Briefly | 29 June 2023
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It’s EV News Briefly for Thursday 29th June. I’ll be back as usual at 5pm UK time, that’s Midday Eastern, for the full podcast.  Patreon supporters get the episodes as soon as they’re ready AND ad free. You can be like them by clicking here).

The first sellable Chevy Blazer EV has been produced at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe plant, marking the upcoming launch of the electric SUV this summer. GM expects a successful year with the production increase of its Ultium-based electric models, including the Blazer EV.

Chinese electric car brand Zeekr has started pre-sales for its Zeekr 001 and Zeekr X models in the Netherlands and Sweden, marking its entry into the European market. Deliveries in the Netherlands and Sweden will begin in autumn 2023, and Zeekr plans to expand into other countries in Western Europe by 2026.

GM Energy has announced the details and specifications for its upcoming Ultium Home products, which aim to provide residential customers with greater energy independence and resiliency. The products include bundle options for customers to choose from based on their energy needs and budget.

Mack Trucks has announced that their MD Electric medium-duty electric vehicle is now available for order. The MD Electric is available in Class 6 and Class 7 ratings, exempt from the Federal Excise Tax, and can be charged through AC or DC charging units.

Tesla is preparing to officially support third-party apps and may be launching a Tesla App Store. Tesla has added a new section in its user settings to "manage third-party apps," indicating a move toward a more official way for third-party apps to access Tesla owner data.

Tesla has started placing ads on Google after CEO Elon Musk expressed a willingness to try advertising during a shareholder meeting. The ads promote Tesla's electric vehicles, solar panels, and Supercharger network.

Finnish company Kempower has announced plans to open a second factory in Lahti, Finland. The new facility will double Kempower's production capacity in Europe and will include research and development space.

Renault will showcase a lineup of electrified cars at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. The event will feature the Renault R5 Turbo 3E, Renault 5 Prototype, Renault 4EVER Trophy, Renault 5 Diamant, "Mute the Hot Rod," Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid, and the Megane E-Tech 100% electric.

Infiniti recently held a meeting for its North American dealers and provided a sneak preview of four upcoming models, including two electric ones. The first to come in 2026 and another in 2027 but no more details shared.

ABB has opened a new manufacturing facility in Virginia to support its Motion Traction business. The facility will produce converters and batteries for various industries, including electric buses.

BMW has started construction on a $700 million high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. The plant is being built to meet the demand for electric vehicle batteries and to compete with other automakers.

The Biden administration plans to allocate $2 billion in grants to support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. The funding will be used to accelerate domestic EV manufacturing and revive struggling plants.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is traveling across the South to promote clean energy products and tax credits made available through legislation enacted during President Biden’s term. The tour aims to highlight the administration’s achievements and draw attention to Republican lawmakers who opposed the legislation.

The Chevy Silverado EV work truck features an offboard power system that allows users to utilize up to 10.2 kW of power flow and access the truck's 200+ kWh battery pack. The Silverado EV also includes seven outlets, providing versatility for contractors.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned ads by Toyota and Hyundai, ruling that they have exaggerated certain aspects of their electric cars. The claims made by both companies about charging times were found to be misleading.

Germany's highest federal court has ruled that car makers Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen must compensate owners of diesel cars equipped with illegal emission manipulation devices. Diesel car owners can claim between 5% and 15% of the purchase price of their cars.

A new study by Cox Automotive shows that consumers are more interested in electric vehicles (EVs) than ever before, with 51% of respondents considering buying a new or used EV.