![11 Dec 2024 | VW Lowers ID Prices, Quad Motor BMW’s Are Coming and Battery Costs Continue To Plummet – EV News Daily 11 Dec 2024 | VW Lowers ID Prices, Quad Motor BMW’s Are Coming and Battery Costs Continue To Plummet – EV News Daily](https://blog.connectvolt.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/11-Dec-2024-VW-Lowers-ID-Prices-Quad-Motor.jpeg)
Welcome to a new podcast EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MATTHEW LONG. Patreon supporters get the episodes ad free. Be like MATTHEW by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily
NEW TRIMS AND LOWER PRICES FOR VW ID. MODELS IN THE UK
Volkswagen has updated its ID. electric vehicle range in the UK with new trims, features, and an entry-level battery option. The models are now available for order.
The ID.3 hatchback has added two new trims: Pure Essential and Pure Match. Both trims feature a 52 kWh battery and a 170 PS electric motor, offering a range of 240 miles. They can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 25 minutes.
The starting prices are £30,850 for the Pure Essential and £32,210 for the Pure Match.
The ID.4 Pure Match, now with a smaller battery pack, has seen a price drop of £3,090, starting at £39,550. The ID.5 also features the 52 kWh battery in its Pure Match trim, providing a range of 222 miles and starting at £41,050.
https://evne.ws/3ZKmkCT
QUAD-MOTOR BMW M VEHICLES ARE ON THE HORIZON
BMW revealed details about its testing process for their new M series electric vehicles (EVs), including a video featuring a prototype based on the i4 M50. This prototype aligns with BMW M’s goal to produce high-performance electric cars that will represent the peak of its M series.
Although BMW M has hinted at quad-motor vehicles in the past and released images, the recent video showcases the first public display of the i4 M50-based prototype.
Powering each wheel with its own electric motor allows for exceptional control over power and torque, enhancing handling and the overall driving experience. And whilst BMW will keep its lineup of combustion-engine M cars, but the electric versions will offer remarkable performance, with potential outputs reaching 1,000 horsepower (745 kW).
https://evne.ws/4gcNxnx
RECORD SALES OF ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES IN CANADA
The demand for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in Canada is rising, with new registrations hitting a record high. S&P Global Mobility reports that ZEVs accounted for 16.5 percent of all new vehicle registrations in the third quarter, up from 13.4 percent in the previous quarter. This increase includes a 15.1 percent rise in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and a 12.4 percent increase in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
In major cities, Montreal’s ZEV adoption jumped from 22.2 percent in 2023 to 32.8 percent in 2024.
https://evne.ws/49w8mrF
NEW JERSEY HITS 200,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES
New Jersey has reached over 200,000 registered electric vehicles (EVs). New Jersey’s EV market share has consistently exceeded the national average over the past three years. However, with about 6 million registered drivers, EVs made up only around 2.8% of light-duty vehicles in the state as of summer 2024.
Laura Perrotta, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, raised concerns that while EV sales are increasing, they still fall short of California’s mandates. She criticized the state for eliminating tax exemptions and imposing new fees, which she believes could impede EV adoption.
Earlier this year, Governor Murphy announced plans to phase out the sales tax exemption for EV buyers over three years and introduced a new $250 registration fee for electric vehicles, which is likely to rise in the future.
https://evne.ws/4fhshvs
RECORD DROP IN EV BATTERY COSTS
The average price of lithium-ion battery packs has experienced its largest decline in seven years, according to BloombergNEF (BNEF). The cost has dropped by 20%, now at $115 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2024. This decrease is due to factors such as an oversupply in battery cell production, falling prices of metals and components, and a shift towards less expensive lithium iron phosphate batteries. The report analyzed 343 data points across various sectors, including electric cars, buses, and commercial vehicles.
This significant price reduction indicates that the cost of electric vehicles (EVs) might reach parity with gasoline-powered vehicles by 2026, with expectations that prices could fall below $100/kWh, a crucial threshold many analysts cite for achieving price equivalence.
The report notes that China is projected to produce enough battery cells to meet 92% of the global demand of 1.2 terawatt-hours in 2024, which has further pressured battery prices downward. Smaller battery manufacturers are facing tough competition from larger firms, resulting in price cuts and reduced profit margins to stay competitive.
https://evne.ws/4f9Wa0Z
2025 CADILLAC ESCALADE IQ PRICED AT $129,900
Cadillac has revealed the pricing and details for the 2025 Escalade IQ, its electric version of the iconic Escalade, starting at $129,900. This model serves as Cadillac’s top luxury SUV and features standard all-wheel drive with an estimated range of 460 miles.
At launch, the Escalade IQ will come in four trims: Luxury 1, Sport 1, Luxury 2, and Sport 2, with a longer version, the IQL, expected to follow later. This electric model aims to enhance fuel efficiency while maintaining the Escalade’s reputation for luxury and size. It is larger than the two-row Lyriq and the upcoming three-row Vistiq.
Unlike the traditional Escalade, which is based on the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the Escalade IQ is built on the same platform as the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Its design is sleek and incorporates elements from other Cadillac electric models. The IQ is also longer than the gasoline version, measuring an additional foot in length. All variants feature a dual-motor all-wheel drive system, generating 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque in Velocity Max mode. It comes with an Ultium battery pack that has a usable capacity of over 200.0 kWh, enabling it to gain 100 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes with an 800-volt DC fast charger.
The trims are categorized into Luxury and Sport. The base Luxury 1 starts at $129,990 and includes Galvano door handles and 24-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels. The Luxury 2 trim, which costs $20,000 more, adds advanced LED headlights, a trailering package, massaging front seats, and a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system.
The Sport 1 trim begins at $130,490 and features Obsidian chrome details and a distinctive illuminated front grille. The Sport 2 trim, for an additional $20,000, includes all the premium features of Luxury 2, plus an automatic leveling adaptive forward lighting system with cornering night vision.
https://evne.ws/49zHlDC
EV OWNERS UNLIKELY TO RETURN TO GAS CARS
A new survey shows EV owners love their cars. Over 90% plan to buy another EV after selling their gas cars. Only 1% said they might go back to gas cars.
The Global EV Alliance asked 23,000 EV owners in 18 countries what they think. These countries include the US, Canada, France, India, and Brazil.
Here’s what they found:
– 92% will buy another EV
– 4% might get a plug-in hybrid
– 45% like the lower costs to run EVs
– 40% care about helping the planet
– 32% want to cut local pollution
– 21% enjoy driving EVs
– 18% like the lower upkeep costs
Reasons people gave for never wanting to go back to combustion include EVs being quiet and smooth to drive. They often just feel better than gas cars. They’re also cheap to run and fix, which shows that when people experience the economic benefits of an EV, they understand it in a way people don’t before they’ve made the switch.
Some companies offer deals to try EVs or make the ownership experience better, for example, Tesla is offering a year of free supercharging here in the UK as the end of year incentive.
The EV market is also growing. New, cheaper models are coming out after car makers started with their most profitable larger vehicles. In the US, you can get $7,500 in tax credits for now, and this has been essential to makes some EVs cheaper than gas cars at the point of purchase.
As batteries get cheaper, EVs will also cost less, as I just reported. They’re also getting smarter with better tech, which means your EV often gets better over time.
Rho Motion, an EV research firm, says EV sales hit a record in October. Over 1.7 million were sold worldwide. China leads with 1.2 million sales, up 50% from last year. US and Canada sales are up 9% this year.
https://evne.ws/4iAtQHN
NEED FOR 35,000 ELECTRIC TRUCK CHARGERS IN EUROPE BY 2030
European truck makers are sounding the alarm about the urgent need for better charging infrastructure to support the shift to electric heavy-duty vehicles. While electric truck technology is ready, the current charging network falls short of what’s needed.
– Europe has only about 600 heavy-duty truck chargers now
– 35,000 megawatt chargers are needed by 2030
– This means installing 400 new chargers every month
Truck manufacturers are already producing electric models. Daimler makes 11 electric truck and bus models across 50+ countries for instance. Also, fleet purchasing decisions for trucks are mainly financial, not emotional. So if we get the things like infrastructure in place, the decisions become automatic.
There are however some challenges:
– Trucks travel about 125,000 km yearly on average
– Electric operations aren’t yet cost-effective for many logistics companies
– Companies need reliable systems to avoid frequent changes
EU regulations requires 350 kW chargers every 60 km on main transport networks by 2030, but that is not enough for commercial operators.
The truck industry is calling for:
– Clear regulatory guidelines from the European Commission
– Streamlined existing regulations to speed up infrastructure development
– Shift from fossil fuel incentives to support for non-fossil alternatives
– Robust green energy infrastructure to make electric operations financially viable
They say that wthout major infrastructure progress, meeting the EU’s 45% CO₂ reduction goal for heavy-duty vehicles by 2030 will be challenging. The industry could face significant issues as the deadline approaches
https://evne.ws/3ZvD27Q
BYD TARGETS 15% COST REDUCTION FOR NEW BATTERY
BYD aims to cut costs by 15% for its next-generation blade battery, expected to launch in early 2025. This battery will have an energy density of up to 210 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) and can discharge at a peak rate of 16C.
The new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery will come in a short blade version with an energy density of 160 Wh/kg and a maximum discharge rate of 16C, along with an 8C charge rate. The long blade version will achieve energy densities of 210 Wh/kg, with an 8C discharge rate and a 3C charge rate.
The “C rate” measures how fast a battery can charge or discharge compared to its capacity. For example, a battery rated at 1C can fully charge in one hour, while an 8C rate allows a charge in about 7.5 minutes.
BYD plans to lower the cost of the higher energy density model compared to its current battery, which has an energy density around 150 Wh/kg. The lower energy density version will have quicker charge and discharge rates but is expected to be priced similarly to or slightly higher than the current model due to production scaling challenges and limited supplier options.
Competition in battery pricing has become more aggressive, especially in the premium sector.
Goldman Sachs Research forecasts that battery prices will fall nearly 50% by 2026, with average prices decreasing from $153 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2022 to $149 in 2023, then down to $111 by the end of this year, eventually reaching $80 by 2026.
The rivalry among battery producers is intense. Everybody talks about the EV automaker price war, but no one talks about the battery makers price war, which is even more brutal.
Since its introduction in 2020, BYD’s blade battery has gradually improved, boosting its energy density from 140 Wh/kg to 150 Wh/kg. Meanwhile, CATL has launched new LFP products and continues to reduce prices.
As of October 2024, CATL leads the EV battery market with 183.02 gigawatt-hours (GWh) installed, a 45.2% increase from last year, holding a 46.2% market share in China. BYD follows with 100.66 GWh installed, a year-over-year increase of 19.4%, and a 24.4% market share, mainly focused on LFP batteries.
https://evne.ws/3ZBeM4b
XIAOMI LAUNCHES YU7 CROSSOVER TO COMPETE WITH TESLA MODEL Y
Xiaomi is set to launch its first crossover, the YU7, targeting the Tesla Model Y with a design reminiscent of a little baby Ferrari Purosangue (and presumable a little cheaper too!). The company revealed images of the YU7 following leaked government photos during China’s MIIT day.
The YU7 features a sleek, low-slung profile with design elements shared with the SU7 sedan, including McLaren-inspired front headlamps and a unique rear light assembly. Unlike the SU7’s standard door handles, the YU7 opts for hidden, retractable handles.
According to MIIT, the YU7 will be powered by dual electric motors producing 681 horsepower, slightly more than the SU7 Max’s 664 horsepower. The crossover weighs 2,405kg and can reach a top speed of 253 km/h.
While details on range, pricing, and battery capacity are yet to be announced, the YU7 is expected to launch in June or July 2025. It will be manufactured alongside the SU7 sedan, with speculations suggesting a starting price around $34,000, matching the Tesla Model Y’s price in China.
Xiaomi has partnered with CATL for the YU7’s battery, likely using the same 101kWh NMC unit as the high-end SU7 models. However, due to its heavier weight, the YU7 may have a slightly shorter range than the SU7’s 830km CLTC range.
Xiaomi’s entry into the electric SUV market with the YU7 follows the success of its SU7 sedan, which reached a production milestone of 100,000 units within a year of its launch. If the YU7 achieves similar success, it could pose a significant challenge to established electric vehicle brands and local competitors in the Chinese market.
https://evne.ws/3OSX3Ao
LEAPMOTOR B10 SUV: UPCOMING EV FOR EUROPE
The Stellantis-backed Leapmotor B10 is coming to China. It plans to launch in Europe by late 2025 for under 30,000 EUR. The 4.5-meter crossover has a single electric motor with up to 214 hp. It will compete with the BYD Atto 3.
Leapmotor, a Chinese car startup, sold over 250,000 units from January to November 2024. Stellantis bought 21% of Leapmotor in 2023. They made a joint venture where Stellantis owns 51%. In Europe, they’ll sell the T03 hatchback, C10 crossover, and soon the B10 SUV.
The B10 has a modern look. It has a light strip, headlights in the front bumper, and no grille. It has hidden door handles, one taillight, and a roof spoiler.
The B10 wants to be a top choice for mass-market electric cars. It will face the BYD Atto 3, which costs over 35,000 EUR in Europe.
SourcesSource: via CarNewsChina.com
https://evne.ws/3ORvK9n
NEW MID-SIZE SEDAN AVATR 06 LAUNCHES IN CHINA
The Avatr 06 sedan has been officially launched in China through a partnership between Changan, Huawei, and CATL. This mid-size sedan will offer both battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) options, aiming to compete with the Zeekr 007 in the local market.
Avatr, a joint venture of Changan and CATL, previously focused on BEVs and now expands into the EREV sector to boost sales. The Avatr 06 is the company’s fourth model, joining the Avatr 11 SUV, Avatr 12 liftback, and Avatr 07 crossover.
The design incorporates the Avatr 2.0 style, featuring unique two-story LED daytime running lights, a closed front grille, and a large active air intake in the bumper. Additional design highlights include camera-based side mirrors, retractable door handles, a black roof, a ducktail spoiler, and slim taillights.
https://evne.ws/3ZJtwiF
HYUNDAI PROMOTES EVS THROUGH GRAN TURISMO
Hyundai’s N performance division is teaming up with Gran Turismo 7 to show off electric cars. The IONIQ 5 N just debuted online at the Gran Turismo World Esports tournament. Players can use this EV in the game from January.
Hyundai wants to show off its EV tech and driving skills. More Hyundai N models, mostly electric, will likely join the game later.
This move is Hyundai’s way to get more people into EVs. It’s different from what other brands have done, like Nissan’s metaverse project or GMC’s Hummer EV in Call of Duty. Hyundai and Polyphony Digital, who make Gran Turismo, plan to keep working together. They hope this will get more people into EVs.
EVs are showing up more in digital media. Zapmap found EV features in films went up 140% in the last five years.
Joon Park from Hyundai N said: “We are delighted that the Hyundai N brand and IONIQ 5 N feature in the Gran Turismo World Series with Polyphony Digital… IONIQ 5 N is an excellent starting point for the collaboration… and we will develop various Hyundai N models in Gran Turismo 7 so that more people can experience the high performance of Hyundai N in the virtual space.”
https://evne.ws/41sxWvt
ABU DHABI COLLABORATES WITH ARCHER FOR AIR TAXI LAUNCH
Archer Aviation, an eVTOL startup based in California, has secured a partnership to introduce electric air taxi services in Abu Dhabi.
Multiple companies are vying to lead in the eVTOL market, including Archer Aviation, Eve Air Mobility, Joby Aviation, Vertical Aerospace, and Lilium.
The development of battery technology for eVTOL aircraft poses unique challenges compared to traditional electric vehicles. These batteries need to deliver both high specific energy and high specific power to achieve a range exceeding 100 miles (approximately 160 kilometers) while providing the power required for take-off and landing.
During critical moments like take-off and landing, eVTOL batteries must handle high discharge rates, necessitating management of C-rates (up to 15C) for short durations while maintaining lower rates during cruising. These batteries are expected to last up to 1,600 hours, equivalent to 1,600 complete cycles annually.
To address these requirements, researchers are exploring technologies such as Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, solid-state batteries, and silicon-based anodes. Although current lithium-ion technology falls short of the ideal specifications for eVTOL applications, advancements in battery chemistry, materials science, and thermal management are projected to improve the performance of future eVTOL batteries.
https://evne.ws/3ZJKQnK
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