Texas Ponders $400 Annual Fee For EV Owners | 14 May 2021

On today’s podcast:

·       Biden to visit Ford EV facility in Michigan next Tuesday

·       EVE Battery Deal With Tesla Denied

·       Texas Wants To Charge EV Owners $400 In Annual Fees

·       Illinois interstate signs will direct drivers to EV charging stations

·       Italy Fines Google for Excluding the ‘JuicePass' EV Charging App From Android Auto

·       UK: Volkswagen Introduces Entry-Level ID.4 With 52 kWh Battery

·       Polestar UK opens Milton Keynes test drive hub

 

Show #1082

 

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Friday 14th May. 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.

 

A mention for interest in EV's increasing because of gas price spikes in some parts of the U.S. and even shortages. It's interesting but a plea to fellow EV owners now is not the time for teasing or being smug. It's unhelpful to those desperate for fuel to live their lives.

 

"U.S. President Joe Biden plans to visit a Ford Motor (F.N) electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Michigan next week as he makes a push for a $174 billion government boost for electric vehicles and charging stations." reports Reuters

 

 

"EVE Energy Co., which makes lithium iron phosphate batteries, said a Reuters report that it’s in supply deal talks with Tesla Inc. is “unfounded.” The company didn’t have any business communications with Tesla over the batteries, it said in a statement posted on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange website on Sunday, Bloomberg reported." and reported by Automotive News Europe: "In the initial report, released Friday, Reuters said Tesla was in talks to add the Chinese battery maker to its Shanghai factory supply chain, citing four people familiar with the matter. EVE makes lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are cheaper to produce because they use iron instead of more expensive nickel and cobalt. But LFP batteries generally offer a shorter range on a single charge than the more popular nickel/cobalt alternative. EVE would become the second supplier of LFP batteries to Tesla after China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., or CATL, Reuters reported."

 

 

"Ford says it is starting to send out in-car gaming with over-the-internet software updates to some of its newer models as the auto giant moves to offer technology to match electric car maker Tesla. For now, the updates are only available to about 100,000 owners of 2021 model year F-150s, Mustang Mach-Es and the upcoming Bronco, but Ford plans to spread the tech across its entire lineup as models are updated. It plans to make 33 million vehicles with the capability by 2028." according to Fox Business: "Ford said there are about 80 different computers in its most sophisticated vehicles that control everything from the infotainment center to brakes and transmission shifts. Already, Ford sent out an update to fix a lighting issue that drained batteries. Among the next updates will be a new version of Amazon Alexa that allows vehicles to communicate with the home assistant without use of a smartphone. Ford also will roll out touchscreen drawing software and simple games for the Mach-E electric SUV. More than 6 million vehicles have the modems and collect vehicle data, but only those with the latest generation of electrical systems can get full over-the-internet updates. "

 

Alex Purdy, director, business operations, enterprise connectivity, Ford Motor Company: "Software updates are common across billions of connected devices but not yet for vehicles. Ford Power-Up software updates will change that by quickly bringing it to millions of people. We’ve invested in more seamless technology so updates can happen while you’re sleeping – making your next ride a better experience."

 

 

 

"The bill being discussed in the Texas state senate—Senate Bill 1728—would raise fees on electric vehicle (EV) owners as a way to make up for the gas tax they're not paying. The legislation would require an annual EV fee of between $190 and $240, an additional fee of over $150 for anyone who drives their EV more than 9000 miles a year, and an annual surcharge of $10 to fund a charging infrastructure advisory council." writes Car & Driver: "The state, which couches the fees in "equalization for road use consumption for alternatively fueled vehicles" terminology, said these fees would apply to approximately 300,000 vehicles and raise around $37.8 million for the State Highway Fund (SHF) in fiscal year 2022, climbing to $135,594,000 in fiscal year 2026. If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2021. Instead of annual EV fees, which don't take actual road usage into account, Plug In America and other EV advocates support what are called road usage charge programs, or ways to charge people for the actual miles they drive each year, often factoring in the weight of the vehicle. Seven states are conducting road usage charge tests with help from the U.S. Department of Transportation."

 

 

"Driving down the interstate will get a little easier for Illinois motorists using electric vehicles with new road signs pointing the way to EV charging stations. A Federal Highway Administration program will include seven Illinois interstate corridors in its new blue "Alternative Fuels Corridor" sign program, which will alert motorists to alternative forms of fueling stations, including EV charging stations." reports TheSouthern.com: " The Illinois Department of Transportation is rolling out its own blue sign program, which will place signs on exit ramps that will direct motorists to EV charging stations as well as nearby gas stations, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions."

 

 

"Italy's competition regulator has fined U.S. tech giant Google 102 million euros (US$123 million) for excluding an e-mobility app developed by energy company Enel from the U.S. tech giant's open Android platform. The fine was first reported by Reuters." according to FutureCar: "For the past two years, Google has not allowed Enel's JuicePass smartphone app to operate on Google's Android Auto app, which is designed as a simple, less distracting way to use Google's popular apps while driving, such as Maps, Play and Assistant.  Regulators in Italy have accused Google of curtailing use of the JuicePass app and favoring Google Maps, which also includes EV charging station locations for drivers. In a statement announcing the $123 million fine for "abuse of a dominant position", the regulator asked Google to make JuicePass available on Android Auto. JuicePass is owned by Enel's "e-solutions" subsidiary Enel X, which brought the case against Google."

 

 

"Volkswagen has introduced in the UK new entry-level versions of the ID.4 model, equipped with a smaller 52 kWh battery (usable capacity), compared to the initial 77 kWh battery (82 kWh total)." says InsideEVs: "There are two new powertrain versions with that battery: Pure - 109 kW (148 PS)/220 Nm and Pure Performance - 125 kW (170 PS)/310 Nm. Both are available with two new City or Style trim levels. Depending on the version, the WLTP range of the 52 kWh version is 211-213 miles (339-343 km)."

 

"These latest trims fit below the existing ones in the ID.4 line-up, with the City Pure having the additional bonus of being eligible for the Government’s Plug-in Vehicle Grant, thus starting at an eye-catching £32,150 OTR (with PIVG deducted). The City Pure Performance is priced at £36,030, the Style Pure at £38,150 and the Style Pure Performance at £39,530 (all OTR, recommended prices)."

 

 

Polestar UK has opened a new test drive hub to meet demand. The 8,000 sq ft location, situated in Milton Keynes, will offer over 7,000 consumers the opportunity to experience the Polestar 2 in a curated and personalised way before the end of the year. Supplementing the recently re-opened Polestar London and Polestar Manchester Spaces, along with other test drive activity planned for 2021 the hub will facilitate the possibility for over 28,000 consumers to get behind the wheel of Sweden’s performance electric car. Eight vehicles – each purely for demonstration purposes, will be available to customers to enjoy on unaccompanied test drives.

 

 

 

A recent survey – which I highly questioned and disagreed with – claimed 1 in 5 EV owners went back to piston power.  I have never heard anything like a 20% rate of EV drivers being unhappy with electric. Would you ever go back? Yes, No and tell me why!

 

Email me your thoughts and I’ll read them out on Sunday – hello@evnewsdaily.com

 

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