Connect with us

Published

on

American EV automaker Rivian Automotive announced it is embracing the North American Charging Standard (NACS) originally developed and implemented by rival Tesla. Rivian is the latest automaker to embrace the charging standard, joining an ever-growing list OEMs.

It’s been a popular couple weeks for the search term “NACS” as the Tesla plug has skyrocketed from a proprietary component to the true North American standard almost overnight. “Talk it into existence,” as they say as Tesla renamed its Charging Connector the North American Charging Standard when it began opening its Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs, but long before any other automaker joined the fold.

One could easily argue that the SAE combo (CCS Type 1) has remained the standard well after Tesla’s new nomenclature. Automakers like Rivian and Ford have been establishing their own North American charging networks using CCS rather than NACS and up until recently, solar EV startup Aptera Motors was the only company petitioning it to become the new standard.

NACS adoption wouldn’t truly explode until this past May when Tesla announced a surprising partnership with Ford Motor Company. Not only will Ford EV drivers soon gain access to adapters to utilize the 12,000 Tesla Superchargers in the US and Canada alone, but new Ford vehicles will come with the NACS plug integrated beginning in 2025.

GM quickly followed suit along with a myriad of charging equipment manufacturers. Today, Rivian announced it too will adopt the NACS while simultaneously expanding its own charging network.

Rivian NACS

Rivian to implement NACS on R1 EVs and new R2 platform

The American automaker recently signed an agreement with Tesla to enable access to the latter’s Supercharger Network in the US and Canada. Beginning in spring 2024, current and new R1T or R1S owners will have access to an adapter that will allow charging on the Tesla Supercharger network.

Additionally, Rivian says it will incorporate the NACS charge ports as standard equipment on its R1 vehicles beginning in 2025, and its upcoming R2 platform thereafter. Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe spoke to the new NACS agreement:

We’re excited to work with Tesla and to see collaborations like this help advance the world toward carbon neutrality. The adoption of the North American Charging Standard will enable our existing and future customers to leverage Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network while we continue to build out our Rivian Adventure Network. We look forward to continuing to find new ways to accelerate EV adoption.

Rivian says that although it is offering access to Tesla’s expansive charging network in North America, it will continue to build out its own Adventure Network of chargers. Whether those Rivian piles will eventually support NACS in addition to SAE Combo with CCS remains unclear at this point.

Either way, this is a win for Rivian drivers and further solidifies NACS as the new and true standard for the continent. Per Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure, Rebecca Tinucci:

It’s great to see the industry coming together to adopt the North American Charging Standard. By doing so, we’re collectively ensuring all EV drivers have access to easy to use, reliable charging hardware. We look forward to welcoming Rivian owners to thousands of our Superchargers across North America.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Wheel-E Podcast: ’70 MPH e-bikes’, Vietnam bans gasoline bikes, more

Published

on

By

Wheel-E Podcast: '70 MPH e-bikes', Vietnam bans gasoline bikes, more

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes “70 MPH e-bikes” prompting new law changes, recalled Amazon/Walmart e-bikes, Vietnam banning gasoline-powered motorcycles, and more.

The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Overcast

Pocket Casts

Castro

RSS

We also have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 8:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 9:00 a.m. ET):

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Exxon earnings beat estimates as production growth softens impact of lower oil prices

Published

on

By

Exxon earnings beat estimates as production growth softens impact of lower oil prices

Exxon earnings beat estimates as production growth softens impact of lower oil prices

Exxon Mobil reported second-quarter earnings on Friday that declined significantly compared to last year, though the company beat Wall Street estimates as production growth in the Permian Basin and Guyana softened the impact of lower oil prices.

Exxon’s net income fell 23% to $7.1 billion, or $1.64 per share, compared to $9.2 billion, or $2.14 per share, in the same period last year.

Here is what Exxon reported for the second quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

  • Earnings per share: $1.64 vs. $1.54 expected
  • Revenue: $81.5 billion vs. $80.77 billion expected

The oil major pumped 4.6 million barrels per day, the highest output for the second quarter since Exxon and Mobil merged more than 25 years ago. Production in the Permian hit a record 1.6 million bpd.

Exxon’s production business posted a profit of $5.4 billion, down 23% from about $7.1 billion in the same period last year on lower oil prices. Its refining business booked earnings of $1.37 billion globally, up 44% compared to $946 million in the year-ago period due to higher refining margins.

Exxon paid out $9.2 billion to shareholders, including more than $4 billion in dividends and $5 billion in share repurchases. The oil major said it’s on pace to purchase $20 billion of shares this year.

Exxon has slashed its costs by $1.4 billion so far this year and $13.5 billion since 2019. It is aiming to cut another $4.5 billion through the end of 2030.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Continue Reading

Environment

Chevron profit hit by low crude oil prices and loss from Hess acquisition

Published

on

By

Chevron profit hit by low crude oil prices and loss from Hess acquisition

Chevron profit hit by low crude oil prices and loss from Hess acquisition

Chevron on Friday reported second-quarter earnings that took a substantial hit due to low oil prices and a loss on its acquisition of Hess Corporation.

The oil major’s net income declined about 44% to $2.49 billion, or $1.45 per share, from $4.43 billion, or $2.43 per share, in the same period last year.

Chevron booked a $215 million loss on the fair value measurement of Hess shares. When adjusted for that charge and other one-time items, Chevron earned $1.77 per share to beat Wall Street estimates.

Here is what Chevron reported for the second quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

  • Earnings per share: $1.77 adjusted vs. $1.70 expected
  • Revenue: $44.82 billion vs. $43.82 billion expected

Chevron completed its acquisition of Hess on July 18, after prevailing against Exxon Mobil in a long-running dispute that threatened to blow up the $53 billion deal. An arbitration court rejected Exxon’s claim to a right of first refusal over lucrative Hess assets in Guyana, clearing the way for Chevron to complete the transaction after a long delay.

Chevron expects the deal to begin adding to earnings in the fourth quarter. It also hopes to reduce annual run-rate costs by $1 billion by the end of 2025.

Chevron pumped a record 3.4 million barrels per day worldwide for the quarter, a 3% increase over the same period last year. U.S. production jumped about 8% to 1.69 million bpd compared to the year-ago period, with production in the Permian Basin hitting 1 million bpd. The Hess acquisition will add assets in the Bakken formation and Gulf of Mexico in addition to Guyana.

Chevron’s production business posted a profit of $2.72 billion, down 38% from $4.47 billion in the same period last year due to lower oil prices. Its refining business booked earnings of $737 million, up 23% from $597 million last year on higher margins for product sales.

Chevron paid out $5.5 billion to shareholders in the quarter, including $2.6 billion in share buybacks and $2.9 billion in dividends.

Continue Reading

Trending