#charging_infrastructure

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Plug-in hybrids fare worst Consumer Reports decided to evaluate modern cars in terms of reliability, dividing them into different categories and separately evaluating electric cars. The result was a large and informative report. So, if we talk about reliability in general, Lexus leads the overall brand ranking with 79 points, followed by Toyota, Mini, Acura and Honda. At the bottom of the list are Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Volkswagen and Jeep. The report’s authors say they, as always, asked people about problems they had with their vehicles over the previous 12 months. This year, data was collected on more than 330,000 vehicles from model years […]

Plug-in hybrids fare worst Consumer Reports decided to evaluate modern cars in terms of reliability, dividing them into different categories and separately evaluating electric cars. The result was a large and informative report. [caption id="attachment_85097" align="alignnone" width="600"] electric cars[/caption] So, if we talk about reliability in general, Lexus leads the overall brand ranking with 79 points, followed by Toyota, Mini, Acura and Honda. At the bottom of the list are Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Volkswagen and Jeep. The report's authors say they, as always, asked people about problems they had with their vehicles over the previous 12 months. This year, data was collected on more than 330,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2023, including several previously introduced 2024 models. A large study has shown that electric cars break down more often cars with internal combustion engines. [caption id="attachment_85098" align="aligncenter" width="400"] electric cars[/caption] If we talk about the number of problem areas in certain categories of cars, then electric cars perform best: they have only 12 problem areas. For other classes, the indicators are similar: 17 zones for cars with internal combustion engines, 19 zones for hybrids and 20 zones for rechargeable hybrids. But these are just types of problems that have nothing to do with the reliability of specific machines. More indicative is the chart below, showing the number of specific problems on average for cars of a given class in comparison with cars with internal combustion engines. [caption id="attachment_85099" align="aligncenter" width="754"] electric cars[/caption] As we can see, conventional hybrids perform best, while plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles perform much worse. These two classes break down on average twice as often as cars with internal combustion engines.

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“We have prepared plans for this” A Stellantis executive says the car maker is prepared to adjust its electric vehicle strategy if sentiment about them changes. During a recent press call at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, Carlos Tavares noted that the automaker will closely monitor the results of the European Parliament and US presidential elections, acknowledging that “Stellantis will have to respond if political and public opinion will lean towards fewer electric vehicles.” “Next year there will be important elections: members of the European Parliament in June and the US President in November. Perhaps then the policy will be […]

“We have prepared plans for this” A Stellantis executive says the car maker is prepared to adjust its electric vehicle strategy if sentiment about them changes. During a recent press call at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, Carlos Tavares noted that the automaker will closely monitor the results of the European Parliament and US presidential elections, acknowledging that “Stellantis will have to respond if political and public opinion will lean towards fewer electric vehicles.” “Next year there will be important elections: members of the European Parliament in June and the US President in November. Perhaps then the policy will be different,” he noted in a conversation with Automobilwoche. — One of my tasks is to prepare the company for new conditions. We have prepared plans for this.” The future of electric vehicles is not yet clear. [caption id="attachment_84773" align="aligncenter" width="780"] electric vehicles[/caption] While Stellantis may have to make changes to its electrification plans depending on the outcome of this election, it remains committed to significant changes. The spokesman confirmed that the company is committed to its Dare Forward 2030 plan, which will see 100% of its sales in Europe coming from electric vehicles by 2030. In the US, by that time the transition will be 50%. The European Union will ban the sale of most new combustion engine cars from 2035. California and at least 10 other US states also intend to phase out the sale of cars and light trucks with internal combustion engines by 2035.

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Manufacturers are losing a lot on electric vehicles The lithium-ion battery is often considered the most expensive component in an electric vehicle. However, over the past 10 years prices have dropped greatly. In 2013, the average price of a lithium-ion battery was $780 per kWh, according to the Bloomberg New Energy Foundation (BNEF). Today, the average cost of batteries is $139 per kWh. This is a record low, 12% lower than in 2022, BNEF notes. This decline can be partly explained by expansion of production capacity and lower raw material costs. “This is another year where battery prices have closely tracked raw material prices. In […]

Manufacturers are losing a lot on electric vehicles The lithium-ion battery is often considered the most expensive component in an electric vehicle. However, over the past 10 years prices have dropped greatly. In 2013, the average price of a lithium-ion battery was $780 per kWh, according to the Bloomberg New Energy Foundation (BNEF). Today, the average cost of batteries is $139 per kWh. This is a record low, 12% lower than in 2022, BNEF notes. This decline can be partly explained by expansion of production capacity and lower raw material costs. “This is another year where battery prices have closely tracked raw material prices. In the years since we conducted this research, falling prices have been driven by massive learning and technological innovation, but that dynamic has changed,” said Evelina Stoicu, BNEF senior scientist for energy storage. “The fall in prices this year was due to significant increases in production capacity across the value chain coupled with weaker-than-expected demand.” [caption id="attachment_84665" align="aligncenter" width="780"] electric cars[/caption] Lithium-ion battery prices hit record lows, but electric cars remain expensive Cheaper batteries should mean more affordable electric vehicles for consumers. But the reality is a little more complicated. Some battery makers have seen reduced plant utilization, and rising demand for electric vehicles hasn't quite met some automakers' expectations. In fact, battery prices rose in 2022 for the first time in several years, rising from $150/kWh to $161/kWh before falling again this year. Moreover, mass production of electric vehicles has not yet reached a level where the benefits of lower battery costs can be fully reflected in the final price - Tesla is an exception. OEMs are losing a significant amount of money on electric vehicles. Therefore, cheaper batteries are not enough to offset the capital-intensive production of electric vehicles and the associated costs. Presumably, it may be several more years before consumers begin to see the benefits of falling battery prices.

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Injuries and safety violations are on the rise at the plant As Tesla prepares to begin delivering the first Cybertrucks to customers, reports from the Texas plant paint a rather disturbing picture, including explosions in the foundry and a robot that “attacked” a worker. The Information reported on a number of incidents that occurred at the Gigafactory in Austin, where one in 21 workers was injured in 2022. The data comes from mandatory injury reports that Tesla submits to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). During one incident in 2021, an engineer approached a robot whose arm was supposed to […]

Injuries and safety violations are on the rise at the plant As Tesla prepares to begin delivering the first Cybertrucks to customers, reports from the Texas plant paint a rather disturbing picture, including explosions in the foundry and a robot that "attacked" a worker. [caption id="attachment_84132" align="aligncenter" width="780"] Tesla[/caption] The Information reported on a number of incidents that occurred at the Gigafactory in Austin, where one in 21 workers was injured in 2022. The data comes from mandatory injury reports that Tesla submits to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). During one incident in 2021, an engineer approached a robot whose arm was supposed to be disabled, but ended up being grabbed and pinned against the wall. The witness said the engineer was bleeding from his back and arms, and after activating the emergency stop, the victim climbed out of the grip and fell into a chute designed to collect aluminum scrap, leaving a trail of blood. Tesla workers report explosions, bloody injuries and a robot “attack” at a factory in Texas The injury report Tesla submitted to the department mentions an incident involving the robot, but it doesn't quite match witness accounts. The report also does not indicate that the victim was given time to recover. In one other incident, in August 2022, a worker was hit by a trolley, injuring his ankle and leaving him out of work for 127 days. A few days later, another worker suffered a head injury that kept him out of action for 85 days. Then the incident reports continue to escalate. At least one worker suffered a concussion after being thrown back by an explosion in a foundry. The explosion was believed to have been caused by water accidentally entering an aluminum melting press. A witness said the explosion sent a cloud of fire and smoke into the air, damaged the press and "collapsed" the door. It is unclear whether Tesla reported this to OSHA, as the agency did not conduct an investigation into the case. Another worker claimed that the molding machine was not airtight and often “spitted out” molten metal. When the employee presented a solution to the problem, he was reprimanded, claiming that it would slow down production. In June, contractors installing metal grating for overhead walkways at the plant fell to the ground due to a lack of safety equipment. Part of the metal path fell on them, as a result of which they received fractures, and one had a punctured lung. As a result of the inspection, OSHA fined the contractors. This is not the only case of falls. According to TheInformation, air conditioning ducts, steel beams and other construction materials also fell near auto mechanics at the plant.

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A fairly affordable electric car from a famous brand Today, at the Guangzhou Motor Show, the premiere of Kia’s new electric car, the EV5, took place. This model is comparable in size to the Sportage, it is more powerful (the electric motor produces 217 hp), more modern and, interestingly, even cheaper. If in the USA they ask for 26.3 thousand dollars for a basic Sportage, then in China they ask for only 20.7 thousand dollars for a Kia EV5 (at the pre-order stage the car was more expensive – 22.1 thousand dollars). The Kia EV5 is built on the proprietary E-GMP platform […]

A fairly affordable electric car from a famous brand Today, at the Guangzhou Motor Show, the premiere of Kia’s new electric car, the EV5, took place. This model is comparable in size to the Sportage, it is more powerful (the electric motor produces 217 hp), more modern and, interestingly, even cheaper. If in the USA they ask for 26.3 thousand dollars for a basic Sportage, then in China they ask for only 20.7 thousand dollars for a Kia EV5 (at the pre-order stage the car was more expensive - 22.1 thousand dollars). [caption id="attachment_83075" align="aligncenter" width="780"] Kia EV5[/caption] [caption id="attachment_83076" align="aligncenter" width="780"] Kia EV5[/caption] The Kia EV5 is built on the proprietary E-GMP platform and is equipped with a traction battery with a capacity of 64.2 kWh from BYD. The declared range is 530 km. Later, a version with a power reserve of 720 km will appear, but how much it will cost is unknown. Sales of Kia EV5 have started [caption id="attachment_83077" align="aligncenter" width="780"] Kia EV5[/caption] In terms of appearance, the Kia EV5 resembles the flagship Kia EV9 model, and the cabin in front of the driver has the same dual-screen panel as the new Sorento, K5 or Carnival. It is also equipped with 7 airbags, a number of level 2+ driver assistance systems and even a 4-liter refrigerator. The media system is updated over the air, and inside and outside the crossover there are 220 V sockets for connecting various devices - from a laptop to home appliances.

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The country encourages the transition to new technologies The Japanese government plans to reduce corporate taxes for companies actively investing in various strategic sectors. We are talking about the production of innovative semiconductors, electric vehicles, and high-capacity storage batteries. According to information published by TASS with reference to Sankei, new legislation aimed at stimulating such investments is planned to be introduced in the 2024 financial year. Manufacturers of semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries and “green steel” The list of strategically important industries includes the development and production of aviation biofuel with low carbon dioxide emissions. Also included in the tax reduction are producers […]

The country encourages the transition to new technologies The Japanese government plans to reduce corporate taxes for companies actively investing in various strategic sectors. We are talking about the production of innovative semiconductors, electric vehicles, and high-capacity storage batteries. According to information published by TASS with reference to Sankei, new legislation aimed at stimulating such investments is planned to be introduced in the 2024 financial year. [caption id="attachment_82299" align="aligncenter" width="780"] electric vehicles[/caption] Manufacturers of semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries and “green steel” The list of strategically important industries includes the development and production of aviation biofuel with low carbon dioxide emissions. Also included in the tax reduction are producers of “green steel” with reduced carbon dioxide emissions and producers of “green chemicals” based on environmentally friendly materials. Japan plans to completely eliminate industrial and automobile carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, and by 2030 to reduce them by 46% compared to 2013 levels. These steps aim to create a more environmentally sustainable future economy.

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The country encourages the transition to new technologies The Japanese government plans to reduce corporate taxes for companies actively investing in various strategic sectors. We are talking about the production of innovative semiconductors, electric vehicles, and high-capacity storage batteries. According to information published by TASS with reference to Sankei, new legislation aimed at stimulating such investments is planned to be introduced in the 2024 financial year. Manufacturers of semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries and “green steel” The list of strategically important industries includes the development and production of aviation biofuel with low carbon dioxide emissions. Also included in the tax reduction are producers […]

The country encourages the transition to new technologies The Japanese government plans to reduce corporate taxes for companies actively investing in various strategic sectors. We are talking about the production of innovative semiconductors, electric vehicles, and high-capacity storage batteries. According to information published by TASS with reference to Sankei, new legislation aimed at stimulating such investments is planned to be introduced in the 2024 financial year. [caption id="attachment_82299" align="aligncenter" width="780"] electric vehicles[/caption] Manufacturers of semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries and “green steel” The list of strategically important industries includes the development and production of aviation biofuel with low carbon dioxide emissions. Also included in the tax reduction are producers of “green steel” with reduced carbon dioxide emissions and producers of “green chemicals” based on environmentally friendly materials. Japan plans to completely eliminate industrial and automobile carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, and by 2030 to reduce them by 46% compared to 2013 levels. These steps aim to create a more environmentally sustainable future economy.