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GEELY XINGYUAN PRODUCTION HITS 1 MILLION

Geely has produced its millionth Xingyuan just over two years after launch, although Chinese retail sales fell 9.6% to 310,391 in the first nine months of 2026. The affordable electric hatchback, priced from 61,800 yuan ($9,300) with up to 480 kilometres of CLTC range, is now sold in more than 30 countries as the E2 or EX2, with Brazilian production scheduled to begin in December.

FIREFLY PLANS 60 KWH BATTERY WITH OWNER UPGRADES

Nio's Firefly brand plans to introduce a 60 kWh CATL battery on 23 October, increasing CLTC range from 420 to 560 kilometres while allowing existing owners to upgrade through compatible fifth-generation Nio battery-swapping stations. The upgrade could benefit owners of the 90,000 Firefly vehicles already delivered, although battery pricing, rental terms and the limited availability of compatible swapping stations will determine its appeal.

BYD BRINGS FLASH CHARGING TO THE SEAGULL

BYD has launched its second-generation Seagull electric hatchback from 65,900 yuan ($9,900), with Flash Charging versions starting at 75,900 yuan ($11,400) capable of charging from 10% to 70% in five minutes at dedicated stations. The redesigned car introduces rear-wheel drive, independent rear suspension, five seats and up to 420 kilometres of CLTC range, as BYD attempts to reverse a 33% sales decline in the first nine months of 2026.

NIO GROUP CLAIMS QUARTERLY LEAD OVER GERMAN RIVALS

Nio claims its three brands collectively outsold BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi individually in China during the third quarter, citing 111,638 insurance registrations across Nio, Onvo and Firefly compared with 107,210 for BMW and Mini. BMW separately reported 114,355 deliveries using a different measurement, but Nio's expanding portfolio illustrates the growing competitive pressure on German premium manufacturers as China's luxury-car retail market contracted 29% in September.

XIAOMI REGISTERS SU9 LUX NAME

Xiaomi has registered the SU9 LUX trademark, fuelling speculation about a larger luxury saloon with additional rear-passenger space, potentially related to camouflaged vehicles previously identified as the SU7L. However, Xiaomi also registered SU7 LUX and has not confirmed either production name or its connection to the test vehicles, leaving the proposed model's identity and specifications uncertain.

FANGCHENGBAO SALES PASS 600,000

BYD's Fangchengbao brand has surpassed 600,000 cumulative vehicle sales, with September deliveries reaching 43,181, up 79% year-on-year, largely driven by the Titanium 7 family SUV. The brand is expanding beyond its off-road origins with the Formula S electric saloon and Formula S GT estate, priced from 189,900 and 219,900 yuan respectively, although their combined first-month deliveries of 663 show the challenge of entering the premium passenger-car market.

BYD AND LI AUTO EXPAND GULF SALES

BYD is expanding its Saudi Arabian dealership network towards 10 locations, while Li Auto has introduced its L9 in the UAE with adaptations for extreme heat, local charging systems and Arabic-language functionality. Limited charging infrastructure remains a constraint, with Saudi operator EVIQ reporting 134 chargers across 56 locations against its ambition of more than 5,000 by 2030, favouring plug-in hybrids and range-extenders during the market's development.

CHERY TAKES EXLANTIX TO AUSTRALIA IN 2027

Chery plans to introduce its premium Exlantix brand in Australia around mid-2027 with the ES GT electric shooting brake and ET large SUV, both already demonstrated in right-hand-drive form. The ES GT is expected to feature an 800-volt architecture, while the ET is available overseas in electric and range-extended forms, with expansion into New Zealand and the UK also planned as Chery targets higher-priced international markets.

CHINESE EV FIRMS EXPAND EUROPEAN PRODUCTION

Chinese EV and battery manufacturers reportedly have 26 factories operating or under construction across Europe, including BYD's Hungarian vehicle plant, CATL's planned 100 GWh Hungarian battery complex and its 50 GWh joint venture with Stellantis in Spain. Local manufacturing could help Chinese carmakers avoid tariffs on China-origin vehicles and establish European supply chains, while the EU is investing €1.5 billion in loans to support competing domestic battery-cell production.

HUAWEI CAR UNIT JOINS CATL BATTERY SWAP NETWORK

Huawei's automotive technology business Newcool has joined CATL's Choco battery-swapping ecosystem, with plans to combine battery-condition monitoring, journey predictions and assisted-driving technology to automate swaps that CATL claims take 99 seconds. CATL reported 2,520 swapping stations across 200 Chinese cities by late September and is expanding into highway locations and 800-volt batteries, although compatible Huawei-equipped vehicles and a service launch date remain unannounced.

CHERY GETS APPROVAL FOR ELECTRIC MOPED

Chery has received Chinese regulatory approval for an electric step-through moped, extending its ambitions beyond passenger vehicles alongside a range-extended motorcycle and an electric adventure scooter claiming 150–200 kilometres of range. China's electric motorcycle sales increased 13.1% in the first eight months of 2026, but with the 10 largest suppliers controlling nearly 94% of covered sales, Chery faces substantial competition from established two-wheeler manufacturers.

France and Germany want to loosen Europe’s 2035 car emissions rules while linking public support more closely to European production. In this ev.news Policy special, Martyn Lee explains the competing proposals, what they could mean for combustion engines and plug-in hybrids, and why a 90% emissions cut does not mean 90% electric car sales. EU law has not changed.

Electric car demand is growing, but Europe’s manufacturers and suppliers face pressure on earnings, jobs and their business in China. We examine BMW’s progress on EV margins, Volkswagen’s efforts to reduce development costs and the limits of tariffs. Leapmotor’s production in Spain illustrates how Chinese technology can support European factory jobs while raising questions about ownership, expertise and how much manufacturing value stays locally.

We also look at the gap between plug-in hybrids’ official and on-road emissions, the consequences for national climate commitments and what European production requirements could mean for buyers. Keeping combustion cars on sale may help finance the transition. The test is whether manufacturers use that time to build competitive electric cars profitably and retain skilled work.

10 key points

VW OPENS ORDERS FOR €27,995 ID. CROSS

Volkswagen has opened German orders for the entry-level ID. Cross, priced at €27,995 with a 37 kWh battery, up to 324 km WLTP range and 10–80% DC charging in approximately 23 minutes, compared with €36,525 for the 52 kWh version offering up to 427 km. The compact SUV shares over 80% of its components with Volkswagen's new small-EV family, including the cheaper ID. Polo, which starts at €24,995.

SUBARU UNVEILS 380 kW EV PROTOTYPE

Subaru has demonstrated a 380 kW all-wheel-drive electric prototype capable of reaching 100 km/h in under four seconds, using a proprietary platform developed in roughly half the usual time through digital simulation and integrated engineering. Despite postponing its original 2028 production plans, Subaru aims to introduce some technologies around 2029, retaining independent control over driving dynamics, safety systems and software while continuing its partnership with Toyota.

T&E FINDS PLUG-IN HYBRID EMISSIONS SIX TIMES OFFICIAL RATINGS

Analysis of European Environment Agency data by Transport & Environment found that plug-in hybrids registered in 2024 produced six times their official CO₂ emissions in real-world driving, operating exclusively on electricity for just 27% of their mileage and achieving only a 14% emissions reduction against the officially projected 83%. The group wants stricter requirements for electric range, charging and engine use, while supporting EU emissions calculations changing from 29 November to better reflect real-world petrol consumption.

CALIFORNIA EV REBATE REACHES NEARLY 12,000 DRIVERS

California's $271 million MyFirstEV programme has helped nearly 12,000 first-time zero-emission vehicle buyers and lessees, offering $3,500 towards eligible new vehicles or $1,750 towards used vehicles through combined state and manufacturer funding. Eligibility depends on vehicle price and manufacturer participation, with Tesla already exhausting its allocation, while Toyota and Lexus have introduced separate $2,500 incentives for existing EV owners.

UK WEIGHS CUTTING 2030 EV TARGET TO 60%

The UK government is considering reducing its 2030 zero-emission car sales target from 80% to 60%, potentially lowering next year's requirement from 38% to 36%, while retaining the 2035 deadline for all new cars to be zero-emission. Manufacturers argue that costly discounts are needed to stimulate demand, although existing regulatory flexibilities already allow compliance below headline sales targets, and no decision is expected before consultation closes on 23 October.

ONLY 46% OF US EV OWNERS EXPECT TO STAY WITH THEIR BRAND

Escalent research finds that just 46% of American EV owners expect to purchase their next vehicle from the same brand, with Tesla and Toyota tied for consideration, although separate actual purchasing data shows Tesla retaining 63.7% household loyalty against a 51.6% market average. Prospective EV buyers are increasingly price-sensitive, but concerns over battery replacement and home charging costs suggest manufacturers must address ownership risks alongside affordability.

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY EV COULD ARRIVE IN 2027

Volkswagen is considering introducing an electric Caddy van as early as 2027, potentially adapting its existing combustion-engine platform with electric components ahead of the dedicated SPACE architecture expected around 2029. Engineers must resolve battery packaging, axle strength and drivetrain configuration while preserving approximately 750–800 kg payload capacity, as Volkswagen's commercial-vehicle division works towards broader electrification, including an electric Crafter arriving in 2029.

GREEN SM PUTS 500 VINFAST TAXIS INTO LOS ANGELES

Vietnamese ride-hailing company Green SM has launched in Los Angeles with 500 VinFast VF8 electric SUVs, employing drivers directly and owning its vehicles rather than relying on independent contractors, although it initially lacks permission to serve Los Angeles International Airport. The expansion provides VinFast with additional vehicle sales and consumer exposure, reinforcing a relationship in which GSM and related customers already accounted for 27.3% of the manufacturer's electric-car deliveries last year.

GM TO CLOSE BROWNSTOWN BATTERY PLANT

General Motors is closing its Brownstown battery assembly facility in Michigan following reduced EV production, with staffing falling from approximately 300 to fewer than twelve and decommissioning expected by next summer. The closure accompanies GM's withdrawal from next-generation hydrogen fuel-cell development, leaving a separate planned $55 million Detroit hydrogen facility without its intended purpose as the company redirects investment towards batteries, charging and electric vehicles.

471,000-MILE CHEVROLET BOLT GETS A USED BATTERY

A 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV has returned to service after 471,000 miles following installation of a used battery pack, replacing a 2022 recall battery that lasted more than 330,000 miles before developing cell imbalance and swelling. The replacement took approximately four and a half hours using a battery costing the workshop $1,800, demonstrating a potentially economical repair pathway for high-mileage EVs whose original electric motors remain operational.

It's ev.news Briefly for Tuesday 20 October 2026, only today's headlines and nothing else, in just 4 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

VW OPENS ORDERS FOR €27,995 ID. CROSS

Volkswagen has opened German orders for the entry-level ID. Cross, priced at €27,995 with a 37 kWh battery, up to 324 km WLTP range and 10–80% DC charging in approximately 23 minutes, compared with €36,525 for the 52 kWh version offering up to 427 km. The compact SUV shares over 80% of its components with Volkswagen's new small-EV family, including the cheaper ID. Polo, which starts at €24,995.

SUBARU UNVEILS 380 kW EV PROTOTYPE

Subaru has demonstrated a 380 kW all-wheel-drive electric prototype capable of reaching 100 km/h in under four seconds, using a proprietary platform developed in roughly half the usual time through digital simulation and integrated engineering. Despite postponing its original 2028 production plans, Subaru aims to introduce some technologies around 2029, retaining independent control over driving dynamics, safety systems and software while continuing its partnership with Toyota.

T&E FINDS PLUG-IN HYBRID EMISSIONS SIX TIMES OFFICIAL RATINGS

Analysis of European Environment Agency data by Transport & Environment found that plug-in hybrids registered in 2024 produced six times their official CO₂ emissions in real-world driving, operating exclusively on electricity for just 27% of their mileage and achieving only a 14% emissions reduction against the officially projected 83%. The group wants stricter requirements for electric range, charging and engine use, while supporting EU emissions calculations changing from 29 November to better reflect real-world petrol consumption.

CALIFORNIA EV REBATE REACHES NEARLY 12,000 DRIVERS

California's $271 million MyFirstEV programme has helped nearly 12,000 first-time zero-emission vehicle buyers and lessees, offering $3,500 towards eligible new vehicles or $1,750 towards used vehicles through combined state and manufacturer funding. Eligibility depends on vehicle price and manufacturer participation, with Tesla already exhausting its allocation, while Toyota and Lexus have introduced separate $2,500 incentives for existing EV owners.

UK WEIGHS CUTTING 2030 EV TARGET TO 60%

The UK government is considering reducing its 2030 zero-emission car sales target from 80% to 60%, potentially lowering next year's requirement from 38% to 36%, while retaining the 2035 deadline for all new cars to be zero-emission. Manufacturers argue that costly discounts are needed to stimulate demand, although existing regulatory flexibilities already allow compliance below headline sales targets, and no decision is expected before consultation closes on 23 October.

ONLY 46% OF US EV OWNERS EXPECT TO STAY WITH THEIR BRAND

Escalent research finds that just 46% of American EV owners expect to purchase their next vehicle from the same brand, with Tesla and Toyota tied for consideration, although separate actual purchasing data shows Tesla retaining 63.7% household loyalty against a 51.6% market average. Prospective EV buyers are increasingly price-sensitive, but concerns over battery replacement and home charging costs suggest manufacturers must address ownership risks alongside affordability.

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY EV COULD ARRIVE IN 2027

Volkswagen is considering introducing an electric Caddy van as early as 2027, potentially adapting its existing combustion-engine platform with electric components ahead of the dedicated SPACE architecture expected around 2029. Engineers must resolve battery packaging, axle strength and drivetrain configuration while preserving approximately 750–800 kg payload capacity, as Volkswagen's commercial-vehicle division works towards broader electrification, including an electric Crafter arriving in 2029.

GREEN SM PUTS 500 VINFAST TAXIS INTO LOS ANGELES

Vietnamese ride-hailing company Green SM has launched in Los Angeles with 500 VinFast VF8 electric SUVs, employing drivers directly and owning its vehicles rather than relying on independent contractors, although it initially lacks permission to serve Los Angeles International Airport. The expansion provides VinFast with additional vehicle sales and consumer exposure, reinforcing a relationship in which GSM and related customers already accounted for 27.3% of the manufacturer's electric-car deliveries last year.

GM TO CLOSE BROWNSTOWN BATTERY PLANT

General Motors is closing its Brownstown battery assembly facility in Michigan following reduced EV production, with staffing falling from approximately 300 to fewer than twelve and decommissioning expected by next summer. The closure accompanies GM's withdrawal from next-generation hydrogen fuel-cell development, leaving a separate planned $55 million Detroit hydrogen facility without its intended purpose as the company redirects investment towards batteries, charging and electric vehicles.

471,000-MILE CHEVROLET BOLT GETS A USED BATTERY

A 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV has returned to service after 471,000 miles following installation of a used battery pack, replacing a 2022 recall battery that lasted more than 330,000 miles before developing cell imbalance and swelling. The replacement took approximately four and a half hours using a battery costing the workshop $1,800, demonstrating a potentially economical repair pathway for high-mileage EVs whose original electric motors remain operational.

LEAPMOTOR CHARGES MORE FOR COMFORT IN A10S

Leapmotor has launched the $13,900 A10s in China, charging 6,000 yuan more for upgraded seats and styling while retaining the A10's 505 km CLTC range, 16-minute fast charging and LiDAR-based driver assistance. The new variant follows a 24% monthly decline in A10 deliveries, despite record September sales for Leapmotor, which must now exceed its monthly delivery record throughout the fourth quarter to reach its one-million-vehicle annual target.

GEELY PLANS GEMINI ROLLOUT OUTSIDE CHINA AND US

Geely Holding has partnered with Google to integrate Gemini AI, Google Maps and Google Play directly into overseas vehicles from brands including Geely, Lynk & Co, Proton, Riddara and smart, beginning in the second half of 2027. The rollout excludes China and the US, with participating models and specific features still unconfirmed, but supports Geely's ambition for overseas markets to account for more than a third of global sales by 2030.

XPENG ADDS GOOGLE PLAY BUT KEEPS ITS OWN VOICE

XPeng will integrate Google Play directly into its vehicles from early 2027 while retaining its proprietary multilingual voice assistant, giving drivers access to navigation, charging, parking and entertainment apps without a smartphone. Models and markets remain unconfirmed, but the integration builds on XPeng's Google Maps partnership as overseas quarterly deliveries exceed 20,000 vehicles, up 81% year on year.

DEEPAL RENTAL CARS RECORDED MILITARY ACCESS CODES

Norwegian soldiers discovered rental-car camera recordings containing military access codes, travel routes and personnel during a September exercise, with at least two vehicles identified as Changan Deepal models. Whether footage reached any third party remains unknown, and Norway's military favours site-specific restrictions on camera-equipped vehicles rather than a blanket ban on Chinese cars, highlighting wider concerns about vehicle data security.

HUAWEI AND SAIC FILE SIX-SEAT SHANGJIE Z9

Regulatory filings reveal the Huawei–SAIC Shangjie Z9, a 5.14-metre electric SUV offering five or six seats, with a 280 kW rear-wheel-drive version or a 455 kW dual-motor configuration required for six seats. CATL batteries, Huawei-supplied rear motors and roof-mounted LiDAR underline the partnership's technical integration, although battery capacity, range, charging performance and launch timing remain undisclosed.

BYD TANG EV LISTED AT 515 KW WITH FIVE SEATS

BYD's next-generation Tang EV has appeared in Chinese regulatory filings with up to 515 kW of combined motor output, battery options of 88.7 and 105.8 kWh, and CLTC ranges reaching 850 km across the range, although the highest-powered version's range remains unconfirmed. Expected in the fourth quarter, the larger five-seat SUV introduces Flash Charging capable of replenishing the battery from 10 to 70% in approximately five minutes, alongside a redesigned interior featuring 35.4-inch and 30-inch displays.

BYD ENLARGES QIN PLUS AS SALES SLIP

BYD has previewed a larger third-generation Qin Plus DM-i plug-in hybrid, offering 107 or 160 km of CLTC electric range, after September sales fell to 10,652 vehicles compared with last year's monthly average above 30,000. The replacement gains substantially more interior space and optional LiDAR, as BYD attempts to revive one of China's former bestselling saloons amid weakening domestic demand and growing reliance on overseas markets.

CATL-BACKED AIVA FILES ITS FIRST CAR

New Chinese EV brand Aiva, backed by investment businesses linked to Seres and CATL, has filed its first model, the five-metre ME7, offering 270 kW rear-wheel-drive or 420 kW dual-motor configurations with CATL batteries. Seres provides engineering and manufacturing expertise while Volcano Engine supplies AI cockpit technology, giving the independent newcomer established technical partners as it enters China's competitive EV market.

VOLKSWAGEN PUTS ELECTRIC SEDAN BELOW 100,000 YUAN

Volkswagen Anhui has reduced the ID. UNYX 07 Lite electric saloon to a promotional 99,900 yuan, approximately $15,000, marking its first battery-electric offering below 100,000 yuan in China, while also cutting regular starting prices for the ID. UNYX 07 and 06 by 20,000 yuan. The discounts follow a 42.5% decline in Volkswagen Group's Chinese EV deliveries over nine months, with XPeng-developed electronics and expanded driver assistance forming part of its efforts to improve competitiveness.

CHERY OPENS SITE THAT LETS CARS SELL POWER

Chery and State Grid have opened a vehicle-to-grid facility in Wuhu, China, allowing compatible electric cars to sell electricity back to the grid during periods of high demand, with Chery estimating potential annual earnings above 3,000 yuan, approximately $400. The AC-based system manages charging around electricity prices and travel requirements while maintaining battery charge between 30 and 80%, although actual earnings depend on owners connecting their vehicles when grid demand is high.

ANALYST WARNS US EV BARRIERS COULD HURT DETROIT

Trivium China analyst David Zhang warns that US restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles, combined with the withdrawal of federal EV purchase incentives and regulatory uncertainty, could discourage long-term investment and ultimately undermine American manufacturers. BYD says it has no plans to sell passenger cars in the US under current conditions, even as Ford works with CATL technology to develop American-made LFP batteries for an affordable electric truck.

MERCEDES REVEALS AMG GT SUV WITH 12-MINUTE CHARGING

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its first in-house-developed full-size electric SUV, with the GT 55 and GT 63 offering 128 kWh batteries, up to 710 kW charging and a 10–80% charging time of just 12 minutes. Both target 620–700 km of WLTP range, while the flagship GT 63 produces up to 860 kW and accelerates from 0–60 mph in an estimated 2.6 seconds, with US deliveries expected in summer 2027.

HYUNDAI AND KIA GROW SMALL EV SALES AS TOTAL SALES FALL

Hyundai and Kia sold 97,689 small electric cars in Europe during the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 14.4% despite their combined overall sales falling 2.2%, while BYD's European sales surged 163%. Hyundai's new IONIQ 3 starts at £18,495 in the UK after the government grant, with a larger-battery version offering up to 496 km of WLTP range, as both manufacturers expand European EV production.

VOLKSWAGEN SETS 80% CHARGING CAP FOR RECALLED ID.4s

Volkswagen plans to introduce an automatic 80% charging limit from around 27 October for 22,524 recalled US ID.4 vehicles from model years 2023–2026, unless owners decline the restriction by 21 October. The company warns certain charging patterns above 80% could trigger battery fires, but the root cause remains unknown and the restriction is only a temporary precaution until repairs are available.

FORD TURNS TO RENAULT FOR SMALL EVs IN 2028

Ford will launch two small electric cars in Europe from 2028, developed with Renault and manufactured in northern France using Renault's Ampere platform, as it attempts to reverse a 36% decline in European sales over the past decade. The partnership reduces development costs but won't utilise Ford's underused factories, while the company plans three new models by the end of 2029 and is exploring further cooperation with Renault on commercial vehicles.

FRANCE MOVES CHEAP ELECTRICITY HOURS INTO THE AFTERNOON

France will shift 9.3 million electricity customers onto revised off-peak schedules between December 2026 and October 2027, moving up to three of their eight daily cheaper hours into the 11am–5pm period to take advantage of increased solar generation. Customers will retain at least five consecutive overnight off-peak hours, but EV owners may need to reprogramme their charging schedules because existing vehicle and charger timers won't automatically follow the changes.

HONDA PREPARES ROADS THAT CHARGE MOVING EVs

Honda is developing wireless road charging that transfers electricity to vehicles while they drive, with motorway demonstrations in Japan planned from the 2027 financial year and an initial focus on commercial trucks. Its technology uses transmitters embedded beneath the road surface with momentary power peaks of 150 kW per transmitter, although sustained charging performance, durability and reliability at motorway speeds still require testing.

NEW ZEALAND EV BATTERIES OUTSIZE GRID STORAGE

New Zealand's electric vehicles collectively contain approximately 7 GWh of battery capacity, more than ten times the country's installed grid-scale battery storage, creating significant potential for vehicle-to-grid electricity supply during peak demand. However, bidirectional home chargers cost approximately NZ$7,000 and no retail V2G service is currently available, although trials in Queenstown and a separate project involving up to 100 chargers will examine the technology's practicality.

CANADA CONSIDERS EU RULES TO WIDEN EV CHOICE

Canada is considering recognising additional European vehicle safety standards to make importing affordable EVs easier, potentially opening its market to 20 European models priced below C$40,000 that are currently unavailable locally. Manufacturers including Stellantis, Volkswagen and Nissan support the proposal, which could reduce certification costs and help Canada access vehicles that manufacturers might otherwise exclude because of weak US demand.

DUKE OFFERS FLORIDA EV DRIVERS $90 A YEAR

Duke Energy Florida is offering EV owners a US$7.50 monthly credit, worth up to US$90 annually per vehicle, for charging during designated off-peak periods including weekday afternoons, overnight hours, weekends and holidays. Participants can charge during peak hours twice monthly without losing their credit, while programme data indicates 94% of participating vehicles' charging energy has been consumed off-peak.

ONTARIO SETS 3.7-CENT OVERNIGHT ELECTRICITY

Ontario's Ultra-Low Overnight tariff will fall to 3.7 Canadian cents per kWh from 1 November, offering inexpensive EV charging between 11pm and 7am every day. However, weekday electricity prices rise to 37.7 cents per kWh between 4pm and 9pm under the same plan, meaning households must balance overnight charging savings against substantially more expensive evening electricity consumption.

BYD ATTO 2 PLUG-IN HYBRID STARTS AT A$24,990

BYD has priced Australia's ATTO 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid from A$24,990 before on-road costs, with the Essential offering a 7.9 kWh battery and 39 km of WLTP electric range, while the A$29,990 Premium provides an 18 kWh battery and 90 km of range. Both versions support just 3.3 kW AC charging, and Australian company-car buyers must consider that newly arranged plug-in hybrids no longer qualify for the fringe benefits tax exemption available to eligible fully electric vehicles.

RENAULT CHIEF CHALLENGES UK 2030 PETROL DEADLINE

Renault chief executive François Provost has urged Britain to reconsider its 2030 deadline for ending sales of new purely petrol and diesel cars, while arguing that closer European industrial cooperation should involve alignment with EU tariffs on Chinese vehicles. The UK is seeking access to proposed European manufacturing incentives, but these demands are not agreed conditions and Britain's existing deadlines remain unchanged, with a consultation on EV sales targets closing on 23 October.

RIVIAN SPIN-OUT E-BIKE MAKES TIME INVENTIONS LIST

Rivian spin-out ALSO's TM-B electric bicycle has been named among TIME's Best Inventions of 2026, with US deliveries under way and prices starting at US$3,500 for a modular design featuring generator-driven pedals rather than a conventional mechanical drivetrain. The bicycle offers claimed ranges of up to 60 or 100 miles depending on battery size, supports USB-C charging at up to 240 W and features interchangeable configurations for passengers or cargo, although European availability remains unconfirmed.