NSW Net Zero Plan lays out path for more electric vehicles...

NSW Net Zero Plan lays out path for more electric vehicles

Driving the uptake of electric vehicles will be number one priority of a newly detailed plan released by the NSW state government, which intends to make more electric vehicles available to consumers by encouraging car-makers to import more models.

Part of the 10-year stage one of the Berejiklian government’s Net Zero Plan announced on Saturday, the strategy will support the roll out of more electric vehicle (EV) chargers and encourage the adoption of EVs by fleets.

It will also support changes to NSW building codes to make it easier – and cheaper – for EV chargers to be installed, and amend licensing and parking regulations to support EV uptake.

NSW drivers stand to benefit from the plan, which the state government hopes will drive competition amongst carmakers and hence lower prices of electric cars which, due to the currently high cost of batteries, often cost a great deal more than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.

“The global electric vehicle market is growing rapidly, with about 2.1 million electric vehicles sold around the world in 2018. In Australia, electric vehicles are forecast to reach upfront price parity with traditional combustion engine vehicles from 202,” the government report states.

“Electric vehicles present a significant opportunity for motorists to reduce their yearly car operating costs. Already today, the average driver can save about $1300 per year on fuel costs by switching to an electric vehicle, as well as saving about $300 on annual maintenance costs,” it says.

The ‘Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Model Availability Program’ expands on a preliminary “Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Plan” first released in January 2019, and will be rolled out over the next three years to help fast-track the adoption of electric vehicles.

​

“By rolling out fast and conveniently located charging infrastructure across the State and making new buildings electric vehicle ready, more NSW motorists will be encouraged to purchase an electric vehicle regardless of whether they live in their own home, a tenanted property or an apartment with or without a private car space,” the report says.

“By encouraging vehicle fleet procurers to buy electric vehicles, their bulk purchasing power will incentivise importers to sell a greater range of electric vehicle models. This means the NSW electric vehicle market will become increasingly competitive and lower cost.

“Co-funding fleets with the private or local government sector will bring a substantial number of new electric vehicles into New South Wales. These vehicles are typically resold to the second-hand market after three to five years, giving NSW drivers more electric vehicle options at a lower cost.”

Behyad Jafari, of the Electric Vehicle Council, says the new plan shows that NSW is leading the way for the adoption of electric cars, which are a proven technology and have the potential to help tackle a large part of Australia’s transport-related carbon emissions.

“The New South Wales government is showing genuine leadership through these measures,” said Jafari in a note by email.

“Every citizen in the state will win from a transition to electric vehicles. The air we breath will be cleaner, we will break our dependence on foreign oil, and we will all save money in the long run.

“I am deeply appreciative that Energy Minster Matt Kean has truly listened to the electric vehicle industry and delivered for the state. We look forward to further constructive dialogue with Mr Kean,” he says.

The new plan aims to tackle a lack of confidence in EVs in both consumers and carmakers.

As The Driven has noted on numerous occasions, carmakers are reticent to bring more models to Australia unless government policy is geared towards their adoption.

By rolling out EV charging hubs across the state and ensuring new buildings are EV-ready, so-called “range anxiety” will be alleviated encouraging more consumers to make the switch to electric transport.

“Rapidly rolling out conveniently located charging infrastructure across the state will signal to consumers that the government backs the purchase of an electric vehicle,” says Jafari.

“Making new buildings electric vehicle ready will send a further strong signal. The benefits of electric vehicles should be for everyone, regardless of whether they live in their own home, a tenanted property, or an apartment with or without a private car space,” he says.

​

Additionally, co-funding to assist fleets with electric vehicle purchase will also signal to carmakers to import more models, giving consumers and fleet operators a wider range of models to choose from.

“By encouraging vehicle fleet procurers to buy electric vehicles, their bulk purchasing power will incentivise importers to sell a greater range of electric vehicle models,” says Jafari.

“Fleet vehicles are, on averages, resold to the second-hand market after three to five years. This will give NSW drivers more electric vehicle options at a lower cost.

“Over time this will make the electric vehicle market in New South Wales more competitive for all consumers. This is smart, practical policy from Australia’s premier state.”

https://thedriven.io/2020/03/16/nsw-net-zero-plan-lays-out-path-for-more-electric-vehicles/


Tesla Giga Shanghai Long Range Model 3 Will Qualify For Purchasing Tax Exemption

Last month, Giga Shanghai received permission to manufacture the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, and today it became known that this version of the model will be exempt from purchase tax.

Today, 42号车库 , published information on Weibo that points to this.

"The domestic Tesla Model 3 Long Range, which is the new model of an energy vehicle, is exempt from tax on the purchase of a vehicle."​

Source: 42号车库 /Weibo


This was great news for everyone who wants to purchase this model. At the moment, the price of the MIC Model 3 Long Range has not yet been announced, so it is difficult to calculate its real value for Chinese consumers. But the Tesla website has a clarification of how this can be calculated in the future.

"The Vehicle Purchase Tax Law stipulates that the taxable amount of vehicle purchase tax is calculated by multiplying the taxable price of the taxable vehicle by the tax rate. The taxable price of the taxable vehicle purchased by the taxpayer for his own use is the total amount paid by the taxpayer to the seller.

The price does not include VAT. For example, the vehicle price is N yuan, the value-added tax rate is 13%, and the purchase tax rate is 10%. The estimated purchase tax deduction amount is N ÷ 1.13 x 10%"

News about the MIC Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD appeared in mid-February, after the vehicle was listed on the official China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website.

Credit: MIIT of the People's Republic of China


Then it became known that the Tesla Model 3 Long Range registered in the MIIT of Chinais slightly different from the one manufactured in the USA, since the curb weight of the domestic car is 1745 kg. In contrast, the same Fremont production model has a curb weight of 1726 kg.

Tesmanian suggested that this difference could be due to the fact that cars at factories in Shanghai and Fremont are equipped with batteries from different manufacturers.

Model 3 made in the USA have a battery from Panasonic, while cars made in China can have a battery from CATL or LG Chem.

March 6, 2020, the Tesla MIC Model 3 Long Range RWD was approved by China’s MIIT. This means that Giga Shanghai can begin production of this version of the model.

www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/tesla-giga-shanghai-long-range-model-3-will-qualify-for-purchasing-tax-exemption


Nissan to offer electric versions of all models from mid-2020

Japanese car maker Nissan will offer electrified versions of all its cars in Japan from mid-2020, it has been revealed.

Joining its popular and longstanding electric Nissan Leaf will be a range of all-electric models including an electric SUV – likely the crossover dubbed “Ariya” based on the IMx concept – and an electric version of its Dayz city car.

Hybrids will also be on the menu, including hybrid Kicks and X-Trail SUVs as well as hybrid Note small people mover.

The move – first reported by Nikkei Asian Review – echoes the wider shift to electrification that is happening in global markets.

Much of this shift is guided by tightening vehicle emissions regulations, as countries work to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) being released into the atmosphere by transport.

​

In 2019, the Japanese government set out new standards for car makers stipulating a 32% reduction in fuel consumption and thereby CO2 emissions from 2016 levels, by 2030.

To achieve this, car makers must increase electrification of fleets, and reduce sales of pure internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

According to Nikkei Asian Review, the Japanese ministry of industry says there were only 24,000 electric cars registered in Japan in 2017, with most of these being Nissan Leafs and Mitsuibishi i-MiEVs.

Although Nissan has proven itself an EV pioneer with the introduction of the Leaf electric hatch in 2010, it has not to date brought another all-electric vehicle to market.

It does, however, have numerous concepts which give an inkling of what will be on offer.

As mentioned above, the Ariya electric SUV will likely be the next electric car from Nissan.

Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2019, Nissan said at the time it was “near production“.

Nissan has also revealed other electric concept models including the cute and chic IMk which resembles the Dayz city car closely.

Nissan’s Leaf has also gained it a strong foothold in the Japanese vehicle-to-home (V2H) market, where it is approved for use with bidirectional charging to provide an alternative power source for homes.

The Leaf was reintroduced to the Australian market in July 2019 after a long hiatus, and although there are no definite plans for the Ariya to be brought here, Nissan Australia has indicated it could be considered in the future.

Vehicle-to-home capabilities for the Nissan Leaf are also expected to become available in Australia in late 2020 once home charging units to enable the feature gain certification for use locally.

https://thedriven.io/2020/03/17/nissan-to-offer-electric-versions-of-all-models-from-mid-2020/


Tesla Model Y deliveries begin as it tops list of buying choice in key markets

Tesla has officially kicked off deliveries in the US of its latest electric car, the Model Y crossover, releasing a new video of the Model Y assembly lines to mark the occasion.

The market release of the Model Y, which has occurred just one year since its unveiling to the world in March 2019, comes as a new survey on buying intentions indicates strong demand for the electric car in leading European EV markets.

The Tesla video is, predictably, a stirring effort designed to evoke the sense of freedom and agility promised by Model Y ownership, from its roomy interior to its single glass roof.

Model Y deliveries begin!https://t.co/ZhuiM5MTOf pic.twitter.com/3gX6MBPmhp
— Tesla (@tesla) March 16, 2020

Although we learned this week that the Model Y is not rated for towing, the video gives one interesting clue about a new “off-road” feature of the Model Y, which gives better control when driving off-road by balancing torque and improving traction on a variety of surfaces.

​

As described in the Model Y manual by Tesla:

Off-Road Assist is designed to provide overall improvements when driving offroad. In addition to allowing the wheels to spin, Off-Road Assist balances the torque between the front and rear motors to optimize traction. ​

Off-Road Assist improves traction on rough and soft surfaces where one side of the vehicle may lose traction while the other side still has traction. ​

When Off-Road Assist is on, the accelerator pedal provides more gradual torque, which is useful for crawling at low speeds (for example, over rocky surfaces). When enabled, OFFROAD displays on the touchscreen above the driving speed.​

​

While it’s a shame the Model Y is not rated for towing, the ability to take it off-road takes it a cut above the Model 3 (albeit still limited by a low wheelbase).

Labelled “perfect” by one Tesla Motor Club who shared this extensive gallery of the Model Y on Friday, it has now also been revealed that the latest electric car from Tesla will, according to this Cleantechnica survey, be the next preferred electric car buy in leading EV markets such as Norway and the Netherlands.


Source: Cleantechnica

According to the Cleantechnica article, more than half of all survey respondents in Norway and nearly 40% of those in Netherlands said they would buy a Model Y next.

In Germany and France, it is the next most preferred electric car after the Model 3 and across all four markets it is the most preferred vehicle even when PHEV models are included (Cleantechnica notes the survey was undertaken before the unveil of the Tesla Cybertruck).

Since deliveries have started, more details have been revealed by Model Y customers adding to what we learned about the Model Y


Image credit: SilverSmith/TMC
Tesla Motor Club member “SilverSmith” was one of the first to take delivery of a Model Y, also last Friday, and after a day of ownership shared the following, and some photos, about their midnight silver Performance Model Y – including the notable observation that there is in fact a spot where a hitch could be added later.

• There is no HomeLink (our M3 AWD has this included). I think you have to order it for $300 and have it physically installed.
• There is no hatchback shelf, nor a place that you could add one later.
• The wheels are different sizes on the front/back (wide ones, so this explains why the upgraded wheels take so much of our range, they aren’t only 21″, but also taller and wider).
• The seats are 3.5″ taller than the M3 (drivers seat).
• There is no hidden receiver hitch included, but a spot we will be able to add one later.
• There is wireless charging for two phones. Not as nice as the after market one I have on my M3, but nice to not have to pay for it as an addon.
• There is a single USB C port under the charging pad that supplies the power. As well as a standard USB for a USB flash stick for Sentry/Dashcam.
• The rear seat has 6 levels of recline, they are small increments and give you a decent amount.
• Reat seats are fully powered for releasing, and has two buttons in the trunk to do it remotely. And even the ones on top of the seats are powered.
• Middle seat can separate from the drive with a latch behind the middle seat. A post sticks out, which is interesting.
• Power lift gate is fairly basic, opens from the outside like the M3 does. Closes with a button on the lift gate.
• Trunk is huge, with two under bins. One is very shallow though, but still useful.
• Compartments on the sides of the trunk are deep and nice for keeping things from rolling around.
• Second row seat is the same width as the M3 (51 1/4″.
• There is a significant blue tint to the paint (compared to our M3 of the same color).
• Panel gaps seem really good, better than our M3.
• It seems quieter, but then it is a brand new vehicle (compared to our M3).

https://thedriven.io/2020/03/17/tes...it-tops-list-of-buying-choice-in-key-markets/