Watt Happened: Electrification News from Jan. 29-Feb. 4
By Steve Thompson – Feb. 5, 2021
This week featured big EV news, although this particular item was more about a lack of electrification. Cadillac unveiled its CT5-V and CT4-V Blackwings. With the CT5-V boasting 668hp from a supercharged 6.2L V-8 and the CT4-V pumping out 472hp from a twin-turbo V-6 – and manual transmissions on the option sheets – these comfy cruisers are the stuff of traditional enthusiast dreams. The undertone, though, is that Cadillac’s latest offerings are simply stopgaps until GM electrifies everything.
Along similar lines, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis said that EVs will likely save the Hellcat.
Meanwhile, non-traditional automakers were actively charging forward. We’re not sure whether Faraday Future’s future is now solidified, but the company told of its intent to go public via the increasingly popular method of a SPAC (special purpose acquisition company), all the while partnering with Foxconn and Geely to produce its forthcoming EVs.
And while most auto manufacturers are trying to catch up with Tesla on the road, VW announced its MEB modular e-drive system will help drive a solar-electric yacht from Silent-Yachts.
Speaking of Tesla...
Tesla announced the Model X and S will dispense of their lead-acid batteries in a shift to Li-ion for their 12v systems. Utilizing Li-ion should offer a less corrosive and longer-lasting 12v solution, and is a longtime coming.
Another welcome piece of news came from NHTSA with its recall announcement regarding Tesla’s eMMC controller. Per NHTSA:
Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.Remedy
Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.
Tesla news continued, although this tidbit pops up shortly after Tesla makes any financial statement: Tesla’s profits come from selling regulatory credits. Normally, we’d ignore this kind of story since it’s far from new news, but with GM, Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and pretty much every other major automaker on the planet diving into full electrification in the coming decade, Tesla’s days of relying on regulatory credit sales are likely numbered.
Before we leave the topic of Tesla, you’ll want to check out Sandy Monro’s extensive interview with Elon Musk. It’s 50 minutes of awkward excellence.
Sandy Munro (right) spent the better part of an hour geeking out with Tesla’s Elon Musk (left). (Image via Munro Live)
Nikola has been absent from the news cycle as of late, but there has been Nikola-esque news. Atlis Motor Vehicles formed partnerships with South Korea-based Media Tech Co., Ltd. and Malaysia-based Greatech for EV manufacturing and battery technology. That’s normally positive news, but this interview with Atlis CEO Mark Hanchett has a number of red flags, like when he likens his company to Apple. Can’t say that always goes well.
Hydrogen power popped up again, but this time as a paste. Yes, you read that right.
And finally, Washington state’s Clean Cars 2030 bill proposes “that all privately owned and publicly owned passenger and light duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later registered in Washington state be electric vehicles.” If it passes, this will be the most progressive EV bill in the U.S. – and likely send legacy automakers into a bit of a panic.
(Main image courtesy Faraday Future)
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