Daily news about the technology and business driving electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and sustainable e-mobility. Daily 20-minute episodes, concise updates, and expert commentary.
ev.news Briefly: BMW, Ford, BYD & more | 21 Sep 2026
Sep 21, 2026
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BMW ADDS THIRD SHIFT TO MEET iX3 DEMAND BMW has added a third shift at its Debrecen factory in Hungary, taking iX3 production to 24 hours a day after European orders reached 100,000 and the plant built its 50,000th car by late July. More than 5,000 employees have supported what BMW calls its fastest-ever ramp-up at a new plant, which will add a second, as-yet-unnamed Neue Klasse EV in autumn 2026. EUROPE’S BATTERY-ELECTRIC CAR REGISTRATIONS RISE 52% IN AUGUST European battery-electric car registrations rose 52% year on year to 245,120 in August 2026, giving BEVs a 29% market share as the wider new-car market grew 4.6%. Chinese brands more than doubled registrations to a record 11.7% share, led by BYD, Chery and SAIC, while petrol registrations fell 14% and diesel 20%. FORD BEGINS CHINA PRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC TRANSIT CITY FOR EUROPE Ford has begun production of the battery-electric Transit City at JMC’s Xiaolan plant in China, with an initial batch of about 1,000 vans destined for Europe and other developed markets before the end of 2026. The van uses a 56 kWh usable LFP battery and 110 kW motor, targets up to 254 km WLTP range, and offers up to 8.5 m³ of cargo space or 1,600 kg payload in chassis-cab form. ABC TEST ACCESSES BYD SHARK 6 LIGHTS, LOCKS AND MICROPHONE An ABC Four Corners investigation found that a cybersecurity specialist could access selected functions on one BYD Shark 6 without a password, including its locks, lights, infotainment, location and microphone, although he could not access the brakes or cameras. BYD says Australian vehicle data is stored domestically and has denied transferring it to Chinese authorities, while a revised privacy policy permits overseas transfers where allowed by law without establishing that such transfers have occurred. BYD CUTS DOLPHIN ESSENTIAL TO A$28,888 DRIVE-AWAY BYD has cut the Australian Dolphin Essential to A$28,888 drive-away for eligible orders placed by 15 December 2026, down from A$29,990 before on-road costs and following a similar discount for the Atto 1 Essential. The Dolphin Essential retains its 70 kW motor, 44.9 kWh LFP battery and 340 km WLTP range, with BYD giving no Australian launch date for the updated version already sold in China. CHINA’S OPERATING AND PLANNED SODIUM-ION CAPACITY TOPS 400 GWH China has more than 400 GWh of operating and planned sodium-ion battery factory capacity compared with just 11 GWh outside the country, according to CRU data reported by the Financial Times. Sodium-ion offers abundant raw materials and strong claimed cold-weather performance but lower energy density than lithium-ion, while Western projects have struggled to scale and GM-backed Peak Energy currently expects to rely initially on imported Asian cells. GWM HI4-T FROM $47,990 FOR ELIGIBLE ABN BUYERS GWM has opened Australian orders for the Cannon Hi4-T plug-in hybrid ute at a temporary A$47,990 drive-away price for eligible ABN buyers, combining a 2.0-litre turbo engine and electric motor for 310 kW and 750 Nm. Its 33.1 kWh battery provides a claimed 115 km NEDC electric range, while 110 kW DC charging, mechanical four-wheel drive with low range, 3,500 kg towing capacity and 6 kW vehicle-to-load distinguish it from rivals such as the BYD Shark 6. US DIESEL STOCKS TIGHTEN AS STATION OUTAGES REMAIN LOCAL Photos of individual US filling stations running out of diesel reflect genuine local outages, but GasBuddy says its data show no widespread national shortage despite exceptionally high prices. US distillate inventories are unusually low, refineries are running near capacity and international demand for US diesel is strong, leaving little supply buffer and pushing refining margins to record levels without evidence that the country is running out of diesel.
ev.news Briefly: BEV Share, Lucid, Xpeng & More | 20 Sep 2026
Sep 20, 2026
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BEVS REACH 30.5% SHARE ACROSS 16 EUROPEAN MARKETS IN AUGUST Battery-electric registrations across 16 European markets rose 54.2% year on year to 202,833 in August, giving BEVs a 30.5% share, while the eight-month total exceeded 1.67 million, up 33.1%. Germany registered 68,980 BEVs for a 32.5% share and France 36,159 for 38.3%, while Norway led at 98.7% and Denmark reached 85.9%. LUCID AND BOLT PLAN AT LEAST 25,000 ROBOTAXIS IN EUROPE Lucid and Bolt have signed an MOU targeting a European fleet of at least 25,000 autonomous vehicles based on Lucid’s upcoming Midsize platform, with Bolt owning and operating the vehicles and an initial deployment targeted as early as 2028. The Level 4-ready vehicles are expected to use Nvidia’s Hyperion platform, but no firm order, investment terms or delivery schedule have been disclosed, and the project is separate from Lucid’s existing robotaxi agreement with Uber. U.S. NEW EV PREMIUM FALLS TO 9.4 PERCENT Kelley Blue Book says the average U.S. new-EV transaction price fell to $54,813 in August, around 9.4% above the overall new-vehicle average of $50,089, down from a premium of more than 16% a year earlier. Cox Automotive separately measured a 9.7% premium, while energy-cost comparisons continue to show EVs substantially cheaper to fuel than comparable combustion cars even though purchase-price parity has not yet been reached in many segments. XPENG PLANS TO OFFER TECHNOLOGY BEYOND VOLKSWAGEN Xpeng is exploring technology deals with overseas automakers beyond Volkswagen, potentially offering its electrical architecture, cockpit systems, Turing AI chips and driver-assistance software, according to Reuters. The move could create a higher-margin revenue stream for the loss-making company, which is also considering licensing and customised technology for robotaxis, robotics and other physical-AI applications, although no new customer agreements have been announced. VAUXHALL PLANS ASTRA GSE PREVIEW AT 2026 PARIS MOTOR SHOW Vauxhall will preview a 277bhp all-electric Astra GSE at the 2026 Paris Motor Show ahead of a formal debut in the second half of 2027, making it the third model in its electric GSE performance range after the Mokka and Corsa. Most technical details remain undisclosed, although the Astra is expected to share hardware with those models, while a separate Astra GSE Line will retain the regular 154bhp motor and 54kWh battery while adding GSE styling. NEW AUTOMOTIVE ESTIMATES MORE THAN £7BN COMMITTED TO BATTERY PROJECTS New AutoMotive estimates more than £7bn is associated with over 14 UK commercial battery projects, with the wider battery supply chain generating £4.2bn in annual turnover and supporting more than 10,000 direct jobs. Existing and planned projects include AESC’s 15.8GWh Sunderland plant, Agratas’s planned 40GWh Somerset factory and the proposed 60GWh GreenPower Park in Coventry, but the group says the UK could still need another two or three gigafactories to meet projected demand of around 115GWh a year by 2035. BMW REGENSBURG BUILDS 9,000,000TH VEHICLE BMW’s Regensburg factory produced its nine-millionth vehicle on 16 September, a fully electric BMW iX1 destined for a customer in Sweden, as the plant marks 40 years since beginning production with the E30 3 Series in 1986. Regensburg now builds X1 and X2 models with combustion, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains on the same line, producing more than 356,000 vehicles in 2025 and operating at roughly one completed vehicle every 57 seconds. 22% OF DRIVERS UNAWARE ELECTRIC CARS CAN BE LEASED A YouGov survey commissioned by Gateway2Lease found that 22% of more than 2,000 surveyed drivers without an EV did not know electric cars could be leased, while 28% assumed leasing would require an initial outlay similar to buying. Gateway2Lease argues leasing can lower the barrier to EV adoption through fixed monthly payments and avoiding a large purchase price, although the survey did not include a like-for-like cost comparison or measure whether leasing awareness would actually persuade drivers to switch.
ev.news Briefly: Audi vs AUDI, BMW iX4, Hyundai CEO & more | 19 Sep 26
Sep 19, 2026
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AUDI TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST AUTO CHINA Audi has taken legal action against Auto China over its parallel imports of the China-only AUDI E5 Sportback and E7X to Germany, saying they are not officially exported or supported by Audi’s European dealer network. Although the cars briefly disappeared from Auto China’s website, both were listed again on 23 September, leaving prospective owners facing uncertainty over servicing, parts and software support. BMW CONFIRMS AUTUMN PRODUCTION START FOR THIRD NEUE KLASSE MODEL BMW says a third Neue Klasse model will enter production at Debrecen this autumn, after the iX3 and i3, but has not named it; reports identify it as the iX4, though that remains unconfirmed. The announcement comes as Debrecen scales up iX3 production amid strong orders, while BMW Group’s first-half battery-electric deliveries fell 7.4%. HYUNDAI CEO WARNS US ON CHINESE IMPORTS Hyundai CEO José Muñoz urged the United States to maintain safeguards against Chinese vehicle imports, pointing to Chinese brands’ roughly 15% share of UK registrations and prices reportedly 30% to 40% below competitors in some European markets. The US already applies a 100% tariff to Chinese EVs, while President Trump has said he would welcome Chinese automakers that build vehicles in America and the EU is considering how to address rising Chinese hybrid imports. AMPRIUS ANNOUNCES 500 WH/KG SICORE®500 AVIATION CELL Amprius announced a 500 Wh/kg SiCore®500 battery cell for long-endurance aviation, which it says can be made using conventional lithium-ion production equipment and will be available from the fourth quarter of 2026. The cell is designed for applications such as high-altitude platforms and fixed-wing drones, with initial production planned in California and later scaling through manufacturing partners. PROLOGIUM STARTS GEN 3.5 LITHIUM CERAMIC BATTERY MASS PRODUCTION ProLogium says it has started mass production of its Gen 3.5 Lithium Ceramic Battery in Taiwan, with a third-party TÜV report recording 381 Wh/kg and 903 Wh/L for its 185.4 Ah cell. The company has not disclosed production volumes or a customer programme, while its next-generation Gen 4 remains a plan that is expected to improve performance and reduce costs with modifications to about 10% of existing line equipment. UK HAS NO PLAN TO RAISE CHINESE VEHICLE TARIFFS The UK government has no current plan to raise the standard 10% import duty on Chinese-built passenger cars, despite Chinese brands accounting for more than 15% of registrations in the first eight months of 2026. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds cited the risk of retaliation against Britain’s export-led car industry and said Chinese investment could bring innovation under UK standards; Nissan and Chery are studying possible contract manufacturing at Sunderland from 2027. US AUTO GROUPS URGE TRUMP TO RETAIN CHINESE VEHICLE CURBS Six US automotive organisations have urged President Trump to keep policies that restrict Chinese automakers’ access to the US passenger-car market, arguing that local assembly would not resolve connected-vehicle security concerns or create additional manufacturing jobs. Their letter arrived ahead of President Xi Jinping’s scheduled US visit, as Trump has said he would welcome Chinese companies building cars in America and reports of a possible BYD and CATL delegation remain unconfirmed.
ev.news Briefly: Audi, Mercedes, Chinese Hybrids & more | 18 Sep 2026
Sep 18, 2026
Show notes
AUDI A4 E-TRON PRODUCTION NOT EXPECTED BEFORE MARCH 2029 Audi’s A4 e-tron is reportedly not expected to enter production before March 2029, and potentially not until late April or early May, despite Audi previously targeting a 2028 market launch. The delay is blamed on technical problems, internal coordination and cost pressures surrounding Volkswagen Group’s SSP architecture, potentially making the A4 e-tron its first full-production model around three years later than Volkswagen originally planned. MERCEDES-BENZ STARTS ELECTRIC GLA PRODUCTION AT RASTATT Mercedes-Benz has begun series production of the all-electric GLA at Rastatt, with first customer deliveries expected in November following the replacement of the EQA name with GLA for the new battery-electric model. Built on the MMA platform, the range starts at €48,599.60 in Germany, offers up to 657 km WLTP range in GLA 250+ form and supports DC charging at up to 320 kW on the 250+ and 350 4MATIC variants. EU ASKS CHINA FOR VOLUNTARY HYBRID EXPORT CURBS The EU has reportedly asked China to voluntarily limit China-made PHEV exports to around 15% of the relevant EU market, down from more than a third, as Brussels seeks to prevent a broader trade conflict ahead of October talks in Beijing. China-made hybrids generally face only the EU’s standard 10% tariff, unlike BEVs subject to additional countervailing duties, and monthly hybrid imports have risen from 3,800 vehicles in October 2024 to 50,000 in July 2026. UL SOLUTIONS LAUNCHES V2G CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME UL Solutions has launched a certification programme for bidirectional EV supply equipment, testing products against UL 1741 Supplement SC to help ensure V2G equipment meets utility interconnection requirements. The move comes as V2X and V2G activity expands through programmes including PG&E’s California initiative, a Massachusetts pilot and Kaluza and Hyundai Motor Group’s UK and Australian smart-charging partnership targeting groundwork for V2G services from 2027. MAN ETGX 6×2 REACHES 616 KWH NET WITH SEVEN PACKS MAN has unveiled a seven-battery eTGX 6×2-4 with 616 kWh of usable capacity, claiming up to 720 km of range and more than 600 km as realistically achievable in everyday long-haul operation. The revised truck has a 120 mm longer and more aerodynamic front end, up to 20% greater recuperation power and an optional series-production MCS port supporting charging at up to 750 kW, compared with 375 kW through CCS. PORSCHE, CYLIB MAKE 100 PER CENT RECYCLED CATHODE ACTIVE MATERIALS Porsche and battery recycler cylib have produced trial battery cells using cathode active material made entirely from recycled lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese recovered from Porsche high-voltage batteries. The project has progressed from shredding batteries into black mass through refining the recovered materials to producing test cells, although these remain under evaluation rather than being ready for series production. MG U9 EV COSTS AUD$78,990 PLUS ON-ROAD COSTS MG has priced its U9 EV dual-cab ute in Australia at AUD$78,990 plus on-road costs, offering a 102.2 kWh LFP battery, 430 km WLTP range, 325 kW dual-motor all-wheel drive and 3,500 kg braked towing capacity. The lifestyle-focused electric ute also includes air suspension, a 236-litre front boot, 685 kg payload, a pallet-sized rear tub and up to 6.6 kW vehicle-to-load capability, contrasting with Toyota’s more fleet-focused HiLux BEV. FLYING FLEA C6 BOOKINGS OPEN IN EUROPE AND UK Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea C6 electric motorcycle has opened for bookings at €5,990 in Europe and £5,300 in the UK, with deliveries due to begin by October 2026 in cities including Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin and London. The 124 kg motorcycle combines a 3.91 kWh battery, 15.4 kW maximum motor output, 115 km/h top speed and 104 km WMTC range with premium hardware including a forged aluminium frame, magnesium battery case, girder-linkage suspension, lean-sensitive ABS and traction control. WINDROSE RELEASES E700 PART CAD FILES Windrose has released 1,023 native CAD files covering what founder Wen Han says is 98.4% of its E700 Class 8 electric truck, allowing owners and independent workshops to inspect, repair, reproduce parts for and modify vehicles without fees or permission. The initiative is intended to reduce long-term parts-supply risk for fleets, although building complete trucks still requires an agreement with Windrose and unauthorised repairs, parts or modifications can affect warranty coverage.
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