🎩 Used Value Holds, EV Top Spots, and VW + Rivian?

The Gist

• 🚗 ChargePoint Fights Back: EV cable theft is on the rise, but ChargePoint’s new steel-reinforced, cut-resistant cables and tamper-detection alarms aim to outsmart copper crooks and restore confidence in charging infrastructure.

• 💵 Used Cars Hold Value: Wholesale prices are climbing slightly as tight supply and high new car costs keep the used market hot. EVs are still depreciating faster, but early 2025 shows signs of a comeback.

• 🛠️ VW and Rivian Team Up: Volkswagen eyes a deeper partnership with Rivian, aiming to share resources and bolster their EV strategies in a market that rewards collaboration.

• ⚡ Tesla Feels the Heat: Tesla remains the EV king, but Hyundai and GM are closing the gap with aggressive lease deals and new models. The EV market is growing fast—2025 could be a game-changer.

• 🤖 Zoox’s Robotaxi Gamble: Zoox is betting on its toaster-shaped, driverless cars in Vegas and beyond. Early tests look promising, but scaling up is a steep hill.

• 🌱 Nissan’s Bold EV Plans: Nissan is investing big in its Sunderland plant, prepping for a new LEAF and other EVs while creating hundreds of jobs and reinforcing the UK’s EV supply chain.

• 🔋 Hyundai Powers Up: Hyundai climbed to the #2 spot in U.S. EV sales, showing how smart models and aggressive incentives can challenge Tesla’s dominance.

Fuel for Thought

• 🪓 ChargePoint Strikes Back: Fighting Cable Crooks

• 💵 Used-Vehicle Prices: What’s the Deal?

• 🛠️ Volkswagen and Rivian: A Strategic Dance

• ⚡ Tesla vs. Everyone: EV Sales Shakeup

• 🤖 Zoox: Betting Big on Robotaxis

• 🌱 Nissan’s Next Move: The EV LEAF-er

• 🔋 Hyundai Hits High Voltage

• 🚦 Mercedes Wants a Green Deal Timeout

🪓 ChargePoint Strikes Back: Fighting Cable Crooks

ChargePoint is rolling out tough new measures to combat the growing problem of EV cable theft. From steel-reinforced cables to tamper-detection alarms, they’re taking a stand against copper-hungry vandals.

• New Tech for Old Problems: Patent-pending “cut-resistant” cables with strategically placed steel, tested against common cutting tools like bolt cutters and battery-powered saws.

• Tamper-Detection Alarms: Real-time alerts sent to station owners via text and email, paired with audible alarms to deter theft on the spot.

• Retrofits and Rollouts: The new cables and software are compatible with most existing ChargePoint models and will be available by mid-2025.

• Licensing Opportunities: ChargePoint plans to license its technology to other EV charger manufacturers, aiming to standardize theft prevention across the industry.

• Context Matters: This initiative could help improve public confidence in EV infrastructure, addressing a key pain point in the broader adoption of electric vehicles.

💵 Used-Vehicle Prices: What’s the Deal?

Wholesale used-vehicle prices are ticking up in January. Normal trend or harbinger of a wild ride ahead? Let's break it down with some cheeky questions and answers.

What’s with the rising prices—did everyone suddenly remember their car needs an upgrade?
Not exactly. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index showed a slight uptick of 0.7% compared to last year. Blame tighter supply and ever-rising new vehicle costs for keeping the used car market spicy.

Did my old sedan suddenly become a collector’s item?
Hold your horses—or your midsize cars, rather. Sedans are actually down 1.6% year over year. But luxury cars and SUVs are holding their value better, with a 0.8% and 0.6% increase, respectively.

Should we all start flipping EVs for profit?
Maybe not. EVs are still depreciating faster than non-EVs, down 4.5% compared to last year. But January saw a surprising 2.7% bump in EV prices month-over-month, thanks to shifting segment values.

🛠️ Volkswagen and Rivian: A Strategic Dance

Bold Moves in a Competitive Market
Volkswagen is exploring a closer partnership with Rivian, eyeing opportunities to share modules and bundle purchasing volumes. This collaboration could give Rivian a boost while letting VW streamline its EV production strategy.

Strength in Numbers
VW CEO Oliver Blume highlighted how Rivian, as a smaller brand, could benefit from Volkswagen’s vast resources. In return, VW gains access to innovative EV technologies that complement its broader electrification goals.

Global EV Game Changers
This partnership reflects the growing trend of legacy automakers teaming up with nimble startups to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving EV market. As consumer demand for EVs grows, so does the need for bold, collaborative strategies.

⚡ Tesla vs. Everyone: EV Sales Shakeup

Tesla may still dominate, but 2024 saw other automakers narrowing the gap. Hyundai, GM, and Ford made significant strides in EV sales, setting the stage for a competitive 2025.

• Tesla’s Top Models: The Model Y and Model 3 captured over 40% of the market, but even Tesla saw a decline in sales as the competition intensified.

• Hyundai’s Big Push: With 124,065 EVs sold, Hyundai Motor Group clinched the #2 spot, thanks to strong performances from the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

• GM’s Resurgence: GM added nearly 80,000 EV sales, led by the Chevy Bolt and Cadillac Lyriq, but still fell short of Hyundai.

• EV Market Growth: EVs accounted for 8% of all new car sales in 2024, with projections suggesting electrified vehicles will hit 25% of sales in 2025.

• Leasing Incentives Matter: Aggressive lease deals, some as low as $159/month, played a key role in driving EV adoption.

🤖 Zoox: Betting Big on Robotaxis

Zoox is aiming to revolutionize urban mobility with its robotaxi fleet. But can it deliver? Let’s find out with some spicy Q&A.

Wait, robotaxis? Are they like the Jetsons but less fun?
Close. Think toaster-shaped cars without steering wheels or pedals. Zoox is going all-in on purpose-built autonomous vehicles, starting with Las Vegas as its testbed.

Why should I care about a box on wheels?
Because it could be the future of ridesharing. Zoox plans to launch public rides soon and expand to cities like Miami and Austin. It’s like Uber, but without a driver making awkward small talk.

Is this actually going to work, or is it another tech pipe dream?
It’s a mixed bag. Zoox has the tech chops, but commercializing autonomous vehicles is an uphill battle. Just ask GM’s Cruise, which hit the brakes on its operations after a messy pedestrian incident.

🌱 Nissan’s Next Move: The EV LEAF-er

EV Manufacturing Gets a Boost
Nissan’s Sunderland plant is revving up production for the next-generation LEAF and other electric SUVs. With a $60M investment in local powertrain production, Nissan’s partnership with JATCO signals a bright future for UK-based EV manufacturing.

Building a Competitive EV Supply Chain
The new JATCO UK facility, opening in 2026, will produce up to 340,000 EV powertrains annually. This investment aligns with the UK government’s push for a robust EV supply chain, creating 183 jobs and bolstering Nissan’s EV36Zero hub initiative.

What’s Next for Nissan EVs?
The new LEAF, resembling a “mini Ariya” with a sporty crossover design, could hit production as early as March. With the electric Juke and Qashqai SUVs following by 2027, Nissan is positioning itself as a key player in the growing EV market.

🔋 Hyundai Hits High Voltage

Second Place, First Class Effort
Hyundai Motor Group electrified the competition in 2024, securing the #2 spot for U.S. EV sales with over 124,000 units. This success came from a combination of popular models like the Ioniq 5, aggressive lease deals, and a commitment to American manufacturing.

Riding the EV Wave
Despite challenges like charging infrastructure and battery costs, Hyundai kept its foot on the accelerator. With the Ioniq 9 and other U.S.-built models on the way, the automaker is doubling down on its EV ambitions for 2025.

The Race Is On
Tesla’s dominance is still unmatched, but Hyundai’s rise proves that the EV market is more competitive than ever. As federal incentives evolve, the real question is: Who will maintain momentum and capture the hearts—and wallets—of EV buyers?

🚦 Mercedes Wants a Green Deal Timeout

Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius thinks EU emissions fines are bad for business. But are they really, or is this just another case of corporate complaining? Let’s dig in with a little Q&A.

Wait, what fines are we talking about?
Oh, just the ones tied to the EU’s 2025 carbon emissions targets: 95 euros per excess gram of CO2 per vehicle. Mercedes and other automakers could face penalties if their fleet-wide emissions don’t stay under strict limits.

Why does Källenius think this is a bad idea?
He says the fines divert money from EV R&D, which could help make greener cars more affordable. His argument? “Give us more carrots, fewer sticks.”

But are these fines really a death sentence for automakers?
Not quite. NGOs say most companies won’t pay much—if anything. Many brands, including Mercedes, have already rolled out hybrids and EVs to hit the targets. Worst-case projections suggest penalties would total under €1 billion, with VW footing most of that.

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