
UK to introduce mileage-based EV duty from 2028
The UK government has confirmed a mileage-based electric vehicle excise duty from April 2028, has set rates at 3p per mile for BEVs and 1.5p for PHEVs, and has implemented simplified fleet arrangements while industry groups have expressed opposition.

Renault 5 E-Tech and Nissan Micra EVs not sold in Australia
Renault and Nissan have not introduced the Renault 5 E‑Tech and Micra EVs to Australia, despite those models having won multiple UK and Danish awards; manufacturers have cited local regulatory and line‑up constraints, leaving the small BEV segment under‑served.


FEV and Microsoft deploy in-vehicle small language models
FEV and Microsoft have integrated Nvidia‑accelerated small language models into vehicles, enabling offline multimodal voice, text and gesture interfaces and providing local backup for cloud systems to reduce connectivity reliance and back-end costs.


Lucid denies exploring bankruptcy or privatisation
Lucid has denied reports that it has considered bankruptcy or going private after its shares have plunged, and has said it has sufficient liquidity, has engaged AlixPartners for advisory work, and has implemented job cuts and suspended production guidance.


BYD Ti7 PHEV adopts 50 kWh battery for 230 km WLTC
BYD has introduced a 50 kWh LFP battery for the Ti7 PHEV in China and has reported a WLTC electric range of 230 km; the pack has been listed at 384 kg.


Chinese automakers lead global EV factory investments
Chinese automakers have outpaced US firms in announcing and building overseas EV and battery factories, driven by domestic saturation, strong foreign demand and tariff-related market access, while estimates of investment magnitude have varied among analysts.


Hainan to Ban Sale of ICE Vehicles by 2030
Hainan has announced a ban on internal combustion engine vehicle sales by 2030 and has set targets for NEV penetration, charger ratios and energy self-sufficiency; it has outlined infrastructure expansion and policy incentives to address grid, cost and urban‑planning challenges.


BYD has announced Qin Max flash-charging sedan
BYD has announced the Qin Max, a B-class sedan positioned above the Qin L, which has been specified with PHEV and BEV variants, updated dimensions and second-generation Blade Battery flash-charging capable of charging 10–70% in about five minutes.


EU tariffs have shifted EV production and imports
EU tariffs have reduced the market share of China-made EVs by prompting Western brands to onshore production, while imports of Chinese-branded vehicles and battery imports have continued to increase, and Chinese manufacturers have expanded local and hybrid production.


GWM files Wey V8X BEV large SUV for China
GWM has filed for the Wey V8X BEV, a five-seat, dual-motor large SUV with 724 hp that has been positioned to compete in China’s high-end BEV segment.


BYD wins 11.275 GWh battery contract in Abu Dhabi
BYD has secured an 11.275 GWh supply contract with Masdar for Abu Dhabi’s Round The Clock project, providing battery systems to support a 5.2 GW solar array and 24‑hour baseload, equivalent to 186,000 EV packs.


China's vehicle exports top 1 million in June
China has exported 1.037 million vehicles in June 2026, with NEVs accounting for over half; first-half exports have reached 5.096 million units, driven by cost advantages and international demand, while trade measures and base effects have posed downside risks.


BYD Da Han sedan revealed with up to 1,008 km range
The BYD Da Han has been sighted in China and has been announced for imminent launch with BEV and PHEV variants, has been advertised with up to 1,008 km range and flash charging, and has been priced at 300,000 yuan.


BYD reaches 17 million NEV milestone with Seal 08
BYD has announced its 17 millionth new-energy vehicle has rolled off the production line and has launched the Seal 08 flagship sedan, which has secured over 100,000 firm orders and has signalled accelerated manufacturing momentum.


Used electric vehicle prices increase on strong demand
Wholesale prices for used electric vehicles have risen 12% year-on-year, while non-EV prices have edged up; average listing and wholesale values have increased and consumer used EV sales have expanded, influenced by higher fuel costs and geopolitical uncertainty.


Xiaomi confirms Sky Nomad automotive brand
Xiaomi has confirmed its new automotive brand Sky Nomad and has designated the N90 full-size EREV SUV as its first model; it has also created a brand page on WeChat and has reported May domestic deliveries of 32,759 units.


Stellantis opens US orders for Fiat Topolino EV
Stellantis has opened US orders for the Fiat Topolino, an electric quadricycle priced from $13,995 plus a $990 destination fee, with a 19mph top speed, a 46-mile range and limited availability.


BYD offers Dark Gold colour for Denza D9
BYD has introduced a Dark Gold colour option for the Denza D9, has priced it at 30,000 yuan, and has expanded the model range to a 499,800-yuan top trim; deliveries and technical specifications have been confirmed.


Toyota to shift Tacoma production from Mexico to Texas
Toyota has announced a $3.6bn investment to relocate Tacoma production from Mexico to its San Antonio plant, has said it would create about 2,000 US jobs and has committed to expanding capacity to roughly 350,000 units by 2030.


Geely E2 compact electric hatchback announced for EU
Geely has confirmed its Xingyuan has been designated for the EU as the E2 and has been reported with an 85 kW motor, 39.4 kWh battery and 317 km WLTP range; European specifications and pricing have been pending.


Leapmotor launches B10 EREV crossover in Mexico
Stellantis-backed Leapmotor has launched the B10 EREV in Mexico and has begun deliveries at a 575,000 MXN starting price, offering a quoted 990 km mixed range and after-sales support through Stellantis' Mopar network.


E13 EM gate-drive transformers for xEV platforms
TDK has introduced the E13 EM gate-drive transformers for xEV platforms, which have been qualified to AEC‑Q200 Rev. E and specified for −40 °C to 150 °C, offering compact SMD MnZn designs, 100–400 kHz operation and IEC insulation compliance.


Zeekr schedules pre-sales for five-seat 9X from 8 July
Zeekr has scheduled pre-sales for a five-seat 9X PHEV in China to begin on 8 July; the full-size model has been added following the six-seat variant, which has recorded more than 60,000 deliveries.


Malaysia tightens EV import rules, limits Chinese access
Malaysia has implemented stricter criteria for imported CBU electric vehicles, setting minimum CIF and motor‑power thresholds and imposing demanding local‑production conditions, which have narrowed market access for lower‑priced Chinese EV models.


ICE vehicle registrations have peaked in NSW
Transport for NSW data have shown ICE vehicle registrations in NSW have peaked on 27 February at 6,309,403 and have since declined, as battery electric vehicle registrations have exceeded fleet growth and have reached 138,580 (2.15%).


Cohda MK6 Achieves CPOC Level 1 Approval in Europe
Cohda Wireless has passed CPOC Level 1 evaluation for its MK6 platform by TÜViT, confirming compliance with the EU security and trust framework for C-ITS and strengthening credentials for cross-border deployment.


Rivian Raises 2026 Delivery Outlook After Q2 Demand
Rivian has raised its 2026 delivery guidance to 65,000-70,000 units after stronger-than-expected second-quarter demand; it has produced 12,613 units, has delivered 12,194 and has begun ramping R2 output at its Normal, Illinois plant.


Chery offers lifetime battery warranty for Rhino NEVs
Chery has introduced a lifetime warranty for first owners of Rhino-equipped new-energy vehicles, has covered batteries, motors and control units, and has pledged vehicle replacement for thermal-runaway damage to comply with China’s GB38031-2025 safety standard.


Woolworths to lease 148 electric delivery trucks
Woolworths has agreed to lease 148 electric delivery trucks from Zenobē, supported by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and has commenced deliveries with a progressive rollout scheduled through 2026, indicating a move from pilot projects to larger-scale commercial deployment.


Lamborghini unveils Urus SE Performante hybrid SUV
Lamborghini has revealed the Urus SE Performante, a plug-in hybrid combining a 4.0-litre twin‑turbo V8 and electric motor delivering 812 horsepower, and has reaffirmed its decision to prioritise hybrid over full-electric models.


BMW iX5 SUV with 845 km WLTP range to arrive in 2027
BMW has unveiled the iX5, a large electric SUV with an 845 km WLTP range from a 141 kWh battery, 800 V architecture and up to 460 kW charging, and has confirmed Australian deliveries in Q1 2027.


NSW urged to delay proposed electric vehicle road charge
Experts have warned NSW that a proposed road‑user charge for electric vehicles has risked slowing uptake, increasing pollution and confusing consumers, and stakeholders have urged a delayed, nationally aligned implementation.


CATL–Ford US battery plant begins production
CATL and Ford have commenced production at a US battery plant under a technical licensing agreement, having navigated scaled-back investment, political scrutiny and policy shifts; the facility has completed trial cell production and has scheduled first automotive deliveries for 2026.


Mercedes-Benz's China EV strategy under pressure
Weak electric CLA sales in China have been reported; Mercedes-Benz has implemented layoffs and has been preparing to launch the MB.EA-based electric GLC amid a market-wide downturn and intensifying domestic competition.


BYD raises Blade Battery 2.0 output to ease Seal 08 backlog
BYD has accelerated Blade Battery 2.0 production at its Xi'an complex to ease battery-driven constraints on Seal 08 deliveries, has expanded monthly installations to 11.87 GWh in May, and has implemented customer compensation for delayed handovers.


Volkswagen ID. Era 5S PHEV sedan revealed in China
SAIC–Volkswagen has revealed the ID. Era 5S plug-in hybrid sedan in China, disclosing its interior, a 160 km electric range (CLTC), a mixed range exceeding 2,000 km, a 1.5‑litre engine and a 130 kW electric motor.


Ferrari launches Luce in China at ¥3,988,000
Ferrari has launched the Luce in China at ¥3,988,000 (c. US$586,600), allocating 88 units that have been reported sold out; the model has been priced below European levels and has been positioned as a five‑seat grand tourer.


BYD secures legal rulings against Chinese influencers
BYD has secured multiple Chinese court rulings against automotive influencers, requiring apologies, fines and retractions over alleged defamatory claims about battery performance and sales, and has reinforced its legal enforcement framework to protect market order.


Chinese Carmakers Overtake Japan in ICE Technology
Chinese carmakers have achieved higher thermal efficiencies and integrated AI-driven engine control, surpassing prior benchmarks in hybrid and petrol powertrains, and have narrowed Japan’s traditional lead in internal-combustion technology, according to Nikkei and industry analysts.


Tasmania launches battery-electric campervan hires
Tasvanlife has begun hiring Tasmania’s first full battery-electric camper vans, offering converted Farizon SV models with about 245 km real-world range, included DC charging credits, roadside support and a staged fleet expansion planned through 2027.


Leapmotor launches D99 MPV with BEV and EREV options
Leapmotor has launched the D99 MPV in China, offering BEV and EREV variants with 115 kWh and 80.3 kWh batteries; pricing has been set from 249,800 to 319,800 yuan and deliveries have been scheduled to start on 20 July.


Thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries
The article has explained the mechanisms, causes and mitigation of thermal runaway in lithium‑ion batteries, and has outlined industry measures, regulatory focus and technological developments aimed at reducing incidents and limiting escalation in electric vehicles and large energy storage systems.


CATL forecasts up to 20,000 EVs with sodium batteries
CATL has accelerated its lithium-sodium strategy and has forecast 10,000–20,000 EVs to be equipped with sodium-ion batteries in 2026; it has announced initial domestic deliveries from September and has projected cost parity with lithium-ion by year-end.


Toyota narrows gap with GM in US sales
Cox Automotive has forecast that Toyota has narrowed its US sales gap with General Motors through the first half, as hybrid demand has strengthened while electric-vehicle sales have fallen and GM's volumes have declined.


Slate Auto aims for profit with $24,950 EV pickup
Slate Auto has said each $24,950 pickup has been designed to be gross‑margin positive and the company has forecast positive free cash flow and EBITDA by 2027 while pursuing a modular, low‑cost manufacturing and direct‑to‑consumer model.


BHP and Rio Tinto trial battery-electric haul trucks
BHP and Rio Tinto have begun trials of two Caterpillar Cat 793 XE battery-electric haul trucks at BHP's Jimblebar mine, and the trials have produced operational data to assess dynamic in-motion charging and scalability for large-scale deployment.


