Tesla’s Q1 numbers are out: Tesla delivered 310,048 EVs in the first quarter of 2022 and produced 305,407 electric vehicles. This time last year, Tesla delivered 184,800 electric vehicles and produced 180,338 EVs. Model 3 and Model Y cars compromised around 95% of the deliveries. On the charging side, Tesla has opened the longest Supercharging network in the world. Located in France, the location offers 28 stalls and is open to both Tesla and other EV owners.

In other Tesla news, the car company has been testing the Lucid Air at its Fremont Factory on its test track. Considering the two companies’ history, this is certainly remarkably interesting.

In other EV News

• BYD made a significant business move; the company has ended full combustion engine car production to focus solely on hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Last month, BYD sold 53,664 pure EVs and 50,674 plug-in hybrid vehicles. BYD also beat Panasonic to rank in third place with an 11.9% market share in the global EV battery market for Q1 of 2022.
• Panasonic took home fourth in the global EV battery market with a 10.8% market share. Panasonic wants more growth and plans to invest $4.9 billion in EV batteries, cyber physical systems, and supply chain software from 2023 to 2025.
• Honda and General Motors have partnered to produce a fleet of affordable EVs. Built with GM’s Ultium battery technology, the project is expected to launch in 2027.
• Hertz has announced its decision to purchase 65,000 EVs from Polestar over the next 5 years. Hertz plans to offer the Polestar 2 to renters in Europe this spring, and in North America and Australia by late 2022.
• Canada’s federal budget now includes $1.6 billion to go towards a strategy to increase the production and processing of critical minerals needed for the EV battery supply chain. The time frame is not concrete, but the investment could be spread over more than a year.
• Lexus’ first electric vehicle exhibits “ideal balance and inertia.” And a steering yoke. Other than that, there are still a lot of blanks left for Lexus to fill in.

EV of the Week

We made a trip up to the Rivian service center in Denver and we were surrounded by R1Ts. We talked to Tim at Rivian for a good bit but could not coax him into a test drive. Next time. Rivian reported its Q1 numbers for 2022, producing 2,553 EVs while delivering 1,227 of them. Despite supply chain issues at the beginning of the year, the company said it is on track for its 2022 production goals. That makes the R1T the EV of the Week.  -John @ Mobility EVo.

• MSRP: From $67,500
• Towing capacity: 11,000 lbs.
• Range: 260 to 314 mi battery-only
• Horsepower: 600 to 835 hp
• Battery charge time: 13h at 220V

AV Corner

Like the rest of the world, Japan has fallen victim to labor shortages. Fortunately, several firms such as Shimizu have developed self-driving forklifts that can automatically avoid obstacles. The company hopes to commercialize the technology by mid-2022.  In other forklift news, Toyota Industries is developing a forklift that will learn from its experiences and improve its performance over time.

In other AV News

• AV enthusiasts can expect a new autonomous delivery vehicle from Volkswagen in 2025. With technology based on the ID Buzz, the project will be pointed towards driverless operations, such as delivery and shuttle services.
• Perrone Robotics and Roush Industries have completed the first phase of successful testing of TONY, the companies’ fully autonomous, zero-emissions electric shuttle integration. The technology has future capacities to convert any vehicle into a full level of autonomy.
• To ramp up its AV ventures, Apple has hired 10 more test drivers. We will probably have to wait until 2025 for Apple to officially announce its first autonomous car. Expect long lines for this unveiling (that’s a joke).
• General Motors CEO, Mary Barra, announced GM’s decision to sell personal self-driving cars. Hoping to get the technology on the roads by mid-decade, Barra stated she is excited about the future of autonomous vehicles at GM.
• Upgrades! Aurora Innovation’s new upgrade, Aurora Driver Beta 2.0, delivers more advanced capabilities in highway and suburban areas while ensuring a safer experience for long trips.