Rivian Confirms Plans To Expand Beyond U.S. | 11 July 2021

Episode 1140,   Jul 11, 2021, 11:00 AM

Today’s big EV stories:
• Tesla delivers ‘Full Self-Driving’ Beta Version 9
• EU Commission plans charging infrastructure requirements
• Rivian Officially Confirms 2022 European Sales Plans
• MG topples Tesla as every second car sold in Sweden now electric
• 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Spied With Digital Side Mirrors
• Volvo's C40 Recharge is a solid second stab at an EV
• Question Of The Week Answers

Show #1140.
 
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Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Sunday 11th July. 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.
 
TESLA DELIVERS ‘FULL SELF-DRIVING’ BETA VERSION 9
 
- Tesla began sending out over-the-air software updates for its long-awaited “Full Self-Driving” beta version 9, the definitely-not-autonomous-but-certainly-advanced driver assist system.
 
- the software update (2021.4.18.12) began uploading after midnight on Friday, giving thousands of Tesla owners who have purchased the FSD option access to the feature
 
- Musk has been promising v9 of the software for, well, a while now. He said in 2018 that the “long awaited” version of FSD would begin rolling out in August. He did it again in 2019, proclaiming that “a year from now” there would be “over a million cars with full self-driving, software, everything.” Earlier this month, he claimed that “FSD 9 beta is shipping soon.”
 
- Release notes included with the update warn testers that “it may do the wrong thing at the worst time” and to avoid complacence. They also mention improvements to the cabin camera’s driver monitoring to check for attentiveness, along with updated, larger visualizations on the in-car display
 
 
EU COMMISSION PLANS CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS
 
- According to a media report, the EU Commission is planning to give the member states concrete requirements for the expansion of the charging infrastructure as part of the eagerly awaited “Fit for 55” climate package. The package is to be published on 14 July.
 
- the Commission wants to oblige the states to guarantee at least one high-performance charging station at intervals of no more than 60 kilometres along the most important European motorways by the end of 2025.
 
- For heavy transport, the member states are also to ensure that there is a hydrogen filling station every 150 kilometres. The draft regulation on the infrastructure for alternative fuels also contains precise specifications on how powerful the charging stations must be in the years 2025, 2030 and 2035.
 
 
RIVIAN OFFICIALLY CONFIRMS 2022 EUROPEAN SALES PLANS
 
- Rivian is already making plans to begin European sales in 2022. The company has confirmed it will deliver both its R1T electric pickup truck and R1S three-row SUV in Europe, with orders opening in "Early 2022." This information came from Rivian Owners Forum via an email from Rivian's Customer Engagement Center to a potential customer in Europe. The email says to expect Rivian sales in Europe "some time in early 2022". The forum shared:
 
"Rivian's plans for Europe have been under speculation for the past few months when it was reported that they were looking for factory locations in the United Kingdom, Germany and Hungary along with job posting to hire a "Senior Analyst, EMEA Delivery & Field Planning" (EMEA = Europe, Middle East & Africa". There was also a rumour that there could be smaller Rivian models for European and Chinese markets."
 
 
MG TOPPLES TESLA AS EVERY SECOND CAR SOLD IN SWEDEN NOW ELECTRIC
 
- Every second passenger car sold in Sweden in June was a plug-in electric vehicle – either a full battery EV or plug-in hybrid EV – with the Chinese made budget MG ZS EV beating the Tesla Model 3 to the top selling spot.
 
- Before a sweeping shift in the country’s tax code came into effect at the start of July, Swedish EV sales skyrocketed as vehicles registered before the tax change will be taxed according to the old rate.
 
- June sale of EVs was likely juiced by a number of fleet-owners and dealers self-registering plug-in models so as to take advantage of the old rate.
 
- The consistent changes and fluctuations in Sweden’s tax code and EV sales has nevertheless pushed the country’s EV market to be just as large as neighbouring Norway
 
- less than 100 units separated Sweden from becoming Scandinavia’s largest plug-in new passenger car market, with Norway registering 69,367 units and Sweden 69,280.
 
 
 
 
2023 HYUNDAI IONIQ 6 SPIED WITH DIGITAL SIDE MIRRORS
 
 
VOLVO'S C40 RECHARGE IS A SOLID SECOND STAB AT AN EV

 
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
 
JAN TORE from EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM
As the perfect match of comfort, practicality, performance and price, my choice of car on the market today is the Volvo XC40, and I would be happy to drive it for another three years. The best seats, a lot of space – at least for our use, possibilities for our kayaks on the roof, possible to drag a trailer when needed, good enough range and charging speed, good infotainment system and a very safe car. 
 
I did sign up for a subscription of an XC40 with Care by Volvo in January, and the plan was to have it for some mounts and then change it to another of the EVs. But I still have the car and don’t want to change it. So instead, I did book a Fjord Blue C40, the perfect vehicle and colour for driving around Norway next year. If I get it, I will drive the C40 from Fredrikstad in the south of Norway to Tromsø or maybe further north in the end of November.  
 
RAJEEV NARAYAN
If I had to have only one car, for me it would have be a Tesla model Y. I drive about 80 miles a day and our non-Tesla DCFC infrastructure here in Texas is still very poor. For longer trips we use our PHEV Volt. My Chevy Bolt has over a 100K miles on it, and in fact I am looking at the model Y to replace it next year.
 
GRANTON SMITH
I already have it (Tesla Model 3 SR+), although this is a compromise car for me because being in good Ol' Fossil Fuel lovin' Australia - we're not exactly spoiled for choice. At the present time, I would not seriously consider anything other than a Tesla, because of the Supercharger network. Nothing comes even remotely close to the convenience, and the sheer number of charging stations - I can get wherever I need to go using a combination of the SC network, and the currently free NRMA rapid charger network - yes, even in a country as big as Australia (I live in the Central West of NSW)
 
NICK CHRISTEN
Sadly, my answer is 0. there is nothing large enough for my family (we have 8 kids; there is no suburban or other large vehicle that is electric currently…at least not in the US)
 
DAVID JOHNSON
I actually answered this in real life with my 3 year lease for the Toyota Prius Prime.
Here in Central NY State we don't have lots of charging options.  A PHEV made perfect sense in terms of satisfying my daily driving needs (98% EV only miles so far) and an ability to take impromptu road trips without any planning or apprehension.
I'm currently getting 4.9 mi/KWh which is nearly 20% better than a Tesla and don't really miss the longer range.  If my ~33 mi range could go to 50 or 70 mi, I don't think I'd ever need any more than that.
 
MICHAEL LULCHAK
I would go for the Tesla Model Y Long Range.  The range of the Mach E is disappointing, and the price of the Mach E is close enough to the Tesla that we would be silly to purchase the Mach E.   .  The problems that Hyundai have had with batteries, and how they have (NOT) handled it suggests to me that their user experience has not changed for the better.  So the hyundai (and by association the Kia) are not options for us.  At all.
 
MARK RICHARDS
I currently drive a Bolt, but I am looking to buy an Ioniq 5 AWD when available this fall. f I had to buy an EV today and drive it for 3 years, I’d probably go pick up a Bolt EUV.  Small, fast, and now has ACC, Lane Keep, and even super cruise.  Second choice would be the ID.4, BUT in the USA we only have the anemic 200HP 0-60 in 8.5 second version available today.
 
ATLE YRI
The only car for three years. I would stick with the car I already have: VW ID.4 1st Max. Plenty of space for both luggage and people. Long range and charges quickly should there be a need for it. Very comfortable, lots of new technology and it gets better with each upgrade that comes OTA.
 
RON BARBER, SAN JOSE
The current trophy holder of the Electric Cannon Ball Run. From Jan 1, 2021. Porsche Taycan 4S. Reasons: 1. Vehicle Dynamics, 2. Build Quality, 3. Charging Speed 260-270kW to 43%.
 
BRENDAN HUTCHINS
I’d still wait for my Cybertruck reservation and try to get by without it until it’s out. I’m so unbelievably excited for it.    If for some reason I couldn’t wait, I’d buy the Ford Lightning, cause even though I hate the look of it, I do love the vehicle to grid ability and more. 
 
MARK ORRICO
I’m quite pleased with my Niro, and I am stuck with it for 3 years as it’s a lease. Any car in my price range currently available I’d probably stick with the Niro truthfully. If I was going to get away from my price range definitely the Porsche Taycan, it like the turbo s but would accept any one of them. 
 
QUESTION OF THE WEEK WITH EMOBILITYNORWAY.COM
 
What’s your ideal stop time on a long distance road trip? Whether you’re driving an EV or not, how long would you usually be stationary? Let’s find out how far away we are from EVs being a non-issue for extended driving.
 
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Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, I’ll catch you tomorrow and remember…there’s no such thing as a self-charging hybrid.
 
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