It was a busy week for EV news, and we’ve rounded up some of the top stories here for you to share.
April 14, 2023 at 8:33 am ET
For: John Rooney
This week, we’ve got news on Chipotle, new car prices, Kia EVs and the EPA: our top EV news of the week April 13, 2023.
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biography: John is the Chief Operating Officer of EPG, a company focused on helping electric and autonomous vehicle companies hire the best talent. In addition to these services, EPG publishes a weekly newsletter called Mobility EVo. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced a new fully electric restaurant design intended to maximize energy efficiency and use 100% renewable energy. Some of the design elements include:
- Charging stations for electric vehicles in selected locations
- Solar panels on the roof
- Replacement of gas energy by fully electric equipment and systems
- Use of heat pump water heaters
- Improved efficiency with smaller electric ranges and improved exhaust hoods
New car prices
In March 2023, the average transaction price of a new vehicle in the US fell below MSRP for the first time in 20 months, according to reports Kelley Blue Book. ATP in March was $48,008, down 1.1% from the previous month, although still 3.8% higher compared to the same period last year.
Sales volumes increased 20% month-on-month and 8% year-on-year, attributed to improved offering, a better mix of lower-priced models and strong fleet sales. This is the good news. Unfortunately for electric vehicles, the average price paid in March for a new electric vehicle increased by 0.5% compared to February 2023, reaching an average of $58,940.
PBV
Kia held an opening ceremony for its new plant in South Korea dedicated to producing electric batteries purpose built vehicles (PBV). The plant will use innovative manufacturing technologies, including the “cell method” to optimize the flow of materials and products during production.
Kia plans to produce 150,000 units in the first full year of production and will launch its first model, the mid-size SW, in 2025. Hyundai Motor Group also aims to be one of the world’s top three electric vehicle manufacturers by 2030.
EPA
The EPA has proposed it new regulations this could require electric vehicles to account for two-thirds of all new cars sold in the United States by 2032, cutting global warming pollution in half. The new standards are expected to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, with electric vehicles potentially accounting for 67% of new light-duty vehicle sales and 46% of new medium-duty vehicle sales by 2032.
Transportation is the largest source of global warming pollution in the US, with light-duty vehicles accounting for 58% of these emissions. The new regulations would be phased in, and carmakers and consumers would have years to adapt. EPA will accept public comments on the proposal before finalizing the rules in the coming months.
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For: John Rooney
