ev.news

It's ev.news Briefly for Sunday 11 October 2026, only todays headlines and nothing else, in just 4 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.
GEELY PLANS CANADIAN LAUNCH AS US MARKET STAYS SHUT
Geely plans to enter Canada in 2027, establishing dealerships and service operations following an agreement between Ottawa and Beijing allowing limited Chinese EV imports, while US tariffs and restrictions continue to block Chinese manufacturers. With Geely's Chinese domestic sales down 23% and exports up 169% in the first nine months of 2026, international expansion is increasingly important, although Canadian launch models and sales dates remain unconfirmed.
VOLKSWAGEN TELLS 22,524 ID.4 OWNERS TO LIMIT CHARGING
Volkswagen is recalling 22,524 US ID.4 electric SUVs from model years 2023–2026 over a potential battery fire risk linked to charging above 80%, instructing affected owners to restrict charging while engineers investigate. Although Volkswagen estimates just 0.1% of recalled vehicles have the defect, it has not identified the root cause or developed a permanent remedy, leaving owners with reduced usable battery capacity and potentially shorter driving ranges.
RIVIAN BRINGS GHOSTBUSTERS INTO ITS EV SOFTWARE
Rivian has launched a Ghostbusters-themed Halloween software update for its R1S, R1T and R2 vehicles, featuring themed displays, sounds, lighting effects and an arcade game, accompanied by a promotional film starring Bill Murray and a specially modified Ecto-R1 SUV. Available until 2 November, the update demonstrates how software-defined vehicles allow manufacturers to introduce new experiences and seasonal features to existing cars without physical modifications.
ZEEKR 9X HYBRID CLAIMS 10–80% CHARGING IN 9.5 MINUTES
Zeekr has presented its €119,500 9X plug-in hybrid SUV in Germany, featuring a 55.1 kWh battery, claimed 179 km electric range and 900-volt architecture capable of 330 kW peak DC charging, potentially delivering 10–80% charging in just 9.5 minutes. The six-seat SUV uses a petrol engine exclusively as a generator, with European deliveries expected between December 2026 and early 2027, although its charging performance and technical specifications still await final European approval and real-world verification.
FORD SAYS CAMERA FAULTS CHANGED ITS NEXT EV PLATFORM
Ford CEO Jim Farley says recurring camera faults and disputes between suppliers convinced the company to bring more vehicle software development in-house, rather than relying on multiple companies to diagnose and resolve problems. Ford's forthcoming Universal Electric Vehicle platform introduces a 48-volt zonal electrical architecture and integrated software designed to simplify over-the-air updates, reduce repair complexity and give Ford greater control over vehicle reliability.
EU ASKED TO LET TRUCK FLEETS SHARE DEPOT CHARGERS
The International Road Transport Union and Transport & Environment are urging the EU to introduce a semi-public charging category that would allow electric truck operators to share privately owned depot chargers without becoming fully public charging providers. The proposal could reduce infrastructure costs for smaller hauliers, improve utilisation of existing grid connections and accelerate truck electrification, although regulatory changes and simpler planning and funding arrangements would be required.
CHERY LAUNCHES UK APPROVED USED SCHEME WITH BATTERY CHECKS
Chery has introduced a UK approved-used programme covering an initial 110 vehicles across 100 dealerships, offering comprehensive inspections, at least two years of warranty protection and battery-health certificates guaranteeing a minimum 90% state of health for qualifying hybrids. Having sold more than 39,000 vehicles in Britain, Chery hopes the scheme will strengthen buyer confidence, support residual values and establish a credible second-hand market alongside its growing new-car business.
DONUT LAB STILL HAS NO VERIFIED PRODUCTION BATTERY
Nearly nine months after claiming its solid-state battery was approaching production, Finnish company Donut Lab has still not provided an independently verified commercial battery demonstrating its extraordinary promises of 400 Wh/kg energy density, five-minute charging, 100,000 cycles and exceptional thermal safety. Independent tests have supported some individual prototype characteristics, including 409 Wh/kg energy density, but different cell versions were tested and no production battery has been independently examined to establish whether all the claimed properties can coexist in a commercially viable product.
MCLAREN PLANS MORE HYBRIDS AS SUPERCAR EVS RETREAT
McLaren is reportedly preparing a hybrid V6 coupé for 2027 and a hybrid V8 SUV for 2028, reinforcing the supercar industry's preference for electrified combustion engines rather than fully electric powertrains. With Ferrari reducing its 2030 pure-electric ambitions and Lamborghini already embracing hybrids, McLaren CEO Nick Collins says the company will build an electric supercar when customers demand one, signalling that full electrification remains a longer-term prospect for the segment.

VW ID. TIGUAN REPLACES ID.4 AND ID.5
https://evne.ws/4va2r
BMW SURVEY FINDS 42% WANT 300-MILE EV RANGE
https://evne.ws/s6lid
2027 BOLT HITS 280.3 MILES AT 60 MPH IN TEST
https://evne.ws/y2eaj
HYUNDAI REPORTEDLY PLANS IONIQ 4 AND IONIQ 7
https://evne.ws/3k7pk
BMW OPENS iX5 ORDERS IN EUROPE WITH 460 KW CHARGING
https://evne.ws/n77tj
EU AND CHINA REACH TENTATIVE HYBRID EXPORT DEAL
https://evne.ws/shjhe
JAGUAR PRIORITISES US AND CANADA FOR TYPE 01
https://evne.ws/iptpr
JAGUAR PLANS MORE MODELS BEYOND TYPE 01
https://evne.ws/hit6b

VW ID. TIGUAN REPLACES ID.4 AND ID.5
Volkswagen is replacing the ID.4 and ID.5 with the ID. Tiguan, combining familiar SUV styling with redesigned interiors, physical climate controls, conventional door handles and steering-wheel buttons, addressing some of the biggest criticisms of its current electric models. Built on the updated MEB+ platform, it offers 58 kWh or 77 kWh batteries, power outputs from 140 kW to 220 kW, and up to 600 km of WLTP range, alongside standard one-pedal driving, vehicle-to-load capability and up to 2,000 kg towing capacity. German orders open on 13 October, starting at €42,695, with production in Emden and European deliveries expected in early 2027, followed by a planned US launch. Having sold more than 950,000 ID.4 and ID.5 vehicles since 2021, Volkswagen is now shifting away from making EVs feel fundamentally different from combustion cars, hoping the recognisable Tiguan name and more conventional ownership experience will help reverse a 28.2% decline in electric deliveries during the first half of 2026.
BMW SURVEY FINDS 42% WANT 300-MILE EV RANGE
A BMW survey of 1,005 Americans found that while 73% drive no more than 75 miles daily, 42% want at least 300 miles of EV range, demonstrating the gap between practical driving needs and purchasing expectations. Price remains the biggest obstacle for 51% of respondents, while 53% would be more interested in an EV capable of adding 150 miles in 10 minutes, suggesting affordability and charging speed could be as important as battery range.
2027 BOLT HITS 280.3 MILES AT 60 MPH IN TEST
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt exceeded its 262-mile EPA combined rating by travelling 280.3 miles at a steady 60 mph in an independent highway test, averaging 4.1 miles/kWh from its 65 kWh LFP battery. Separate tests produced 243.1 miles at 70 mph and 219.3 miles at 80 mph, demonstrating how significantly motorway speeds influence EV efficiency and the distance between charging stops.
HYUNDAI REPORTEDLY PLANS IONIQ 4 AND IONIQ 7
Hyundai is reportedly preparing two additional electric SUVs, with an IONIQ 4 positioned between the IONIQ 3 and IONIQ 5, and an IONIQ 7 offering a more conventional SUV alternative beneath the flagship IONIQ 9. The unconfirmed IONIQ 7 could offer 800V charging, at least 400 miles of WLTP range and pricing around $40,000–$45,000, potentially broadening Hyundai's electric range within the next 12–18 months.
BMW OPENS iX5 ORDERS IN EUROPE WITH 460 KW CHARGING
BMW has opened European orders for its electric iX5, featuring an 800V architecture, a 141 kWh battery, up to 850 km of WLTP range and 460 kW peak DC charging capable of replenishing the battery from 10–80% in 23 minutes. Starting at €102,800 in Germany, the iX5 combines BMW's sixth-generation electric technology with familiar X5 styling, while US production is planned by the end of 2026 ahead of an early 2027 American launch priced from $79,800 before destination charges.
EU AND CHINA REACH TENTATIVE HYBRID EXPORT DEAL
China has agreed in principle to restrict hybrid and plug-in hybrid exports to Europe, potentially reducing shipments by more than half after Chinese manufacturers expanded sales of vehicles exempt from the EU's additional battery-electric import tariffs. Chinese brands' European plug-in hybrid market share climbed from 2% to 25% between 2024 and the first half of 2026, but no binding quotas or enforcement arrangements have been published ahead of EU leaders discussing the agreement on 15–16 October.
JAGUAR PRIORITISES US AND CANADA FOR TYPE 01
Jaguar has identified the United States and Canada as its priority markets for the forthcoming Type 01 electric luxury GT, expected in early 2027 with approximately 746 kW of power and a starting price of $130,500. Despite weakening American EV demand and limited appetite for expensive electric sedans, Jaguar is betting that distinctive design, exclusivity and driving experience can re-establish the brand among younger affluent buyers rather than relying on substantial sales volumes.
JAGUAR PLANS MORE MODELS BEYOND TYPE 01
Jaguar has confirmed plans to expand its reinvented electric range beyond the $130,000 Type 01 luxury GT, with a future SUV or crossover considered likely but no additional models, specifications or launch dates officially announced. A larger model range could open considerably greater sales opportunities than the niche luxury sedan market, although Jaguar's immediate priority remains establishing its new identity through the Type 01 and a more personalised ownership experience.

BMW iX3 M60 ADDS 450 kW POWER WITH 468-MILE RANGE
https://evne.ws/nxckx
NORWAY HITS 98.8% EV SALES AS TESLA TAKES A QUARTER
https://evne.ws/ili8t
EU EV SALES RISE 45% AS CHEAPER MODELS ARRIVE
https://evne.ws/zlseh
MG SETS UK SALES RECORD WITH 91.6% ELECTRIFIED
https://evne.ws/e2kkh
CUPRA LOWERS TAVASCAN ENTRY PRICE TO £39,995
https://evne.ws/athrx
TESLA DROPS FULL SELF-DRIVING NAME IN EUROPE
https://evne.ws/f3sfo
FRANCE AND GERMANY SEEK TO WEAKEN EU 2035 CAR RULES
https://evne.ws/2yynf
EU-CHINA DEAL COULD HALVE PROJECTED HYBRID EXPORTS
https://evne.ws/115jd
ELECTRA PASSES 800 ULTRA-FAST CHARGING SITES
https://evne.ws/3nj8d
RENAULT AND EDF PLAN A NEW HOME-CHARGING OFFER
https://evne.ws/vog0o

BMW iX3 M60 ADDS 450 kW POWER WITH 468-MILE RANGE

BMW has introduced the iX3 M60 xDrive with 450 kW of power, a 108.7 kWh battery, 468 miles of WLTP range and 400 kW DC charging, allowing up to 211 miles of range to be added in ten minutes. The performance model accelerates to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, sacrifices just 29 miles of range compared with the iX3 50, and will open for orders in early 2027, with its powertrain also destined for the new iX4.

NORWAY HITS 98.8% EV SALES AS TESLA TAKES A QUARTER

Battery-electric vehicles accounted for a record 98.8% of Norway's 18,733 new-car registrations in September 2026, with Tesla capturing 26.3% of the market, almost entirely through the Model Y. Although EVs represented 97.9% of new registrations across the first nine months, they account for just 35.3% of Norway's existing passenger-car fleet, demonstrating how much longer the transition of vehicles already on the road will take.

EU EV SALES RISE 45% AS CHEAPER MODELS ARRIVE

EU battery-electric sales increased 45% to 1.64 million vehicles between January and August 2026, reaching a 22% market share as manufacturers expanded their electric ranges and the number of models priced below €25,000 was expected to double. Transport & Environment attributes much of this growth to EU fleet-emissions regulations, arguing that weakening future targets could undermine the expansion of affordable electric vehicles.

MG SETS UK SALES RECORD WITH 91.6% ELECTRIFIED

MG achieved its biggest UK sales month in September, registering 18,026 vehicles, up 23.7% year-on-year, and becoming Britain's fourth-largest car brand for the month, with electrified models accounting for 91.6% of sales, including conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Its battery-electric registrations grew 65.2% during the first nine months of 2026, more than twice the wider UK EV market's 30.3% growth, demonstrating how MG is gaining ground through both fully electric and hybrid vehicles.

CUPRA LOWERS TAVASCAN ENTRY PRICE TO £39,995

CUPRA has introduced a cheaper Tavascan Origin in the UK, priced from £39,995 with a 58 kWh battery, 140 kW motor, 273 miles of WLTP range and 105 kW DC charging capable of replenishing the battery from 10–80% in 26 minutes. The company has also reduced prices across its existing 77 kWh range, giving customers a lower-cost entry point while retaining longer-range and higher-performance alternatives.

TESLA DROPS FULL SELF-DRIVING NAME IN EUROPE

Tesla has renamed Full Self-Driving to Tesla Assisted Driving across its European websites following German objections that the original name misrepresented the driver's responsibility, with Germany indicating support for approval if the system also limits speeding to no more than 10% above posted limits. The software remains a supervised driver-assistance system, currently accepted in eight EU countries, while EU-wide approval requires support from at least 15 member states representing 65% of the population, with no vote expected before December.

FRANCE AND GERMANY SEEK TO WEAKEN EU 2035 CAR RULES

France and Germany have reportedly agreed to support weaker EU vehicle-emissions targets, potentially reducing the required CO₂ cut for new cars in 2035 from the current 100% to 80%, allowing more combustion-engine and hybrid vehicles to remain on sale. In exchange, Germany would support tougher European manufacturing requirements, while both countries favour more flexible emissions accounting, although any changes still require legislative approval.

EU-CHINA DEAL COULD HALVE PROJECTED HYBRID EXPORTS

The EU and China have reached an agreement that could halve projected Chinese hybrid exports to Europe over four years, potentially restricting the alternative route Chinese manufacturers developed after additional European tariffs on battery-electric vehicles in 2024. However, the reduction is measured against undisclosed future forecasts rather than current sales, and without published export limits, vehicle classifications or enforcement mechanisms, the agreement's actual impact remains impossible to determine.

ELECTRA PASSES 800 ULTRA-FAST CHARGING SITES

European charging operator Electra has expanded beyond 800 ultra-fast charging stations and 4,738 charging points across ten markets, up from just over 500 stations a year earlier, with equipment capable of delivering up to 600 kW. The company claims 99% network uptime and is targeting 1,000 stations next, with a longer-term ambition of 2,200 stations and 15,000 charging points by 2030, emphasising reliability alongside network expansion.

RENAULT AND EDF PLAN A NEW HOME-CHARGING OFFER

Renault and French energy company EDF are developing an integrated electric-car, home-charging and energy-management package for French households, scheduled for summer 2027, combining Renault dealership sales with EDF charger installation and smart-charging services. The scheme aims to support vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid functionality on compatible models including the Renault 5, Twingo and Dacia Spring, potentially reducing electricity bills by using vehicle batteries to supply homes or return energy to the grid.