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XIAOMI SU7 FACELIFT GETS GOOD FIRST REVIEWS https://evne.ws/4uSOoS6
XIAOMI BECOMES BYD’S TOP OUTSIDE BATTERY BUYER https://evne.ws/4c5v6BA
CHINA’S VEHICLE EXPORTS SURGE IN FEBRUARY https://evne.ws/3NCIVhz
AUDI OPENS A6L E-TRON PRE-SALES IN CHINA https://evne.ws/4dcewB1
AION UT JOINS GAC OUTPUT AT GRAZ https://evne.ws/41fsWt7
CHERY OPENS FULWIN T9L PRE-SALES https://evne.ws/4dJkf1h
CHINA’S SHOOTING BRAKES CROWD INTO VIEW https://evne.ws/4dc4Q9D
CHINESE CARMAKERS OVERTAKE JAPAN GLOBALLY https://evne.ws/3NGEEty

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AFEELA EV PROGRAMME SCRAPPED https://evne.ws/47PAQgg
MG TEASES SOLIDCORE BATTERY https://evne.ws/40OT3Xw
EV CAR/VAN CONVERSIONS FROM RENAULT AND VOLVO https://evne.ws/4t5SG6X
AUSTRALIAN FUEL SHORTAGES SPREAD WITHOUT SUPPLY LOSS https://evne.ws/4uQBVOI
VAUXHALL ASTRA FACELIFT STARTS AT £29,995 https://evne.ws/3Pyu0pa
UK PLEDGES £1 BILLION FOR FLEET ELECTRIFICATION https://evne.ws/47Sm8oI
SK SIGNET STARTS TEXAS BUILD OF 400-KW CHARGER https://evne.ws/4uQBqUQ
ROLLS-ROYCE OPENS ELECTRIC COACHBUILD PROGRAMME https://evne.ws/4t4DXZT
FERRARI TUNES LUCE FOR FEEL, NOT FIGURES https://evne.ws/4bxsmNg
XPENG AUSTRALIA DISTRIBUTOR ENTERS ADMINISTRATION https://evne.ws/4c2I5nw

It's EV News Briefly for Wednesday 25 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 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 Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily

AFEELA EV PROGRAMME SCRAPPED
Sony Honda Mobility has scrapped its Afeela EV programme after Honda's broader EV strategy reassessment — which included a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) — left the joint venture with no viable route to market. The Afeela 1, priced from $89,900 with deliveries planned for late 2026, has been cancelled alongside a second model targeting 2028, with California reservation holders receiving full refunds.
MG TEASES SOLIDCORE BATTERY
MG Motor has opened a third European engineering centre in Frankfurt and unveiled SolidCore, a semi-solid-state battery cell using a manganese-based cathode, semi-solid electrolyte shield, and graphite anode — claiming improvements in safety, range, durability and cold-weather performance without providing specific figures. MG claims to be the first automaker to mass-produce a semi-solid-state battery, though the distinction from a similar cell already in China-market MG4s since December 2025 remains unclear; SolidCore is expected in European EVs by end of 2026.
EV CAR/VAN CONVERSIONS FROM RENAULT AND VOLVO
Renault has revealed an electric Twingo van conversion developed for EDF, doubling load capacity from 360 to 797 litres via a removable rear seat, mesh bulkhead, and cargo cage — though the concept remains unlikely to reach UK sale. Volvo UK is already in market with the EX30 Cargo, a fleet-only compact van offering 1,000 litres of capacity, 390kg payload, and a top dual-motor variant producing 423bhp with a 0–62mph time of 3.6 seconds.
AUSTRALIAN FUEL SHORTAGES SPREAD WITHOUT SUPPLY LOSS
Panic buying — not supply disruption — has left over 500 petrol stations across Australia short of at least one fuel grade, with New South Wales worst affected at 289 sites, including 164 diesel-dry locations pushing diesel prices above $3 per litre. Authorities have not declared a national fuel emergency or introduced rationing, with Victoria's Energy Minister confirming the strain is entirely driven by consumer behaviour rather than any import disruption.
VAUXHALL ASTRA FACELIFT STARTS AT £29,995
The facelifted Vauxhall Astra starts at £29,995 across mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full EV variants in both hatchback and Sports Tourer estate, with the PHEV's battery growing from 12.4kWh to 17.2kWh for 52 miles of official electric range and a BiK rate of 10% — undercutting the Golf eHybrid by £6,490. The Astra Electric uses a 154bhp motor with 55.4kWh usable battery, 281 miles of quoted range, and 100kW DC charging covering 20–80% in around 30 minutes.
UK PLEDGES £1 BILLION FOR FLEET ELECTRIFICATION
The UK government has committed £1 billion to commercial fleet electrification, with the Zero Emissions Truck and Van scheme covering up to 40% of purchase costs — reaching £81,000 for the heaviest electric trucks and £5,000 for vans, though reduced from a previous maximum of £120,000 for trucks over 26 tonnes. A separate £170 million uplift to the Depot Charging Scheme allows businesses to reclaim up to 70% of depot charging installation costs, capped at £1 million per application.
SK SIGNET STARTS TEXAS BUILD OF 400-KW CHARGER
SK Signet has begun production of a 400-kW all-in-one DC fast charger at its Texas facility, using silicon carbide electronics to achieve 96.5% conversion efficiency while reducing its physical footprint by up to 54% versus its predecessor. A modular design offers 320–400kW output tiers, supports one to four CCS1/NACS ports delivering a stable 150–250kW per vehicle simultaneously, and features a 32-inch outdoor touchscreen with Plug & Charge, credit card, and RFID payment support.
ROLLS-ROYCE OPENS ELECTRIC COACHBUILD PROGRAMME
Rolls-Royce has launched the Coachbuild Collection, a new electric coachbuilding programme for ultra-high-net-worth clients, with every vehicle fully road-legal and homologated — unlike predecessors Sweptail, Boatail, and Droptail. The first model will be fully electric, with powertrain, design, and interior details expected later in 2026, supported by a Private Office Network across Dubai, Seoul, Shanghai, New York, and Goodwood.
FERRARI TUNES LUCE FOR FEEL, NOT FIGURES
Ferrari says its first fully electric car, the Luce, will prioritise driver feel over headline performance figures, with CEO Benedetto Vigna consulting NASA and medical centres to identify the point at which EV acceleration becomes neurologically disturbing. Ferrari identified five distinct generators of driving thrills and is focusing on issues such as battery placement to address the mismatch between visual and vestibular cues in cornering caused by heavy EV battery packs.
XPENG AUSTRALIA DISTRIBUTOR ENTERS ADMINISTRATION
XPeng's sole Australian distributor, Sydney-based TrueEV, has entered external administration after a lender stepped in over unmet financing arrangements, with insolvency specialists now managing and selling close to 200 G6 vehicles across Melbourne, Brisbane, Wollongong, and Fremantle. A simultaneous legal dispute between TrueEV and XPeng has escalated to court action, leaving the brand's planned 2026 Australian expansion — including the X9 and G9 models — in serious doubt with no clarity offered to existing customers.

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RISING PETROL PRICES BOOST ULTRA-FAST CHARGING CASE https://evne.ws/3PHuskW
BYD ADDS FREE FLASH CHARGING TO SONG ULTRA EV https://evne.ws/4lRzsj8
XIAOMI DEFIES CHINA EV MARGIN SQUEEZE https://evne.ws/40TQCms
BAIC SHOWS 450 KM SODIUM-ION BATTERY https://evne.ws/4rP7dmn
CHERY SETS OUT RHINO BATTERY RANGE https://evne.ws/4uRtoLm
FREELANDER RETURNS ON MARCH 31 https://evne.ws/47WS0sn
XPENG BRINGS TURING CHIP TO MONA M03 https://evne.ws/3PxewSi
XPENG MONA D02 SUV BREAKS COVER https://evne.ws/4syN9pG
NIO ES9 SPY SHOTS REVEAL FLAGSHIP SUV https://evne.ws/4sxnoWz

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BMW SETS 18 MARCH FOR I3 DEBUT https://evne.ws/3N5nIwz
EU EV PRICES FALL AS RULES BITE https://evne.ws/4sMS5qx
TESLA WINS UK POWER SUPPLY LICENCE https://evne.ws/4sKchta
UK MAKERS BEAT 2024 ZEV TARGET https://evne.ws/4sNf5pg
GREEN NCAP LINKS WITH CHARIN ON CHARGING TESTS https://evne.ws/4bs39lV
ARVAL DATA SHOWS STRONG EV BATTERY LIFE https://evne.ws/4rDpzH1
AUSTRALIA EV TAX BREAK FACES BUDGET THREAT https://evne.ws/4uuCOwt
ŠKODA POSTS RECORD 2025 RESULTS https://evne.ws/4lEqW74
SEAT SEES 2026 PROFIT LIFT AFTER TARIFF CUT https://evne.ws/4sNbS9d
NISSAN LEAF BATTERIES RETURN AS VIGO CHARGERS https://evne.ws/417maoX

It's EV News Briefly for Monday 16 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

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BMW SETS 18 MARCH FOR I3 DEBUT
BMW will unveil the fully electric i3 sedan on 18 March, extending its Neue Klasse platform into the compact sedan segment, with assembly already underway at its Munich plant and series production expected to begin in late autumn. The i3 50 xDrive will be the first version to reach customers, featuring an 800V platform with up to 400kW peak charging and an expected range exceeding the iX3's 805km rating.
EU EV PRICES FALL AS RULES BITE
EU EV prices fell by an average of €1,800 in 2025, a 4% drop that ended five consecutive years of rising prices, taking the average to €42,700, driven by tighter CO2 emissions targets forcing carmakers to compete on price. T&E expects further price falls as more budget EVs launch, with affordable and mass-market EVs projected to outsell large and premium vehicles by 2027, alongside full price parity with ICE vehicles across all segments.
TESLA WINS UK POWER SUPPLY LICENCE
Tesla has been granted an electricity supply licence by Ofgem, allowing Tesla Energy Ventures to sell power directly to homes and businesses across England, Wales and Scotland from 11 March 2026, completing a six-year effort to become a full-service energy provider in Britain. Ofgem approved the licence despite over 8,400 objections citing Elon Musk's political activities, ruling that Tesla met all statutory requirements, and Tesla must now comply with standard UK consumer protection and billing obligations.
UK MAKERS BEAT 2024 ZEV TARGET
UK car makers met their 2024 ZEV mandate obligations despite a raw EV sales mix of 19.8% falling short of the 22% headline target, by using CO2 credits under the Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme to reach an effective 24.1%. The result gave manufacturers surplus credits to carry into future compliance years, with the government set to begin a ZEV mandate review later in 2026 and findings due in the first half of 2027.
GREEN NCAP LINKS WITH CHARIN ON CHARGING TESTS
Green NCAP and the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN) have agreed to collaborate on EV charging interoperability and performance transparency, with the goal of giving consumers independent, verified data on how well EVs work with charging infrastructure. The CharIN Label will be referenced within Green NCAP's Driving Experience assessment for electric vehicles, with testing following CharIN's own processes or recognised partner organisations.
ARVAL DATA SHOWS STRONG EV BATTERY LIFE
Arval's analysis of 24,000 battery health certificates across 11 European countries found that EV and PHEV batteries decline by just 1% per 25,000km after an initial drop, with vehicles reaching 160,000km or six years of service still retaining battery health above 90%. Newer-generation models outperformed older ones by two to three percentage points, and the entire fleet comfortably exceeds the incoming Euro 7 requirement of 72% battery capacity retention at eight years or 100,000 miles.
AUSTRALIA EV TAX BREAK FACES BUDGET THREAT
Australia's Electric Vehicle Discount, which allows workers to reduce their tax bill by purchasing a new EV through salary sacrificing, is under review with reports suggesting the upcoming federal budget could remove it. Renewable energy advocates are opposing any scrapping of the scheme, arguing the timing is particularly poor given rising global fuel prices.
ŠKODA POSTS RECORD 2025 RESULTS
Škoda posted record 2025 results with revenue up 8.3% to €30.1 billion, operating profit up 8.6% to €2.5 billion, and net cash flow reaching €2.3 billion. Electrified vehicle deliveries more than doubled to 218,700 units, with the Elroq ranking as the second best-selling BEV in Europe and plugged-in models accounting for 25.7% of European sales.
SEAT SEES 2026 PROFIT LIFT AFTER TARIFF CUT
Seat expects profitability to recover in 2026 after the EU dropped an additional tariff on the China-built Cupra Tavascan, which had cost the company an estimated €250 million in 2025 and forced it to absorb around €7,000 per vehicle rather than pass costs to buyers. EV margins still trail combustion-engine equivalents, but Seat expects improvement with the launch of the Cupra Raval small EV on April 9, priced comparably to combustion-engine cars and weeks away from series production.
NISSAN LEAF BATTERIES RETURN AS VIGO CHARGERS
Nissan has partnered with Spanish firm Little Electric Energy to deploy a second-life battery charging system at the Port of Vigo, using 12 decommissioned 30 kWh Nissan Leaf packs to power four charging points supporting both 22 kW AC and 240 kW DC ultra-fast charging. The Green Charge Flex system targets sites with limited grid capacity by charging slowly from the available connection and delivering stored energy rapidly to EVs, avoiding costly grid upgrades.

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BYD STUDIES CANADA PLANT, REJECTS JOINT VENTURE https://evne.ws/4bL1069
MERCEDES WEIGHS DEEPER GEELY TIES IN CHINA https://evne.ws/4s7Kymg
VOLKSWAGEN ANHUI SETS FOUR 2026 LAUNCHES https://evne.ws/4uqQ2dn
BYD FANG CHENG BAO LAUNCHES TI3 FLASH EDITION https://evne.ws/4sNYK3Y
BYD FILES SEAL 06 DM-I WAGON https://evne.ws/4lx5Xmw
BYD SEAL 08 FILED FOR Q2 2026 https://evne.ws/4sfjdPf
BYD SETS SONG ULTRA EV LAUNCH DATE https://evne.ws/4sdS0fB
LEAPMOTOR BRINGS LIDAR TO A BUDGET EV https://evne.ws/3PkHHrB
ONVO PREPARES LIDAR L60 https://evne.ws/40C9ne3
CHINA CLIMATE PLAN KEEPS ITS OPTIONS OPEN https://evne.ws/3Niy9Nl
HORMUZ SHUTDOWN HITS CHINESE CAR EXPORTS https://evne.ws/4sQTXyL

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USED EV SUPPLY SET TO JUMP https://evne.ws/4b9e45c
GLOBAL EV SALES FALL AS CHINA CORRECTS, EUROPE MOVES FORWARD https://evne.ws/41aQ1Nb
PROLOGUE STUMLBES ON AS HONDA RETREATS FROM EVS https://evne.ws/4rCjaMj
BYD SETS PARIS DEBUT FOR FLASH CHARGING https://evne.ws/3P6aeBi
GERMAN MOTORWAY CHARGING OPENS TO COMPETITION https://evne.ws/4bJbjrs
UK POWER NETWORKS STARTS UK-FIRST V2G TRIAL https://evne.ws/3N3bpRp
GOVERNMENT HOLDS LINE ON ZEV REVIEW https://evne.ws/4seuhw0
ZERO SELLS XB AND XE DIRECT https://evne.ws/4ux6HMw
BMW TEASES 2027 7 SERIES REFRESH https://evne.ws/3NyNQA1
NISSAN TO END LEAF REMOTE APP ACCESS https://evne.ws/4rsgXmp

It's EV News Briefly for Sunday 15 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 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 Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily

USED EV SUPPLY SET TO JUMP
Over 300,000 EVs are expected to come off lease in 2026, driven by a post-2022 surge in EV leasing fuelled by a federal tax credit loophole under the Inflation Reduction Act. Used EVs are already selling faster than petrol cars, making the incoming supply wave a significant affordability opportunity for buyers.
GLOBAL EV SALES FALL AS CHINA CORRECTS, EUROPE MOVES FORWARD
Global EV sales hit 1.1 million units in February 2026, down 11% year-over-year, with year-to-date totals of 2.2 million units, down 8% versus 2025. Europe was the standout performer, up 21% year-to-date, with Italy posting a record February thanks to subsidies of up to €20,000, while North America fell 36% and China dropped 26% though Chinese EV exports surpassed 500,000 units.
PROLOGUE STUMBLES ON AS HONDA RETREATS FROM EVS
Honda has cancelled three planned US EVs — the 0 Series SUV, 0 Series Saloon, and Acura RSX — citing declining EV demand and the rollback of US EV incentives under the Trump administration. Honda is pivoting back to hybrids, and reports suggest the Prologue will also end production in December, though Honda has called that speculation.
BYD SETS PARIS DEBUT FOR FLASH CHARGING
BYD will unveil its Flash Charging technology and the Denza Z9 GT in Paris on 8 April, showcasing a second-generation Blade Battery that charges from 10% to 97% in nine minutes. The Flash Chargers can deliver up to 1,500 kW using two cables simultaneously, though BYD has not confirmed European cable standards or peak output for that market.
GERMAN MOTORWAY CHARGING OPENS TO COMPETITION
A Düsseldorf court ruled on 6 March that Germany's motorway EV charging market must open to full competition, ending Tank & Rast's de-facto monopoly over fast charging at around 360 motorway service areas. The decision, brought by Fastned, requires open tenders for charging installations later in 2026 and could set a Europe-wide precedent for breaking up incumbent charging monopolies.
UK POWER NETWORKS STARTS UK-FIRST V2G TRIAL
UK Power Networks and Octopus Energy have launched a vehicle-to-grid trial in Amersham, Worthing, and Enfield, allowing EV owners to feed power back to the grid during peak demand. The initiative includes automatic approval of V2G charger connections — a UK first — with UK Power Networks approving 80% of requests compared to the national average of just 11%.
GOVERNMENT HOLDS LINE ON ZEV REVIEW
The UK government has rejected industry calls to bring forward the ZEV mandate review, maintaining a 2026 review with findings due in early 2027. Ministers say the timetable will properly identify pressure points, though the car industry's lobby group SMMT argues the transition was built on assumptions that have since proved incorrect.
ZERO SELLS XB AND XE DIRECT
Zero Motorcycles will sell its XB and XE electric dirt bikes directly to consumers online, shipping them in a crate for home assembly of key components like the battery and front fork. Dealers will continue to sell and service both models, with the direct channel aimed at streamlining fulfilment and better competing with electric off-road rivals.
BMW TEASES 2027 7 SERIES REFRESH
BMW has teased the updated 2027 7 Series ahead of its world premiere next month, with the mid-cycle refresh retaining the kidney grille rather than adopting Neue Klasse styling. The i7 electric variant is expected to receive a larger battery, silicon carbide inverters for better efficiency, and the full-width Panoramic Vision display from the iX3.
NISSAN TO END LEAF REMOTE APP ACCESS
Nissan will shut down the NissanConnect EV app on 30 March, stripping remote charging, pre-heating, and battery monitoring from older Leaf models and e-NV200 vans. The move has drawn criticism from owners who note EVs often remain in use for over 12 years, highlighting a broader industry problem where digital features can become obsolete long before the vehicle itself does.

On 5 March 2026, BYD held a landmark technology event unveiling the second-generation Blade Battery, a 1,500 kW megawatt Flash Charging network, eleven new or updated vehicle models, a next-generation LiDAR sensor from Robosense and an upgraded Gods Eye 5.0 ADAS suite.

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LUCID SHOWS COSMOS AHEAD OF 2026 LAUNCH https://evne.ws/4d6MtDd
LUCID SHOWS LUNAR ROBOTAXI CONCEPT https://evne.ws/47tj9mw
UBER NEARS SECOND LUCID ROBOTAXI DEAL https://evne.ws/47CqK23
RIVIAN R2 TIMELINE TIGHTENS https://evne.ws/4lrcbUK
POLESTAR 3 ADDS 800V TECH FOR AUSTRALIA https://evne.ws/4bs9oX0
STELLANTIS HOLDS TALKS WITH XIAOMI AND XPENG https://evne.ws/4boaXVR
VOLKSWAGEN MISSES EU CO2 TARGET, AVOIDS FINES https://evne.ws/4lr5Jx4
LEAPMOTOR B10 OTA ADDS ONE-PEDAL DRIVING https://evne.ws/4brwVao
GM BACKS RARE EV1 RESTORATION https://evne.ws/4sIhHVv