Class 8 🚚

Electric and Autonomous truck from…

Author

John Rooney
May 04, 2023

May the 4th Be With You, 2023

Part of our team attended the ACT Expo this week, and it's been astonishing to witness the event's growth over time. The increasing focus on EVs and AVs is truly remarkable.

We appreciate your support, and if you know someone interested in EVs/AVs or working in the industry, please share this newsletter with them. We strive to keep it concise and informative, so you stay updated without spending too much time.

Let’s dive in!

“Sometimes a broken dream will make you sad or make you mean. Sometimes things ain’t bad as they seem.”

– Gordon Lightfoot

On Track- Rivian 2023

How many EVs does Rivian anticipate producing this year?

  1. 25,000

  2. 35,000

  3. 50,000

  4. 70,000

The answer is here.

Would you dare?

Would you ride in a fully autonomous vehicle with no safety driver?

Click your answer

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Summer Road Trip

I’m planning a trip to Moab, Utah this summer with my family. It’s not easy to arrange everything with different schedules and preferences. All I want to do is ride my Sur-Ron and enjoy the scenery. I’m thinking of getting an electric ATV for my son. He’s 4 years old. Do you think that’s a good idea? Any suggestions for a suitable model?

In the poll on Tuesday, 72% of you said you were going on a road trip. That’s incredible. Some of the destinations included Santa Fe, Wisconsin, Utah, and a 650-mile trip to Charleston, SC. Sounds like some fun trips.

Boom! Our Top 10ish EV/AV News Stories (in no particular order)

  1. Kodiak Robotics introduces the first autonomous electric class 8 truck, upfitting a Peterbilt Model 579EV with the company's self-driving technology, set to join their fleet in 2024.

  2. Volvo has updated its fully electric C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge models for the 2024 model year to offer more range. The updated models feature a more energy-dense battery and an efficient electric motor that allows the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge to achieve up to 297 and 293 miles of range respectively.

  3. Ford’s Q1 report shows the progress of Ford Model e, a startup-like division that creates innovative electric vehicles and digital features for the whole product range. Ford is investing wisely to increase the production of popular EVs, such as the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit.

  4. In April 2023, NIO delivered 6,658 vehicles, a 31.2% YoY increase, and debuted the All-New ES6 smart electric SUV at the Shanghai Auto Show, with plans to launch it in late May.

  5. Alfa Romeo is planning to release a full-size all-electric SUV in the United States around 2027 as part of their goal to sell only electric vehicles by 2027

  6. Sweden plans to construct a 13-mile charging road, E-20, between Hallsberg and Örebro to power heavy vehicles' batteries, with construction starting in 2025; however, the charging method is yet to be decided, with wireless charging infrastructure being a potential solution for both cars and trucks.

  7. Plug Power Inc. has launched a high-power stationary fuel cell system for charging commercial EV fleets, tackling grid power limitations and infrastructure delays, while enabling zero-emission EV adoption and attracting interest from various industries, including delivery, rental car, and telecom.

  8. Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed the first statistically realistic roadway simulation, NeuralNDE, which can test autonomous vehicle software in various driving situations, starting with a complex roundabout, to ensure safety and improve road infrastructure.

  9. Swedish company Luvly has developed an $11,000 micro-electric vehicle, the Luvly O, designed for urban commuting with a top speed of 55 mph, a 62-mile range, and an hour-long charging time, aiming to reduce waste and provide a cost-effective, efficient alternative to traditional cars.

  10. A discussion about autonomous trucks. Q&A with Aurora CEO, Chris Urmson

  11. Mid-City Transit, part of Student Transportation of America, launches its Electric Vehicle program in Middletown, New York, introducing four electric buses to the local school district's fleet.

  12. Rob Barossa, the CEO-Elect of Electrify America, embarked on a 2,700-mile road trip from Los Angeles, California to the company's headquarters in Reston, Virginia, using only their chargers. See video below.

Ned’s Corner

Source: Ned Funnell

RIP Chevy Bolt production. I like my Bolt- it's not very fancy, not a status symbol, nor a road trip machine. Nonetheless, my Bolt has taken me through a dozen states (UT, WY, CO, KS, MO, IL, IN, OH, KY, TN, GA, FL), towed our tent trailer, acted as a charge lab test mule, and crossed deserts, mountains, and frigid plains. It served my family reliably the whole time. The infamous battery recall added some drama, but in the end I got a new upgraded battery with a longer warranty for my inconvenience- 100% free.

The Bolt's absence from the market leaves a gap in the market for a more-affordable car that's within grasp of the average car buyer, not just the average new-car buyer. There are many other great EVs out there I could pick, some of which have few trade-offs compared to an ICE vehicle. With one of those, though, I'd be a lot more worried about the inevitable chicken nuggets stuffed into the back seat. I don't think I would really be better off if I'd spent $60k to get a luxury road trip monster that charges faster than we can actually execute a family-speed road trip stop.

For more on Ned’s thoughts on saying bye to the Bolt check out Ned on LinkedIn.

About Ned

Ned is an EV professional with experience with chargers from 1 to 500kW and EVs ranging from unicycles to buses and class 8 trucks. An EV owner since 2014, he is currently a Technical Solutions Manager with Electrada. He develops and refines charging solutions for fleets using his engineering experience to drive for high uptime, reliability, and efficiency.

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