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Last week, Hurricane Ida knocked out all 8 transmission lines into New Orleans. In Baton Rouge, it took out our communications along with our electricity — with the exception of those who had Verizon. Although most of Baton Rouge is getting back online, New Orleans as well as smaller towns and cities still don’t have power.

Someone shared an article by Canary Media with me, and after reading it, I fully agree. We need microgrids here in Louisiana, yet our leaders don’t seem to want them. Advocates have been trying for years to make our local grid resilient, but oddly, our leaders don’t seem to want that. Why?

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen governments (local, state, etc.) purposely refuse to do things that benefit everyone. It’s like they want us to have messed up grids so that we suffer during disasters. The article cited another article by Canary Media that showed the outcome following local authorities’ repeated dismissals of proposals to invest in decentralized and resilient grid upgrades.

In 2016, a New Orleans-based nonprofit, Alliance for Affordable Energy, had a great alternative to Entergy New Orleans’ plan to build a new natural-gas-fired power plant. That idea was to build clean electricity resilience from the ground up — an integrated resilience plan that challenged Entergy New Orleans to try to find an alternative to a central power plant. The plant would be subject to known vulnerabilities — such as the impact of a category 4 hurricane.

The Alliance for Affordable Energy called for pursuing distributed microgrids. The article aptly described these as self-powered islands of solar power, batteries, and backup generation that could provide electricity during grid outages. If only we had these during Ida. Executive director Logan Atkinson Burke shared how this was frustrating. “Had we taken the time and initiative to plan for distributed generation, distributed solar-plus-storage, and more energy efficiency, people would be more prepared to shelter safely and comfortably,” Burke said. “We’ve been advocating for microgrids to be built within the city for years for precisely this reason.”

Here’s Why Entergy Doesn’t Want Distributed Energy

The problem is Entergy’s long-standing opposition to distributed energy. The utility has consistently opposed including local renewable energy and energy storage in its own plans. Utilities also get an incentive when they convince regulators to approve large power plants instead of enabling customer-sited distributed energy such as rooftop solar. The article pointed out that vertically integrated utilities such as Entergy are paid a guaranteed rate of return on capital investments, including power plants. Self-supplied customer energy reduces the revenue and profits Entergy and other utilities earn from selling electricity.

It’s all about money, profits, and greed. They make more money from weakening our defenses against disasters such as Ida than they would from strengthening them. And we, the people, end up paying the price. And our government readily caters to this greed. Not just Louisiana’s — this trend is seen elsewhere as well.

Car dealerships in Connecticut, for example, lobby legislatures to prevent Tesla and Rivian from coming to their state and opening a sales center. This hurts the economy, but they do it anyway. It’s all about greed, money, and profits.

 

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Polestar is launching a new cheaper Polestar 3 soon: Here’s what we know so far

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Polestar is launching a new cheaper Polestar 3 soon: Here's what we know so far

A more affordable Polestar electric SUV is set to launch by the end of the year. Polestar (PSNY) will unveil a cheaper, entry-level Polestar 3 model to compete with Tesla and Porsche. Here’s what we know so far.

Meet the Polestar’s new electric SUV

With the Polestar 3 expected to begin rolling out in the US in the coming months, the automaker is already planning to launch a cheaper option for buyers.

Polestar 3 production began in April in Chengdu, China, a few months ago, with additional production in South Carolina expected to start in mid-2024. Polestar has already successfully completed early production tests in the US.

The Polestar 3 will be the company’s first EV built on two continents as the brand looks to expand in major markets globally.

The entry-level Long Range Dual Motor was expected to start at $83,900 with up to 300 miles EPA range. However, in March, Polestar announced a new starting MSRP of $73,400 with Pilot Pack included as standard on all trims.

Polestar expects deliveries of the standard Long Range Dual Motor to begin in the second quarter of 2024.

2025 Polestar 3 trim Estimated EPA range (Combined) Power Torque Price
Long Range Dual Motor with Pilot Pack 315 miles 489 hp 620 lb-ft $73,400
Long Range Dual Motor with Pilot Pack and Plus Pack 315 miles 489 hp 620 lb-ft $78,900
Long Range Dual Motor with Pilot and Performance Pack 279 miles 517 hp 671 lb-ft $79,400
Long Range Dual Motor with Pilot, Plus, and Performance Pack 279 miles 517 hp 671 lb-ft $84,900
Polestar 3 price and specs by trim (*not including $1,400 destination fee)

The company also revealed that the Polestar 3 is eligible for its $7,500 Polestar Clean Vehicle Incentive on leases, potentially bringing prices as low as $65,900.

The Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor with standard Pilot Pack and optional Plus Pack starts at $78,900. Polestar’s Plus Pack includes a 1,610-watt Bowers and Wilkins sound system, 21″ wheels, bio-attributed MicroTech, and heated rear seats.

Cheaper-Polestar-3
Polestar 3 prototype (Source: Polestar)

Polestar’s Long Rang Dual Motor model boasts up to 489 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque with 315 EPA estimated miles range.

For added performance, the Polestar 3 with Performance Pack is available for $79,400. This boosts output to 517 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque for a 0 to 60 mpg sprint in 4.6 seconds. It also includes “Swedish Gold” accents, 22″ performance wheels, and Polestar-engineered chassis tuning.

Cheaper-Polestar-3
Polestar 3 prototype (Source: Polestar)

Polestar to launch cheaper Polestar 3 variant

Polestar confirmed a cheaper Polestar 3 will join the lineup by the end of the year as the new base model.

Speaking with the media, Polestar’s global head of communications, Brent Ellis, said, “Later this year, the single-motor version of the Polestar 3 will be available.”

Polestar-3
Polestar 3 electric SUV (Source: Polestar)

Ellis added, “It will be rear-wheel drive, and we will have more details a few months from now when the time comes to launch.”

Although details and pricing are yet to be revealed, Polestar’s product manager told Drive the RWD model will use the same rear electric motor as the AWD Long Range Dual Motor model with 180 kW (241 hp).

Like the other trims, the RWD model will feature a 111 kWh battery pack, which should see increased range.

Polestar-3
Polestar 3 interior (Source: Polestar)

Polestar 3 deliveries are expected to kick off in Australia in June 2024. However, it will be a true electric five-seater. Ellis confirmed, “There’s not going to be a seven-seater at any point.”

The cheaper model will likely launch in the US and other global markets. More details are expected closer to its official debut. Check back for more info soon.

Electrek’s Take

Although Polestar claims Tesla is not the competition (more like Porsche’s new Macan EV), a cheaper electric SUV could help it keep pace with Tesla’s best-selling Model Y.

Tesla’s RWD Model Y starts at $44,990 with up to 320 miles range. The Long Range AWD model costs $47,990 with up to 310 miles range. Meanwhile, the Performance variant starts at $51,490 with a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.5 seconds. With the $7,500 EV tax credit, Tesla Model Y prices start at as low as $37,490.

Which one would you buy? The Tesla Model Y or the Polestar 3 (or Porsche Macan EV)? Drop us a comment below.

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Tesla drivers, EVgo is about to begin NACS deployments on its DC fast chargers

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Tesla drivers, EVgo is about to begin NACS deployments on its DC fast chargers

EVgo (Nasdaq: EVGO) will begin to deploy North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors on its DC fast charging network this year.

The Los Angeles-based charging provider said the stations included in the rollout will serve both CCS and NACS electric vehicles. EVgo will first deploy NACS connectors in markets with “high NACS vehicle penetration” – or, in other words, areas with a lot of Tesla drivers.

The plan is, of course, to maximize charger utilization. EVgo reports that overall utilization on its network in Q1 2024 was approximately 19%, up from approximately 9% year-over-year.  

Badar Khan, CEO of EVgo, said, “EVgo had previously identified more than 100,000 potential stalls with strategic site host partners, and with recent industry changes, we welcome further dialogue with our current and potential partners on how we can collaborate to deploy more fast charging infrastructure in convenient locations for drivers.”

Both Tesla and future non-Tesla NACS EVs can use EVgo’s plug-and-charge feature, Autocharge+. It’s available to over 50 EV models, including all Teslas compatible with the Tesla-made CCS adapter.  

EVgo says its NACS roll-out will be “unique given the network’s proliferation of high-power 350kW chargers that require liquid-cooled cable technology.” Nearly 40% of EVgo’s stalls are currently powered by a 350kW charger – almost double the percentage a year ago.  

Read more: California now has 1 EV fast charging station for every 5 gas stations


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Volvo EX60 set to arrive as new Tesla Model Y, Porsche Macan luxury electric SUV rival

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Volvo EX60 set to arrive as new Tesla Model Y, Porsche Macan luxury electric SUV rival

A new all-electric luxury SUV is set to hit the market next year to compete with Tesla’s best-selling Model Y. Volvo is joining the luxury electric SUV market with its new EX60 launching next year. The new EX60 will rival premium models from Tesla, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

As one of the first legacy automakers to commit to an all-electric future, Volvo is seeing the results.

After launching its most affordable EV, the EX30, last year, Volvo’s compact electric SUV is already making a significant impact on the company.

Volvo set a new sales record in the first three months of the year with growing demand for its electric models. Fully electric vehicles accounted for over 40% of sales in 19 markets. That’s up from 13 in Q4 2023.

According to Volvo Cars’ chief commercial officer and deputy CEO, the EX30 is helping boost sales. Volvo’s EV sales share hit a record 21% in Q1, with 14,500 EX30 models sold. This was enough to top the EC60 (6,000) while inching closer to the EX40 (17,400).

Volvo's-new-EVs-Ferrari-like
Volvo EX30 (Source: Volvo)

Volvo also began production of its first electric minivan, the EM90, for China. Deliveries began in March. Meanwhile, Volvo is preparing to launch its larger EX90, which is already attracting Ferrari-like wait times.

Volvo's-new-EVs-Ferrari-like
Volvo EX90 (Source: Volvo)

Volvo EX60 to launch as the latest luxury electric SUV

Volvo looks to keep the momentum rolling next year with its new EX60 expected to debut as an all-electric replacement to the hybrid XC60 Recharge.

The new EV will compete against premium SUVs like the Tesla Model Y, Porsche Macan EV, and Mercedes-Benz EQC. It will sit between the EX40 and EX90 in Volvo’s expanding EV lineup.

Volvo-Recharge-EVs
Volvo EX40 (Source: Volvo)

According to Auto Express, the new Volvo electric SUV will be based on the larger EX90’s platform, which could pack up to 100 kWh of battery power. Erik Severinson, chief product and strategy officer at Volvo Cars, calls it an “evolution of the Volvo-developed platform.”

Volvo’s EX60 is expected to maintain the brand’s new design elements, such as its Thor Hammer LED headlights, closed grille, and alloy wheels.

At least one thing remains a mystery. Volvo did not confirm if the EX60 would include advanced LIDAR like the EX90. However, Severinson said the brand is exploring “different kinds of sensors going forward.”

Volvo-EM90-electric-minivan
Volvo’s first electric minivan, the EM90 (source: Volvo)

The EX60 will feature a new “structural” battery pack, similar to BYD and Tesla. The design leads to “improved energy density” and “great driveability.”

According to the report, the EX60 could feature up to 400 miles WLTP range. The EX90, with a 107 kWh battery pack, offers up to 364 miles. However, the EX60 is expected to feature a smaller, lighter battery with improved energy density.

Volvo-EX90-price
Volvo EX90 interior (Source: Volvo)

Volvo is moving to use a megacasted rear underfloor for the EX60, a concept used by Tesla, NIO, XPeng, and others. According to Volvo, the new floor design weighs 15 to 20% less than a traditional stamped equivalent.

The method will also increase storage space while speeding up production times. Volvo is expected to launch the EX60 when megacasting production begins next year.

We could see the Volvo EX60 unveiled by the end of the year, with prices and specs arriving at a later date. Check back for more details soon.

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