Electric Vehicles News, Analysis and Market Intelligence
SearchTrack electric vehicles news alongside market analysis, provider activity, and connected mobility intelligence from PAVE Insight.

China exempts sodium-ion batteries as Hina plans 10 GWh factory
China will exempt qualifying sodium-ion batteries from consumption tax through 2028, while Hina plans a 10 GWh production base in Wuhan and is developing electric sanitation trucks. Tests also reported strong cold-weather performance in a heavy truck.

BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao passes 600,000 sales amid production delays
BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao has sold more than 600,000 vehicles since launching in 2023, but production ramp-up issues put October deliveries below target. The China brand plans to launch its six-seat Ti 9 plug-in hybrid SUV after 15 November.


Updated Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype tests revised aerodynamics at Nürburgring
An updated Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype has been spotted testing at Germany’s Nürburgring with a twin-plane rear wing and other revised aerodynamic features. Xiaomi has not confirmed whether the wing is active or announced specifications or a launch date.


Lexus plans China-made electric SUV for 2027
Lexus plans to build its first China-made vehicle, a battery-electric SUV, at a new Toyota-owned Shanghai plant from 2027. The factory is expected to use aluminium gigacasting and conveyor-free assembly; the vehicle’s specifications and pricing have not been disclosed.


ICCT analysis says faster ZEV adoption is key to global electrification targets
ICCT modelling finds road-transport electricity use could reach 62% by 2050 under an ambitious ZEV pathway, versus 18% under current policies. It also highlights how managed charging and vehicle-to-grid systems could ease grid costs and peak demand.


Go EV showcases portable charging skid for electric trucks
Go EV has showcased ChargeNow, a portable depot charging skid with a 261 kWh battery and 640 kW charger. The Australian-made system is designed to help heavy-vehicle operators start charging sooner while reducing the need for lengthy grid upgrades and construction work.


Ferrari Luce electric SUV approved for sale in Australia
Ferrari’s first electric vehicle, the Luce SUV, has appeared on Australia’s vehicle approval register with a listed price of A$991,446. Its 122 kWh battery is rated for up to 530 km of WLTP range, with charging of up to 350 kW.


Toyota showcases Mirai hydrogen car at Melbourne energy conference
Toyota displayed its Mirai fuel-cell car, a hydrogen refuelling station and an electrolyser at Melbourne’s All Energy conference, alongside its electric Hilux ute. The article notes Toyota sold just two Mirais in Australia over the past two years.


BYD Seal 07 reaches Chinese dealers with up to 875 km claimed range
BYD’s second-generation Seal 07 has arrived at Chinese dealerships. Its electric version offers up to 402 hp and a claimed 875 km CLTC range, with LFP Blade batteries; a plug-in hybrid variant is also planned. Customer deliveries are expected in November.


US DOE sets battery strategy and launches manufacturing consortium
The US Department of Energy has set goals for a domestic battery supply chain by 2030 and US leadership in battery technology and manufacturing by 2035. Its BattMan consortium will work to reduce production costs and scale new battery technologies.


BEV adoption accelerates in emerging markets as global uptake broadens
First-half 2026 data show Vietnam and Thailand among the leading markets for battery-electric passenger-car sales share, while Vietnam, Indonesia, Türkiye and Thailand recorded rapid sales growth. China, the US, Germany, the UK and France still accounted for 68% of global BEV sales.


BYD’s third-generation Tang EV reaches Chinese dealers ahead of November launch
The five-seat electric SUV moves to a dedicated EV platform and offers up to 850 km of claimed CLTC range. Features include LFP batteries, dual-chamber air suspension and LiDAR-based driver assistance; retail prices have not been announced.


Inpow starts battery-pack production at new Thailand facility
GAC Group battery arm Inpow has begun production at its new Thailand facility, rolling off its first locally made power battery pack. The plant supports the company’s expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in Southeast Asia.


Rivian beats third-quarter earnings estimates and raises 2026 delivery guidance
Rivian reported third-quarter revenue of $2.16bn and a record 19,248 vehicle deliveries, while its software and services segment generated $605m in revenue. It raised 2026 delivery guidance to 67,000–70,000 vehicles and lowered its capital expenditure outlook.


Xpeng launches Mona L05 electric crossover in China
Xpeng has launched the Mona L05 in China, offering battery-electric and extended-range variants from 144,800 yuan. The crossover includes driver-supervised Navigate on Autopilot and claims up to 635 km of CLTC range in its BEV version.


BYD’s Dubai 500 km/h attempt remains unconfirmed
Stella Li said BYD planned a November attempt to take the Yangwang U9 Xtreme beyond 500 km/h in Dubai. The venue, road, permissions and date remain unconfirmed; earlier reporting had pointed to Germany’s ATP.


Groups urge EU measures to scale battery recycling
T&E, Recharge, Clean Tech for Europe and EIES have called for the Circular Economy Act to curb black-mass exports and support Europe’s battery refining and recycling capacity through harmonised rules, incentives and funding.


Commentary contrasts Europe’s auto policy with China’s EV industry
A commentary compares China’s electric-car and battery industries with Europe’s, arguing that Europe’s auto-policy deal weakens incentives to electrify and risks undermining its battery industry.


China-SAE identifies ten automotive technology trends for 2027
China-SAE engineers identified ten trends for 2027, including 400 Wh/kg solid-state batteries, vehicle-to-grid systems, autonomous truck demonstrations, in-cockpit AI and connected assisted driving. The list also covers magnesium body components, in-wheel electric drives and metal 3D printing.


BMW previews i3 electric sedan with 912 km WLTP range for Australia
BMW’s i3 electric sedan is due in Australia in Q1 2027, with a 108.7 kWh battery, up to 912 km WLTP range and 400 kW fast charging. Production is planned at the company’s Munich plant.


Affordable used EV sales grow in Australia
Carma’s analysis found that EVs priced below A$35,000 accounted for 26% of Australian used-EV sales in September, double their share a year earlier. Nearly half were dealer demonstrators; used Teslas also held their value better than other EVs.


Epicland X9 battery remains intact after collision fire in China
After a dump truck struck an Epicland X9 from behind in Taizhou, China, the SUV caught fire. The three occupants were unharmed, and the company said post-fire checks found the battery pack intact; it attributed the fire to the fuel system.


Li Auto launches upgraded 2026 Li i6 electric SUV in China
Li Auto has launched the 2026 Li i6 in China, with an introductory price of 239,800 yuan. Upgrades include its Mach M100 chip for driver assistance and a 96 kWh battery, extending the rear-wheel-drive version’s stated CLTC range to 780 km.


ARENA funds apartment EV charging programme in Australia
ARENA will co-fund Alchemy Charge’s $7.4m Strata Assist programme with $2m. Due to launch in February 2027, it will provide a digital platform for apartment charging approvals and installation, alongside SmartPoint chargers with metering and load management.


Australian Coalition pledges to scrap electric-car tax discount
The Australian Coalition says it would abolish the Electric Car Discount if elected in 2028, claiming the move would save A$2.1 billion. The policy provides an FBT exemption for eligible EVs.


HelloFresh to roll out Samsara telematics across more than 500 electric vans
HelloFresh Benelux will deploy Samsara’s telematics platform across more than 500 electric delivery vans after a Netherlands pilot. The system will support driver safety coaching, vehicle monitoring and temperature checks.


Researchers demonstrate sunlight-driven water-splitting system for green hydrogen
EU-funded researchers developed a multicell system that uses sunlight to split water directly into hydrogen and oxygen. Tests achieved 18–21% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, but the technology remains at laboratory proof-of-concept stage.


BYD Seagull remains stable in 140 km/h tyre blowout test
In China, the second-generation BYD Seagull electric hatchback remained stable and slowed safely after a tyre was rapidly deflated during a 140 km/h test.


CATL advances 20 Ah solid-state battery cells, targeting 2027 trial production
CATL has moved its all-solid-state battery development from 10 Ah validation cells to 20 Ah sample trials. It targets small-batch production in 2027 and large-scale manufacturing around 2030, but has not disclosed expected output, automotive customers or a vehicle launch date.


Renault opens Australian orders for upgraded Megane E-Tech Esprit Alpine
The updated electric Megane E-Tech Esprit Alpine is priced from A$55,990 in Australia, with orders open ahead of first-half 2027 deliveries. A 67kWh LFP battery lifts claimed WLTP range to 480km, while the car gains faster charging, V2L and upgraded driver-assistance features.


Denza plans low-power sentry mode update for N7 in 2027
Denza says an over-the-air update will bring a lower-energy sentry mode to its discontinued N7 SUV in 2027. The feature may later reach other Denza and BYD vehicles, but the companies have not explained how it will reduce power use.


Report says Australia’s diesel import costs hit $9bn amid calls to accelerate electrification
A Climate Council report says Australia paid $9bn in additional diesel import costs over six months. It found electric and hybrid cars cut costs by $1.7bn, while electric trucks made up 0.7% of new sales, and called for faster transport electrification.


Xpeng expands its dealer and service network in Australia and New Zealand
Xpeng plans to expand to 66 dealer and service locations in Australia and seven in New Zealand, ahead of the arrival of two new electric SUVs. The company will also review support commitments made to customers who bought vehicles through former Australian distributor TrueEV.


Off-grid fast-charging station opens in South Australia
The NRMA has opened an off-grid fast-charging station at Yunta, South Australia, with solar power, a 200 kWh battery and two 80 kW DC chargers. It fills a gap on the route between Broken Hill and Adelaide.


Australian fleet analysis estimates savings from switching to electric SUVs
A cost comparison estimates that an Australian business running 10 SUVs for 20,000km a year could save about A$24,700 in energy costs by switching from petrol to electric. Savings depend on electricity prices, charging access and other ownership costs.


Battery recycling needs stronger links to manufacturing demand
The article argues that recycling capacity alone does not secure battery materials: recovered output must meet manufacturers’ specifications, arrive at the right time and connect across processing stages. It draws on research covering China, Europe and shared electric mobility.


Svolt starts mass production of 100 kWh semi-solid battery
Svolt has begun production in Changzhou of its 100 kWh Dragon Armor semi-solid battery. The 900V pack supports 6C charging and is claimed to add 500 km of range in 12 minutes; the company has not yet named vehicle customers.


XCMG unveils autonomous electric logistics truck for industrial parks
XCMG has unveiled the SDA411, a cab-less electric truck tractor for unmanned industrial-park logistics. The prototype uses Level 4 autonomous driving, with 360-degree perception for navigation, obstacle avoidance and parking.


BYD reaches 150,000 Australian deliveries and expands regional dealer network
BYD has delivered its 150,000th vehicle in Australia and plans to grow its sales and service network to more than 150 dealers, with further openings planned in regional centres.


Luxeed plans six NEV models for global markets
Chery’s Luxeed plans six models across three global product lines, including the LLounge minivan, Stormax SUV and four crossovers. Australia is among the first markets for the LLounge and Stormax; the wider range is expected to offer three powertrain options.


Volvo plans lower-priced European EV as it reviews strategy
Volvo plans to launch a lower-priced battery-electric car for Europe, with customer deliveries expected after summer next year. The model will use its SPA3 platform and forms part of a 13-car programme as the company seeks to strengthen its finances.


NSW strata law protects owners’ right to install EV chargers
New South Wales has passed strata-law amendments preventing committees from unreasonably opposing EV charger installations. The rules set out responsibilities for owners and corporations, including planning building-wide charging capacity, and invalidate unreasonable prohibitions.


BYD pledges to curb misuse of its Flash Charging network in China
After footage showed a BYD Megawatt Flash Charger’s plugs chained together, the automaker said it would strengthen network management and prevent combustion vehicles from occupying charging spaces. The cause of the incident remains unknown.


Chery’s Luxeed electric SUV brand to enter Australia in 2027
Chery says its premium Luxeed brand will enter Australia in 2027, with the Stomax electric SUV among its first models. The SUV has up to 460 kW of power and an 800 V architecture; Australian pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed.


BYD schedules China launches for Fang Cheng Bao Ti 9 and Shark PHEVs
BYD plans to launch the Fang Cheng Bao Ti 9 plug-in hybrid SUV in China after 15 November 2026, followed by the Shark plug-in hybrid pickup in late November or early December. Prices and trims have not been announced.


Australia’s second-hand BEV market expands
Online listings show more than 11,000 battery-electric vehicles available in Australia, including about 6,500 used or demonstration models. The article says rising new-vehicle sales have broadened second-hand choice, with its BEV model list growing from 19 to 52 passenger and light-commercial vehicles.



