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As true ‘Friends of the Trend’ Octopus Electric Vehicles continues to push for #decarbonisation of transport, this partnership with OMODA UK with help accelerate #affordability and #accessibility - it’s all about consumer choice ⚡️🔋⚡️ Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles: “We’ve entered the most exciting time for the UK electric car market, with new tech-enabled, more sustainable cars hitting our roads every month – offering drivers improved choice, at a range of prices, mileage options and specs. Omoda has big plans for the UK and we’re delighted to partner with them across our entire Group, helping drivers make the switch as easy and affordable as possible.” Victor Zhang, Executive Vice President of OMODA UK: “As a new name to the UK we know we have to earn the trust of British car buyers. Octopus is an industry-leading and well-respected company, partnering with them is a key element in making sure we can offer our EV customers the very best experience in an important area of their ownership.. With Octopus Electric Vehicles we have one of the best platforms to introduce new buyers to our EV models." Rob Durrant Owen Edwards Bo Yu Christina Hess Sam Salehi James Frith Andy Leyland S C Insights Volta Energy Technologies Roger Atkins Ade Thomas Quentin Willson FairCharge BOLD Voodoo Amy Rennison Greg Jackson Amy Boekstein Octopus Electroverse Abigayle André Ginny Buckley Daniel Evans John Meyer

Hyundai’s Initium SUV looks ideal for Australia – killer good looks, off-road adventure ready and the promise of 650km range between refuels. But there’s a problem. You need hydrogen to power it. While electric cars can be charged at public chargers or through a home wall socket, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) like this Initium demands a hydrogen refueller. And you won’t find one of those in Woolies car park. Not yet, anyway. Australia has only 12 hydrogen refueller stations operating or under construction, so current hydrogen cars like Toyota’s Mirai and Hyundai’s Nexo are the reserve of urban fleets, typically eco-minded governments. But Hyundai is at the forefront of helping change that, and this stylishly rugged-looking Initium concept will soon help lead the charge. It previews a production fuel cell electric vehicle set to debut in the first half of 2025, and Hyundai Australia has its hand firmly in the air. “We’ll be working on getting that car (the production version of Initium) to Australia as a replacement for Nexo,” said Scott Nargar, Senior Manager of Future Mobility and Government Relations at Hyundai. Its Nexo small SUV has been in production since 2018, and the ACT Government has run a fleet of 20 around Canberra as part of a leasing deal. They have range of 666km and are refuelled at the city’s Canberra Hydrogen Refuelling Facility. But the new Initium looks to appeal to a wider range of users, including, we hope, private buyers with access to hydrogen refuelling sites. This medium SUV would sell on looks alone. It features aerodynamic 21-inch wheels, digital side mirrors, Hyundai’s FCEV-specific “+” graphics for bumpers, lights and nose, massive roof racks with LED lighting, and rugged cladding for wheel arches and lower bumpers. Source: News.com Australia

Jameel Motors to launch Geely Farizon SV electric van in the UK Jameel Motors, a leading provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice to top automotive brands seeking a global platform for growth, and Zhejiang Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group (Farizon Auto), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, have signed an agreement to distribute new energy commercial vehicles in the United Kingdom. Farizon, established in 2016, has earned a market-leading position through a focus on technology, the user and zero emissions. From a unique zero-emission product portfolio spanning trucks, LCVs and buses, the SV large van will be spearheading the brand’s entry into the UK market, with sales commencing during the first half of 2025. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gYzx3W3k #Farizon #FarizonSV #ElectricVans #JameelMotors

BYD Unveiled Its Latest Electric Pickup Truck the BYD Shark 😯 A reveal that echoes the Ford F-150 Lightning. But it's the inside that counts - four-wheel drive, 245 hp, 745 miles range. Global ambitions? Check. South America to Australia, the Shark is hungry for market share. Competition? Heating up. Toyota and Isuzu have plans, but BYD's move is bold. The Shark isn't just another model. It's BYD's play for the big leagues. 📌 What's your take? Will the Shark dominate the EV ocean? Find all the exciting details about this report here 👇

The RACQ motoring club says it “largely supports” the government’s proposed vehicle standards, saying they are needed despite the fact that #EVs on novated leases are already cheaper than petrol cars, and that falling battery prices should deliver cost parity for EVs within a few years. The RACQ submission says it “largely supports” the federal government’s favoured Option B in the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), saying it should lead to lower prices for utes generally, although it says that such Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) “should receive more flexibility.” In its submission, the RACQ says the new standard is needed because it will send a strong signal to the global car industry, which is currently not allocating enough electric vehicle models to #Australian because of the absence of a NVES. “EV production is expected to grow to 14 million in 2023 and total light vehicle production is expected to be 86 million. Australia saw 1.2 million vehicles sold in 2023, which is about 1.4% of the #globalmarket,” says the RACQ. “If that was translated to #EVsales, then 2023 EV sales in Australia should be 195,000 and not 87,000. “The fact that #Australians are only driving half the number of EVs than we should is concerning to RACQ because we see low emission vehicles as playing a critical role in our #netzero journey, cost of living pressures and also improving road safety in Australia. The implementation of the NVES would address this supply problem.” The RACQ says that in addition to the NEVS, countries around the world are implementing a suite of policies aimed at increasing EV uptake including incentives to by new EVs, government funding for fast charging infrastructure, and industry support to assist OEMs to scale up manufacture of EVs and battery production. Option B for passenger vehicles “realistic and achievable” The RACQ submission says modelling from The Centre for International Economics (#CIE), and commissioned by the #AAA, estimates the Government’s preferred NVES would require 45 per cent of new passenger vehicles in 2029 to be EVs. “RACQ believes the evidence supports Option B being realistic and achievable, with an increase in supply of affordable low emission vehicles and consumer acceptance.” The RACQ says most industry predictions agree that light passenger EVs globally will meet broad market purchase parity with #ICE vehicles within the next decade without subsidies. In fact a recent study by the ICCT predicts electric #SUVs will hit price parity with their ICE equivalents as soon as next year. “Vehicle cost and ownership research conducted by RACQ is already showing that light passenger EVs in the Australian market are becoming increasingly more affordable in terms of both upfront purchase and total cost of ownership.” The RACQ says many new EVs are competitive with their ICE equivalent and often cheaper when purchased on a novated lease.

Accelerating Towards Net Zero: Insights from Australia's EV Market Australia has witnessed a notable increase in EV sales, with electric vehicles now accounting for 8% of all new car sales as of early 2024. This rise emphasises a growing consumer acceptance and a shift towards sustainable transportation solutions. The government's initiatives, including subsidies and tax incentives, have played a key role in this transition, making EVs more affordable and appealing to the average consumer. The recent surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales in Australia highlights a critical juncture in the country’s journey towards net zero. However, this progress is tempered by the increasing popularity of SUVs, which accounted for 55% of all new vehicle sales in 2023. SUVs, known for their higher emissions compared to smaller cars, pose an increased threat to the personal transport sector’s emission reduction targets. This market trend highlights the paradox of consumer preferences: many are taking the wheel of cleaner, greener cars, while others’ preference for larger, more polluting vehicles persists. The rise in SUV sales has contributed to a stagnation in the overall reduction of transport emissions, which quivalent to the combined national emissions of the UK and Germany last year. This situation calls for a more nuanced approach to policy-making, focusing not only on promoting EVs but also on reconsidering the purchase of high-emission vehicles. Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/eyreNPfi 

🛻 Kia Steps Into the Future: 🔋The Electric 2025 Tasman Kia’s confirmation of the electric 2025 Tasman ute is a significant milestone for the evolving ute market. Expected to hit Australian shores in 2026, the Tasman EV will join a competitive landscape alongside rivals like the LDV Terron 9. With the diesel-powered Tasman launching in 2025, Kia is positioning itself to meet diverse market needs, including a potential plug-in hybrid variant capable of delivering over 100km of pure-electric range. This multi-faceted approach reflects the growing influence of sustainability in automotive design, particularly as Australia’s 2025 New Vehicle Efficiency Standards draw closer. The Tasman EV has the potential to reshape perceptions of utility vehicles, but its success locally will hinge on consumer demand and infrastructure readiness. As industry leaders, we should view this as a pivotal moment to engage in the broader conversation about transitioning to zero-emission commercial vehicles. 👉 How do we balance the growing demand for sustainable vehicles with the practical needs of industries that rely on utes? 🔨🧱🔩🚜👷👷♀️ https://lnkd.in/gXPNzkfU #FutureOfMobility #ElectricUtes #KiaTasman #SustainabilityInAction

XC90 Recharge review, Polestar 3, Rivian R3, EV tax credit update: The Week in Reverse: Which automakers are considering a partnership that could span EVs, hybrids, and software? Which automaker said it’s aiming for its future EV batteries to last longer? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending March 15, 2024. In a review of the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge, GCR... #car #cars #awesome

In a recent interview published by EA, Sami Haj-Assaad offered some great insights from Hyundai Canada president and CEO Don Romano. I love to hear about Hyundai's ongoing commitment to producing a multitude of new BEVs, unlike several other global players that are now vacillating and giving up their momentum. I'm impressed with Hyundai's variety of styles and charging performance with the 800V E-GMP (Electric Modular Global Platform) models that include Kia's EV6, Hyundai's Ionic 5 & 6 and the Genesis GV60. If Don Romano wants the government to mandate charging infrastructure to support EV adoption, I'm all for it, though with some selfish interest. It's an accepted fact that EVs will not succeed for the masses without appropriate charging options, ease of use and reliability. It continues to amaze me just how disruptive electric mobility is to the status quo. The mass market is looking to replace their ICE vehicle with a BEV providing they can 'gas it up' the same way they always have. For those of us entrenched in this market (drinking the electric Kool-aid™ as applies to me), there's a solid understanding that the refueling model has changed appreciably for those lucky enough to be able to charge at home for their daily commutes. There are creative solutions being deployed for driveway orphans including curbside public charging at light poles and of course public venues. And yet, the one model that receives the most attention is the gas station. This makes perfect sense based on force of habit and accessible locations with the amenities that drivers expect. However, we don't need all the existing gas stations for EV charging. North America is arguably a couple of years behind Europe in EV adoption and established countries like Norway have learned that once you get past the initial flash and dash of ultra high power charging, you realize that in most cases it's preferrable to charge where you park rather than parking to charge. These are still required as on-route options and I can't wait to see what IONNA Canada deploys, but let's also focus on retail and commercial sites for public charging where you already shop, eat, work, or attend an appointment while your EV gets a top-up. Key question: How long does it take to charge an EV? Answer: I'd say less than a minute when our infrastructure is properly established. https://lnkd.in/gbKPs5TM #ElectricAutonomy #EVAdoption #ChargingNetworks #IONNA

MG Motor India’s recent introduction of a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model for its electric vehicles marks a radical approach to electric vehicle (EV) ownership in India Read more here: https://bit.ly/4efCdp5 #MGMotor #BatteryAsAService #EV #India