HONDA AND NISSAN MERGER? GM AND CHARGEPOINT PARTNERSHIP!

EV Channels Review

The Friday Charge podcast covers several significant EV industry developments. A key announcement is the partnership between GM Energy and ChargePoint to deploy 500 high-speed DC fast chargers, utilizing ChargePoint's Express Plus hardware and Omni Port technology. While the initiative is lauded for expanding the charging sector, questions remain about the reliability of the chargers. The discussion also touches on GM's recall of the 2025 Equinox EV due to its pedestrian warning sounder being too quiet, highlighting the unusual decision to require dealership visits for a software update despite the vehicle's OTA capabilities. Speculation surrounds a potential merger between Honda and Nissan, possibly including Mitsubishi, driven by declining sales in China and the need for strategic alliances. The Toyota bZ4X faces a significant price cut for 2025, with up to $6,000 off, alongside a new Nightshade trim. However, the review notes persistent issues with low range and a lack of significant improvements, making its value proposition questionable against competitors. Finally, Tesla is reintroducing free Supercharging for life on new Model S orders, a move seen as a demand-generation tactic for an aging model, though it comes with owner-specific restrictions and a recent price increase for the vehicle itself.