channel, as part of a trial that seeks to revolutionise on-street parking.
Kerbo Charge, funded by Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden, is set to install through-pavement channels outside households, allowing residents to charge their EVs at home using their own electricity supply without a driveway.
The cable is inserted into the pavement discreetly with no trip hazards. The charging cable can be then inserted into the car and the specially designed self-closing lid closes like a zip.
The resident, Stephen Gordon, was reluctant to make the switch to an electric vehicle, as he did not have a driveway, therefore did not think it would be possible to charge it.
Stephen said: ‘Stirling Council is very forward thinking with roadside charging and with the Kerbo Charge channel install, other councils will have to follow suit to keep up.
‘I’m really happy with the result, it looks perfect, and you definitely don’t notice it on the pavement.’
April 2nd
EV Running Costs Drop Due to UK Energy Cost Reductions
The reductions of energy costs from April 1st mean that the cost of charging electric vehicles at home will be cheaper, potentially prompting drivers to switch to EVs.
The Standard Variable Tariff dropped to 24.5p/kWh on April 1st, bringing it to its lowest price in two years.
The Energy Price Cap sets a limit on the maximum amount that suppliers can charge for gas and electricity. It changes every three months, and this April prices are dropping lower than they have in the recent months.
Predictions state that the Price Cap will drop further in July, by as much as 13%.
EV drivers who are on an EV Tariff will be able to reduce their running costs further.
David Watson, chief executive for Ohme, an EV home charger brand, said: “As more people are trying to lower their household bills, this reduction in the price of electricity will be welcome news for drivers of EVs.
“However, they could easily lower those bills further by finding out if their electricity supplier offers a special tariff for EV drivers.
“If not, then they should consider switching to an energy provider that does so to enjoy even bigger savings of running an EV.”
Tesla May Take Back Top EV Seller Spot After Poor Q1 for BYD
China’s top EV maker have reported a drastic fall in sales over the first quarter of 2024, which could result in Tesla winning back the title of the world’s biggest electric vehicle seller.
BYD reported a 43% drop in Q1, in comparison to Q4 of 2023.
A total of 300,114 electric vehicles were sold by the Chinese automakers over the first three months of 2024, in comparison to the 526,409 units it sold over the last three months of 2023.
First quarter sales are up 13.4% from a year ago.
Tesla is reported to announce their first quarter sales on Wednesday 3rd.
The forecasted sales numbers sit at a record 458,500 vehicles, per analysts polled by Visible Alpha.
Xiaomi SU7 Max Buyers Told They Face Six Month Wait
Days after the launch of Chinese smartphone makers very first EV, consumers are told it may take 27 weeks for the car to be delivered.
The news comes from screen grabs from Chinese social media. The company had previously revealed that there had been 88,898 orders within 24 hours of preordering opening.
Xiaomi is the third largest seller of smartphones in the world and is said to be a viable EV competitor in the race alongside Tesla and BYD.
The SU7 Max has been compared to Porsche’s Taycan and Panamera models and will apparently have a minimum range of 435 miles, beating the Tesla Model 3.
Prices start at a cool 215,900 yuan – equivalent to £23,663. The starting price for a Tesla Model 3 in China sits at 245,900 yuan, or £27,048.
Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun said on his social media account on Tuesday that deliveries from that first batch would start across 28 Chinese cities on Wednesday, marked by a ceremony at its Beijing factory.
Xiaomi has said it will invest $10bn (£7.9bn) in its vehicles business over the next 10 years. Lei referred to the EV as ‘the last major entrepreneurship project’ of his life.
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The Weekly Round Up - March
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The Weekly Round-Up: February
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The Weekly Round-Up: January
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