Mercedes-Benz EQA Now Available To Order | 7 Feb 2021
All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQA Now Available To Order | Daimler To Be Renamed Mercedes-Benz During Huge Corporate Shakeup | Germany Hits 21.7% Plugin Share In January | Ford doubles its investment in electrified vehicles | Jaguar Land Rover to outline EV push during investor day | Xpeng P7 gets a cobalt-free LFP battery | Truck-maker Scania favors battery-electric over hydrogen vehicles | Question Of The Week Answers
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On today’s podcast:
- All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQA Now Available To Order
- Daimler To Be Renamed Mercedes-Benz During Huge Corporate Shakeup
- Germany Hits 21.7% Plugin Share In January
- Ford doubles its investment in electrified vehicles
- Jaguar Land Rover to outline EV push during investor day
- Xpeng P7 gets a cobalt-free LFP battery
- Truck-maker Scania favors battery-electric over hydrogen vehicles
- Question Of The Week Answers
Show #986
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Sunday 7th February. It’s Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.
Thank you to MYEV.com for helping make this show, they’ve built the first marketplace specifically for Electric Vehicles. It’s a totally free marketplace that simplifies the buying and selling process, and help you learn about EVs along the way too.
ALL-ELECTRIC MERCEDES-BENZ EQA NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER
"The all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQA is now on sale, with the entry-level EQA 250 Sport priced from £40,495 on-the-road including the plug-in car grant* (£43,495 excluding PiCG). The EQA 250 AMG Line is available from £41,995 (£44,995 excluding PiCG)."
EQA is newest member of the Mercedes-EQ family and is the first all-electric compact car from the brand
Two trim lines available: Sport and AMG Line
The 66.5 kWh lithium-ion battery provides a range of up to 263 miles
On sale now, with first UK deliveries expected Spring 2021
100 kW DC on-board charger allowing it to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 40 minutes
8.9 0-62mph
Helpfully, the UK website actually says NOT on sale yet. So press release department not talking to sales department?
For Germany electrive says: "In their home market, Mercedes gives a starting price at €47,540.50 As this results in a netlist price of less than 40,000 euros, the EQA is eligible for the innovation premium of 9,570 euros (federal share: 6,000 euros, manufacturer share: 3,000 euros plus 19% VAT) in Germany. The EQA would then cost 37,970.50 euros, including VAT there."
And they explain why it's on sale in the UK, but not on sale: "the EQA’s eligibility for the plug-in car grant is still pending, awaiting final confirmation from the UK Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. Until final confirmation the vehicle will not even appear on the portal, so no applications can be made."
https://www.electrive.com/2021/02/04/mercedes-eqa-now-available-to-order-in-germany/
DAIMLER TO BE RENAMED MERCEDES-BENZ DURING HUGE CORPORATE SHAKEUP
" Daimler will be renamed Mercedes-Benz as the result of a massive corporate shift in strategy. In a move designed to focus on a zero-emissions, software-driven future, Daimler’s Supervisory board and Board of Management agreed to evaluate plans for a separate listing of Daimler Truck. " according to Motor1: !this move makes quite a lot of sense because rather unsurprisingly, each respective company knows best how to serve its customer base. We can already see this with Daimler Truck, as the industry giant already stands as the world’s largest truck and bus producer in Europe, North America, Asia, and many other areas of planet earth."
"Daimler will create the world’s largest standalone commercial vehicle manufacturer as it splits its truck and Mercedes-Benz car businesses into two public companies. It will list its trucks arm separately, paving the way for one of the largest German flotations this year and allowing both companies to focus on different emissions-free technologies." according to Financial Times: "While Mercedes-Benz has ploughed several billion euros into battery-electric technology, Daimler Trucks has taken a much broader approach. The two Daimler companies’ largest markets are also diverging. The largest chunk of Daimler Trucks’ revenues come from the US followed by Europe, whereas China is by far Mercedes’ largest and most profitable market."
https://www.ft.com/content/64910c9a-75c4-4e7b-9ca6-2d35c009498d
GERMANY HITS 21.7% PLUGIN SHARE IN JANUARY
"Germany, Europe’s largest auto market, hit 21.7% plugin electric vehicle share in January, up over 3× from January 2021. This is already substantially above 2020’s breakout annual share of 13.5% and not far off December’s extraordinary peak of 26.6%. Overall auto sales volumes were down 31% in January 2021, with petrol combustion vehicles dropping more than 50% in volume year-on-year." says CleanTechnica: "We have to assume that the Volkswagen ID.3 and Renault ZOE were once again duelling for the BEV lead in January, and that the Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen ID.4 were up there also."
FORD DOUBLES ITS INVESTMENT IN ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES
"While Ford’s last quarter sales were down $2.3billion, there’s a spark of hope in the automaker’s plans. Ford also announced a doubling of its investment in electrified vehicles to $22 billion through to 2025 and an increase in its total investment in automated driving to $7 billion from $4 billion." says NExt Green Car: "The Mach-E is Ford’s first purpose-built electric car but Ford has already announced two other fully-electric vehicles. We can expect the e-Transit van, which will be launched later this year, and Ford is planning an electric version of F-150 for 2022."
https://www.nextgreencar.com/news/9083/ford-doubles-its-investment-in-electrified-vehicles/
JAGUAR LAND ROVER TO OUTLINE EV PUSH DURING INVESTOR DAY
"Jaguar Land Rover will disclose its future electrification plans during an investor day at the end of the month. JLR needs to inject momentum into its Jaguar brand and accelerate its push into electric cars as governments introduce tougher measures to reduce climate-changing CO2 emissions. Rumors have circulated in the motoring press that the automaker could make the Jaguar brand all-electric." according to Automotive News EUrope: "To preserve cash during the COVID-19 crisis, JLR delayed plans to launch a Jaguar XJ full-electric sedan"
https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/jaguar-land-rover-outline-ev-push-during-investor-day
XPENG P7 GETS A COBALT-FREE LFP BATTERY
" the Xpeng P7, now homologated with a cobalt-free LFP battery made by CATL. Remember that recently the Xpeng G3 also got a cobalt-free battery made by CATL." reports PushEVs: "The Xpeng G3 is already on sale in Norway and soon it will be joined by the P7. If you want to know how serious an automaker is about electric cars, check the battery technology they use. While NIO and Li Auto are the Chinese automakers currently getting most of the media’s attention, I think that is BYD and Xpeng the ones with the best potential to grow."
G3 uses CHAdeMO.
"After sending the first batch of the G3 to Norway in last December, Xpeng is now sending the second batch of over 200 units. The Xpeng G3 is currently on sale in Norway with a 66 kWh NCM 811 battery from CATL, a WLTP range of 451 km and a starting price of 358.000 NOK (34.649 euros). "
https://pushevs.com/2021/02/04/xpeng-p7-gets-a-cobalt-free-lfp-battery/
https://pushevs.com/2021/02/04/xpeng-ships-second-batch-of-g3-to-customers-in-norway/
TRUCK-MAKER SCANIA FAVORS BATTERY-ELECTRIC OVER HYDROGEN VEHICLES
"Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, says it will “gradually” electrify its heavy-duty vehicles, and that “battery-electric vehicles will be the main tool to drive this shift.”" reports ChargedEVs: "Scania unveiled its first fully electric truck, which has a range of up to 250 km, last September. “In a few years’ time, Scania plans to introduce long-distance electric trucks that will be able to carry a total weight of 40 tons for 4.5 hours, and fast charge during the drivers’ compulsory 45-minute rest,”"
https://chargedevs.com/newswire/truck-maker-scania-favors-battery-electric-over-hydrogen-vehicles/
QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANWERS
JIM BURNESS FROM NATIONAL CAR CHARGING
How it started: First charging station sale in 2011.
How it’s going: >5000 ports sold across 43 states.
ANDREW ACKERMAN
How it started:- Renault Twizy
How'd it continue:- BMW i3 Rex
How's it going:- Mini Electric
GREG PALMER
How it started: A neighbor was one of the first Nissan Leaf buyers. However a grocery run for us is eighty miles and my wife has an aversion to Elon Musk. When we heard about the Hyundai Kona EV and the Kia Niro EV, we went off to try sitting in them and were pretty much sold after watching a Youtube video made in the UK.
HOW IT'S GOIGN: I tried to find something better, or something used and cheaper, but eventually I found a dealer 250 miles away that was having a sale on E-Niros. Going up to buy it on the train and then driving home in a winter storm while needing to recharge was an adventure. That was about a year ago. Since then she is our car of choice. If we charge it to 90%, we can do two grocery trips without worrying about range.
STEPHEN MURDOCH
How it started: Fully charged YouTube videos. How it's going: 24kwh Nissan Leaf. What I'd like: Rivian R1S or Porsche Taycan. Best I can realistically hope for: Nissan Leaf with a bigger battery.
LUKE
How it started: Got a gas guzzling Jaguar as a courtesy car, and it had a feature that told me how much fuel certain features used in the car. Aka heated seats, heater and radio. This got me really thinking about how we use fuel and energy in our transport.
How it’s going: drive a petrol Audi A4, currently saving up for a BMW 3 series plug in hybrid. This has 37 miles electric range which is more than enough for my daily commute, and yet has a petrol engine for holiday journeys and days out. And hopefully after that, it’s full electric and goodbye fossils.
GRANTON SMITH
My interest in Hybrids began when I was shopping for my first new car in about 15 years ago... I was really keen on a Prius, but it wasn't meant to be - I ended up getting into a Diesel VW Golf, because it was "greener" due to lower fuel consumption... Liars! (I'm sad about that now!)
Again about 5yrs ago I was super keen on a PHEV Mitsubishi Outlander to replace our family car. But alas, the Mrs didn't like the seats (among other things), so the PHEV missed the cut.
How it's going:
Tesla model 3 ordered... It's on the boat soon (hopefully!!). Zappi 2 on its way, solar installed and generating and I'm finally ready to drive my own EV!! I can't wait!!!😁🙌
PHIL KEMP
For us, it all began with a 'come and see EVs' notice 3 years ago. The owner of a local coffee shop had got the bug, and installed a level 2 charger outside the shop. Also a local Facebook Group had been started. We went to satisfy curiosity and got a short ride in a LEAF. We were sufficiently impressed to ad EV to the possible future plan list.
the LEAF has been almost flawless. It's been back to the dealer for 3 checkups, which cost some $60 to retrieve a key I dropped into the 'works' and some $100 for a new cabin air filter, We had a concern when reversing in winter after being parked overnight : the first few yards gave a 'thunk-thunk-thunk' sound; the dealer replaced the rear brake pads and suggested that we not set the foot brake oncool nights (the air is quite damp here). This has not been an issue lately. There was also one day when starting out an error message indicated that regen braking had a problem; it did - there was NONE. Back home to agonise, I suddenly remembered that this was essentially a computer on wheels, so I did what always do with a cranky PC; I restarted it, and all's been well since.
SCOTT VAN KIEKERK
How it started: well, I’m wanting to stay with the times and technology to switch from gas-petrol SUV to EV. I searched and found your podcast. I test drive my first Nissan leaf and decided it was too small for me and my four kids. I test drove my 1st tesla.... loved the model Y and found the model 3 too small for my 6’4” frame.
How’s it going: I’m saving up 50K USD for Tesla Y and plan to get in early potentially to look at the Nissan Ariya. 🚘😃
STEPHEN TROYER
How it started: drooling over specs and pictures on the internet
How it's going: drooling over specs and pictures on the internet
MATTI JOUKIMO
"Cars...? Yeah.. Don't own one, don't want own one. ZERO interest."
How it's going: "Driving ID.3. CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT EV'S!"
MARK ORRICO
It started with; me drooling over the Rivian R1T,
how it’s going; butterflies coming out of my pockets whilst standing in front of the “no such thing as a self charging hybrid” subaru crosstrek hybrid, first gen with no plug socket. Granted I love my Crosstrek, just wish it didn’t burn stuff.
DAVID SNOW
How it started: The first EV I saw was the GEM Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV). Basically a souped up golf cart. I almost bought it for running around my small town, but my kids forbade me.
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