Latest news with #Tacan
NZ Autocar
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
XPeng G6 charges in a flash
It's not yet here but it is in Australia, the XPeng G6. One of its claims to fame was fast charging, able to hook up to 280kW ultrafast units. But soon, it's going all out on the charging front, a new version maxing out when it hooks up to a 451kW hypercharger. This then would make it one of the fastest-charging electric cars in the world. All well and good except that 500kW hyperchargers are thin on the ground. Our largest are ChargeNet's 300kW units at the top of the Bombays and in Tauranga. However, if you were driving one of the updated XPeng G6s in Europe, you'd be able to refresh the battery pack from 10 to 80 per cent in 12 minutes. That said, the 300kW machines here can add 400km of range in 15min in certain EVs. Tacan and Ioniq 5 N, with their 800v charging architecture, can manage a 10-80 per cent refresh on a 300kW hypercharger in 18min. How has XPeng managed this feat? By fitting a new '5C Supercharging' lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. It's not yet clear the size of the battery or the vehicle range. It's combined with an 800-volt electrical architecture, however. In other updates, the G6 now has a sharper, more futuristic look thanks to adopting a full-width LED lightbar at the front. There's also a redesigned rear diffuser. Inside are ambient lighting, a capacitive steering wheel (senses if the wheel is being held or not), a new dashboard, and more premium cabin materials. The front seats now feature a massage function with lumbar support. If you happen to be at the Le Mans 24 Hours race in France this weekend, you can check it out there.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sioux Valley to spend $2M on portable classrooms
BRANDON — The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will invest more than $2 million in portable classrooms as 90 students will be transferred from Sioux Valley High School in Brandon to the community in the fall. The move was prompted by serious concerns about the safety and suitability of the building, Sioux Valley Chief Vincent Tacan told the Brandon Sun. Tacan said council made the decision due to the building's aging infrastructure, potential asbestos contamination and an outdated boiler-based heating system in the basement. 'Would you put your child in a school that has asbestos?' he asked. 'We won't gamble with the health of our students or staff anymore. That building was supposed to be temporary, now we're nearly 10 years in.' Originally built in 1914, the former Fleming school was purchased by the community in partnership with the Brandon School Division as an interim measure while awaiting a new facility, Tacan said. 'It was originally designed for younger students, not high schoolers, and has fallen into further disrepair over the years.' Sioux Valley had hoped to be on track for a new, permanent school, but a recent letter from Indigenous Services Canada dashed those expectations. In the letter addressed to chief and council and shared with the Sun, Kandice Léonard, ISC's regional director general for Manitoba, stated: 'Indigenous Services Canada has not committed funding for the design and construction of a new school … Sioux Valley Dakota Nation remains included in the department's prioritization process for future investment consideration.' The news left the community disheartened. 'There was a perception in the community that a new school was coming. That was not true,' Tacan said. With no confirmed government funding, Sioux Valley is moving ahead with its own funds to secure the portable classrooms. 'We're funding this ourselves because we have to,' Tacan said. 'It's what our children deserve.' The new portable setup will return about 90 students to their home community, sparing them from about three-hour-long daily commutes to Brandon-area schools such as Crocus Plains, Vincent Massey and Neelin High. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. The portable classrooms will be delivered and installed ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, Tacan said. The community is also seeking support from other organizations and is open to partnerships to expand or enhance the temporary facilities, particularly to secure a gymnasium, he added. Tacan said Sioux Valley's struggle is not unique. 'There are 63 First Nations in Manitoba, and many of their schools are in rough shape,' he said. 'Now we have wildfires in the north, and the resources are being stretched even thinner.' — Brandon Sun
Winnipeg Free Press
10-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sioux Valley to spend $2M on portable classrooms
BRANDON — The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will invest more than $2 million in portable classrooms as 90 students will be transferred from Sioux Valley High School in Brandon to the community in the fall. The move was prompted by serious concerns about the safety and suitability of the building, Sioux Valley Chief Vincent Tacan told the Brandon Sun. Tacan said council made the decision due to the building's aging infrastructure, potential asbestos contamination and an outdated boiler-based heating system in the basement. 'Would you put your child in a school that has asbestos?' he asked. 'We won't gamble with the health of our students or staff anymore. That building was supposed to be temporary, now we're nearly 10 years in.' Originally built in 1914, the former Fleming school was purchased by the community in partnership with the Brandon School Division as an interim measure while awaiting a new facility, Tacan said. 'It was originally designed for younger students, not high schoolers, and has fallen into further disrepair over the years.' Sioux Valley had hoped to be on track for a new, permanent school, but a recent letter from Indigenous Services Canada dashed those expectations. In the letter addressed to chief and council and shared with the Sun, Kandice Léonard, ISC's regional director general for Manitoba, stated: 'Indigenous Services Canada has not committed funding for the design and construction of a new school … Sioux Valley Dakota Nation remains included in the department's prioritization process for future investment consideration.' The news left the community disheartened. 'There was a perception in the community that a new school was coming. That was not true,' Tacan said. With no confirmed government funding, Sioux Valley is moving ahead with its own funds to secure the portable classrooms. 'We're funding this ourselves because we have to,' Tacan said. 'It's what our children deserve.' The new portable setup will return about 90 students to their home community, sparing them from about three-hour-long daily commutes to Brandon-area schools such as Crocus Plains, Vincent Massey and Neelin High. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. The portable classrooms will be delivered and installed ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, Tacan said. The community is also seeking support from other organizations and is open to partnerships to expand or enhance the temporary facilities, particularly to secure a gymnasium, he added. Tacan said Sioux Valley's struggle is not unique. 'There are 63 First Nations in Manitoba, and many of their schools are in rough shape,' he said. 'Now we have wildfires in the north, and the resources are being stretched even thinner.' — Brandon Sun
Winnipeg Free Press
07-06-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Brandon evacuees move to Sioux Valley owing to baseball tourney
BRANDON — As many as 100 wildfire evacuees staying at two hotels in Brandon had to temporarily relocate to Sioux Valley Friday. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vince Tacan said rooms at the hotels had been pre-booked by visitors attending the Wheat City Classic baseball tournament this weekend. 'We were at a CFS meeting when we were asked to help,' he said. 'We're expecting to take in between 60 and 100 people at Sioux Valley, since there's no room left in Brandon.' The Canadian Red Cross said about 100 evacuees in Brandon had to be relocated on Friday. 'At times, due to circumstances beyond our control for room availability, people may need to transfer locations for temporary accommodations,' a Red Cross spokesperson told the Brandon Sun in an email. 'We recognize that emergency evacuations can be stressful, and our teams are doing their best to help people during this difficult time.' Tacan said he expects evacuees will likely return to the hotels Monday after the tournament concludes. Sioux Valley prepared to house individuals in community spaces such as the school, community hall and the Dakota Oyate Lodge, which may extend hours for meal services. The First Nation is co-ordinating 'security and volunteers' to support the temporary guests. Tacan emphasized his community is committed to stepping up in a time of need. 'This is very last minute, but we're doing what we can,' he said. 'People need a safe place to go, even for just a few days.' Alternative accommodations are being considered across Brandon and elsewhere in the province. A community leader, who asked to remain anonymous, said dormitories at Brandon University have been discussed as an option. Lois Ruston, president of YWCA Westman, confirmed that women's shelters in the province, including theirs, have been on standby to support the evacuees. 'We've been working collaboratively with shelters across Manitoba for the past week to accommodate people displaced by wildfires,' she said. 'Due to confidentiality, we can't disclose how many are with us or when they arrived.' — Brandon Sun
