Techwheel Current
Newsletter 2025-04-20
🔑 Key EV Insights
- Australia promotes home battery rebate program.
- BYD expands warranty for electric vehicles.
- Trade war risks U.S. electric vehicle growth.
- EV charging station market to hit $480 billion.
- Tesla's full self-driving ambitions face scrutiny.
🚗 Latest EV News
Ahead of Australia's 2025 federal election, the Labor government introduced the Cheaper Home Batteries Program to promote home battery installations.
- Provides upfront discounts for households and businesses.
- Rebates start July 1, 2025, with an initial subsidy around $372 per kWh, reducing annually until 2030.
Demand may exceed available qualified installers.
- Provides upfront discounts for households and businesses.
- Rebates start July 1, 2025, with an initial subsidy around $372 per kWh, reducing annually until 2030.
BYD has enhanced its new-vehicle warranty in Australia, now covering previously excluded components under a six-year, 150,000km policy.
- Infotainment touchscreens, shock absorbers, and suspension parts are now included.
- High-voltage batteries and drive units are unified with 160,000km coverage, boosting customer satisfaction and distinguishing BYD in the EV market.
- Infotainment touchscreens, shock absorbers, and suspension parts are now included.
- High-voltage batteries and drive units are unified with 160,000km coverage, boosting customer satisfaction and distinguishing BYD in the EV market.
- The U.S.-China trade war significantly threatens the American electric vehicle (EV) market, as the U.S. relies on China for vital components.
- Current tariffs from China may reduce U.S. car sales by about 2 million annually.
- Despite domestic supply chain efforts, the U.S. struggles to source rare earth materials and remains dependent on China for critical EV production.
🔌 EV Charging & Battery
- The global EV charging station market is expected to rise from USD 44.52 billion in 2024 to USD 480.57 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 26.85%.
- AI enhances EV charging by optimizing energy use, predictive maintenance, and improving user experience through real-time updates on availability and dynamic pricing, supporting efficient energy distribution and fast charging across networks.
The Tesla Powerwall is a home battery that stores excess solar energy for nighttime or outages.
- Priced at about $1,065 per kWh, total setup costs can reach $16,500.
- Offers a 10-15 year lifespan and a 30% tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act.
A solid choice for reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
- Priced at about $1,065 per kWh, total setup costs can reach $16,500.
- Offers a 10-15 year lifespan and a 30% tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act.
🚚 Electric Commercial EVs
BMW is launching HypersonX sound technology in its upcoming Vision Neue Klasse electric vehicles. This system mimics traditional engine sounds to enhance safety and visibility, employing 43 sound signals that adapt to driving conditions. With a starting price of around £65,000, these models aim to connect drivers emotionally while complying with UK regulations for quieter cars.
Mazda has introduced the EZ-60, an electric SUV designed to rival the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5, ahead of the Shanghai Motor Show. Sharing dimensions with the CX-5, the EZ-60 follows the EZ-6 and is developed with Changan, utilizing their EPA platform. It will offer BEV and hybrid options, with battery ranges of 482 km and 555 km.
In 2024, the author switched to an all-electric family vehicle setup, leasing a Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEL AWD and a Kia EV9 GT-Line. Living in Michigan, they encountered winter challenges, with the Ioniq 5’s efficiency dropping to 1-2 miles/kWh in severe cold. The EV9 fared slightly better, but both vehicles highlighted the importance of winter preparedness for electric driving.
Kia's new electric models, EV2 and EV4, won't launch in Australia due to high manufacturing and shipping costs from Europe.
- The EV2 may exceed $60,000, pricier than the EV3 ($48,990) and EV5 ($56,770).
- Kia will shift to sourcing more vehicles from South Korea, leveraging a Free Trade Agreement for better pricing.
- The EV2 may exceed $60,000, pricier than the EV3 ($48,990) and EV5 ($56,770).
- Kia will shift to sourcing more vehicles from South Korea, leveraging a Free Trade Agreement for better pricing.
Kia is set to launch an electric pickup truck expected to outperform its turbo-diesel model, the Tasman. At its 2025 investor day, Kia confirmed plans for 90,000 annual units of the electric model, targeting North America. The Tasman will focus on South Korea and Australia. The electric truck aims for a seven percent market share with advanced features.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics has gained approval to supply multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) to BYD, a major player in the electric vehicle market. This partnership is particularly notable as BYD aims to produce around 5.5 million electric vehicles in the current year, with each vehicle requiring approximately 12,000 to 18,000 MLCCs. The scale of this supply agreement underscores the significant demand for electronic components in the automotive sector. In addition to its collaboration with BYD, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is also supplying MLCCs to Tesla, further establishing its strong foothold in the electric vehicle component market. This development is expected to enhance Samsung's presence and competitiveness in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry, reflecting the growing importance of advanced electronic components in modern automotive technology.
🤖 Self-Driving EVs
Elon Musk is optimistic that Tesla will achieve full self-driving capability by the end of 2025, a goal he's reiterated despite previous missed deadlines. Recent advancements in Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology have bolstered confidence, showcasing its ability to navigate complex scenarios. Musk aims for a June 2024 rollout in Austin, Texas, emphasizing a future Robotaxi fleet.
Xpeng will introduce its Turing AI chip in self-driving cars this quarter, offering three times the computing power of its current Nvidia chip. CEO He Xiaopeng claims it surpasses Nvidia’s Drive Orin X and will be used in all new models. The chip aims for level 4 autonomy and supports future projects like flying cars, with aspirations for international markets.
Joe Rogan recently described his Tesla Model S's self-driving capabilities as "f***ing wild" and "bananas."
- The Full-Self Driving (FSD) technology allowed his car to navigate home autonomously, changing lanes and stopping at signals.
- Despite excitement, Rogan noted that widespread adoption in the U.S. is still far off, requiring time for adjustment.
- The Full-Self Driving (FSD) technology allowed his car to navigate home autonomously, changing lanes and stopping at signals.
- Despite excitement, Rogan noted that widespread adoption in the U.S. is still far off, requiring time for adjustment.
A recent IIHS study revealed major safety flaws in Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Beta systems.
- Out of 14 semi-autonomous vehicles, only one received an "acceptable" rating.
- Most, including Tesla's, were rated poor, raising concerns about safety and misuse.
IIHS President David Harkey noted that partial automation can create new risks without proper safeguards.
- Out of 14 semi-autonomous vehicles, only one received an "acceptable" rating.
- Most, including Tesla's, were rated poor, raising concerns about safety and misuse.
Tesla's vehicles from Giga Texas and Fremont are utilizing a custom Full Self-Driving (FSD) Unsupervised system to autonomously navigate a 1.4-mile route from production to delivery, achieving over 50,000 driverless miles. This real-world test showcases advanced capabilities, with plans for a Robotaxi network by June. The Cybertruck now also employs this technology, enhancing its operational features.
📌 Miscellaneous
Matthew Jones faced significant challenges after his new Kia EV5 failed just two weeks into ownership, displaying an error message that halted its functioning. Unable to receive timely service, he experienced a frustrating journey to find a qualified mechanic. Tynan Kia informed him of a month-long wait, leading him to Peter Warren Kia, where it took additional weeks to diagnose a "high voltage fault." Jones expressed concerns that Kia's rush to sell electric vehicles is not matched by adequate service support, leaving customers vulnerable when issues arise. The delay in repairs reflects a broader problem in Australia, where there is an estimated shortage of 7,000 qualified electric vehicle technicians. This gap in expertise poses challenges for both current EV owners and the industry as it aims to expand electric vehicle sales. The situation highlights the urgent need for increased training and resources to ensure that service capabilities keep pace with the growing demand for electric vehicles.
MG Australia has introduced the MG S5, a compact electric SUV launching in May, designed to replace the ZS EV.
- Length: nearly 4.5 meters, competing with Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia EV3.
- Battery options: 49kWh (340km range) and 62kWh (430km range).
- Features a 125kW motor, 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and a spacious 453-liter boot.
- Length: nearly 4.5 meters, competing with Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia EV3.
- Battery options: 49kWh (340km range) and 62kWh (430km range).
- Features a 125kW motor, 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and a spacious 453-liter boot.
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