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NetZero Insider’s electric vehicle news curation this week covers sudden shakeups at the U.S.’ largest EV manufacturer and state progress on charging networks.


Tesla, in a move CEO Elon Musk has yet to explain, cut the majority of its Supercharger team, Bloomberg reports. The mass firing of the company’s 500-member team includes senior director of EV charging Rebecca Tinucci. Musk wrote following the announcement that Tesla will now “focus on 100% uptime and expansion of existing” Supercharger locations and that expansion will continue, albeit at a slowed pace.  


Amid unreliable public networks and ambitious federal EV expansion goals, the Supercharger network has played a “bedrock” role, E&E News writes. Other EV manufacturers, including Ford, have been gaining access to the network since last spring. Spokespersons for GM and Ford said plans for their EV customers remain unchanged. 


Beyond cooling its Supercharger expansion, Tesla retreated from further developing its gigacasting manufacturing technique, Reuters reports. This technique focuses on casting cars’ underbodies in just a few large sections, as opposed to many small pieces, as other manufacturers do. Automotive manufacturing experts have said the gigacasting process, while cost-effective in the long run, requires large upfront investment, which Tesla may be looking to avoid as it entrenches. 


The move to downsize comes as Chinese EV manufacturer BYD overtakes Tesla, Forbes reports. Tesla’s sales fell 4% in China last quarter, while BYD’s rose 15%. China also controls large supplies of the raw materials needed to build Tesla’s batteries. 


Slow business isn’t the only thing stalling charger implementation. In Washington state, a wave of copper wire thefts have cost the Department of Transportation $1.5 million since 2021, The Center Square writes. The department reported that these thefts are occurring on a near-daily basis and at facilities around the state. 


In Ohio, though, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is seeking $189 million in Inflation Reduction Act funds to implement the state’s first climate action plan, Energy News Network reports. This plan would fund, among other things, the electrification of the state’s vehicle fleet and charging station installation and repair.  


Ohio is among 45 states and nearly 70 metropolitan areas competing for a share of up to $4.6 billion in federal funding from the IRA. 


This week’s curation also includes: 

All that and more in this week’s Intelligence Report:  


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Aircraft
Electric Vehicles
Fuel Cells
Heavy-duty Vehicles
Shipping

 
 

Aircraft

U.S.

Five problems facing hydrogen-powered airplanes

The sector is hunting for a tech fix that would allow airplanes to keep flying while polluting less -- and one idea is to use hydrogen. But there are big questions over whether this is a workable solution. Hydrogen Central


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Electric Vehicles

California

California doesn't need Elon Musk (except when it does)

EVs are becoming Elon Musk-proof. Democrats who not so long ago had to hold their nose and buy a Model 3 now have other options. Politico


California

California EV sales continue to slow

While the figures don't represent growth, they are encouraging for the EV market after California saw a more rapid decline through the end of 2023. E&E News


California

California EV sales kick off strong this year despite recent slump, Tesla fatigue

California electric vehicle sales started strong this year, a sign of a healthy market for low and zero-emissions cars despite last year's drop in sales, concerns about public charging and fatigue with the state's leading EV manufacturer. The news comes just days after Tesla, which still sells the most electric vehicles of any other car company, announced it would open up its fast chargers to electric vehicles from other manufacturers including Ford and Rivian. The Sacramento Bee


California

EV chargers are catching up to gas stations in California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that there is now one EV charging station for every five gas stations in the state, which is home to more than 39 million people. Quartz


Connecticut

Eversource pauses electric vehicle charging rebates in CT

A day after Connecticut regulators approved bill increases likely to drive up costs for customers of electric utility Eversource, the company announced it will soon pull the plug on a rebate program aimed at incentivizing the adoption of electric vehicle chargers. Connecticut Public Radio


Delaware

Delaware Expands Electric Vehicle Rebates to Include Used Models Starting May 1

On May 1, Delaware will expand its Clean Transportation Incentive Program to include rebates for used plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced. This program is part of Delaware's broader Climate Action Plan aimed at reducing transportation emissions and improving air quality. State of Delaware News


International

Electric cars: EU needs 8 times more charging points per year by 2030 to meet CO2 targets

A new European Automobile Manufacturers' Association report reveals an alarming gap between the current availability of public charging points for electric cars in the EU and what will be needed in reality to meet CO2-reduction targets. ACEA


International

Elon Musk Cuts Tesla Supercharger Team, Dealing Blow to Biden's EV Agenda

Elon Musk has upended a deal the White House saluted early last year to open Tesla Inc.'s electric-vehicle chargers to other automakers, dealing a blow to President Joe Biden's EV agenda. Bloomberg


International

Elon Musk goes 'absolutely hard core' in another round of Tesla layoffs

After laying off 10% of its global workforce this month, Tesla is reportedly cutting more executives and its Supercharger team. The Verge


International

Elon Musk's Hail Mary In China

Tesla needs to innovate, secure alternative raw materials and batteries, and reduce dependence on China, or otherwise brace for impact. Forbes


International

Exclusive: Tesla retreats from next-generation 'gigacasting' manufacturing process

Tesla has backed away from an ambitious plan for innovations in gigacasting, its pioneering manufacturing process, according to two sources familiar with the matter, in another sign that the electric-vehicle maker is retrenching amid falling sales and rising competition. Reuters


International

Fact Checks: Have Electric Vehicles Sales Really Stalled?

While there are some serious challenges surrounding EVs -- such as the need to build out the nation's charging infrastructure -- leading forecasters agree that EV sales and market share will continue to grow in 2024. CleanTechnica


International

Musk Plans More Layoffs as Two Senior Tesla Executives Depart

Frustrated by falling sales and the pace of layoffs carried out by his lieutenants, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is thinning his senior management team and laying off hundreds more employees. The Information


International

No, the electric vehicle market isn't crashing. It just needs recharging.

Electric vehicle sales are continuing to rise, and will reach record levels this year. But the rate of EV sales growth is slowing, so those record highs won't be as high as they would have been had sales growth continued at the same high rate as in, say, 2023. CNN


International

Retailers: Help Solve the EV Charging Station Shortage and Increase Your Bottom Line

Before electric vehicles can make the leap toward widespread use, EV charging must be fast, convenient and reliable for consumers. Retail chains can make a significant difference in providing charging options to the masses -- while improving their own bottom lines along the way, writes EVPassport CEO Hooman Shahidi. Retail TouchPoints


International

Sky-High Depreciation And Massive Repair Bills Force Hertz To Sell 30,000 EVs

Hertz will reduce its EV fleet by an additional 10,000 cars, after suffering higher-than-expected depreciation of its electric models. The rental giant's CEO recently resigned, and the company posted a $392 million loss in Q1 2024. Autoweek


International

Stellantis CEO Thinks EV Mandates Will 'Kill' Industry

Speaking to UK journalists from Stellantis's small-van factory at Ellesmere Port, CEO Carlos Tavares agreed with the logic behind an EV mandate, saying "I think the fact that they're imposing a ramp-up of [EV sales] makes sense" but adding: "The problem is the magnitude and the positioning of the ZEV mandate vis-?-vis the natural demand of the market." Jalopnik


International

Tesla Pullback Puts Onus on Others to Build Electric Vehicle Chargers

The automaker led by Elon Musk is no longer planning to take the lead in expanding the number of places to fuel electric vehicles. It's not clear how quickly other companies will fill the gap. The New York Times


International

Tesla Is Pulling Back From EV Charging, and People Are Freaking Out

Tesla's move this week to lay off much of the team responsible for creating the largest and most successful electric-vehicle charging network in the U.S. threw the industry into a state of shock and confusion. The Wall Street Journal


International

Tesla layoffs shake confidence in the EV-charging future

Elon Musk's abrupt decision to hollow out the team that created Tesla's charging network could ripple across multiple industries. E&E News


International

Tesla won the EV charging race. So why's it gutting its Supercharger team?

Elon Musk's decision to slash the 500-person EV charging team could hurt automakers and charging companies building Tesla's technology into their future plans. Canary Media


International

The electric car revolution is on track, says IEA

Global electric vehicle sales are set to rise by more than a fifth to reach 17 million this year, powered by drivers in China, according to the International Energy Agency. CNN


International

The Latest Car Chargers Will Fire Up Demand in an Ailing Market

Advancements are aimed at killing off one of the last remaining obstacles to electric-vehicle adoption. Bloomberg


Massachusetts

Worried your EV will run out of juice? Mass. plans to add more charging stations

MassDOT announced a five-year, $63 million plan to install EV charging stations no more than 50 miles apart in an effort to reduce "range anxiety" and encourage the transition from fossil-fueled vehicles to carbon-neutral vehicles. MassLive


Michigan

Michigan sees 'significant' increase in EV charging stations over past year

Good news for people who drive electric cars: The number of fast charging stations in Michigan has increased by about 52% over the past year, according to the Anderson Economic Group. WILX


New Jersey

NJ electric vehicle drivers say more chargers needed to get over 'range anxiety'

Gov. Phil Murphy's administration says New Jerseyans should expect to soon see plans for expanding New Jersey's electric vehicle charging network as the state ramps up efforts to get more EVs on the road. Gothamist


North Dakota

ND regulators skeptical on funding EV grid impact study

Members of the North Dakota Industrial Commission expressed skepticism about funding a study that would evaluate the impact of electric vehicles on the power grid in the state and others near it. The Bismarck Tribune


Ohio

Ohio seeks $189 million in EPA funds to electrify state fleets, retrofit public buildings

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's administration is seeking $189 million in federal Inflation Reduction Act funding to help implement the state's first climate action plan. Energy News Network


Ohio

Pitt Ohio Executive Targets EV Infrastructure

Ensuring electric commercial vehicles have reliable access to charging infrastructure remains a persistent challenge, a trucking executive recently told policymakers in the U.S. House of Representatives. Transport Topics


U.S.

Anatomy of a failed EV startup

Zevvy, a startup that offered creative financing to democratize electric vehicle access, shut down recently. The firm's founder has a lot to say about why. Canary Media


U.S.

Biden Poised to Finalize New Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Rules

The U.S. Treasury Department will unveil the final version of new rules limiting a popular tax credit for electric car buyers soon as the Biden administration races to complete regulations ahead of the November election, according to people familiar with the matter. Bloomberg


U.S.

Can streetlights unlock big city EV charging? This startup thinks so

Voltpost unveiled its new EV charging product, which is designed to tap into the electricity available in streetlights -- and withstand life in urban settings. Canary Media


U.S.

Musk disbands Tesla EV charging team, leaving customers in the dark

For now, General Motors, Ford and other automakers which struck deals last year to give customers access to the network said they are not changing their plans. Reuters


U.S.

Not listening to consumers': EV debate rages in House hearing

House Republicans ratcheted up their attacks on the administration's electric vehicle agenda by bashing federal programs and hinting at new legislation. E&E News


U.S.

Swing-State Voters Broadly Oppose Biden Administration's Electric Car Agenda, Poll Finds

Americans are disinterested in electric vehicles and opposed to the Environmental Protection Agency's latest plan to further regulate tailpipe emissions, an 85 Fund poll conducted by CRC Research found. The 85 Fund is a nonprofit that supports conservative causes. National Review


Vermont

EV fee legislation encounters bumps in the road in Vermont House

As the legislative session enters its final weeks, the House and the Senate are divided over a plan to impose fees on the owners of electric vehicles. Vermont Public


Washington

Electric vehicle charging station vandalism could undermine Washington state's environmental goals

Washington's efforts to electrify its transportation sector could be undermined by copper wire thefts that have already hit newly installed charging stations in various locations, leaving the chargers unusable and costing taxpayers. The Center Square


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Fuel Cells

California

FEF launches first-of-its-kind hydrogen station in the U.S.

Beyond being a first for the US, the hydrogen station features the first heavy-duty truck H70 fast-fill lane in the world, designed to provide efficient H2 refueling. Hydrogen Fuel News


California

Toyota Establishes Hydrogen Headquarters to Accelerate Advancement of Fuel Cell Technology

Reaffirming its commitment to support fuel cell and additional hydrogen-related products and technology toward a hydrogen economy, Toyota Motor North America announced that it is renaming the TMNA R&D California office as its new North American Hydrogen Headquarters. PR Newswire


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Heavy-duty Vehicles

California

Big rigs in California are getting cleaner -- but can long-range targets for trucks be met?

State and federal regulators have rolled out tighter emission rules, pushing commercial operators toward zero-emission vehicles. The San Diego Union-Tribune


U.S.

Love's Travel Stops Urges Congress to Support Private Investment in Alternative Fuels

The right policy framework and incentive structure will advance the market for alternative fuels, including electricity, while lowering carbon emissions for transportation energy, a representative of the truck stop, travel plaza and fuel retailing industry testified. Fuel Market News


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Shipping

International

Bibby Marine places order for world's first zero-emission eCSOV

The electric commissioning service operations vessel, which has been designed in collaboration with U.K.-based ship designer Longitude, will feature a powerful battery system for emissions-free operations, complemented by dual-fuel methanol engines. Marine Log


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