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91.5% of All Cars Sold in Norway in March 2024 Were Electric

Norway is well on its way to banning the sales of petrol cars by as early as next year! Norway has displayed exemplary practices in embracing electric cars, boosting sales and banning petrol and diesel cars in the next few years. We know that Norway has been ahead of the entire world in terms of EV adoption for a long time now. You would be surprised to know that in March 2024, the BEVs sold in Norway comprise of 91.5% of all new car sales in the country. Out of these, 89.3% were BEVs, 5.7% were hybrids (HEV), and 2.2% were plug-in hybrids (PHEV). Shockingly, there were only 2% cars which had a diesel engine. Intriguingly, the sales of petrol cars were almost negligible. That has to be one of the most unique sales distribution charts you’ll see in this modern world. You might also like: Ford Hits Pause On Electric Pickup Plans, To Focus On Hybrids Instead Norway Electric Cars Sales Norway is one of those nations, where EVs from the USA and China sell together. The Chinese carmakers include the likes of BYD and Xpeng. Apart from that, there are other major car marques including Tesla, Toyota, VW, Hyundai, Nissan, Honda and more. Hence, there are tons of options for the buyers to choose from. This has led to a situation where the country has 700,358 BEVs on the road and 776,003 petrol cars. By the end of this year, it is possible that the total BEVs will outnumber the petrol cars. Additionally, there are a total of 339,724 hybrid cars on Norwegian roads. However, there is still some time for BEVs to overtake diesel cars – 1,068,929. But it is clear that the sales of petrol cars are negligible and are unlikely to grow going foward. Hence, BEVs can overtake petrol car sales by the end of 2025. Let us also take a look at the top 10 BEVs sold in Norway in March 2024. Model Sales Tesla Model Y 1,987 Toyota bZ4 759 Hyundai Kona 257 VW ID.Buzz 244 Toyota Proace 234 MG 4 230 Tesla Model 3 220 Nissan Leaf 199 Hyundai IONIQ 5 190 Nissan Arya 161 Top 10 Highest-Selling EVs in Norway in March 2024 You might also like: Tesla Eyeing A $3 Billion Indian Factory With Capacity Of 500,000 EVs Learn Electric Cars Says Norway has set a classic example of how to embrace EVs fully. In all fairness, the government of Norway was extremely persuasive in convincing people to switch to electrified vehicles. That becomes clear from their enticing incentives for EVs. This includes free tolls, free parking, and tax exemptions for EVs while increasing the taxes on ICE cars. Apart from that, the small country has over 5,600 fast chargers throughout its area. Finally, the country produces over 90% of its electricity from hydroelectric power and almost all the rest comes from wind power. Hence, it is not just about EVs and EV infrastructure, but the country completely shifted to renewable sources of energy across the board. With such normalization of electric transportation and green energy generation, no wonder over 91% of all new car sales in the country come from electric powertrains. Image Source

Next-Gen Ford Electric Pickup Truck Delayed

Ford Hits Pause On Electric Pickup Plans, To Focus On Hybrids Instead

3 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Ford becomes yet another legacy carmaker to reassess its ambitious EV plans and the decision to skip hybrids. The next-generation Ford electric pickup truck was slated for launch by next year (2025). However, with the current slowdown in the EV demand, the pickup truck will now arrive in 2026. That’s not all. Its three-row electric SUV has been delayed to come in 2027. It was originally supposed to arrive in 2025 too. This marks a vivid reconsideration of Ford’s original plans of skipping the hybrid cars. You might also like: 4 Electric Pickup Trucks Driven Until They Died – Tesla, Ford, Rivian, Chevy Ford Electric Pickup Delayed Ford CEO Jim Farley announced that the American giant will emphasize deploying capital wisely to plan the future. As a consequence, it has delayed the launches of the two all-electric vehicles. Instead, in fact, the American auto major will focus on hybridizing the existing internal combustion cars in its entire portfolio. He said, “As the No. 2 EV brand in the U.S. for the past two years, we are committed to scaling a profitable EV business, using capital wisely and bringing to market the right gas, hybrid and fully electric vehicles at the right time. Our breakthrough, next-generation EVs will be new from the ground up and fully software enabled, with ever-improving digital experiences and a multitude of potential services.” Even though the existing Ford F-150 Lightning is doing decently on the sales charts, Ford is not confident if the next-gen EVs will experience high demand as the entire EV industry braces for slow growth this year. We also know that Ford will drop the “Lightning” nomenclature for the next-gen electric pickup truck. As for the delays, Ford feels that this will provide the EV segment enough time to mature. Furthermore, it will lead to Ford being able to capitalize on emerging battery technology which will offer the consumers enhanced “durability and better value.” You might also like: Tesla Eyeing Indian Factory With Capacity Of 500,000 EVs Learn Electric Cars Says Prominent carmakers are resorting to re-think their strategy of going all-electric too soon. Many thought that when electrification is the end goal, why invest in a transitioning technology like hybrid cars? But slowly, they are realizing that the growth and demand for EVs might not be as exponential as the industry experts initially predicted. In such a scenario, hybrid cars could provide a perfect stepping stone to reach mass EV adoption in the coming years. Therefore, going hybrid makes a lot of sense. Let us see which other car marques adopt this route going forward.

Tesla Eyeing Indian Factory With Capacity Of 500,000 EVs

4 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

Elon Musk has been trying to enter the Indian market for a couple of years but the 100% import duty was a huge hurdle. The Indian factory of Tesla might soon become a reality which could have an annual capacity of 500,000 EVs. The recent EV policy of the government of India to reduce the import duties on premium cars from over 100% to 15% has created a buzz among interested parties. On top of this list was Elon Musk’s Tesla. It was in talks with the Indian government for the past couple of years, seeking a reduction in import tariffs. However, the Indian government had unequivocally clarified that it is willing to do so only if the foreign carmaker is prepared to set up local manufacturing with a minimum investment of $500 million. With the new EV policy, the import taxes are just 15%. Hence, Tesla is sending out officials to India to look for the ideal location to set up a factory which could incur a cost between $2 billion and $3 billion. You might also like: Tesla Reclaims Title Of World’s Largest EV Maker With Q1 Sales Tesla Plans Indian Factory With 500,000 Capacity This won’t be the first time Tesla will be sending out officials to India. There were many reports last year suggesting that the American EV maker was already scouting for Tesla headquarters in Bangalore, Karnataka. Apart from that, the officials were present to have dialogues behind closed doors with the Indian government officials to hurry with this EV policy. Now that it is finally here, it is Tesla’s turn to keep its end of the promise. The Indian automobile industry is the 4th largest in the world, behind only China, the USA and Japan. Hence, Tesla understands the importance of this burgeoning marketplace. This is especially crucial since the EV demand, in top developed countries like the USA and China, is dwindling. In fact, the industry is anticipating a slower growth this year. In such a scenario, expanding its footprint across diverse nations like India, the Middle East, South East Asia and parts of Europe seems logical. Tesla’s $25,000 EV A crucial part of Tesla’s future plans is the much-talked-about ~$25,000 EV. It is very much possible once manufacturing shifts to a country like India. In India, Tesla is closely evaluating regions like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu to set up the production facility due to the already existing automobile infrastructure in these regions, the availability of OEM suppliers, and proximity to the ports in order to flood the neighbouring markets with Made-in-India EVs. Once Tesla commences its operations here, many auto ancillaries will also be attracted. This would increase the foreign investment in India significantly. In return, the government of India will extend enticing subsidies and incentives to Tesla to sell their vehicles in the country. In that way, the local economy will get a boost with this investment, and Tesla will be able to manufacture its EVs are affordable prices to compete with tons of newcomers in various new markets in this part of the world. Hence, it will be a win-win for both stakeholders. You might also like: Tesla Clocks 6 Million Lifetime Sales, 1 Million In Last 6 Months Learn Electric Cars Says Tesla, just like many other international companies with varied backgrounds, is ideally trying to shift operations from China to India. While that is a big deal, choosing India makes sense otherwise too. In order to expand its global footprint, having a base in one of the biggest automobile markets in the world is prudent. Even though the EV demand in China and the USA is slow, the Indian and its neighbouring markets are still at a nascent stage. There is a ginormous room for growth, at least for the next few years. Let us see how fast Tesla can capture the Indian market and commence production there.

Four Electric Pickup Trucks Range Comparison

4 Electric Pickup Trucks Driven Until They Died – Tesla, Ford, Rivian, Chevy

1 Comment / Featured / By LEC Team

Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T and Chevrolet Silverado EV electric pickup trucks were put through their paces until they tapped out! 4 electric pickup trucks – Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T and Chevrolet Silverado EV, were driven until they died. There is always a difference between the advertised range and the real-life range of EVs. In a bid to test which EV was the closest to the ideal range, a prominent automobile expert team decided to perform an intriguing experiment. Having the security of a mobile DC fast charger, they drove the EVs till the batteries got empty. The results were intriguing, to say the least. You might also like: Mercedes VISION EQXX Drives 1,010 km On Single Charge, Still Has 309 km Range Left 4 Electric Pickup Trucks Tested For Range This experiment comes from Out of Spec Reviews on YouTube. In order to make this test fair, there are some ground rules. These include: With these conditions, the test commenced from Welling, Colorado in the direction of Nebraska until the 55% SoC. With 55% battery, the drivers must turn around. Since they had a mobile DC charger, they stayed on the highway until the electric pickup trucks came to a complete halt. You might also like: All-New Audi Q6 e-tron Quattro Revealed With New Platform Time For Result After the entire journey, it was time for the results. The Tesla Cybertruck emerged victorious by over-achieving 304 miles (489 km) against the claimed 301 miles (484 km). On the other end of the spectrum, the Ford F-150 Lightning performed the worst, driving only for 282 miles (454 km) against the claimed range of 320 miles (515 km). Rivian was close to its advertised range by displaying 345 miles (555 km) against 352 miles (566 km). Lastly, the Chevy Silverado EV showcased a range of 434 miles (698 km), while its ideal range is 450 miles (724 km). Range Test Claimed Range Achieved Range Tesla Cybertruck 301 mi (484 km) 304 mi (489 km) Rivian R1T 352 mi (566 km) 345 mi (555 km) Chevrolet Silverado EV 450 mi (724 km) 434 mi (698 km) Ford F-150 Lightning 320 mi (515 km) 282 mi (454 km) Results 4 Electric Pickup Trucks – Specs The Tesla Cybertruck in this competition comes with a tri-motor AWD configuration. It runs on 35-inch all-terrain tires. On the other hand, the Rivian R1T has a dual-motor AWD non-performance setup with a larger battery. In essence, it is meant to demonstrate maximum range. Then we have the Ford F-150 Lightning also with the extended-range battery. Finally, the Chevy Silverado EV comes with a gargantuan 215 kWh battery pack, aimed at providing the maximum range. You might also like: Taycan Turbo GT Becomes The Most Powerful Porsche Ever Learn Electric Cars Says There are tons of moving variables while calculating the range of an electric car. But in order to compare the range figures of two EVs, it is imperative to define the rules and set some basic standards to which every EV must adhere. The YouTubers have taken great care to make this comparison as fair as possible. The aim is not to test the real-world range of the EVs but how close they are to their claimed range figures under ideal and similar circumstances.

Lithium Sulphur Batteries For EVs 5 Minutes Charging Time

Lithium-Sulphur Batteries For EVs Promise 5-Min Charging Time

6 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

Another day, another potentially ground-breaking EV battery technology! According to a research paper published in Nature Nanotechnology by University of Adelaide researchers, the next-gen Lithium-Sulphur batteries for EVs can be charged in less than 5 minutes. In this type of battery construction, Sulphur cathodes are used due to high energy density and Sulphur’s abundant availability. It can find applications in electronic devices including electric vehicles, as well as power grids. You might also like: New CATL Batteries To Retain 80% Capacity After 12 Years Lithium-Sulphur Batteries For EVs The research paper confirms that the energy density of Lithium-Sulphur batteries is around 550 Wh/kg. This is more than twice what the existing Lithium-ion batteries offer (around 150-200 Wh/kg). Hence, the range of EVs could benefit from using this type of battery exponentially. Note that high-powered Lithium-Sulphur batteries are already being used in mobile phones, laptops and electric vehicles. However, the biggest challenge is the charge-discharge time. It could range anywhere between 1 hour and 10 hours. This is where the breakthrough has been achieved. The researchers analysed the Sulphur reduction reaction which dictates the charge-discharge rate of Lithium-Sulphur batteries. They investigated various carbon-based transition metal electrocatalysts, including iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc during the SRR. The team designed a nanocomposite electrocatalyst made up of clusters of carbon material and cobalt-zinc (CoZn). Senior Author Professor Qiao said, “When the electrocatalyst CoZn is used in lithium-sulphur batteries, the resulting battery achieves an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. Our research shows a significant advancement, enabling lithium-sulphur batteries to achieve full charge-discharge in less than 5 minutes.” This study aims to tackle the problem of these batteries’ slow charge-discharge rates for the first time ever. You might also like: EVs To Be Cheaper To Produce Than Gas Cars By 2027 – Study Learn Electric Cars Says The lower-than-anticipated growth and demand for EVs call for a breakthrough technology to reinstate the trust of the masses in EVs. While there are myriad challenges associated with the mass adoption of electric cars, charging times and infrastructure are among the biggest ones. Hence, if that is resolved, the chances of people opting for EVs will surge significantly. We know that there are potentially transformative technologies being incepted relatively frequently. As industry professionals, we wish to stay updated with all of these. We don’t know which one(s) will emerge triumphant in times to come. It goes without saying that we might see multiple technologies for various markets depending on topography, demand, infrastructure, climatic conditions and affordability.

8 Out Of Top 10 Highest Selling EVs Are Chinese

EV News / By LEC Team

The list of highest selling EVs in January 2024 across the globe is out and the Chinese dominance is on full display. As per the latest global EV sales data by EV Volumes (part of J.D. Power), as many as 8 electric cars out of the top 10 highest selling EVs come from Chinese carmakers. Whether we like it or not, the Chinese automobile market drives the trends in global automotive sales. As a matter of fact, China contributed more than 60% to the total global EV sales in January 2024. That is a staggering statistic. Note that we are only discussing BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) in this post. You might also like: Canada And Australia Join Hands To Tackle China In EV Battery Tech Top 10 Highest Selling EVs Since it takes some time to collect data from across the globe, the sales for January have been confirmed. The sales of BEVs surged by a significant 48% on a year-on-year basis, while that of PHEVs (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles) witnessed an exponential 91% jump. That latter is down to the massive popularity of PHEVs in China. Note that most PHEVs in China are REVs (Range Extended Vehicles) which typically have a significant 30-40 kWh batteries. These are capable of fast charging too. Here is the list of the top 10 pure EVs in January 2024: You might also like: 1,300 hp BYD YANGWANG U9 Is Ready To Redefine Electric Supercar Segment Top 5 EV Carmakers In January 2024 While the individual EV models are exciting, it also makes sense to keep track of the carmakers overall. After the last quarter of 2023, it will always be fascinating to see BYD and Tesla collide for the number 1 spot. At least for the first month of 2024, the Chinese counterpart has the lead. Here are the top 5 carmakers in the world in terms of EV sales: You might also like: EV Makers Reconsidering Their Ambitious Plans, Was Toyota Right All Along? Learn Electric Cars Says As automobile aficionados and reporters, it excites us to keep track of the latest trends in the global automotive industry. Analyzing trends and anticipating the immediate future is what drives us. It is looking imminent that electric vehicles are here to stay for the long run. Sure there are still innumerable challenges that need fixing along with government assistance. Still, with time, things are bound to get better (charging infrastructure, affordability, battery technology, etc.) to facilitate mass adoption. The signs for this year look promising as confirmed by the actual EV sales numbers. Let us see how things pan out in the coming months.

EVs Cheaper to Produce Than Gas Cars by 2027

EVs To Be Cheaper To Produce Than Gas Cars By 2027 – Study

1 Comment / Featured / By LEC Team

An interesting study from Gartner reveals some insightful findings pertaining to the production of EVs and gas cars. A latest Gartner study reveals that it will be cheaper to produce EVs than gas cars by 2027. Now, EV sales are at an all-time high across the globe. It has been the case for a couple of years now. Even though some reports are suggesting that in some corners of the world, the demand has been lower than anticipated. Still, overall the sales are up. In fact, apart from the biggest markets like the USA and China, the demand is surging exponentially. This includes nations like Brazil, India, Thailand, Turkey, etc. You might also like: Next-Gen EV Batteries From Korean Giants To Be Unveiled At InterBattery 2024 EVs Will Be Cheaper To Produce Than Gas Cars The cost of EVs comprises primarily of batteries. These can be upto around 40% of the total cost of an electric car. While with time, the EV battery prices are going down, the manufacturing costs of the overall EVs are also slated to come down in the immediate future. This report says that its analysis was driven by “innovations that simplify production costs such as centralized vehicle architecture or the introduction of gigacastings that help reduce manufacturing cost and assembly time.” You must’ve heard about gigacastings and gigapresses in relation to Tesla. In fact, the latest Cybertruck is a direct outcome of that manufacturing technique. Many other legacy carmakers like Ford are also experimenting with it. Therefore, it is certain that the future of EV production will incorporate this technique. Gigapresses are able to churn out large single pieces of vehicle underbodies. This enables streamlining production and reduces the work of robots, in turn, boosting the efficiency of production. Pedro Pacheco, Vice President of Research at Gartner said, “This (the new technology) means BEVs will reach ICE cost parity much faster than initially expected, but at the same time, it will make some repairs of BEVs considerably costlier.” You might also like: 1,300 hp BYD YANGWANG U9 Is Ready To Redefine Electric Supercar Segment Downside Of Gigacastings While it is a modern method to improve production capacity and efficiency of manufacturing, it brings a pertinent issue along. In fact, even Gartner expects that the average cost of repairing an EV body and battery after a serious accident could rise 30% by 2027. Gartner stated that this could render vehicles involved in collisions more susceptible to being declared a total loss, as the repair expenses might exceed the residual value. The elevated costs associated with repairing electric vehicles are already a source of worry for prospective purchasers. Gartner warned that there might be a negative reaction from consumers if decreases in production expenses lead to elevated repair costs. Moreover, Gartner anticipates that approximately 15% of electric vehicle companies established since the previous decade will either be acquired or go bankrupt by 2027. These are some concerning findings by the market research firm. Pacheco mentioned, “This does not mean the EV sector is crumbling. It is simply entering a new phase where companies with the best products and services will win over the remaining.” You might also like: Study Shows EVs Can Be More Cost-Effective Than ICE Cars In Some Locations Learn Electric Cars Says Now these are some intriguing facets to the entire EV scenario. On the one hand, companies want to adopt modern techniques to boost production and efficiency of their manufacturing plants. On the other, the increase in repair costs could prove to be detrimental to the overall EV ownership experience for the customers. At this point in time, that could put off a lot of potential EV buyers. Therefore, while the cost of EV manufacturing could go down in the coming years, carmakers need to come up with innovative measures to ensure that customers don’t suffer from high ownership costs. Otherwise, what would be the point of low initial costs of EVs if the owners will then have to suffer due to high repair costs in the long run? Let us keep an eye out for further developments in this space. Image Source

Korean EV Batteries at InterBattery 2024

Next-Gen EV Batteries From Korean Giants To Be Unveiled At InterBattery 2024

2 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

While we always keep talking about revolutionary ideas when it comes to EV batteries, it is intriguing to witness what the industry giants are planning to power future mobility. Some of the world’s biggest Korean electronics companies will demonstrate their next-gen EV batteries at the InterBattery 2024 exhibition in Seoul, South Korea. The event will occur between March 6 and March 8, 2024. The annual trade show attracts top battery players from across the world to showcase their future concepts and the latest technologies to transform the electric car domain. In fact, a total of around 580 companies will present their technologies at this event. It will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Battery Industry Association. The three top Korean companies we will discuss are LG, SK and Samsung. They will display their innovative work in CTP (Cell-to-Pack), faster-charging batteries and solid-state batter production domains, respectively. You might also like: 1,300 hp BYD YANGWANG U9 Is Ready To Redefine Electric Supercar Segment Next-Gen EV Batteries At InterBattery 2024 LG Energy Solution Ltd. LG Energy, the world’s third-largest EV battery maker, is set to unveil its cell-to-pack (CTP) design, which integrates individual battery cells directly into battery packs, reducing costs and improving energy density. This technology, currently in the spotlight in the EV battery sector, enhances battery stiffness, stability, and heat transfer prevention while streamlining manufacturing processes and reducing parts. LG Energy plans to introduce an advanced battery management system (BMS) at the event, managing battery life cycles and providing safety diagnostics and state estimation software. The system also includes cloud services and solutions for future mobility. During the exhibition, LG Energy will showcase Isuzu Motors Ltd.’s first electric commercial vehicle equipped with its batteries and BMS. The unveiling underscores LG Energy’s commitment to innovation in the EV battery sector, aiming to address cost, energy density, and manufacturing efficiency challenges. You might also like: EV Makers Reconsidering Their Ambitious Plans, Was Toyota Right All Along? SK Innovation Co. SK On, the fifth-largest battery maker globally and a subsidiary of SK Innovation Co., is set to unveil innovative battery technologies at an upcoming event. They will showcase fast-charging batteries and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) models designed for cold weather conditions. The upgraded version of their Super Fast (SF) Battery offers a 9% increase in energy density while maintaining rapid charging capabilities. Additionally, they plan to introduce the SF+ Battery, promising a 15-minute charge time. SK On will also present an LFP battery with enhanced performance in cold climates, featuring a 19% increase in energy density compared to existing models, resulting in improved charging and discharging capacities. Moreover, the company will highlight advancements in cathode active materials manufacturing, including water-free methods and chemistry diversification strategies. They will also introduce their first energy storage system (ESS). These innovations reflect SK On’s commitment to addressing challenges in battery technology, such as charging speed, energy density, and performance in extreme weather conditions. You might also like: Are EVs With 1000 km Range Still A Distant Reality? Samsung SDI Samsung SDI is preparing to announce its timelines for mass-producing solid-state batteries, a revolutionary advancement in the EV sector, while revealing blueprints for batteries of the sixth generation and beyond. These solid-state batteries are heralded as “dream batteries” due to their superior safety and higher energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion models, prompting significant interest and investment in their development across the global cell industry. As the seventh-largest battery manufacturer worldwide, Samsung SDI is ready to present comprehensive integrated energy storage system (ESS) solutions and ESS modules tailored for household use. Additionally, it will showcase a diverse range of cylindrical batteries featuring various specifications. You might also like: 1,300 hp BYD YANGWANG U9 Is Ready To Redefine Electric Supercar Segment Learn Electric Cars Says Now, these players contribute significantly toward the global EVs. Hence, when these introduce new technologies, the entire ecosystem will benefit from them. In general, the companies are focusing on making energy-dense EV batteries without adding too much weight, fast charging times, more efficient BMS and better packaging. All these are crucial aspects of EV battery development. We shall keep an eye out for more such developments in this field.

5 Helpful Tips To Maximize EV Range In Winter And Snow

1 Comment / Featured / By LEC Team

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

1 Comment / 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.

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