EV Daily | Tesla Delays FSD v13; BYD Expands; Rivian & Hyundai Boost Renewable Energy Initiatives

【Tesla】

Tesla's FSD v13 update has been delayed to next month, with promises of improvements. Despite releasing an AI roadmap for FSD, Tesla has faced criticism for not providing disengagement data. The v12.5 update supposedly achieved a 3x improvement in miles between interventions, but crowdsourced data suggests otherwise. Tesla claims progress with the "End-to-End network on highway" feature but has limited availability. FSD v13 promises a 5-6x improvement and will be widely released in November. Hardware developments lag with unclear timelines for HW3 catching up to HW4. Progress towards achieving a 600,000-mile goal by Q2 2025 appears slow.

【BYD】

BYD has unveiled its new luxury sedan, the Denza Z9, which will be available in all-electric and PHEV versions, boasting a powerful performance with nearly 1,000 hp. The EV giant is also expanding globally, surpassing Tesla's revenue in the last quarter by including PHEV sales. BYD aims to increase its global presence by opening new plants in several countries and launching new vehicle segments.

【Others】

Rivian has signed a 15-year renewable energy agreement with RWE to power its DC fast-charging network, advancing its goal of 7 billion miles of renewable driving. Rivian is also reintroducing a discount offer for gas vehicle owners purchasing new R1T or R1S models, as part of its sales strategy.

Aptera Motors is progressing with its solar EV production, showcasing its PI-2 vehicle for validation and testing. The vehicle integrates Aptera's proprietary battery pack and drivetrain, moving closer to mass production.

Hyundai, in a significant shift towards renewable energy, has signed Korea's largest renewable energy supply contract to power its operations, aiming to transition all domestic and overseas sites to renewable energy by 2045.

Stellantis is reducing Jeep inventory through price cuts while planning an EV blitz with several new models set for 2024. Jeep's Wagoneer S and Dodge's Charger Daytona are among the upcoming electric offerings.

Ford is pausing F-150 Lightning production due to decreased demand and new competition. The pause follows workforce adjustments and aims to optimize sales and profitability. Ford also offers a new program to provide free home chargers for EV buyers.

SOLARCYCLE is establishing a major solar recycling facility in Georgia, supported by strategic investments including from Microsoft, to address solar panel end-of-life challenges and enhance the US solar supply chain.