EV Daily | Tesla Megacharger in Utah, FSD v12.5 Update, $5M Baltimore Order; Lucid, Ford, VW, Polestar, GMC, Kia, ZEEKR News

【Tesla】

Tesla has deployed a new mobile Megacharger in Utah to charge its Semi electric trucks. The Megacharger is designed to offer a higher charge rate specifically for the Tesla Semi, which is currently used internally by Tesla and a few partners. Tesla's Megacharger network remains limited, with installations at select locations. The deployment in Utah hints at a new customer in the area, but the exact reason remains unclear.

Tesla has launched a new update, FSD v12.5, on vehicles with the older HW3 computer. Initially, FSD v12.5 was released on newer HW4 vehicles, but Tesla has now extended the update to HW3 vehicles. Despite progress, doubts remain about whether HW3 will ever achieve the promised unsupervised self-driving capabilities.

Tesla secured a $5 million EV order from the city of Baltimore. The order, including Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, marks Baltimore's first purchase from Tesla and signifies Tesla's growing focus on fleet sales.

Tesla's market share in the EV market dipped below 50% in the second quarter, with several new models from other manufacturers hitting the 5K sales mark. Despite this, Tesla models remained popular, with the Model Y and Model 3 leading the charge.

【Others】

Lucid plans to launch three new affordable EVs, including a mid-size electric SUV and a Model 3-like sedan, aiming to compete with Tesla.

Ford has introduced significant changes to its EV plans, focusing on new pickups and hybrids. The first affordable EV pickup will be followed by the next-gen "Project T3" electric truck, which has been delayed to 2027. Ford is also advancing its EV battery sourcing strategy and moving Mach-E production to qualify for benefits.

VW has announced pricing and range for its upcoming ID.Buzz in the US, starting at $59,995. The electric van offers various interior and exterior options but will not qualify for federal EV tax credits.

Polestar hired Philip Römers, a former VW and Audi designer, to lead its design team. Polestar is expanding its model lineup and aims to triple its sales by 2025.

GMC has launched the 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, offering 440 miles of range, fast charging, and advanced features like CrabWalk. The premium electric pickup is now available for purchase.

Kia has introduced new standard features for the 2025 EV9 and maintained its pricing. The upgrades aim to boost domestic sales, which have lagged compared to overseas markets.

ZEEKR has reported a 100% increase in Q2 deliveries and significant revenue growth. The company plans to introduce new models and autonomous driving tech while expanding globally.

The US Department of Defense has allocated $20 million to Electra Battery Materials Corporation to complete a cobalt refinery in Ontario, Canada. The investment aims to support the North American EV supply chain.