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5 Helpful Tips To Maximize EV Range In Winter And Snow

Driving EVs in snowy winters can be immensely challenging. Therefore, it is great to know a few tricks and tips to ensure minimal impact of the cold on your EVs. In this blog post, we shall offer 5 crucial tips to maximize your EV range during winter and snow. Driving an EV can be worrisome anyway due to the lack of adequate charging infrastructure and range anxiety. However, things exacerbate further during the peak winter season when the temperatures drop significantly below 0 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately, all Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures. You would’ve noticed this with your smartphones and laptops too. As a result, EVs tend to offer considerably lower range on a single charge during adverse weather conditions. Still, there are a few measures that EV owners could adopt in order to minimize the impact of snow or extremely low temperatures on their EVs. You might also like: Study Shows EVs Can Be More Cost-Effective Than ICE Cars In Some Locations 5 Tips To Maximize EV Range In Winter & Snow Preheat Battery One of the most effective methods to tackle the issue of low range during winter conditions is to pre-heat the battery. Some modern cars come with a heat pump which ensures that the temperature of the battery remains in an optimal range. Also, while the electric car is plugged in, the battery of the car gets in a perfect temperature range even before the owner commences the drive. In that way, the battery won’t draw additional power to do this task of maintaining its optimal temperature. AC Temperature Yet another way to reduce the power consumption of the EV battery during harsh cold is to use the heat produced by the car to warm the cabin. Most people crank up the blower to the maximum in order to heat the cabin space. However, a slightly more nuanced and prudent technique is to use heated seats and steering wheel to keep yourself warm. That will consume much less power from the battery, in turn maximizing the range. Obviously, your EV needs to have this function from the factory. You might also like: 1,300 hp BYD YANGWANG U9 Is Ready To Redefine Electric Supercar Segment Tires A significantly underrated aspect while calculating the range of EVs is the tires. In fact, we feel that car owners don’t pay enough attention to tires in general. In the case of snow or harsh winter conditions, generally, the tire pressure drops. That leads to a situation where higher power is needed to move the car. Hence, more battery is consumed in the process. Therefore, you must ensure that the tire pressure in your car is appropriate at all times. Also, it helps to use dedicated snow tires. Speed Unlike ICE cars where high speed means high engine efficiency, the range of EVs deteriorates exponentially as the speed increases. This is due to higher wind resistance and drag coefficient. The battery gets depleted at a higher rate at high vehicle speeds. Therefore, driving at moderate speeds can boost the overall range of EVs substantially on a single charge. Eco Mode Finally, if your EV comes with drive modes, it is advisable to use Eco mode to maximize range. In peak winters or snowy conditions, you wouldn’t want exquisite performance and high-speed scenarios with your EVs anyway. Therefore, switching to Eco mode will limit the power produced by an EV, in turn, saving the battery from getting empty quickly. Hence, it is a great way to use the drive modes in an EV. You might also like: EV Makers Reconsidering Their Ambitious Plans, Was Toyota Right All Along? Learn Electric Cars Says Extremely low temperatures slow down the reaction inside an EV battery. That is the reason why charging EVs becomes extremely slow, while the battery loses range rapidly. There are many parts of the world where the temperatures get way below 0 degrees Celsius. Arguably, the most prominent market is Norway where around 82% of total EV sales in 2023 were electric cars. Norway experiences one of the harshest winters in the world. Still, due to the aforementioned practices, they are able to navigate their way to ensure that using EVs remains practical and feasible. Hence, it is possible to use EVs effectively even in harsh winters with proper planning.

Study Shows EVs Can Be More Cost-Effective Than ICE Cars In Some Locations

2 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

A study by the University of Michigan deep dives into various aspects of EV ownership to arrive at a tangible conclusion. As per the latest study by researchers at the University of Michigan, interesting facts come to light with regard to just how cost-effective EVs can be in comparison to ICE cars. The debate about the ownership costs of electric and gasoline cars has been going on for a while now. Granted, there are a multitude of moving variables in this equation. Still, we can start with a few generalizations to comprehend the entire picture. Now, ownership of EVs is a multi-faceted phenomenon. It consists of myriad factors including the initial purchase cost, fast-charging and home-charging habits, location, incentives by the central and federal governments, cost of electricity, daily usage, climate conditions, driving mannerisms, service costs, battery replacement costs, etc. Still, EVs have been around for long enough to incorporate all these aspects into our calculation to develop an effective hypothesis. Taking all these dimensions into consideration, the researchers at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability achieved some intriguing revelations. You might also like: EV Makers Reconsidering Their Ambitious Plans, Was Toyota Right All Along? EVs vs ICE Cars – Who Is More Cost-Effective? This study took into account 14 cities in the United States of America and analyzed the cost of ownership associated with gasoline, hybrid and electric cars. Published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology, their research reveals that while gasoline vehicles are typically cheaper to buy initially, electric vehicles prove to be more cost-effective in the long run due to reduced maintenance, repair, and fuel expenses. Whether an electric vehicle will become financially equivalent to a comparable gasoline vehicle depends on various factors, including the location of vehicle operation, charging and driving habits, as well as the size and range of the vehicle. The key findings were: Role Of Location The study concluded that location can prove to play a bigger role in calculating the actual cost of ownership of any car than you would imagine. In the 14 cities examined, the total ownership cost of an electric midsize SUV fluctuated by $52,000—representing nearly a 40% variation—over the vehicle’s entire lifespan. New York City and Detroit incurred the highest insurance expenses. Among gasoline vehicles, refuelling proved most costly in San Francisco and Los Angeles, while it was least expensive in Houston and Dallas. Conversely, charging electric vehicles proved most expensive in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston, but least expensive in Atlanta, Chicago, and Cleveland. You might also like: Are EVs Really More Troublesome Than Non-Plug-In Hybrid Cars? Vehicle Type And Battery Size The other key aspect of ownership of cars is the vehicle and battery size. In all 14 cities examined, small and low-range electric vehicles are more affordable than gas vehicles of similar size. However, larger, long-range EVs tend to be pricier compared to their gasoline counterparts, while midsize EVs may achieve cost parity in certain cities. Charging Parameters Arguably, the most direct factor to calculate the cost of EV ownership is the charging process. Various charging habits significantly influence the total cost of ownership. When compared to utilizing public charging stations, home charging reduces lifetime expenses by an average of $10,000, with potential savings reaching up to $26,000, even after factoring in charger installation costs. In numerous cities, time-of-use electricity rates are available, providing discounted rates for overnight vehicle charging—a vital aspect for prospective electric vehicle owners to consider. Incentives And Subsidies Finally, many governments across the globe, are lending financial aid in order to promote mass EV adoption. That is the main attraction for the fence-sitters to go for an EV today. In the US, federal incentives, including the $7,500 federal tax credit, play a crucial role in hastening the break-even point between electric vehicles and gasoline vehicles. In certain cities, federal incentives can be supplemented with several thousand dollars in state and local incentives. Senior Author, Gregory Keoleian said, “Our findings show that electric vehicles can be cost-competitive with gasoline vehicles for the 14 cities we studied across the US. In addition to charging cost advantages for electric vehicles over gasoline fueling costs, there are lower maintenance and repair costs.” Lead author Maxwell Woody concluded by saying, “The cost difference between electric and gasoline vehicles depends on many individual and regional factors. Right now, an EV is less expensive for some users in some locations but there are strategies that both users and the government can take to make EVs less expensive for more users and in more locations.” You might also like: Are EVs With 1000 km Range Still A Distant Reality? Learn Electric Cars Says It is quite obvious that there is still a long way to go before we can truly fathom the EV ownership cost in its entirety. Nevertheless, with EV sales at an all-time high, it makes sense to invest some time to analyze the data which is available to us at the moment. Sure, things are bound to evolve in future. Still, at this point in time, we must consider various scenarios to see if this electric metamorphosis seems feasible and sustainable for the mass public. At least with such studies, many aspects come to the light for everyone to consider and analyze. Hence, the question of whether EVs are more cost-effective than ICE cars can only be answered relatively at the moment.

EV Makers Reconsidering Their Ambitious Plans, Was Toyota Right All Along?

8 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

Many legacy automobile companies are backtracking on the ambitious plans to go full electric either toward the end of this decade or sometime in the coming decade. The ‘electric’ plans of legacy car makers to have a 100% EV portfolio in the coming years are beginning to look overstated. In the heat of the moment, the last couple of years witnessed auto giants jumping onto the EV bandwagon without any reservations. They wanted to transform their entire production facilities and portfolios to strictly offer electric cars in the coming decade. However, Toyota was never convinced about this idea. In fact, it has been receiving a lot of flak for it in recent times. The Japanese auto giant has been immensely bullish on hybrid and hydrogen cars. Interestingly, many legacy car marques initially thought of skipping the hybrid powertrains, citing them a waste of resources and time when the end goal was to ultimately go for complete electrification. But in just a couple of years, car companies are beginning to think that the sales might not keep rising exponentially for a sustained period. Mercedes-Benz is the latest legacy luxury carmaker to join this fray and announced that it might continue to offer its ICE cars for longer than previously thought. You might also like: Are EVs With 1000 km Range Still A Distant Reality? Plans Of EV Makers Too Ambitious? According to the latest Reuters report, Mercedes-Benz announced it’s pushing back its plan to switch to electric cars by five years. It promised investors it will continue to improve its traditional petrol engine cars. This makes Mercedes-Benz the latest car company to admit that people aren’t buying electric cars as quickly as expected. Now, Mercedes-Benz predicts that half of its cars will be electric or hybrid by 2030. This is five years later than what they said in 2021. Back then, they wanted half of their cars to be electric by 2025, with most of them being fully electric. Ola Källenius, Chairman and CEO at Mercedes-Benz said, “It is almost like we will have a new lineup in 2027 that will take us well into the 2030s.” This is a clear indication that the German luxury carmaker had overestimated the popularity and mass EV adoption. You might also like: Are EVs Really More Troublesome Than Non-Plug-In Hybrid Cars? Carmakers Who Are Reconsidering Their EV Plans There are some eminent names on this list. For instance, Ford had been cutting the production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. Moreover, reduced interest from the customers and dealers for the famed Mach-E has been detrimental in Ford having to reconsider its EV production plans. Another American auto giant, GM has also been re-assessing the situation. GM CEO, Mary Barra is also acknowledging that hybrids might be the way forward, at least in the near future. She remarked, “Deploying plug-in technology in strategic segments will deliver some of the environmental benefits of EVs as the nation continues to build its charging infrastructure.” Automobile giants like Volkswagen also wanted to skip the entire hybrid route to offer EVs directly. Recently, even Volvo announced that it will be pulling future investments from its popular EV company, Polestar. It was only firms like Stellantis, Toyota, Hyundai Motor Group (including Hyundai, Kia and Genesis), who are incorporating hybrid cars into their portfolios across many international markets. They feel that the path to complete electrification will pass through hybrid powertrains. You might also like: Top Reasons For High Interest Rates On EV Loans Learn Electric Cars Says These news reports might be a bit confusing since the overall EV sales in 2023 has been significantly higher in contrast to 2022. However, we must understand that while the overall sales is increasing quite rapidly, the long terms goals are looking bloated and over-ambitious. It is not like electric cars are not selling. In fact, with the constant development of EV charging infrastructure and enticing incentives from governments all over the world, EVs are gaining prominence. With time, even the prices of the electric cars are going doing due to the mass availability of Lithium-ion batteries and huge volume production. But the anticipated sales figures for the end of this decade or the middle of the next decade might not come to fruition. It would be intriguing to witness if hybrid cars provide a better intermediary foundation to facilitate mass EV adoption by the end of the next decade with revised plans from auto makers.

Why Are Interest Rates on EV Loans Higher

Top Reasons For High Interest Rates On EV Loans

2 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

While there are numerous reports regarding the promotional government policies for mass EV adoption, the financial institutions are not exactly on the same page due to some specific reasons. If you ever went to a financial institution to apply for EV loans, you would know that the interest rates are generally high. In fact, they are not just higher than the on ICE cars, but the repayment tenures are also shorter. An intriguing report published in SSRN dives deep into the specifics on how the terms and conditions of EV loans compare to the loans for regular cars. This study analysed the data of 15 million car loans in 11 European countries between January 2010 and August 2021. The findings are surprising, to say the least! You might also like: Are EVs With 1000 km Range Still A Distant Reality? High Interest Rates On EV Loans This report is co-authored by Jan Bena (University of British Columbia), Bo Bian (University of British Columbia) and Huan Tang (University of Pennsylvania) and titled “Financing the Global Shift to Electric Mobility“. The financing patterns that are present in this report are valid for Europe but the authors found the same trends in the USA as well. The crux of the findings was that, “compared to non-electric models in the same car family, EVs are financed with higher interest rates, lower loan-to-value ratios and shorter loan durations. That “financing gap” occurs because lenders price in the risks they perceive in obsolescence caused by rapid advances in EV technology.” The chief reasons for this are: You might also like: Are EVs Really More Troublesome Than Non-Plug-In Hybrid Cars? Learn Electric Cars Says The findings of this thoroughly extensive report are quite surprising. It helps us perceive different challenges to mass EV adoption than the ones we are often used to hearing. Interestingly, not much is being discussed about the financing side of adopting EVs apart from the initial prices, running costs and the battery costs. This report brings to light the challenges associated with getting a new EV financed. With more such information coming out, we hope that the governments will look into the economics of owning EVs from this perspective too.

Top 5 Reasons Why EV Sales Are Rapidly Rising

1 Comment / Featured / By LEC Team

All of the biggest global markets experienced a massive surge in EVs sales in 2023 in comparison to the year prior to that. While it might seem obvious, but we shall dive deep into the 5 prominent reasons why EV sales are rising globally. There are various aspects to decipher this situation. EV technology is still in its infancy. Therefore, a natural progression is meant to be there. Also, there are hardly any other feasible mass market options available to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce dependence of coal-burning fossil fuels. Electrification is the widely accepted norm to reduce vehicular pollution and create a positive impact on the environment in the mobility domain. Now, there are innumerable challenges associated with it. Despite that, it looks like the only viable and widely applicable solution out there at the moment. Therefore, we understand both sides of the argument regarding the mass adoption of EVs. But the following points have worked in favor of electric cars. You might also like: Are EVs Really More Troublesome Than Non-Plug-In Hybrid Cars? 5 Reasons For Rising EV Sales Development Of Charging Infrastructure Charging infrastructure is the single biggest concern among potential EV buyers today. In fact, it has been the point of contention since the inception of this EV revolution. However, in recent times, carmakers, private players and governments have been working in tandem to create the entire ecosystem around charging infrastructure rapidly across the globe. That has boosted the EV sales significantly as people get more comfortable driving on long journeys knowing that a charging station will be in the vicinity at most times. Still, one must plan ahead! New Models From Carmakers In comparison to just a couple of years ago, there are substantially more EV models on sale today. Again, that is true for all major international markets. There are primarily two approaches car companies are adopting – converting the existing ICE cars into EVs without charging the architecture and other components, OR, creating new EVs from the scratch on a dedicated bespoke platform. In any case, the EV portfolios of major car marques are much more diverse today, than a couple of years ago. Hence, the potential car buyers have much more options at their disposal. That is a huge reason why EV sales are rising lately. You might also like: Nyobolt Battery Can Charge Fully In Just 6 Minutes Affordability Another critical factor hindering mass adoption of EVs is, and has been, the price. EVs are typically 1.5 times more expensive than a comparable ICE car. This is due to the high costs of the batteries, which constitute around 40% of an EV’s total cost. As per the data from Statista, EV batteries used to cost an average of $780 per kWh in 2013. This has drastically reduced to just $139 per kWh in 2023. Hence, one could evidently witness such a huge drop in battery price in a matter of a decade. We can only assume what would happen in the coming decade. A price of under $100 per kWh will be ideal for mass adoption. Tackling Range Anxiety With every new technology, there is an initial hesitation in mass adoption. That is particularly true with EVs since they are the medium of transportation. If anything goes wrong, EV owners can potentially be left stranded on the road. Hence, most people thought that extremely long range is needed in electric cars. However, as people get more used to living with EVs, their behavior and habits change. They now understand that fast charging times and availability of charging stations can be a great substitute for colossal batteries offering astronomically long range figures. New EV Battery Technologies Finally, another notable reason why EV sales are rising so sharply is the introduction of new EV battery technologies. Now, car companies and battery manufacturers are investing heavily into making the batteries better in terms of efficiency, charging times, cell chemistry (components) and energy density. All these combined, modern EVs are significantly more efficient in contrast to the EVs of, let’s say, a few years ago. With the passage of time and more R&D in this space, future EVs promise to be even more efficient. You might also like: Silicone Anode Holds Immense Potential For Next-Gen EV Batteries Learn Electric Cars Says In spite of the challenges with the mass adoption of EVs, more and more people are embracing them. With many large economies already announcing ambitious plans to reduce their carbon footprint and get rid of internal combustion engines in the coming decades, electrification of mobility looks like the only alternate path. The prices of gasoline and diesel are constantly rising too. At the same time, the EV battery prices are getting lower. This is bound to result in a wider EV adoption across the board in times to come.

EVs are more problematic than hybrid and gasoline cars

Are EVs Really More Troublesome Than Non-Plug-In Hybrid Cars?

5 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

A 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study by J.D. Power found that EVs and plug-in hybrids encounter more problems than hybrid and gasoline cars. In an intriguing J.D. Power report, it was concluded that EVs and plug-in hybrids can be more troublesome than non-plug-in hybrid and gasoline cars. However, the reason is not the powertrains but the infrastructure surrounding them. Among various car categories, electric cars, electric SUVs and electric pickup trucks are the least-reliable categories which were a part of this survey. Here are the detailed findings of this report. You might also like: Tesla Cybertruck vs Porsche 911 Turbo S Drag Race – Guess Who Wins EVs More Troublesome Than Non-Plug-In Hybrid Cars This report takes into consideration the ownership experience of the first three years. That is a fairly substantial time period for people to know the intricacies of their vehicles. The results were quite surprising. EV owners reported 256 problems per 100 vehicles, while plug-in hybrid car owners had to face 216 problems per 100 vehicles. On the other end of the spectrum, the non-plug-in hybrid cars scored a relatively better 191 problems per 100 vehicles, whereas the gasoline cars encountered 187 problems per 100 vehicles. Interestingly, infotainment problems and annoyance with driver-assist alerts were among the most prevalent issues with EV car owners. You might also like: Nyobolt Battery Can Charge Fully In Just 6 Minutes Unique Problem With EVs While the issues pertaining to the infotainment and driver-assist functions were well-established even last year, a new problem has appeared which is bothering the EV owners the most. Due to the significantly heavier weight of the EVs, 39% owners reported replacing the tires within the last 12 months which is 19 percentage points higher than gasoline cars. That is the new finding on this report and something that the potential EV buyers should keep in mind. You might also like: Hyundai To Launch New EV Brand In China; Plans 5 EVs In 3 Years Learn Electric Cars Says Even though the sales of EVs across the globe is at an all-time high and the adoption is taking place at an unprecedented rate, we are still at a relatively nascent stage of mass adoption in the long run. As EV owners spend more time with their vehicles, many new aspects regarding the ownership experience will come to light. These could be positive, as well as negative. But it is great to know these prior to making the decision to go electric.

Tesla Cybertruck vs Porsche 911 Turbo S Drag Race – Guess Who Wins

4 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

We have seen the viral video of the Tesla Cybertruck drag racing a regular Porsche 911 carrying a Porsche 911 in its cargo. Well, things are a bit more ‘comparable’ this time around! This drag race competition between a Tesla Cybertruck and Porsche 911 Turbo S is intriguing. Drag races are common among automobile content creators around the globe. In essence, these compare the real-life acceleration of vehicles in a straight line. However, we won’t recommend our readers to try them. These content creators (well, most of them) exercise safety precautions to ensure the health of their cars, as well as everyone around. Therefore, please refrain from performing such stunts on your own. For now, let us check out who comes out on top on this occasion. You might also like: Rivian R1T Modified For Off-Road w/ 38-inch Tires, 350 mi Range Tesla Cybertruck vs Porsche 911 Turbo S Drag Race This exhilarating competition has been conducted and documented by Throttle House on YouTube. The duo is on a drag strip with these special automobiles. On one hand, the Cycbertruck, in the Cyberbeast mode, is one of the quickest and the most capable electric trucks on the planet. On the other, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is a benchmark when it comes to hard-accelerating sportscars. Hence, a race between these two would excite any automobile aficionado in the world. On the count of three, both drivers press the accelerator as hard as they could. At the launch, it looked like the 911 lagged slightly as the Cybertruck zoomed past it. However, as the speeds got higher, the Porsche was getting into its own. In fact, that is when the electric pickup truck encountered massive drag due to its size despite the company claiming its aerodynamic efficiency. As a result, the German performance car was able to overtake the American EV and emerge victorious quite convincingly. At high speeds, the electric pickup truck just stands no chance. Thereafter, the duo also decided to conduct a rolling acceleration test. It followed the same trajectory as the regular drag race. The EV took the lead briefly until the drag resistance created an issue. That is when the Porsche overtook it yet again. Just like before, the 911 Turbo S emerged as the undisputed winner of this competition. In any case, credit must be given to the colossal Cybertruck for keeping up with one of the fastest vehicles in the world for such a long time. You might also like: Wheel Cover Of Tesla Cybertruck Has A Unique Problem Specs Comparison The Tesla Cybertruck in this race was in its top-of-the-line iteration with a tri-motor setup generating a mammoth 845 hp (630 kW) of peak power. The wheel torque is a whopping 10,296 lb ft (13,969 Nm). It weighs 6,843 lbs (3,104 kg). On the other hand, the Porsche 911 Turbo S has a 3.7-liter twin-turbo flat-six mill which churns out a colossal 640 hp (478 kW) and 590 lb ft (800 Nm) of peak power and torque. The sportscar weighs in at 3,616 lbs (1,640 kg). Specs Comparison Tesla Cybertruck Porsche 911 Turbo S Engine Tri-Motor AWD 3.7L twin-turbo flat-six AWD Power 845 hp (630 kW) 640 hp (478 kW) Torque 10,296 lb ft (13,969 Nm) – Wheel 590 lb ft (800 Nm) Weight 6,843 lbs (3,104 kg) 3,616 lbs (1,640 kg) Specs You might also like: MWM Spartan EV 2.0 Offers G-Wagon-Like Capabilities Based On Indian Force Gurkha Learn Electric Cars Says Now, while drag races can be a bit subjective every time, this one seemed reasonable. The fact that the front fascia of the Cybertruck is flat and large, is bound to pose a problem to the aerodynamic efficiency at high speeds. Still, to compete with a drag monster like the Porsche 911 Turbo S is no mean feat. Hence, even though the Cybertruck lost this race, it definitely won the respect of everyone watching. Finally, we would again like to caution our readers to never attempt such drag races with your own cars. Stay safe and prioritize your safety!

Modified Rivian R1T Front Three Quarters

Rivian R1T Modified For Off-Road w/ 38-inch Tires, 350 mi Range

3 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

As the popularity and demand for electric pickup trucks surge, aftermarket car modification houses are coming up with enticing ways to customize them thoroughly. The Rivian R1T electric pickup truck has been aptly modified for off-road use by a prominent truck specialist. This reminds us of all sorts of modified diesel pickup trucks in the past. We are at a point where there are enough electric pickup trucks on the roads that their owners are looking for ways to customize them as per their needs. Rivian is a major American EV startup which develops electric pickups and SUVs for relatively hardcore applications. Let us glance at all the details on the R1T in this blog post. You might also like: Nyobolt Battery Can Charge Fully In Just 6 Minutes Rivian R1T Modified For Off-Road The visuals of this uniquely altered Rivian truck stem from South Florida Jeeps on YouTube. They capture the modified electric pickup truck in real-world conditions. It has been put to the test through challenging off-roading trails including water bodies. The Rivian looks quite unfazed by anything in its path. Having a look at the website of this car shop, we get to know the details of the kind of mods this monster truck gets. You might also like: MWM Spartan EV 2.0 Offers G-Wagon-Like Capabilities Based On Indian Force Gurkha Details Of Modifications The design house is calling this Rivian Apocalypse Nirvana. There are a bunch of aesthetic, as well as performance enhancements. These include: You might also like: How Is Formula E Helping Legacy Carmakers Build Better EV Technologies Learn Electric Cars Says Rivian is slowly but surely grabbing significant market share in the face of fierce competition. It is a worthy alternative to the likes of the Ford Lightning F-150, Chevy Silverado EV and the recently launched Tesla Cybertruck. It offers some distinct USPs including the price point to attract new customers. As the EV revolution intensifies, we will see more and more electric pickup trucks in the market. With the assurance of such aftermarket modifications houses for EVs as well, mass adoption looks more likely than ever.

How Is Formula E Helping Legacy Carmakers Build Better EV Technologies

4 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

Formula E allows established carmakers to use it as a testing lab for new technologies to make EVs more efficient and powerful, and offer incredible regenerative braking abilities. The Formula E racing acts as a testing lab for legacy carmakers to test their innovative EV technologies. Essentially, the budget that car marques allocate for R&D and testing, can be alternately used to devise technologies for Formula E cars. The races are the actual testing grounds. In fact, it is a bigger stamp of validation than any other road testing. Hence, participating in Formula E could be critical for carmakers to come up with effective ways to create methods to address the concerns in electric cars. You might also like: Stellantis Invests In Affordable Sodium-Ion Battery Technology Formula E EV Technologies Note that Formula E is the first sport in the world which has been Net Zero Carbon since the beginning. As a part of Formula E, there are 16 races across 10 cities in 4 continents. The car used for this race is called GEN3. It is the most efficient race car. The GEN3 car is designed for use in the FIA Formula E Championship. Formula E cars commence each race with a battery capacity of only 60%, necessitating the generation of the remaining capacity through braking. This process aids in the development of more efficient motors, inverters, and software, contributing to enhanced performance and extended range. Therefore, car companies need to develop insanely efficient regenerative braking systems to be able to recoup enough energy to complete the race. That is as challenging an environment as it gets. You might also like: How Do Heat Pumps Function In EVs? Which Carmakers Are A Part Of Formula E? There are some top names on this list including: A few prominent German carmakers have taken the alternative route of regular R&D. For instance, BMW quit Formula E back in 2021. Similarly, Mercedes-Benz is focusing its sustainability efforts on its F1 team. Therefore, we must understand that Formula E is not the only way. Also, it becomes clear that carmakers are adopting multiple techniques to arrive at the same destination. You might also like: Hyundai Unveils ‘Active Air Skirt’ Tech To Increase EV Range And Power Learn Electric Cars Says Car manufacturers are actively pursuing software innovation to develop superior mass-production electric vehicles with improved performance, extended range, and increased efficiency. The recent breakthroughs in motorsports hold significant potential for efficient integration into mainstream models, ultimately contributing to a potential reduction in EV prices for consumers. Formula E founder Alejandro Agag notes that manufacturers view Formula E as a testing ground for technologies, particularly emphasizing the advancements made in fast charging by participating teams.

Which EVs Use Tesla Superchargers?

6 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

Throughout the last year, numerous carmakers have announced their association with Tesla to use the latter’s trademark Superchargers. We have compiled a list of all the carmakers and their EVs which are eligible to use Tesla Superchargers. Various car marques have collaborated with the largest EV maker on the planet to use the latter’s charging network. Note that most EVs use a CCS (Combined Charging Standard) plug, while the Tesla cars use a NACS (North American Charging Standard) plug. However, using an adapter (Magic Dock), even non-Tesla EVs can charge at Tesla Supercharging stations. You might also like: Would You Buy A Used Tesla Model 3 For $13,700? Which EVs Use Tesla Superchargers? The list of carmakers who have signed up with Tesla to use its charging infrastructure saw a massive increase within the last couple of years in general and last year in particular. Lucid Motors becomes the latest EV company to shake hands with the American EV maker to allow its electric cars to utilize the dense Tesla charging network. In fact, legacy carmakers, as well as EV startups are announcing that their new EV models will come with NACS plugs from the factory. The list of carmakers includes: You might also like: Tesla Recalls 200,000 EVs Due To Reverse Parking Camera Issue How Many Tesla Superchargers Will Be Shared? It is critical to understand that not all Tesla Superchargers can be used by non-Tesla cars. At the moment, only 12,000 Supercharging ports out of 17,000 are available for non-Tesla cars. These are the V3 Superchargers which have been installed after 2019. The ones prior to that don’t support charging via the Magic Dock adapter. Most car companies have plans to commence this partnership by mid-2024. Most 2025 models of EVs from the aforementioned auto companies will come with NACS support from the factory. You might also like: Tesla Cybertruck Issues With CCS Adapter, Slow Charging Learn Electric Cars Says The ultimate aim of this collaboration is to extend accessibility to all EV owners and to develop an ecosystem with minimal range anxiety. Just by having an adapter, millions of electric car owners will have peace of mind, knowing that they can stop at just about any charging station to juice up their automobiles. Apart from that, many carmakers, private charging infrastructure players and governments across the globe are investing heavily in the development of the ecosystem around EVs. All these factors will combine immensely to enable mass adoption of EVs at a faster rate.

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