EV News Daily | Cybertruck Crash Test | New EV Tax Credit Criteria | Amazon’s Fleet of Over 3,000 Electric Delivery Vans |Volkswagen ID7 Spotted Testing

In today’s edition of EV News Daily, we have covered headlines from, the Tesla Cybertruck crash test, the US Treasury Department which has issued long-awaited new criteria on battery production and mineral sourcing for vehicles qualifying for the EV tax credit, Amazon which now has a fleet of over 3,000 custom electric delivery vans from Rivian across the U.S, Volkswagen ID7 was caught testing for the first time.

Tesla Releases Crash Test Video of the Cybertruck

US Treasury Department Issues New Criteria for EV Tax Credit

• The US Treasury Department has issued long-awaited new criteria on battery production and mineral sourcing for vehicles qualifying for the $7,500 EV tax credit and the new regulations are scheduled to take effect on April 18.
• According to the new guidelines, the federal EV tax credit has been split into two parts – half if the materials criteria are met and another half if the battery components criteria are met. 
• On April 18, the Internal Revenue Service will release an updated list of vehicles that are still eligible for the tax credit. Currently, 21 vehicles are eligible for federal tax credits out of the 80 electric cars on sale.
• 50% of a vehicle’s battery must be assembled or manufactured in the US for the vehicle to qualify for up to $3,750 of the credit. That battery percentage ratchets up each year until it hits 100% in 2029.
• For a vehicle to qualify for the remaining $3,750 of the credit, 40% of the critical minerals used in its battery — like graphite, lithium, nickel, and cobalt – must be sourced from the US or one of the 20 countries the US has a free trade agreement with. That percentage will increase until 2027 when it maxes out at 80%.
• Starting next year, vehicles that contain battery parts from “a foreign entity of concern” — a list that includes China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea — will be unable to claim any of the tax credit.

Source: US Treasury Department

Amazon Now Deploys a Fleet of Over 3,000 Custom Electric Delivery Vans from Rivian Across the U.S

• E-commerce giant Amazon said it has now deployed over 3,000 custom electric delivery vans from Rivian across the U.S.
• According to the latest update, the number has quickly tripled from its previously reported number in November last year.
• Amazon announced that it has expanded to over 500 cities across the US and has delivered 75 million packages emission-free using Rivians electric vans.
• Amazon said apart from using Rivian’s electric delivery vans, the company has put out over 15 EV models on the road including delivery vehicles, e-cargo bikes, and e-rickshaws to test and learn across the U.S., the European Union, and India.
• Amazon is also investing in solutions like green hydrogen and other alternative fuel methods, such as ultra-low carbon electrofuels, for its delivery and operations as it works to decarbonize last-mile delivery.
• Amazon as part of its Climate Pledge in 2019 will be investing $700 million to achieve net-zero carbon by 2040 and is committed to bringing 100,000 Rivian electric delivery vehicles on the road by the end of this decade.

Source: About Amazon

Upcoming 2024 Volkswagen ID.7 Spotted Testing for the First Time in Germany

• For the first time, the upcoming Volkswagen ID7 was spotted testing without camouflage in Braunschweig, Germany by a reader (Hans-Otto Kruse) of the German newspaper- Braunschweiger Zeitung.
• The world premiere of the series production version of Volkswagen ID7 is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023 and it is planned to be launched in the three primary markets of China, Europe, and North America.

Source: Braunschweiger Zeitung

For Yesterday’s edition of EV News Daily, Please click here