Benjamin Hartford

Battery electric vehicles (BEV's) for fleets: chasing the myths around BEV's Myth 1: Electric Vehicles are too expensive 💰 💸 The idea that BEV's are very expensive largely ignores their total cost of ownership (TCO). It's true that BEV's often do have higher upfront costs - although this gap between BEV's and ICE vehicles is slowly decreasing- but they offer significant saving costs over time due to their lower energy, maintenance and service costs. Fact: BEV's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is 10% lower than that of ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) hybrid vehicles. If you want to know more, we have recently published a white paper on this topic. Visit our website for more info 😊

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Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley said he expects demand for all-electric vehicles to be slashed in half next month following the end of federal tax incentives on Wednesday. Farley on Tuesday said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if sales of EVs fell from a market share of around 10% to 12% this month — which is expected to be a record — to 5% after the incentive program ends.

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96% of BEV owners say they would consider purchasing or leasing another BEV as their next vehicle, says a new JD Power study, even as the broader EV market experiences policy driven headwinds. See EVinfo.net's article: https://lnkd.in/gf5T_PgM According to the 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study, overall satisfaction among BEV owners has reached its highest level since the study launched in 2021. The gains come despite a sharp decline in EV market share following the expiration of the federal tax credit in September 2025. Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power, said advances in battery technology, vehicle performance, and charging access have pushed satisfaction to record highs. Importantly, most current owners say their next vehicle will likely be electric regardless of prior tax incentives. Public charging satisfaction showed the largest improvement. Scores for premium BEVs rose to 652 on a 1,000 point scale, while mass market BEVs increased to 511, year over year gains of 101 and 115 points, respectively. Expanded infrastructure and better charger availability drove much of the improvement. Vehicle quality also improved. Premium BEVs reduced total problems per 100 vehicles to 75.0, the strongest performance recorded for that segment in the study. Mass market BEVs posted 92.2 PP100. Fewer interior rattles, improved driver assistance systems, and reduced exterior noise complaints contributed to the gains. BEVs continue to outperform plug in hybrid electric vehicles in overall satisfaction. Premium BEVs scored 786 and mass market BEVs 727, significantly higher than comparable PHEVs, particularly in cost of ownership. Unlike hybrids, BEVs avoid engine related maintenance entirely. The study, conducted in partnership with PlugShare, surveyed 5,741 owners of 2025 and 2026 model year BEVs and PHEVs between August and December 2025. NEARLY EVERY EV driver says they'll NEVER go back to gas. This is just another factor out of a whole slew of reasons why another EV boom is coming to North America. EVs provide cleaner air and lower costs. Along with renewable energy, EVs enhance national security. A recent study proved used EVs as the cheapest car to own over a 7-year period. Nearly every new EV model offers greater range, shorter charging time, and more features than the last. One example is the new Chevy Bolt charges more than 2x faster than the previous Bolt. EVinfo.net is an EV-influencer led publication, offering sponsored articles, interviews and more to the EV industry. See samples below: https://lnkd.in/gH5Gdqb7 Don't miss the 8th EV Charging Infrastructure Summit - North America: West, February 24-25, 2026 in San Francisco, Organized by the Smart Grid Observer.  Enter the discount code EVINFO for 15% off when registering online. https://lnkd.in/gyaC_-UH #electricvehicles

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[NEWS] Hyundai may be gearing up for its boldest EV move yet: The company just launched a secretive in-house battery team—nicknamed the “B Task Force.” Their mission? Build Hyundai’s own EV battery cells and cut back on third-party suppliers. And the timing likely isn’t random. BYD recently revealed a battery with 248 miles of range on a five-minute charge. Big picture: Hyundai’s EV sales are strong—but if this battery team delivers, it could position the company as one of the most competitive players in the U.S. EV race. Read today’s top automotive stories, presented by Impel: https://lnkd.in/evD8mTDX (Source: Nikkei Asia)

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EV Aftersales is heading toward a structural reset — not a gradual decline. A recent Deloitte study delivers a clear warning for OEMs, NSCs, and dealer networks: - BEV aftersales revenues could decline by 30–45% in workshops and 20–30% in parts if current models remain unchanged. This isn’t cyclical. It’s structural. What’s changing fast in EV Aftersales: 🔹 Maintenance is collapsing BEVs eliminate up to 80–90% of traditional maintenance activities. No oil, no filters, no exhausts — and longer service intervals. Customers increasingly perceive “no service” as better service. 🔹 Fewer failures, fewer repairs BEVs have ~200 moving parts vs. ~1,600 in ICE vehicles. Result: 30–40% fewer repair revenues over time as platforms mature. 🔹 Accident economics are shifting ADAS reduces frequency, but battery damage increases write-offs. Battery repairability — not body work — becomes the profit lever. 🔹 Workshop density is no longer sustainable Lower revenue per vehicle + high fixed costs = network right-sizing is inevitable. What best-in-class players are doing differently: - Move from revenue-driven to cost-driven aftersales Aftersales must be designed for efficiency, not frequency. Centralized “service factories” and modular repair concepts are emerging as best practice. - Digitize the end-to-end service journey OTA diagnostics, centralized appointment booking, AI-driven capacity planning, and one-touch service execution are no longer optional. - Rethink customer lock-in Service bundles, subscriptions, charging ecosystems, and account-based services (not vehicle-based) are replacing traditional maintenance loyalty. - Make batteries a lifecycle asset Repairable, remanufacturable, second-life batteries will define future aftersales profitability and ESG credibility. The uncomfortable truth: The EV aftersales winner will not be the OEM with the biggest network — but the one with the most intelligent operating model. Question for OEM, NSC, and dealer leaders: Are your aftersales teams still optimizing ICE economics — or already redesigning for a BEV-first reality? I’d be very interested in your perspective👇 #EV #Aftersales #AutomotiveTransformation #OEM #DealerNetwork #BEV #DigitalAftersales #BatteryLifecycle #Mobility Deloitte Roland Berger McKinsey & Company Volkswagen Group Stellantis BMW Group Mercedes-Benz AG NIO Tesla Polestar European Automobile Manufacturers'​ Association (ACEA) Hartmut Wagner Jens Monsees Peter Petrovski Nextlane Infomedia Top Auto Club

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“Customers will surprise us.” 🚗⚡ Ford CEO Jim Farley says going all-EV or all-ICE is risky, and that listening to buyers is key as Ford balances hybrids, EREVs, and future EVs 📊 Ford CEO Jim Farley warned that automakers ignore customer behavior at their own peril, emphasizing that rigid powertrain strategies can backfire. Speaking recently, Farley said betting exclusively on electric vehicles, or sticking only with internal combustion engines, poses real risks. His comments come as Ford recalibrates its product roadmap, leaning more heavily into hybrids and extended-range EVs while still investing in future electric platforms. Ford CEO Jim Farley underscored the importance of flexibility during an appearance on La Nacion, arguing that customers often behave in unexpected ways. “We have to give people choice because customers will surprise us,” Farley said. He cautioned that committing entirely to a single propulsion strategy can be risky, whether that means going all-electric or remaining focused solely on internal combustion engines. Farley added that the real challenge for automakers lies in closely observing what customers actually buy, not just what they say, and then reallocating capital quickly in response. That approach reflects Ford’s long-standing stance that it will not force buyers into EVs, even as it continues to invest heavily in electrification. Instead, the company has positioned itself to offer a mix of powertrains across its lineup, allowing market demand to guide future investment decisions, according to Ford Authority. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gYQ-zcQB

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Fixing EV Charging: Hubject's CEO on What's Broken, What's Working, and What Comes Next! (𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴) 1 in 5 EV charging sessions still fail. For new EV drivers, that’s more than frustrating and could become a deal-breaker. But Hubject, the largest Eroaming platform in the world, is reporting 98–99% success rates with Plug & Charge. I spoke with Christian Hahn, CEO of Hubject, about the key shifts and challenges in eMobility at EVS 38, in Sweden. In this video: 🔹 EV market development 🔹 Evolution of HUBJECT and lessons learned 🔹 HUBJECT performance numbers & products 🔹 Plug & Charge explanation & roadmap 🔹 Role of cybersecurity in future 🔹 Call of collaboration over competition 🔹 And the most critical point: Without a unified and clear political message, Europe risks falling behind, economically and technologically, in the global race for emobility leadership. Whether you’re an industry professional or an enthusiast following the future of EVs, this is a great 24-minute listen. 🙏 Huge thanks to Christian and the Hubject team for the time, insights, and honesty in this interview. 🎥 Full interview now live: YouTube, Spotify, and Apple links in the comments. #EVCharging #PlugAndCharge #Hubject #ChristianHahn #EVInfrastructure #CyberSecurity #EVAdoption #eMobility #Interoperability #EVPolicy #etechvolution #EV #Automotive

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My colleague Ashley Burke and I have key details the government is *considering* as it develops its national automotive strategy. Here's what sources tell us: ◾ Reviving the popular EV incentive is under consideration ◾ EV sales mandate is still under review ◾ Industry has been consulted about changing the federal tailpipe emissions standards ◾ The federal government is considering referring the construction of a national EV charging network to the Major Projects Office

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Sunday thought for automotive leaders: Your battery strategy is not a chemistry strategy. It’s a volatility strategy. Energy density matters. Cost per kWh matters. Charging speed matters. But the market punishes you for something else: • Unexpected degradation curves • Warranty spikes by build week • Field incidents that escalate too slowly • Safety narratives you can’t defend with data The next major EV crisis won’t happen because OEMs lack data. It will happen because signals were visible — but not interpreted. The competitive edge in electrification is not “more analytics.” It’s: • Earlier pattern detection • Lot-level correlation before scale • Fast-charging behavior segmentation before complaints explode • Evidence-backed safety decisions The winners in EV won’t be the ones with the best slides. They’ll be the ones with the earliest warning. At Elysia - Battery Intelligence from Fortescue, we operate exactly there: between raw fleet data and executive risk visibility. Because capital markets don’t price features. They price predictability. #BatteryStrategy #OEMLeadership #EVRisk #WarrantyManagement #FieldQuality #AutomotiveBoard #BatteryIntelligence #MobilityTransformation #ExecutiveThinking #EVIndustry #Decarb #eMobility

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Is your EV still green when the grid is coal powered? And does it matter? Sustainability arguments typically fall flat when marketing is on the line. But you may still be surprised by the questions salespeople frequently hear at the dealership. And when that happens, it really helps to have staff trained by an expert like Jeremie Bernardin. On this week's epsidoe of The Urban EV Podcast he shares his first mover journey into the EV world, the importance of bridging the training gap for dealerships, and the emotional aspects of purchasing electric vehicles. The conversation also covers the challenges faced by dealerships in adapting to the EV market, and the significance of the customer's journey that starts with the showroom salesperson – the front lines of prospective EV driver education.  We also cover the second life of EV batteries and the future of the dealership and service models. "Driving the EV Future: How To Bridge The Misinformation Gap" is available now on your favorite streaming platform Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eAtmPyeN Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eR5xvDGh YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eMiShRqY

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VW brand increase battery-electric vehicle sales 45 percent in August, outpacing the overall BEV market, which was up 26 percent in the month. The BEV market share last month was 20 percent, not far from the level that automakers say will allow them to meet fleet emissions targets.

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Philip Stephenson from PACCAR will be discussing the development and validation of commercial vehicle specific battery cells from concept to reality at the 25th Annual Advanced Automotive Battery Conference in Las Vegas, December 8-11, 2025. "Development and validation of commercial vehicle battery cells requires detailed understanding of the expected system design and use cases for the cells, in the context of battery packs, pack systems, and full vehicles. Following up on last year's presentation about requirements-based design for commercial-vehicle-specific battery cells, the presentation will discuss challenges and approaches toward development and validation of cells and will provide a progress update." https://lnkd.in/exCe_cmg #AABC

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For years, Toyota has topped lists of the most trusted or desired EV brands—often beating Tesla. The big problem? It's never released a truly competitive, long-range EV in America. This week, that all changed. The company unveiled three (!) new Toyota EVs—including an overhauled bZ4X that ditches the mouthful of a name and serves up over 300 miles of range. On this week's episode of the InsideEVs Plugged-In Podcast, I'm joined by Suvrat Kothari to discuss: ⚡ Toyota Motor Corporation's electric comeback: the bZ, bZ Woodland wagon and C-HR—and why they matter 🔋 Suvrat's visit to General Motors' battery-development center to learn all about cheaper, LMR batteries that arrive in 2028. Will this be the LFP of the West? 💵 The looming demise of the EV tax credit, and what it means for EV sales and manufacturing 🎧 Find us wherever you get podcasts! Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eUGyhxS6 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eEpK4dzG YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ephirWRx

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NEWS: RAM cancels its battery electric pickup, the RAM 1500. "In response to customer feedback, and rapidly slowing industry demand for full-size BEV pickups, the brand is discontinuing development of the battery electric Ram 1500." The company included this message in an email to customers.

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Lithia & Driveway is getting a lot of "value" from older used vehicles:  units that are priced within the $15,000 range, can be up to 20 years old, and have more than 80,000 miles. Unlike most dealership groups, who would likely wholesale such units, “we don’t wholesale cars,” says CEO Bryan DeBoer. Lithia’s ability to retail pretty much any used vehicle cushions it somewhat from years when the number of new cars sold or leased is low and other retailers face a trough in used supply down the road as a result, DeBoer said. “I’d send a challenge out to everyone that if you’re not 40% or better in terms of value auto sales, it’s one bucket that does not have an impact from lower SAARs.” Alysha Webb has more in this feature from Lithia's earnings call. https://lnkd.in/edzJW3fV

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