DAILY: France Incentive Success, VW EV Sales Surge and Lucid Fire Software Team
About this episode
France's innovative social leasing scheme for electric vehicles is making waves, allowing low-income households to access EVs with minimal monthly payments. The program has already seen significant uptake, with 100,000 households benefiting. Meanwhile, Volkswagen reports a surge in EV sales, particularly in Europe, while facing challenges in China. Lucid's Gravity SUV launch is marred by software issues, prompting leadership changes to address reliability concerns. The episode also touches on global trends in clean energy and the introduction of new Chinese EV models in Europe.
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FRANCE’S SOCIAL LEASING SCHEME ADDS 50,000 EVS https://evne.ws/45K8BP0
VW EV SALES SURGE BUT CHINA AND SOFTWARE DRAG https://evne.ws/4qpohzF
BMW SALES FLAT BUT ELECTRIC SHARE JUMPS https://evne.ws/49mR7uu
MINI HITS RECORD AS EVS PASS ONE-THIRD OF SALES https://evne.ws/4bwPfAw
LUCID GRAVITY LAUNCH HITS SOFTWARE POTHOLES https://evne.ws/49D8I08
LUCID SAYS STOP SELLING GUILT, START SELLING SPEED https://evne.ws/4aTn5j3
NEW JERSEY POURS US$32M INTO E-BUSES AND CHARGERS https://evne.ws/49w50Fq
CHINA AND INDIA CUT COAL POWER TOGETHER FOR FIRST TIME IN 52 YEARS https://evne.ws/49ohcJw
ZEEKR 7GT ESTATE TARGETS EUROPEAN EV TASTES https://evne.ws/3NcGmSV
XPENG P7+ TARGETS EUROPE’S FAMILY EV SALOON BUYERS https://evne.ws/49BlZGu
Mercedes-Benz Mercedesbenz Cla
"Join me later as well for a bonus show called Why Mercedes-Benz CLA was the car of the year. It'll be live for patrons."
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a small, fancy car that looks really stylish and is packed with nice features. It's known for being comfortable and fun to drive, making it a popular choice for people who want a luxury car without going for something too big.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117) is a compact luxury sedan that combines stylish design with advanced technology and performance. Launched in 2013, it has been praised for its sleek coupe-like appearance, premium interior, and a range of efficient engines. Its significance as a 'Car of the Year' highlights its appeal in the competitive luxury compact segment.
grant money
"The UK still had grant money. This would be back in the mid to late teens when we first got into EVs."
Grant money is money given by the government to help people buy electric cars. It makes the cars cheaper, so more people can afford them.
Grant money refers to financial incentives provided by the government to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles. This funding helps reduce the overall cost of buying an EV, making it more accessible to consumers.
Renault Zoes
"The first two Renault Zoe's we bought, the UK still had grant money."
The Renault Zoe is a small electric car that many people use for city driving. It's known for being efficient and is often bought with government discounts to encourage electric vehicle use.
The Renault Zoe is a popular electric vehicle (EV) known for its compact size and efficiency, making it a suitable choice for urban driving. It has been well-received in markets like the UK, especially with government incentives for EV purchases.
EVs
"when we first got into EVs. I'm a rich guy, but we probably would have bought the cars anyway if it hadn't been for the money off."
EVs stands for electric vehicles, which are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They are better for the environment because they don't produce harmful exhaust fumes.
EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that are powered entirely by electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them more environmentally friendly compared to traditional vehicles.
Renault 5
"...the Renault five is leading the pack with 11 and a half thousand orders this round."
The Renault 5 is a small car made by the French company Renault. It was popular in Europe and known for being easy to drive and park.
The Renault 5 is a supermini car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1972 to 1985. It was known for its compact size and practicality, making it popular in Europe during its production years.
Stellantis
"...Stellantis models account for about half the orders. Yet the policy's future is unclear."
Stellantis is a large car company that owns many brands like Jeep and Peugeot. It was created when two big car companies merged together.
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the PSA Group. It encompasses several well-known brands, including Jeep, Dodge, and Peugeot.
Volkswagen
"Now, Volkswagen sold 983,100 battery electric vehicles last year. That's up 32% on the bevs of 2024."
Volkswagen is a well-known car brand from Germany that makes many types of vehicles, including electric cars. They are working to make more electric cars as people want to drive more environmentally friendly vehicles.
Volkswagen is a major German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs). In recent years, the company has focused heavily on expanding its electric vehicle lineup to meet growing demand and regulatory requirements.
FAW
"...local software partners and local EV makers like FAW, like XPeng..."
FAW is a big car company in China that makes many types of vehicles, including cars and trucks.
FAW Group Corporation is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in China, producing a wide range of vehicles including passenger cars and commercial trucks. It has several joint ventures with international car makers.
XPeng
"...local EV makers like FAW, like XPeng, and they plan to fit XPeng's autonomous driving software..."
XPeng is a car company from China that makes electric vehicles and is working on self-driving technology.
XPeng is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that focuses on smart and connected cars, including autonomous driving technology. The company is part of the growing EV market in China.
BMW
"Now, BMW nudged global deliveries up a little bit."
BMW is a luxury car brand from Germany that makes high-quality cars known for their performance and comfort.
BMW, or Bayerische Motoren Werke, is a German luxury vehicle manufacturer known for its performance-oriented cars and motorcycles. The brand is synonymous with quality engineering and driving pleasure.
Mini
"What about Mini? Well, Mini sold 105,000 fully electric cars last year."
Mini is a car brand famous for making small cars. It's part of BMW now and has started selling electric cars.
Mini is a British automotive brand known for its compact cars, originally launched in the 1960s. It is now owned by BMW and has expanded its lineup to include fully electric models.
fully electric cars
"Well, Mini sold 105,000 fully electric cars last year. That's a record for the brand, and an 87.9% jump on the previous year."
Fully electric cars are cars that only use electricity to run, instead of gas. They are better for the environment because they don't produce exhaust fumes.
Fully electric cars are vehicles that run entirely on electricity, using batteries as their power source, and do not use gasoline or diesel. They are part of the growing trend towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation.
Mini Cooper Electric
"all the way up to 41,000 euros for models like the Mini Cooper Electric"
The Mini Cooper Electric is a version of the Mini Cooper that runs on electricity instead of gasoline, making it more environmentally friendly.
The Mini Cooper Electric is an electric variant of the classic Mini Cooper, designed for urban driving with a focus on efficiency and sustainability.
Mini Aesman Electric
"and the Mini Aesman Electric."
The Mini Aesman Electric is an electric car made by Mini, part of their effort to offer more eco-friendly vehicles.
The Mini Aesman Electric is another electric vehicle from Mini, expanding their electric lineup alongside the Cooper Electric.
electric SUV
"The firm's compact electric SUV shaped vehicle helped drive their success."
An electric SUV is a type of car that is larger like an SUV but runs on electricity instead of gasoline, making it better for the environment.
An electric SUV is a sport utility vehicle powered entirely by electricity, offering the benefits of an SUV with zero emissions.
Lucid Gravity
"Lucid's new Gravity SUV reached customers with plenty wrong malfunctioning screens and a key fob. So unreliable that some drivers couldn't start the car."
The Lucid Gravity is a new electric SUV made by Lucid Motors. It's designed to be high-tech and luxurious, but some early customers have had problems with it not working properly.
The Lucid Gravity is an all-electric SUV from Lucid Motors, known for its luxury features and advanced technology. However, early reports indicate reliability issues, particularly with software and key fob functionality.
Lucid Air
"Gravity was meant to carry Lucid beyond its original Lucid Air sedan and anchor the brand in the very profitable electric SUV segment."
The Lucid Air is an electric car that offers luxury features and impressive performance, making it a competitor to other high-end electric vehicles.
The Lucid Air is a luxury electric sedan produced by Lucid Motors, known for its high performance and advanced technology features.
driverless taxi
"...It will also serve as a driverless taxi on Uber's network, which makes software a safety issue as well as a comfort one for private buyers."
This is a type of taxi that can drive itself without a person behind the wheel, using technology to pick up and drop off passengers.
A driverless taxi is a vehicle that operates autonomously, transporting passengers without a human driver, often using advanced software and sensors for navigation.
Tesla Model X
"...maybe some Tesla owners that have had a couple of Teslas, maybe Model X over the years, and wants to make a change..."
The Model X is a large electric SUV from Tesla that has unique doors that open upwards and offers a lot of tech features for drivers.
The Tesla Model X is an all-electric SUV known for its distinctive falcon-wing doors, spacious interior, and advanced technology features, including Autopilot capabilities.
EPA range
"450 miles of EPA range, 828 horsepower, 60 miles an hour in 3.3 seconds."
EPA range is how far an electric car can go on one battery charge, according to official tests done by the government.
EPA range refers to the estimated distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge, as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency's testing standards.
horsepower
"450 miles of EPA range, 828 horsepower, 60 miles an hour in 3.3 seconds."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, indicating how much work an engine can do over time. In cars, higher horsepower typically means better acceleration and performance.
0-60 time
"450 miles of EPA range, 828 horsepower, 60 miles an hour in 3.3 seconds."
0-60 time tells you how fast a car can go from a stop to 60 miles per hour. It's a common way to show how quick a car is.
0-60 time measures how quickly a car can accelerate from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour, often used as an indicator of a vehicle's performance.
Tesla Model
"often at the expense of speed and flair. The Tesla Model S broke the mold. It rewrote the script by match..."
Tesla Model S
"...ten at the expense of speed and flair. The Tesla Model S broke the mold. It rewrote the script by matchin..."
The Tesla Model S is a fancy electric car that can go really fast and doesn't use gas. It's known for having a lot of cool technology, like being able to drive itself a little bit, and it's important because it shows that electric cars can be just as good, if not better, than regular cars.
The Tesla Model S is a luxury all-electric sedan that has significantly influenced the automotive industry by demonstrating the potential of electric vehicles in terms of performance and technology. It features impressive acceleration, long-range capabilities, and advanced technology such as autopilot features, making it a benchmark for electric cars. Its significance lies in its ability to combine sustainability with high performance, challenging traditional gas-powered vehicles.
electric vehicle (EV)
"the Tesla rewrote the real book on what an EV could be. At CES this year though, Mark Winterhoff attacked the industry's reliance still on sustainability slogans."
An electric vehicle (EV) is a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. They are better for the environment because they don't produce harmful emissions like regular cars do.
An electric vehicle (EV) is a type of vehicle that is powered entirely or partially by electricity. EVs are known for being environmentally friendly, as they produce zero tailpipe emissions and can reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Zeekr 7GT
"Now, a couple of Chinese cars to finish off with today. First of all, more news about the Zika 7 GT in China."
The Zika 7 GT is a car made by a Chinese company called Zika. It's designed to be sporty and is part of a growing trend of performance cars in China.
The Zika 7 GT is a model from the Chinese automotive manufacturer Zika. It represents a shift towards more performance-oriented vehicles in the Chinese market.
800 volt architecture
"...800 volt architecture, 100 kilowatts battery on the big pack. It charges in 13 minutes to 80 percent."
800 volt architecture means the car uses a very high voltage to power its electric systems. This helps the car charge faster and perform better than cars with lower voltage systems.
800 volt architecture refers to a high-voltage electrical system used in electric vehicles to improve efficiency and reduce charging times. This system allows for faster charging and better performance compared to traditional lower-voltage systems.
DC fast charging
"...all-wheel drive DC fast charging. I think peaking at 480 kilowatts on this."
DC fast charging is a way to quickly charge electric cars using a special type of electricity. It makes it possible to fill up the battery much faster than regular charging methods.
DC fast charging is a method of charging electric vehicles using direct current, allowing for much quicker charging times compared to standard AC charging. This is essential for long-distance travel and convenience.
P7 Plus
"...the refreshed P7 Plus."
The P7 Plus is a new version of an electric car made by a Chinese company called NIO. It's designed with modern technology and is part of the growing electric vehicle market.
The P7 Plus is a refreshed version of an electric sedan produced by NIO, a Chinese automotive manufacturer known for its electric vehicles. It features advanced technology and performance capabilities.
contract manufacturing
"Contract manufacturing by Magna in Austria. It's a five meter long saloon aimed at families that want a design-led car."
Contract manufacturing means that one company makes products for another company. Here, a company called Magna is making the P7 Plus for X-Pung.
Contract manufacturing refers to outsourcing the production of a product to another company, in this case, Magna in Austria is responsible for manufacturing the P7 Plus.
saloon
"It's a five meter long saloon aimed at families that want a design-led car. But also don't worry about a prestige badge on the front."
A saloon is a car style that has a separate trunk for luggage and a comfortable space for passengers. It's often chosen by families for its practicality.
A saloon is a type of car design characterized by a separate trunk and passenger compartment, typically offering more space and comfort for families.
rear wheel drive
"Railwheel drive, long range, rear wheel drive, and all-wheel drive performance. It starts at 46,000 euros."
Rear wheel drive means that the back wheels of the car get the power from the engine. This can make the car handle better, especially when driving fast.
Rear wheel drive (RWD) is a vehicle configuration where the engine's power is sent to the rear wheels, often providing better handling and performance, especially in sporty cars.
all-wheel drive
"rear wheel drive, and all-wheel drive performance. It starts at 46,000 euros."
All-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the car get power from the engine. This helps the car grip the road better, especially in rain or snow.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a system that provides power to all four wheels of a vehicle, enhancing traction and stability, especially in adverse weather conditions.
kilowatt hour
"So the lowest price is a 62 kilowatt hour pack. And then the big pack is 75."
A kilowatt hour is a way to measure how much energy a battery can store. It helps you understand how far an electric car can go before needing to be charged again.
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of energy that measures how much electricity is used over time. In the context of electric vehicles, it indicates the capacity of the battery and how far the car can travel on a single charge.
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