It’s EV News Briefly for Sunday 5th March. I’ll be back as usual at 5pm UK time, that’s Midday Eastern, for the full podcast.  Patreon supporters get the episodes as soon as they’re ready AND ad free. You can be like them by clicking here. 

Lucid Motors has announced its expansion into Norway, one of the most advanced markets for EVs globally, following successful launches in North America and the United Arab Emirates. The company will launch its flagship electric sedan, the Lucid Air, in Norway in the coming months and plans to open showrooms in Oslo and Bergen later this year. 

Ford is adding a "burnout mode" to its electric cars, allowing the vehicles to spin their wheels without moving. The feature will be available on all of Ford's electric vehicles, including the Mustang Mach-E GT, and is sure to appeal to car enthusiasts. 

Chinese automaker Geely's subsidiary, Lynk & Co, has launched its first electric vehicle, the Zero Concept, at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show. The EV has a range of up to 435 miles, cutting-edge technology, and is aimed at urban, younger drivers, with a subscription service that includes insurance and maintenance. 

Toyota has announced that the BZ3, its first electric vehicle co-developed with BYD, has rolled off the production line. The compact SUV will have a range of around 250 miles, advanced driver assistance systems, and will be launched in China first. 

Lamborghini is reportedly set to introduce its first-ever plug-in hybrid vehicle, the 2024 Lamborghini Urus Plug-in Hybrid. The car is expected to offer an electric driving range of about 30 miles, an 800-hp power output, and will be built on the same platform as the current Urus model. 

Volvo has delivered 20 electric trucks to DFDS in Gothenburg to be used for distribution and delivery services. DFDS aims to transition to electric trucks to reduce its carbon footprint and improve air quality in urban areas. 

Colorado has released its Electric Vehicle (EV) Plan to accelerate EV adoption with a goal of installing 500,000 charging ports by 2030, increasing EV availability through incentives, and addressing equity concerns. The plan takes a comprehensive approach to expanding EV infrastructure, promoting consumer awareness and education, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Tesla is among several companies reviewing their investments in Europe to comply with the IRA announced by President Biden, which aims to reduce electronic waste. The company is committed to environmental sustainability and actively seeking ways to comply with the IRA, including reviewing its Gigafactory in Berlin. 

Turkey has imposed a 40% additional tariff on electric vehicle imports from China starting from March 2023 to boost local production and employment. This decision aligns with Turkey's goal to reduce its reliance on foreign imports and increase domestic production while presenting opportunities for other countries to expand their electric vehicle exports to Turkey. 

California's Independent System Operator (CAISO) has raised concerns over whether the state's power grid can manage the surge in electric vehicles (EVs). A 15-fold increase in EVs could result in a 25% increase in electricity demand in California by 2045, but the report suggests that the challenges can be mitigated with proper planning, investment in renewable energy, and implementation of programs to incentivize charging during off-peak hours. 

Li Auto's CEO, Li Xiang, predicts that the price of lithium carbonate will drop by up to 40% in the next year due to an increase in production capacity and supply chain improvements, which will benefit the electric vehicle industry. This decrease in prices will make electric vehicles more accessible to consumers and lead to lower costs for manufacturers. 

Automakers such as Volkswagen and General Motors are investing in and partnering with mining startups and junior mining companies to secure a steady supply of minerals needed for EV batteries. However, these partnerships present challenges, including lack of experience and infrastructure for large-scale mining operations, and navigating the complexities of the mining industry.