21 July 2019 | Escalade EV With 400 Miles, Prius Prime Improvements and Question Of The Week Answers

Some States Are Spending VW "Dieselgate" Money On More Diesel | Volvo Group And Samsung Sdi Enter Strategic Alliance | Nissan Leaf Now Available In Latin America’s Biggest Markets | Cadillac Escalade EV SUV Is Coming With 400 Miles Of Range | Royal Mail Rolls Out Another 190 Electric Vans | 2019 Toyota Prius PHEV Arrives With One Extra Seat, Trim Upgrades | Question Of The Week Answers

Show #535

 

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Sunday 21st July 2019. It’s Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story to save you time.          

 

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.

 

Thank you to new EXECUTIVE PRODUCER PETE GORTON aka @GyroGordini with his BMW i3 60Ah.

 

SOME STATES ARE SPENDING VW "DIESELGATE" MONEY ON MORE DIESEL

"As part of Volkswagen’s punishment for getting caught cheating on emissions tests, it has made $3 billion in grants available for individual US states. The money is theoretically supposed to be used to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution from diesel engines, but state governments have broad discretion as to how to spend the money." reports InsideEVs: "Some states apparently hope to mitigate diesel pollution by buying newer (and yes, slightly cleaner) diesel engines. Missouri plans to spend over $3.5 million on diesel school buses, trucks and other vehicles. New Mexico is also investing in diesel and natural gas vehicles, and Arizona has earmarked $27.8 million for diesel projects.

 

https://insideevs.com/news/360993/vw-dieselgate-money-funding-fossil-fuels/

 

VOLVO GROUP AND SAMSUNG SDI ENTER STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

Volvo Group and Samsung SDI have entered into a strategic alliance to develop battery packs for Volvo Group’s electric trucks. Working together with Samsung SDI, Volvo Group aims to accelerate the speed of development and strengthen the long-term capabilities and assets within electromobility, to the benefit of customers in different truck segments and markets.

The alliance will cover joint development of battery packs specifically developed for Volvo Group’s truck applications. Samsung SDI intends to provide battery cells and modules to meet the demand for the Volvo Group’s electric trucks.

The intention is that Volvo Group will utilize Samsung SDI’s battery pack technology for assembly in Volvo Group’s manufacturing operations.

 

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/07/20190719-volvosdi.html

 

NISSAN LEAF NOW AVAILABLE IN LATIN AMERICA’S BIGGEST MARKETS

Nissan began selling the zero-emission Nissan LEAF in Latin America’s four biggest markets: Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia.

The expansion into Latin America builds on Nissan’s position as the global pioneer in electric mobility, with more than 400,000 LEAF vehicles sold worldwide since the model first went on sale in 2010.

A pre-sale stage for the LEAF began in the four Latin American markets at the end of 2018.

 

Tesla just registered VIN 474,864 for the Model 3.

 

CADILLAC ESCALADE EV SUV IS COMING WITH 400 MILES OF RANGE

"According to Cadillac Society, the upcoming 5th generation of the Cadillac Escalade will be offered with three powertrain options, including an all-electric option." says InsideEVs: "The electric version will not be available right from the start in 2021, but will come at some point a bit later on. Anyways, the most important hint from unofficial sources is that expected range of Cadillac Escalade EV will be upwards of 400 miles (644 km), which when taking into consideration size and weight of the Escalade, suggests a huge battery pack. Currently, the only electric SUV on the U.S. market - Tesla Model X offers 325 miles (523 km) of range using 100 kWh battery. By the time the Cadillac Escalade EV will be ready, Tesla also could be at 400 miles. The other contender in the luxury, long-range, big SUV segment is Rivian with its R1S."

 

https://insideevs.com/news/360965/cadillac-escalade-ev-400-miles-range/

 

ROYAL MAIL ROLLS OUT ANOTHER 190 ELECTRIC VANS

"In London and the South East, Royal Mail is rolling another out 190 electric vans, which will join the 100 electric van fleet already operating in the area. Notable about this fleet is that they will be painted green, unlike the traditional red." says electrive.com: "The new fleet will be made up of a mix of Mercedes-Benz eVito and Peugeot Partner vans. This move will also approximately triple Royal Mail’s electric fleet. Charging for the new vehicles can be done overnight in “between six and eight hours”, which enables a range between 93 and 106 miles."

 

https://www.electrive.com/2019/07/20/royal-mail-rolls-out-another-190-electric-vans/

 

2019 TOYOTA PRIUS PHEV ARRIVES WITH ONE EXTRA SEAT, TRIM UPGRADES

"The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid has been revised for the 2019MY, adding some new gear and retaining the rest of the functions available in its predecessor." according to CarScoops: "The biggest news is the addition of an extra rear seat, raising capacity from 4 to 5 people on the rear bench. Toyota claims that the bench offers the same levels of comfort as before. Also new for the 2019 Prius PHEV is the Galaxy Black Metallic exterior color and optional 17’’ alloy wheels. Elsewhere, the Prius PHEV remains unchanged. It achieves up to 1.3 l/100 km (217.3 mpg UK / 180.9 mpg US) and emits 28 g/km of CO2. Electric range is up to 45 km (28 miles) in real-life conditions and in pure battery mode has a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph)."

 

 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

 

DON WOOD on Facebook

On the July 14th, 2019 podcast you asked for opinions on whether electric vehicle manufacturers should have exclusive charging stations or be open to all types of electric vehicles.   Since Tesla is investing a lot of capital to create their vast charging network in the US as one of many features offered to Tesla owners, it is a very important and valuable feature of owning a Tesla and paying a premium price for an electric vehicle.  If open to other types of EVs I would expect they should charge a premium additional tax for non-Tesla vehicles to discourage the Super Charging Stations from becoming clogged up with non-Tesla vehicles.   In an emergency, they could use it, knowing they are paying way more than they want to, but otherwise would  charge at other types of charging stations, such as at a Sheets station, etc.  Most current GAS stations should be installing generic charging outlets and become "Energy Stations" dropping the word "GAS" from the name over time.   These could then service all types of EVs, including Tesla and Non-Tesla vehicles.   Adapters provided...

 

ROB CRAWFORD

When Tesla came out with Model S, there were no chargers of any kind. A year later, Elon was building chargers everywhere, from the USA to Europe, Canada, and to even China eventually. Elon knew he had to have nearly as many charging stations as possible not really knowing what the response to the S, would be. Besides he was covering his own arse, and then the model S started to roll out, nearly half of those chargers we're in place with many more on the way, and still to this day, newer and better charging is going up. Yes, all charging stations should be open to all models. There are cars like Byton coming to Europe and the States, very soon, and there is no word on if they're going to have their own charging?

 So definitely Yes, all stations should have nozzles for all makes, brands of EVs, it just makes reasonable sense to do so.

 

DUNCAN ARMOUR

When the charger network was appalling and inadequate, Tesla saw the need for good charging infrastructure, and provided superb infrastructure at a point where realistically it couldn’t afford to do so.

 

Tesla’s courageous calculated risk-taking and use of hard-won debt should not be piggy-backed by all those legacy car companies that saw the same initial problem, and did nothing about it.

 

DOUG VOWLES

Manufacturers are free to do what they want with their investments, but I would hope that at this point in the process of getting wide public buy-in of electric vehicles they would put their energies into charging assets available to everyone. Preferably through an industry-wide program using the same standards.  How be they donate $25 (or more) for every electric car sold, to something like Electrify America?

 

But walled gardens brings up another option.  Rather than by brand, just put up a pay-wall.  Similar to the VIP lounges at airports. Pay an extra fee when charging for access to air-conditioning, showers, complimentary soft-drinks etc.  Freebie points/tickets could be given to customers when they go back to the lonely dealers once a year for tire rotations, wiper replacements, and perhaps a battery health checkup.

 

JACK OAKLEY

Government financial support will only go so far. If there is a business opportunity for charging stations, opened to the public or private charging clubs, or private manufacture charging spots - I welcome the charger expansion worldwide. I would be happy to be part of the expanding community and would possibly base a purchase on charging stations available to my vehicle.

 

I have a MAJOR thorn in my side about TESLA's current model. I do not agree government funds should be used to promote private charging. As with TESLA. With my i3, I cannot use a TESLA charger, but I am frequently ICE'd by Tesla's elite blocking (not Charging) stations I need to use. TESLA owners should not be entitled to public funds while the charging stations remain private. They are welcome to their private stations - should not be funded indirectly with my tax dollars

 

SACHA

I've heard this question a lot a lot and while it's tempting to compare charging networks to gas stations, private networks are in fact private investments made by a manufacturer and ultimately paid for by its investors and customers (in the case of Tesla , the network was built because other manufacturers weren't participating in the EV market - some, like GM, actively worked to undermine the EV market - check out the EV1 story and how GM and the oil industry actively worked to roll back California regulation on EVs) . Causing charger congestion for people that paid for the network in exchange for tiny profit would be a bit of a problem I would think .

 

Awesome question of the week ! Glad you raised this as it's a frequent criticism of TSLA, I think they deserve credit for having the fortitude to create their own network when nobody else was willing to consider EVs seriously , what do you think ?

 

BARRY WOLF

Fine with me. If I had a fossil gobbler that, by requirement of the manufacturer, only gobbled super special fossils (and had a special fossil gobbling fuel inlet), required me to visit special fueling stations, and I willingly purchased said car, I would visit the special fossil gobbler station. It would be nice, of course, if the manufacturer made an adapter to use with other fossil dispensing stations, too, but with the caveat that without super special fossils (super slippery), it is not possible to refill the car as quickly.  Ok, back to EVs. I think it's ok since Tesla pays for the network and manages it and Tesla owners do pay a premium for this network. I drive a cheap VW e-Golf ($22,500 after taxes), so I don't expect such special treatment by VW or anyone else.

 

RAY HOJKA

In answer to your question of the week I think all the networks should be open to all. I know they have invested heavily so I have no issues with them charging a reasonable rate which gives them a sensible profit.

 

In Tesla's case I don't understand why they don't do that given that they have rarely made a profit yet. Also I have watched a number of Tesla owner videos on YouTube and I have yet to see them charging on a "fully in use" bank of superchargers so why not open up the system. I think it would only need a firmware update to the charger to allow it to detect whether it's a Tesla or another make and switch into the appropriate mode.

Thanks for the great podcast. I am a new owner of a Hyundai ioniq ev and loving it.

 

DAVID ALLEN

It bears mentioning that Tesla took the initial step of addressing the “chicken or egg” problem by building its own charging network (at considerable expense). But later, they were willing to license their tech patents (for free), and offered other car makers access to their network, IF they were willing to help pay for its expansion and maintenance. Everyone said “pass” and chose to let other third party companies build the public network (except Nissan who made CHAdeMO available at SOME of their dealerships).

 

The ability for cars with different plug designs to use an “incompatible” plug is a solvable engineering problem, but adds the burden/expense of the driver having to carry multiple adapters. Whether this will happen becomes an economic, customer service and standards problem. The various companies can work out the economics/customer service issue, but the government(s) will have to step in and establish interoperability standards and regulations.

 

MATTHEW COOPER

TLDR:

Let people do business freely. We have to remember that OEM does not have to go above and beyond and create a charging network, there are dedicated businesses for that purpose. If they do create a network I think they should be allowed to wall it off not to block their own car owners from chargers.

 

TOM RAFTERY

There’s absolutely no reason to have walked gardens - everybody loses.

Consumers have fewer places they can charge from, and charging companies make less money by making it harder for people to give them money. Ridiculous.

Think of it this way, back in the days when we were putting Dino juice into our cars, we could buy fossil fuels in any service station. There’s no reason for EVs to be any different (in this respect, at least!).

 

ANDREW JACOBS

I will be very surprised that anyone says that there should be walled gardens. A major standard should and hopefully will emerge that all charger manufacturers will use. While the Tesla model is very convenient for Tesla owners, and I can understand why Tesla drivers would be keen for the Tesla chargers to stay exclusive to them. It doesn’t help the adoption of EVS if there are lots of different charging plugs and standards. Imagine how good it would be if all electric cars could access the Tesla super charger network. After all, Teslas can connect to any network with all the adapters they have available. Anyone want to develop a Tesla super charger to Chademo adapter for my Leaf? I’m happy...