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ev.news Briefly: Range Rover Sport, EVgo, Trump & more | 30 Sep 2026
Oct 02, 2026
Show notes
RANGE ROVER SPORT ELECTRIC STARTS £45K BELOW RANGE ROVER ELECTRIC Range Rover has opened UK orders for the Sport Electric from £109,810, giving it the same 118.5 kWh usable battery and electric drivetrain as the larger Range Rover Electric for £45,000 less, with deliveries expected in early 2027. Its 800-volt system supports up to 350 kW DC charging and a claimed 10–80% charge in around 22 minutes, while quoted WLTP range is around 374–378 miles and the Sport gets air suspension, four-wheel steering and active roll control. EVGO’S 750 KW SYSTEM WILL SPLIT POWER BETWEEN CARS EVgo has delayed deployment of its next-generation fast-charging system from the second half of 2026 to 2027, with its headline 750 kW figure representing the total power available to share dynamically between connected vehicles rather than 750 kW for one car. The architecture should make better use of site capacity as vehicles move through their charging curves while supporting future higher-power EVs and trucks, with EVgo also planning more NACS connectors, lighter cables and touchless payment. TRUMP CUTS 2031 US FUEL ECONOMY STANDARD TO 34.9 MPG The Trump administration has finalised US fuel-economy standards corresponding to a 34.9 mpg fleet average in model year 2031, down from the previous 50.4 mpg requirement and reducing federal regulatory pressure on manufacturers to increase EV sales. From 2028 automakers will also lose the ability to buy CAFE credits from competitors, while tighter light-truck classification rules from 2030 will move many crossovers into the more demanding passenger-car category. FORD WARNS US ON CHINESE CARS WHILE USING CHINESE TECH Ford CEO Jim Farley has warned the US against allowing Chinese automakers to gain the foothold they have established in Europe, while arguing that Ford itself needs access to Chinese technology to remain competitive. Ford licenses CATL battery technology for its Michigan battery plant and has formed a manufacturing joint venture with Geely in Spain, illustrating its attempt to cooperate where Chinese companies hold useful intellectual property while developing its own Universal EV platform. ALPINE TEASES ELECTRIC A110 FOR 2027 Alpine has previewed the design direction of its third-generation A110, which will become a full EV in 2027 while retaining an evolutionary version of the current sports car’s shape. It will use Renault Group’s bonded-aluminium Alpine Performance Platform and is expected to underpin a wider family including a convertible and four-seat A310, although battery size, range, charging speed and motor output remain unannounced. EU SHIFTS CHARGING FUNDING TOWARDS ELECTRIC TRUCKS The European Commission plans to prioritise electric-truck and bus charging in future infrastructure funding as financing and grid connections become major barriers to heavy-duty electrification. Europe has nearly 40,000 battery-electric trucks and around 3,000 suitable public charging points, but studies suggest the busiest future sites could require 20–50 MW grid connections as charging demand rises towards roughly 100 TWh a year by 2035. STELLANTIS TURNS TO MOMENTA FOR PEUGEOT AND JEEP DRIVER ASSISTANCE Stellantis’ new technology joint venture with Dongfeng has selected Chinese autonomous-driving specialist Momenta to develop driver-assistance systems with Peugeot and Jeep for future vehicles. The technology is intended for China, Europe and other markets, making the partnership an international software programme rather than merely a China-specific localisation project and extending Momenta’s reach beyond its established German premium-brand customers. TESLA PATENTS FOUR-FAN EV AERO SYSTEM BEFORE ROADSTER REVEAL Tesla has patented an aerodynamic system using four electric fans around an EV’s rear diffuser to manage underbody airflow, increase downforce and potentially reduce the drag penalty of conventional aerodynamic surfaces. The patent appeared shortly before Tesla’s planned 15 October Roadster showing, but nothing in the filing confirms the technology will be fitted to the Roadster or any production Tesla.
[ARCHIVE] ev.news Briefly: Off-Peak Discounts, Heavy Haulin’ & more | 27 Sep 2026
Oct 02, 2026
Show notes
UK OFF-PEAK EV CHARGING COSTS 2.3P PER MILE IN NEW ANALYSIS Carbon Brief estimates UK EVs charged overnight at home cost about 2.3p per mile, versus 20.1p for petrol and 21p for diesel, while charging at the domestic price cap costs around 7p per mile. The advantage depends heavily on access to home charging and off-peak tariffs, and although electricity prices and a planned 3p-per-mile EV tax from April 2028 will narrow the gap, EVs are still expected to retain a substantial energy-cost advantage. VOLKSWAGEN OFFERS $12,500 TO CLEAR REMAINING US ID.4 STOCK Volkswagen is offering US buyers and lessees $12,500 on remaining 2025 ID.4s until 2 November, after first-half 2026 sales fell 77.2% to 2,205 and production at its Chattanooga factory ended in April. The large incentive is intended to clear very limited stock while Volkswagen prepares a future North American replacement, expected to adopt the ID. Tiguan name but with no announced launch timetable. VOLVO ELECTRIC TRUCK RANGE WINS INTERNATIONAL TRUCK OF THE YEAR 2027 Volvo’s FH Electric, FM Electric, FMX Electric and FH Aero Electric have won International Truck of the Year 2027, with judges highlighting improvements in range, efficiency, payload and suitability for different heavy-transport roles. Production of the next generation began in Gothenburg on 14 September, with the FH, FM and FMX Electric offering up to 470 kilometres of range and further production planned in Belgium. MERCEDES-AMG NEEDS REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START CHARGING AT TEST EVENT A Mercedes-AMG needed several attempts to establish communication with a charger during CharIN Testival 2026, illustrating the interoperability challenges created by technologies including Plug & Charge, bidirectional charging and megawatt charging. The controlled test does not show how common such failures are for consumers, but CharIN says compatibility, connector locking and vehicle-to-grid implementation still need improvement even as ISO 15118-20 standards mature. EXPLOREN PLANS MORE THAN 600 FAST CHARGERS ACROSS AUSTRALIA Exploren will invest A$30 million over two years to install more than 600 DC fast chargers across Australia, with many offering 200 kW or more alongside contactless payment and upgrades to existing sites. The expansion builds on the company’s acquisition of Engie’s Australian and New Zealand charging network in 2025, adding new hardware while also improving maintenance and ease of use across its existing network. NEW ZEALAND REPORT FINDS CCS2 VEHICLE-TO-GRID SUPPORT LIMITED TO TRIALS A New Zealand government-backed readiness report finds that CCS2 vehicle-to-grid support remains largely restricted to approved trials, with BYD and NordEast requiring individual vehicle approval and only StarCharge Halo and SigenStor EV DC chargers meeting the report’s stated requirements. Wider adoption could begin from mid-2027 if BYD introduces standard-warranty V2G support as planned, while current trials are already testing enhanced export payments of up to NZ$0.70 per kWh in grid-constrained areas.
[ARCHIVE] ev.news Briefly: Aion UT, EV Vans, Favouring Local & more | 13 Sep 2026
Oct 01, 2026
Show notes
It's ev.news Briefly for Sunday 13 September 2026, only todays headlines and nothing else, in just 4 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.
Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the ev.news Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/evnews
AION UT ARRIVES IN UK FROM £28,950 AION has launched the UT electric hatchback in the UK from £28,950, offering 268 miles of WLTP range, 30-80% charging in 24 minutes and UK-specific chassis tuning. Its strongest differentiator is the transferable Great 8 Promise covering warranty, servicing, roadside assistance and MOTs for eight years, aimed at reducing concerns over buying and later reselling a relatively unfamiliar Chinese brand. DPD UK ORDERS 341 MERCEDES-BENZ ESPRINTER VANS DPD UK has ordered 341 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans, taking its electric fleet beyond 4,000 vehicles and extending battery-electric delivery operations into larger vans and longer routes around London and elsewhere in Britain. The order suggests improving battery range, payload capability and UK licensing rules are making full-size electric vans practical for a broader range of commercial delivery work. EU DRAFT AIMS TO FAVOUR EUROPEAN EV SUPPLIERS The European Commission has proposed procurement rules allowing public authorities to favour European suppliers by considering resilience, industrial capacity and fair competition alongside price when buying products including electric buses, chargers and municipal EV fleets. The draft could disadvantage some Chinese suppliers, but European-built vehicles from companies such as BYD may still qualify depending on final rules governing product origin and European component content. EU DRAFT SEEKS EUROPEAN PREFERENCE IN BUS TENDERS Europe’s proposed procurement reforms distinguish between where a company is headquartered and where its products are manufactured, meaning Chinese-owned manufacturers with EU factories could potentially remain eligible for public contracts. For companies such as BYD, European production may therefore become increasingly important not only for tariffs and supply chains but also for maintaining access to taxpayer-funded transport and fleet tenders. ALSTOM AND TRANSPENNINE PLAN 29 BATTERY-ELECTRIC TRAINS Alstom and TransPennine Express plan to introduce 29 battery-electric Adessia Stream trains from 2034, designed for long-distance UK routes with around 300 passengers and speeds of up to 110 mph. The programme would move battery propulsion beyond current UK trials and retrofits into purpose-built mainline passenger trains, while also supporting production and employment at Alstom’s Derby facility. LAWMAKER ASKS NHTSA TO ACT ON TESLA FSD US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has asked federal regulators to examine whether Tesla does enough to prevent misuse of Full Self-Driving and Autopilot after NBC identified videos and police cases involving drivers apparently sleeping or becoming distracted while the systems operated. Tesla requires drivers to remain attentive and uses cameras and other monitoring measures, but the question now facing NHTSA is whether those safeguards adequately prevent foreseeable misuse. PURPOSE ENERGY PROPOSES PERTH-BUNBURY HEAVY-VEHICLE CHARGING NETWORK Purpose Energy has proposed an AU$137 million electric-truck charging corridor between Perth and Bunbury, with hubs at Forrestfield, Rockingham and Picton offering 12 charging bays each alongside two battery-swapping stations. Backed by logistics operator Centurion, the proposal will first test fleet demand and could demonstrate whether shared high-capacity infrastructure is more practical than individual operators building expensive charging facilities at separate depots. CHINA POLICY SEEKS STRICT CONTROL OF NEW INDEPENDENT EV-MAKER APPROVALS China has set 2030 targets for new-energy vehicles to reach 70% of domestic passenger-car sales and 40% of commercial-vehicle sales while tightening approval of new independent manufacturers and encouraging consolidation through mergers and the closure of inefficient capacity. With NEVs already accounting for 65.2% of domestic passenger-vehicle sales in August, the policy signals that Beijing’s next priority is managing competition, industrial discipline and global scale rather than simply stimulating EV demand.
ev.news Briefly: Semi Factory, China In USA, EV Registrations & more
Oct 01, 2026
Show notes
TESLA OPENS NEVADA SEMI FACTORY WITH 50,000-A-YEAR PLAN Tesla has opened its first high-volume Semi factory in Nevada, targeting eventual production of 50,000 electric trucks a year as customers including ZET SCALE and Einride wait for thousands of vehicles. Tesla claims up to 500 miles of range and 98% fleet uptime, but the production ramp, dedicated service network and promised autonomous driving capability are still works in progress. TRUMP OPEN TO CHINESE CAR FACTORIES IN THE US President Donald Trump says he would accept Chinese carmakers building vehicles in the US if they employ American workers, potentially offering manufacturers a route around tariffs that effectively exclude direct Chinese imports. US automakers and lawmakers are pushing in the opposite direction, arguing that Chinese manufacturers should be blocked from domestic production as their growing European market share demonstrates the competitive pressure they could bring. EV REGISTRATIONS RISE IN 47 US STATES EV registrations increased in 47 US states during the second quarter of 2026, with electric vehicles reaching 7.9% of national sales, although market share declined year-on-year in several leading EV states including California, Washington and Oregon. Rising petrol prices and continued state support provide favourable conditions for adoption, but the data does not establish what caused either the broader registration growth or the declining shares in those leading markets. EMBER REPORT BACKS HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIFICATION Ember argues that combining EVs, heat pumps, rooftop solar and home batteries can reduce UK household exposure to volatile fossil-fuel prices as clean electricity increasingly supplies the grid. Adoption of these technologies is accelerating, and Ember estimates rooftop solar can cut annual EV charging costs by more than £500 while batteries allow households to use more of their own generation. INSTAVOLT COMMITS TO CHADEMO AT EVERY UK SITE InstaVolt has committed to keeping at least one CHAdeMO connector at every existing and future UK charging site, protecting access for thousands of older EVs as other operators phase out the standard. The commitment is particularly important for used Nissan Leaf owners, showing how charging networks will need to support legacy vehicles long after manufacturers have moved to CCS. LEPAS PREVIEWS L4 AND L6 ELECTRIC SUVS IN SPAIN Lepas has previewed its L4 and L6 electric SUVs in Spain, both using 65 kWh LFP batteries with claimed WLTP range of up to 450 kilometres and maximum charging power of 120 kW. The models expand Lepas beyond its existing L8 and indicate a broader European EV and plug-in hybrid range, although the vehicles shown were static and some production specifications remain unconfirmed. EVERYTHING ELECTRIC SYDNEY DRAWS RECORD 37,421 VISITORS Everything Electric Sydney attracted a record 37,421 visitors and more than 5,300 EV test drives, with attendance around 20% higher than the previous Sydney event. Twelve major vehicle launches and a broader range of home-energy technology suggest growing Australian consumer interest not just in electric cars but in combining transport with cleaner household energy generation and storage.
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