
Used electric vehicle sales surge; ownership costs converge
Used electric vehicle sales have surged, with average prices approaching those of petrol cars; industry data have shown differences in ownership costs, including charging, installation, maintenance, repair, insurance and optional subscription fees.

Morrow begins LFP cell deliveries to Proventia
Morrow has begun delivering prismatic LFP cells to Proventia under a supply agreement through 2031, and the firms have established technical collaboration as Morrow has scaled production at its Arendal factory to serve industrial battery module programmes.


Volkswagen considers China-developed EVs for Europe
Volkswagen has said it has considered bringing China-developed electric vehicles to Europe, has presented several China-only models and has reported a drop in first-quarter operating profit amid intensified competition and weaker demand.


BYD Heyuan platform enables larger batteries in Denza D9
BYD has put the Heyuan platform into series production on the 2026 Denza D9, has relocated the exhaust to the engine bay and has enabled larger underfloor battery packaging, increasing concealed rear storage and expanding usable cargo capacity.


Electric city buses reach majority of EU orders
European electric city-bus uptake has reached 60% of new orders in 2025 and has been projected to achieve full electrification by 2028; operators and governments have committed procurement, funding and charging infrastructure to expand fleets across multiple markets.


Full Circle Lithium sells FCL-X to US waste operator
Full Circle Lithium has made its first commercial sale of FCL‑X to a US waste operator for on-site deployment and has noted rising lithium‑ion battery fires; FCL‑X has been designed to suppress thermal runaway and to reduce reignition risk.


Geely unveils Starship 7 EV with 605 km CLTC range
Geely has unveiled the Starship 7 EV and has offered up to 605 km CLTC range, two battery options, a front 160 kW motor, and has retained the GEA platform; it has been positioned above EX5 in Galaxy SUV range.


GAC Aion N60 EV launched in China with LiDAR
GAC has launched the Aion N60 in China, offering LiDAR-enabled driver assistance, a 165 kW motor and three LFP battery options with ranges to 610 km; the model has been priced from ¥109,800.


OCSiAl expands TUBALL SWCNT portfolio; doubles capacity
OCSiAl has launched a TUBALL SWCNT dispersion portfolio, has expanded synthesis capacity and has targeted silicon‑rich anodes, Li‑CMC binders, high‑energy cathodes and solid‑state batteries; it has also scaled dispersion production across Europe and Asia.


Kaiyi launches E-QUTE 04 Max mini-EV with 310 km range
Kaiyi has launched the E-QUTE 04 Max with a 55 kW motor, a 28.08 kWh CATL LFP battery delivering a 310 km CLTC range, updated interior and revised packaging; it has been priced at 47,900–51,900 yuan.


Validation readiness for megawatt EV charging
The EV sector has shifted to 800V–1000V platforms and has introduced megawatt charging, and test systems have lagged, which has exposed gaps in safety, durability and grid validation; next-generation platforms have been applied to address these challenges.


CATL to supply batteries and charging to Jianlong
CATL has agreed to supply Jianlong with batteries and integrated charging and swapping solutions for industrial parks, mines and plants, and has planned deployment of over 3,000 electric heavy trucks, 100 swapping stations and renewable power projects.


CATL and HyperStrong sign 60 GWh sodium‑ion battery deal
CATL and HyperStrong have signed a three‑year agreement for 60 GWh of sodium‑ion batteries, have positioned the technology for commercial deployment and have cited manufacturing advances and supply‑chain compatibility to support large‑scale energy‑storage applications.


Toyota and CATL to Produce Hybrid Batteries in Indonesia
Toyota has partnered with CATL to produce hybrid battery cells and modules in Indonesia and has announced that exports of complete packs and components have been scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.


Exeed presents EX9 full-size SUV direction
Exeed has presented the EX9 as a full-size SUV direction, alongside the EX Vision concept and EX7 production model, and Chery has reported development of 400 Wh/kg-class batteries and extended-range hybrid systems for future Exeed vehicles.


PLS to trial electric kiln for low-emissions lithium
PLS has secured a $38 million ARENA grant and has announced a demonstration plant to test electric-kiln processing for low-emissions lithium phosphate, has signed an offtake with Ningbo Ronbay and has targeted 3,000 tonnes per year.


BYD Sealion 08 unveiled with 643 hp and 900 km range
The BYD Sealion 08 has been unveiled in China with 480 kW peak power, a declared CLTC range of 900 km and flash charging capability; it has been scheduled for market launch this year with global sales ambitions.


CATL unveils six battery technologies, 350 Wh/kg cell
CATL has unveiled six battery technologies — including a 350 Wh/kg condensed cell, fast‑charging, sodium‑ion industrialisation and an integrated charge–swap network — and has set production and deployment targets through 2028.


H55 supplies certified Adagio modules for Smartflyer SFX1
H55 has delivered certified Adagio battery modules to Smartflyer for the SFX1, has completed regulator certification tests and has advanced the programme into system integration ahead of summer ground trials and a targeted first flight in autumn 2026.


Axens' MACARON cathode plant gains strategic designations
Axens' MACARON cathode plant has been designated a major strategic project, has been awarded a Net Zero label and has secured a 25% green industry investment tax credit, bolstering its authorisation prospects and supporting project economics.


CATL unveils six battery innovations including 1,500km range
CATL has unveiled six battery technologies, including a 1,500km-range condensed cell and a third-generation Shenxing fast-charging battery that has achieved 10–90% charge in 6 minutes 27 seconds, and has announced plans for sodium-ion scale-up and integrated charge-swap stations.


CATL to mass-produce sodium-ion batteries by 2026
CATL has announced that its sodium-ion batteries have been slated for mass production by 2026, has reported resolution of core manufacturing challenges and has initiated commercial deployment while noting energy density has remained about 175 Wh/kg.


CATL integrates Shenxing superchargers into swap stations
CATL has launched integrated 'Supercharging&Swap' stations with Shenxing superchargers, has upgraded Chocolate and Qiji swap stations, has projected 4,000 stations by 2026 and has cited efficiency gains and user revenue opportunities.


Svitzer Balder completes sea trials with 6 MWh LFP battery
Svitzer Balder has completed sea trials with a 6 MWh LFP battery, has been fitted with dual‑fuel methanol engines for range extension, has received ABS certification and has been forecast to deliver over 90% zero‑emission towing and docking operations.


CATL launches second-generation Freevoy hybrid battery
CATL has launched a second-generation Freevoy battery offering LFP, super-hybrid and ternary routes, 500–600 km pure electric range, 4C charging and enhanced safety, aiming to reduce range-extender use in extended-range vehicles.


CATL unveils third-gen Qilin and condensed-matter cell
CATL has unveiled its third‑generation Qilin battery and a condensed‑matter cell offering high power (peak 3,000 kW), rapid charging and higher energy density (350 Wh/kg), with projected vehicle ranges exceeding 1,000 km.


International Flow Battery Forum in Budapest 2026
The International Flow Battery Forum has convened 350 experts in Budapest and online, has showcased commercial and technological developments, has presented networking activities and market forecasts, and has opened exhibition and sponsorship opportunities.


CATL unveils third-generation Shenxing LFP battery
CATL has unveiled a third-generation Shenxing LFP battery and has claimed 10 to 80 per cent charging in 3 minutes 44 seconds and 10 to 98 per cent in 6 minutes 27 seconds, alongside self-heating, cooling and battery swap technologies.


GWM launches Tank 700 in China with 635 kW PHEV option
GWM has launched the Tank 700 in China, offering two plug-in hybrid powertrains with outputs up to 635 kW and an EV range up to 190 km; prices have started at 428,000 yuan.


Major Themes at 2026 Beijing Auto Show
The Beijing Auto Show has showcased an expanded venue with 1,451 vehicles, major EV premieres and extensive industry forums. Organisers have highlighted trends including large electric SUVs, Huawei-enabled systems, advanced driver assistance, LiDAR and chip competition, and next-generation battery technologies.


EV adoption driven by battery costs and network effects
Falling battery costs, economies of scale and network effects have narrowed EV purchase-price gaps and have established total-cost-of-ownership parity; advances in range, rapid charging and vehicle-to-grid deployments have reinforced the economic case independent of oil-price fluctuations.


Renewable Metals raises $12m for battery recycling
Renewable Metals has secured $12m Series A and has committed to build a prototype recycling plant in Western Australia and design a facility in New South Wales, using a process it has said recovers about 95% of key battery metals.


Rivian and Redwood deploy second-life EV batteries for grid
Rivian and Redwood have announced a partnership to deploy 100 second‑life EV batteries providing 10 MWh of on-site grid storage at Rivian’s Illinois plant to reduce peak electricity costs and accelerate energy capacity deployment.


Sunwoda unveils 15C LFP pack, sodium-ion strategy
Sunwoda has unveiled a 15C LFP battery pack supporting 5–95% charging in nine minutes and a sodium-ion product roadmap, and has presented commercial, hybrid and AI-integrated battery systems aimed at faster charging and extended cycle life.


Rivian and Redwood deploy 10 MWh second-life battery storage
Rivian and Redwood have deployed a 10 MWh second‑life battery system at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois factory, integrating more than 100 retired packs to supply on‑site peak demand, reduce grid purchases and enable scalable reuse before recycling.


1300°C silica aerogel insulation for lithium batteries
Researchers have developed a silica aerogel insulation that has withstood up to 1300°C in tests and has demonstrated multi-hour thermal isolation; production methods have been scaled with improved solvent recovery and manufacturers have begun integrating the material into battery systems.


BYD hits 16m NEV milestone, Denza D9 enters production
BYD has recorded its 16 millionth NEV as the first second-generation Denza D9 has entered production, featuring an updated Blade Battery, flash-charging and God’s Eye 5.0, and has been positioned for premium domestic and overseas expansion.


Debonding-on-demand in EV battery design
Manufacturers have faced rising pressure to design serviceable EV batteries, and the industry has developed debonding-on-demand adhesives that have enabled durable bonds with trigger-based release, facilitating automated disassembly, repair and high-value material recovery.


Svolt begins mass production of 80 kWh PHEV battery
Svolt has started mass production of an 80 kWh plug-in hybrid battery, has reported a capacity increase from 59 kWh to 80 kWh, has positioned it for large SUVs, and has remained a mid‑tier supplier in China's battery market.


BYD launches Han EV with Blade 2.0 and flash charging
BYD has unveiled a revised Han EV with a 69.07 kWh Blade 2.0 battery and flash charging; dealers across China have been receiving units, sales have been expected to commence shortly, and pricing has not been disclosed.


CATL market value exceeds 2 trillion yuan
CATL has surpassed a 2 trillion yuan A-share market capitalisation following stock gains, and has reported stronger 2025 margins, higher production utilisation and growing energy storage demand, making it the only non-state A-share company above that threshold.


Fortescue defends electric truck viability
Andrew Forrest has challenged a tabloid front-page claim and Fortescue has highlighted the imminent arrival of a battery Liebherr haul truck, and has outlined plans to electrify its Pilbara fleet by 2030 while expanding renewables and storage.


Emergency response to electric vehicle fires
Fire services have adjusted tactics as EV battery fires have burned hotter, lasted longer and required larger water volumes, prompting revised containment strategies, updated training, and changes to resource allocation and infrastructure planning.


BYD Yuan Plus (Atto 3) gains flash charging, 630 km range
BYD has added the Yuan Plus (Atto 3) to the tax‑exemption directory and has equipped it with second‑generation Blade batteries, flash charging, rear‑wheel‑drive architecture and CLTC range up to 630 km, alongside increased dimensions and two power outputs.


BYD Song Pro DM-i gains larger battery and faster charging
An updated Song Pro DM‑i has been listed with a 34.275 kWh LFP battery providing 200 km WLTC range and has been shown to support flash charging to 97% in around nine minutes; Song Pro deliveries have fallen 40.2% year‑on‑year.


Dukosi system secures DNV approval for PowerStack
Dukosi's chip-on-cell monitoring system has enabled Nordic Marine Power's PowerStack to achieve DNV type approval for installation on all DNV-classed vessels, and has demonstrated per-cell temperature and voltage monitoring using Dukosi's contactless C-SynQ protocol.


Greater Bay Technology produces A-sample solid-state cells
Greater Bay Technology has produced A-sample all-solid-state cells using a composite deep-eutectic electrolyte and has reported advances in safety, energy density, charging rate and cycle life, and has targeted GWh-scale production and vehicle installations in 2026.


ViscoTec introduces ViscoTreat-I slurry feeding system
ViscoTec has introduced ViscoTreat-I, a mobile unit that has combined buffering, conditioning and pulsation‑free slurry delivery for small‑scale lithium‑ion electrode coating, and has included optional recirculation, inline degassing and design features for cleanability and operator access.

