March’s auto market saw plugin EVs take a 27.9% share in France, growing from a 25.4% share year-on-year. Full electric volume was up by some 11% YoY, while plugin hybrid volume grew 4%. Overall auto volume was 180,024 units, marginally down YoY, though well below 2017–2019 seasonal norms (~230,000). The Peugeot e-208 remained the bestselling full electric vehicle for the third consecutive month. March’s data tally saw combined plugin EVs take a 27.9% share in France, comprising 18.9% full battery-electrics (BEVs), with 9.0% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). These compare with YoY figures of 25.4% combined, 16.8% BEV, and 8.6% PHEV.

BYD Blade Battery is currently the best example of a good module-less and cobalt-free battery for electric vehicles. When it was launched, the energy density was at 140 Wh/kg, then slowly increased to 150 Wh/kg. Recently, BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu revealed for the first time at a financial report communication meeting that BYD is currently developing a second-generation blade battery to be released as soon as August 2024. This second generation CTP (cell-to-pack) battery from BYD will reach a gravimetric energy density of 190 Wh/kg, which suggests that at the cell level the density will be around 220 Wh/kg - considering a GCTP (gravimetric cell-to-pack) ratio of 85 %.

The new 2024 Dacia Spring is not perfect, but given its price is actually quite good. With a starting price of 16.900 euros, it’s the cheapest electric car you can buy in Europe. This small electric car comes in three variants. Essential (33 kW): 16.900 euros Expression (48 kW): 18.900 euros Extreme (48 kW): 19.900 euros 2024 Dacia Spring Basic specs Seats: 4 Length: 3.701 mm Width: 1.767 mm Height: 1.519 mm Wheelbase: 2.423 mm Turning circle: 4.800 mm Trunk capacity: 308 L - 1.004 L with the rear seats folded down Frunk capacity: 35 L Weight: 984 kg Wheels: 15-inch Starting price: 16.900 euros Powertrain Electric motor: 33 or 48 kW Maximum speed: 125 km/h Range (WLTP): 220 km (137 miles) Battery capacity: 26,8 kWh Battery weight: 186 kg Battery chemistry: NCM DC fast charging: 30 kW - from 20 to 80 % in 45 minutes (600 euros option) On-board charging: 7 kW - from 0 to 100 % in 4 hours Consumption: 14,6 kWh/100 km What’s most impressive is that it comes packed with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to meet the latest European Global Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2) safety standards.

March saw plugin EVs take 22.9% share of the UK auto market, barely up from 22.4% year on year. Full electric share fell, while plugin hybrid share grew. Overall auto volume was 317,786 units, up 10% YoY, though still far below pre-2020 norms. The UK’s leading BEV brand was Tesla, ahead of BMW. March’s totals saw combined plugin EVs at 22.9% share, with full electrics (BEVs) taking 15.2% and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) taking 7.7%. These compare with YoY shares of 22.4% combined, 16.2% BEV and 6.2% PHEV.

March’s auto market saw plugin EVs take 91.5% share in Norway, up from 91.1% year on year. BEVs alone took almost 90% share. Overall auto volume was 9,750 units, 50% down YoY, and the lowest March in 15 years. The Tesla Model Y was again Norway’s best selling vehicle. March saw combined EVs take 91.5% share in Norway, comprising 89.3% full electrics (BEVs) and 2.2% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). These compare with YoY figures of 91.1% combined, 86.8% BEV and 4.3% PHEV.

March’s auto market saw plugin EVs at a 58.1% share in Sweden, down YoY from 59.9%. Plugin volumes were down YoY for BEVs, but up slightly for PHEVs. Overall auto volume was 23,891 units, down some 21% YoY. The Tesla Model Y was March’s bestselling BEV. March saw combined EVs at a 58.1% share in Sweden, with full battery-electrics (BEVs) at 34.9% and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) at 23.2%. These figures compare with 59.9% combined in March 2023, 41.6% BEV, and 18.3% PHEV.

It’s been a while since I’ve looked into what LG Energy Solution is doing in terms of battery technologies. First, let’s see the four latest battery cells that LG Energy Solution recently introduced. Then build some hypothetical battery packs with them. LG Energy Solution E101A (NCM) Cell model: E101A Chemistry: NCM/Graphite Capacity: 101,8 Ah Nominal voltage: 3,67 V Energy: 374 Wh Gravimetric energy density: 287 Wh/kg Volumetric energy density: 637 Wh/L Lenght: 580 mm Width: 112,4 mm Thickness: 9 mm Weight: 1,303 kg Production: China and Poland (since 2023) 🔋Battery pack #1

Last year, Leapmotor and Stellantis announced the formation of Leapmotor International, a 51/49 Stellantis-led joint venture between the two carmakers. The French carmaker currently owns around 20 % of the Chinese carmaker. This joint venture gives Stellantis exclusive rights to build, export and sell Leapmotor products outside China. For this reason, Leapmotor International is going to assemble the small electric car T03 at Stellantis plant in Poland. The production is slated to begin as early as the second quarter of this year, utilizing the semi-knocked down technique, wherein partially assembled kits are transformed into fully assembled vehicles.

June saw plugin EVs at 24.6% share in Germany, down from 26.0% year on year. Full electrics grew their share at a decent rate, up from 14.4% to 18.9%, the share of plugin hybrids halved, however, after incentives were cut. Overall auto volume was 280,047 units, up 24.7% YoY, still far down on the pre-2020 norm (roughly 330,000). The Tesla Model Y was the best selling BEV in June, and third best seller of any auto.

June saw plugin EVs take 25.1% of the UK auto market, up from 21.6% year on year. Both full electrics and plugin hybrids grew volume at a healthy clip. Overall auto volume was 177,266 units, up some 26% YoY, but still well below pre-2020 norms. The Tesla Model Y was the UK’s bestselling vehicle in June. June’s combined plugin result of 25.1% comprised 17.9% full electrics (BEVs), and 7.2% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). These figures compare with 21.6%, 16.1%, and 5.5% in June 2022. Both categories of plugins have grown share at a moderate rate YoY, though PHEVs have done a bit better proportionately.

June saw plugin EVs at 90.9% share of Norway’s auto market, up from 89.9% a year ago. Full electrics increased their share to 82.2%, with plugin hybrid share diminishing to 8.7%. Overall auto volume was 15,566 units, up 4.5% YoY. Tesla’s Model Y was yet again Norway’s best selling vehicle, almost 3x the volume of the runner up. With combined EVs at 90.9% share in June, full battery electrics (BEVs) contributed 82.2%, with plugin hybrids (PHEVs) at 8.7%. These compare with corresponding YoY shares of 89.9%, 78.7%, and 11.2%. We can see that the plugin weighting is shifting towards BEVs.

Sweden’s June auto market saw plugin EVs take 59.2% share, up from 55.1% year on year. Full electrics grew share at a decent rate, while plugin hybrids retreated slightly. Overall auto volume was 28,283 units, up some 9% YoY, though still below pre-2020 norms. The Tesla Model Y was June’s best selling vehicle. June’s result saw EVs take 59.2% combined share, which comprised 38.7% full electrics (BEVs), and 20.5% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). These compare with figures of 55.1%, 31.6%, and 23.5% a year ago. We can see that BEVs have grown well whilst PHEVs have slightly declined.