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#1 Tesla goes V2G with “Powershare Grid Support”⚡:
When Tesla launched the Cybertruck in North America, it was the first vehicle to support AC bi-directional Vehicle-to-Home features beyond pilot programs. Tesla’s Powershare feature requires less off-board hardware/boxes and can have lower installation costs than competing DC V2H systems from Ford/GM and others. Now Tesla is going beyond just V2H, with the introduction of V2G (“Powershare Grid Support” in Tesla-speak) in Texas (now) and California (soon).
For now, only the Cybertruck is supported, but this is exciting news nevertheless. As we reported, the recent redesign of Tesla Model Y performance made that vehicle capable of AC V2L bi-directional Powershare, so there’s a good chance we will see Tesla’s V2G expand to other vehicle models in the future. As the best-selling EV brand in North America, Tesla certainly can quickly build a large asset base of vehicles that can potentially provide grid support.
If you want to work on the roll-out of Tesla’s V2X features, check out this recent job posting on Tesla’s energy product team: https://www.tesla.com/careers/search/job/product-manager-home-charging-v2x-262402
#2 BMW iX3 V2H goes live in Germany 🔌:
BMW and utility E.On together have launched their DC V2G offering for the new BMW iX3 in Germany. The BMW DC V2G Wallbox Professional can be ordered for 2095€ and the first 100 customers to do so will receive a 700€ discount. Once in operation, the system will enable customers to earn up to 720€ per year in grid support rebates, which BMW says can pay for up to 14,000km of electric driving.
We‘ll be very curious to see how much the total system cost, including installation, comes out to. If you ordered one of these and have received an installation quote yet - let us know!
#3 Tesla Semi and Pilot Travel Centers Partnership - An Engineering Deep Dive🚐:
Last week, we reported about Tesla’s plans to roll out the first 20 locations of a nationwide network of heavy-duty "Megachargers" specifically for electric trucks. Alex Agne from Electric Era had a great write-up on the partnership and the engineering fundamentals behind US electric trucking this week. Check out his post below:
#4 Rivian R2 - First Drive Reviews and additional details released✨:
Rivian just invited the first group of media to get their hands on the upcoming R2 vehicle. Rivian fans and followers in the US have been waiting for this ever since Rivian first publicly revealed the R2 concept in 2023. And for our European readers: Unlike R1, the R2 midsize SUV was designed as a global vehicle and could be potentially sold in Europe too!
Overall, the Rivian R2 seems like a very compelling package, if the pricing is right. Rivian has said the base model will start at $45k, which is roughly equal to the Tesla Model Y Premium version. A lot of people appreciate that the Rivian R2 design is very close to its larger brother, the Rivian R1S full-size SUV.
Some folks online are criticizing that the R2 still takes ca 30 minutes to charge 10-80%, which is competitive to the Tesla Model Y but lacking upcoming competitors like the BMW iX3 and the Volvo EX60. This is due to the fact that Rivian chose to stay with a 400V battery architecture for the R2, which means it will max out somewhere between 200kW and 250kW peak charging power.
If you want all the nerdy and quirky details of the R2, watch Doug’s video below:
Most-clicked link last post: Was the website of TheMobilityHouse’s new V2G aggregation platform Cascade (Link)
Meme of the Week 🤡
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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial or tax advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. The Electric Avenue team may hold investments in or may otherwise be affiliated with the companies discussed.
