Let’s take a closer look at the September 2023 EV News recap for the latest updates and developments in the world of electric vehicles. This includes the obstacles EV drivers encounter when using public charging stations, the ongoing United Auto Workers strike, and Toyota’s upcoming EV super batteries that offer an impressive 746-mile range. Let’s delve deeper into these topics and explore them further.
New Rivian R1T Dual Motor Max Battery Capable of 410 miles
According to Autoblog, the 2023 Rivian R1T Dual-Motor with the Max battery has a range of 410 miles and a starting price of $98,300, making it the longest-range electric truck.
United Auto Workers Strike Over Electric Vehicles
There is currently a strike being led by the United Auto Workers (UAW), which revolves around the issue of electric vehicles. As the government is incentivizing auto companies to invest significant amounts of money in transitioning to EVs, the UAW is advocating for a 40% pay raise and is looking for both sides to reach an agreement that acknowledges EVs as the future of the industry. While the UAW has acknowledged that EV powertrains are simpler to produce than ICE powertrains, they are worried that this could result in job losses. The UAW is actively working to address the challenges presented by the EV future while manufacturers are exploring ways to reduce costs.
Massive Lithium Deposit Discovered in Nevada Volcano
A massive lithium deposit has been discovered in an extinct volcano in Nevada, potentially making it the world’s largest such deposit. As per Chemistry World, the volcanic crater could contain up to 40 million tons of lithium metal, which would be a significant development for the US, as it would provide a domestic source of lithium for electric vehicles.
The Need for a Robust Public EV Charging Infrastructure
Recently, there was news about an incident involving the United State Energy Secretary due to insufficient EV charging. Apart from Tesla’s charging network, the remaining infrastructure for EV charging is inadequate, with a shortage of charging stations and unreliable service. Public EV charging needs to keep pace with the needs of EV drivers.
Setting the Record Straight on EV Home Charging
In his latest article, John Voelcker discusses the topic of charging electric vehicles at home. There has been a claim that 78% of households cannot charge their EVs at home, but this information is not completely accurate. The report that made this claim looked at all households in the USA, not just those who own EVs. In reality, 4 out of 5 households with EVs can easily charge their vehicles at home. To support home charging, a circuit similar to what you would install for an electric clothes dryer needs to be added. While EV shoppers prioritize fast charging speeds away from home, home charging is actually a major way for EV owners to recharge their vehicles.
Challenges Faced by Electric Vehicle Drivers at Public Charging Stations
A recent article by John Voelcker delves into the reasons behind issues with electric vehicle chargers outside of the home in the United States. According to JD Power, 20.8% of EV drivers encountered problems while using charging stations away from home. Of those, 55% of charging station failures were due to connectivity issues where the station was unable to authenticate the owner. Charging stations rely on cellular connections to authenticate, and poor or non-existent coverage can cause them to malfunction. Another 38% of issues were due to internal station problems, such as frozen screens or other faulty software issues.
746-Mile Range EV Super Battery on the Way
Toyota plans to produce EV super batteries starting in 2027 that can recharge in as little as 10 minutes and have an estimated range of 746 miles.
Servicing: Pure-play Electric Vehicle Manufacturers vs. Traditional Automakers
Electric vehicle manufacturers who solely focus on EV production have significantly impacted the automotive industry by encouraging traditional manufacturers to shift towards electrification. However, these pure-play EV companies often have limited service resources, which can result in longer wait times for service appointments. For example, the largest EV maker, Tesla, has 148 service centers, while Ford, which also makes EVs, has 2,700 certified service centers.
This concludes our recap of September 2023’s EV news. Try our Needs-Based Search to find the electric vehicle that best fits your needs.