Technical limitations with the v2 cabinets. V2 cabinets only support the older CANbus protocol which is also used by CHADemo plugs, but not CCS. V3 and above support both that protocol and the PLC protocol that CCS cars use. They'd have to retrofit the old V2s in order to support it and it doesn't really make sense given the slower charging speeds

 

Ford plans affordable small electric pickup and SUV, starting around $25,000

Amid a flood of new competition, Ford is shifting plans to build more affordable electric vehicles. Ford is developing a new low-cost EV platform to power a small electric pickup and SUV, with starting prices around $25,000. However, due to the pivot, plans for its three-row electric SUV have been put on the back burner.

Shifting to low-cost EVs

Although low-cost Chinese passenger EVs, like BYD, are not sold in the US, they are having a big impact on domestic automakers.

Ford’s CEO Jim Farley reiterated his concerns over the low-cost overseas rivals during a Wolfe Research conference last month. Farley explained that if you cannot compete with Chinese automakers, “20% to 30% of your revenue is at risk.”

“As the CEO of a company that had trouble competing with the Japanese and the South Koreans, we have to fix this problem,” Farley said.

Ford learned “pretty quickly to bet on a smaller EV platform.” The American automaker’s leader admitted larger EVs, like the F-150 Lightning, are expensive to build.

Farley said anything “larger than the Escape” better be functional or a work vehicle. Meanwhile, smaller electric cars are different. An Escape-sized EV or smaller “completely works,” Ford’s leader explained.





Not only does it work, but “It’s dramatically better operating cost than a (Toyota) Corolla or a (Honda) Civic or even a (Ford) Maverick.”

Ford plans smaller affordable EV pickup and SUV

During an investor call last month, Farley revealed the company had been “secretly” working on a low-cost EV platform.

Ford put together a “super-talented skunk works team” to create it with “some of the best EV engineers in the world.” The team is led by Alan Clarke, who led the engineering on Tesla’s best-selling Model Y.



According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the team (less than 100 people) is developing a new affordable EV platform to power a new small, more affordable Ford electric pickup and SUV.

Sources familiar with the matter say the first model will launch in 2026, with starting prices around $25,000. It will rival the low-cost EV Tesla is working on.

The platform will first feature LFP batteries, which are about 30% cheaper than traditional lithium-ion. However, it’s also exploring other EV battery tech.



Amid the shift, Ford is delaying plans for a larger three-row electric, according to the sources.

Ford’s move comes as several automakers aim to take on low-cost EVs from China. After topping Tesla in the last three months of 2023 to become the largest global EV maker, BYD is upping the competition this year.

The Chinese automaker declared a “liberation battle” on gas-powered vehicles after launching a series of low-cost electric vehicles.



Its cheapest, the new Seagull, starts at around $9,700 in China. Farley called BYD’s Seagull “pretty damn good,” as he warned other automakers.

Although BYD currently has no plans to sell passenger EVs in the US, it is “just getting started” in other markets like Europe. BYD’s first cargo transport ship, carrying 3,000 vehicles, landed in Germany last month as it expands overseas.

Ford is not the only one watching. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares told reporters last month, “The Chinese offensive is possibly the biggest risk that companies like Tesla and ourselves are facing right now.”

https://electrek.co/2024/03/18/ford-...tarting-25000/

 

2026 BMW iX3 and i3 Kick Off BMW's Next Stage of EV Transition

These new electric models, serving as battery-powered variants of the X3 and 3-series, will use the Neue Klasse platform

• BMW transitions to a dual-platform strategy for its ICE and EV models with the arrival of the i3 sedan and iX3 SUV.
• Unfortunately, the brand is expected to eventually pull the plug on the Z4.
• Look for the Alpina subbrand to eventually battle the likes of Bentley and Mercedes-Maybach.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a6...3-future-cars/

 

I don't know if the guys at work did this on purpose...but another Tesla love fest

 

That looks good!

 

I knew this would happen.. 2030 will be delayed again and again, by other automakers. Just offer them both for god's sake, what is the problem with that?? "Couple of years" my butt.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a6...tg7Qib7rmwWOQQ

 

it just depends on the market. If market xx wants gas, whats the problem with delivering.

Same as with EVs... soon enough, if you want to sell anything in China, gotta be EV. For now luxury market is not moving as fast in China to BEVs but it is only matter of timing. And once BYD has 30% of the market, question is what can you do.

 

I don't think BEVs will ever reach 30%, at least as long as I'm alive. Make all the awesome ones... but still offer ICE vehicles because Americans still want them. Why can't MB do what BMW did with the 7 series and have them look the same?? That was a SERIOUSLY smart move IMO.

In any case don't shoot the messenger. The whole Hertz thing where the guy is stepping down, what a disaster. They lost a quarter of a billion dollars. Ouch.

 

Just saw this, it’s gas but if I wanted an EV and were jn market that would be the first car I’d look at. I7.

 

Going on their 5 CEO in 4 years. Yeah, it's Tesla's fault!

 

You took the words out of my mouth. It had nothing to do with maybe, bad decisions?

 

BMW just came out and said they were going to stop doing shared platforms and move to true EV platforms like Mercedes.

You don't think in the next 40 years EVs will have 30% market share? Thats absurd, IMO. 40 years is a long time.

 

You can put some of the blame on Tesla. High repair costs aside, their financials probably had a certain price on fleet resale once they were retired from active rental work. The price drops definitely tanked those numbers.

 

Think about what EVs and the EV market was like in 2014 compared to now. Extrapolate that to 2034.

 

where? where will they not reach? This is China, largest market in the world:

2023 Sales
It is already up in 2024 in China.

Now my neck of the woods? I am with you, 70% will not happen without some crazy stuff, but i expect overall western EU to go over 50% in next 5 years max. It is around 20% already for BEVs.

Now look at it from manufacturers view - a lot of important new car markets are rapidly moving to BEV. It is panic time. They dont know how to do it and nobody but Tesla makes any money on it. Of course plans change.