Autos

Toyota is reported to be developing a fully electric version of the Corolla, the world's best-selling car. The move would mark a significant shift for the Japanese automaker, which has long favoured hybrids over battery-electric vehicles. Commenters are debating what an electric Corolla could mean for the mass-market EV segment and whether Toyota is finally committing more fully to battery power.

The Trump administration is preparing to sharply roll back US clean car rules, the emissions and fuel-efficiency standards that govern how polluting new vehicles can be. Major outlets including the New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer report the plan, which would mark one of the biggest reversals of federal climate policy for the auto industry and is likely to trigger legal fights and debate over costs for drivers and manufacturers.

President Donald Trump has announced he is rolling back fuel economy standards for cars introduced under the Biden administration. The rules, which required automakers to improve vehicle efficiency, had been a target of the administration's broader effort to undo former President Joe Biden's climate and environmental policies.

Global carmakers are slashing electric vehicle prices in South Korea, turning the country into a battleground in an escalating EV price war. With Korean headlines flagging the country as the epicenter, aggressive discounting by foreign and domestic brands points to intensifying competition and pressure on margins in one of the world's most developed EV markets.

Fortune reports that Chinese companies are moving aggressively into the industries that built Europe's wealth, from luxury goods like $1,000 Gucci sneakers to German cars. The piece frames China's rise as no longer confined to low-cost manufacturing but as a direct challenge to Europe's premium brands and industrial champions, with Chinese automakers and consumer companies competing head-on in quality and prestige.

BYD says its solid-state electric vehicle battery technology is almost ready for real-world use. The Chinese automaker is among several manufacturers racing to commercialize solid-state batteries, which promise greater range, faster charging and improved safety over today's lithium-ion cells. Any movement toward production from a company of BYD's scale is being closely watched across the auto industry, as a breakthrough could reshape competition in the fast-growing electric vehicle market.

Electric vehicle sales dropped sharply in January, falling 41% compared with the same month last year, but a handful of brands bucked the trend and still managed to grow their sales. The decline points to a difficult start to the year for the EV market overall, while the growing brands are drawing attention for outperforming their competitors during the downturn.

Chinese auto companies are racing ahead in electric vehicle technology with ultrafast charging systems that can replenish a battery in about five minutes, comparable to a petrol stop. The development, reported widely in US regional press, highlights how far Chinese manufacturers have pulled ahead in charging speed, intensifying concerns about competition with Western and Japanese automakers in the global EV market.

President Trump announced that his administration has scrapped an electric vehicle rule introduced under Joe Biden and has updated federal fuel economy standards. The move reverses one of Biden's signature climate policies, which had pushed automakers toward greater EV production. The change is likely to reignite debate over emissions rules and their impact on the US auto industry and consumers.

Forbes reports that Rivian's upcoming R2 electric SUV is positioned to shake up the American EV market. The midsize, more affordable model is expected to broaden Rivian's appeal beyond its premium trucks and challenge established electric SUVs from Tesla and legacy automakers. Attention is focused on pricing, range and Rivian's ability to scale production profitably.

Volkswagen's entry-level electric models are reportedly overtaking orders for combustion-engine cars in Germany, prompting reports that the company is hindering or slowing the gas-car shift as demand flips toward cheaper EVs. The story suggests buyers are moving faster than expected away from petrol and diesel models, reshaping Volkswagen's order mix in its home market.

President Donald Trump says he has approved new vehicle fuel economy standards, rolling back stricter requirements put in place under the Biden administration. The move would loosen emissions and efficiency mandates for automakers, reversing a key part of the previous administration's climate policy. Industry groups and environmental advocates are expected to clash over the change as details emerge.

Chinese electric vehicles are rapidly gaining ground in Pakistan, according to a report by The Express Tribune. Affordable Chinese EV models are changing consumer preferences in a market long dominated by petrol cars, signaling a potential shift in the country's automotive industry amid rising fuel costs and growing interest in cleaner transport.

A data analysis by IntelliNews reports a striking split in Europe's car market: the EU's vehicle fleet is ageing, with drivers holding on to old combustion cars, while Ukraine — despite the ongoing war — is rapidly shifting to electric vehicles, many of them imported from China. The contrast highlights how wartime energy prices, cheap Chinese EV imports and destroyed infrastructure may be accelerating Ukraine's transition faster than in wealthier EU states.

President Trump announced he has approved new fuel economy standards that roll back Biden-era rules pushing electric vehicle adoption. The move reverses emissions and efficiency requirements that had pressed automakers toward EV production. It is likely to reignite debate over US auto industry policy, with manufacturers and environmental groups closely watching the regulatory shift.

Rivian and Lucid have released their latest quarterly earnings, and analysts are reading the results as a measure of which electric vehicle startup is on a more sustainable path. Coverage from industry outlets focuses on cash burn, production targets and how long both companies can hold out against established automakers and Tesla.

Commentary from CleanTechnica argues that the Philippines' electric vehicle strategy will fall short unless it is aligned with the wider ASEAN region. The piece suggests the country's EV push depends on regional cooperation, supply chains and market integration rather than domestic policy alone. The article has so far drawn little visible engagement from readers.

Sales of Chinese hybrid cars are growing rapidly in the European Union even as the bloc imposes tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The tariffs, introduced to counter alleged subsidies, apply mainly to battery-electric models, so manufacturers are increasingly exporting hybrids, which fall outside the measures, to keep a foothold in the European market.

Li Auto has launched the i9, a new electric SUV offering a claimed range of 705 km and dual-motor all-wheel drive producing 400 kW. The model extends the Chinese automaker's battery-electric lineup and signals its push beyond range-extender vehicles. Industry watchers are weighing the i9's specifications against rival premium electric SUVs from Nio, Tesla and other Chinese brands.

Nissan is bringing back the Pixo name for a new small electric city car priced from under $25,000, making it the brand's cheapest EV. The compact model is aimed at urban drivers seeking affordable electric mobility. The move signals Nissan's push to compete in the growing budget EV segment.

President Donald Trump has approved new fuel economy rules for vehicles, arguing the change will drive car prices down. The rollback of stricter efficiency standards is framed by the administration as a win for consumers, while opponents typically warn it could increase fuel consumption and emissions. The move is drawing debate over whether cheaper sticker prices will outweigh higher costs at the pump.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has become the best-selling electric vehicle in the United States outside of Tesla's lineup, according to InsideEVs. The milestone underscores Hyundai's growing strength in the American EV market as Tesla's dominance faces increasing competition from Korean and other legacy automakers.

Tesla is beginning to scale up production of its Optimus humanoid robot, but the rollout is running into difficulties with the robot's hand mechanisms, AI generalization, and suppliers, according to reporting by Electrek. The problems raise questions about how quickly Tesla can turn the robot from a prototype into a mass-produced product, and whether its ambitious manufacturing timeline can hold.

Toyota's 2026 bZ electric SUV is drawing attention as a sign the automaker is taking its EV lineup more seriously. Coverage of the model highlights Toyota's renewed push into electric vehicles, an area where it has lagged behind rivals, with the bZ presented as a key step in the company's broader electrification strategy.

Elon Musk says Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, could one day make the company worth $25 trillion, a figure far above its current market value. Analysts are examining what that would actually require, including mass production of robots and revenue on a scale never seen by any company, and many remain skeptical the math adds up.

A Canadian opinion column argues that Mark Carney's claim that China accounts for 'less than 3%' of something downplays a far larger reality, contending that the true figure hides more than a quarter of Beijing's open electricity market. The piece suggests Carney's framing minimizes China's actual presence in the sector. Critics are debating whether the statistic is misleading and what it means for Canada's energy and China policy.

Tesla will release its third-quarter vehicle delivery figures in early October, and investors are focused on whether the number will beat expectations. Analysts say a strong delivery figure could send the stock sharply higher, making the upcoming report a key moment for Tesla shareholders heading into the final quarter of the year.

BYD has confirmed that the current pricing for Australia's cheapest electric vehicle is temporary, signalling buyers should not expect the low price to remain in place indefinitely. The announcement puts pressure on cost-conscious shoppers considering the switch to an EV, and fuels debate about whether affordable electric cars can stay cheap as discounts and promotional pricing taper off in the Australian market.

An electric truck driver known as the Elektrotrucker has set off on an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, the German manufacturer's long-haul electric truck. The expedition aims to demonstrate that battery-electric heavy trucks can handle long-distance, cross-continental journeys, testing charging infrastructure and range in real-world conditions far beyond normal freight routes.

BMW's upcoming electric M3 will carry the M3 name rather than a new branding scheme, according to Autoguide. The decision matters because the M3 badge is one of the most recognized performance labels in the car world, and fans had worried BMW might rebrand its electric flagship sedan. Keeping the name signals BMW wants its electric performance car to be seen as a direct heir to the petrol M3 lineage.

Gas prices are climbing, and automotive research firm Edmunds reports that consumer searches for electric vehicles are rising alongside them. The pattern suggests drivers are weighing the switch to EVs as fuel costs squeeze household budgets. Industry watchers often see pump prices as a key trigger for EV shopping, and the latest figures point to renewed consumer interest in electrified cars.

Electric vehicles offering around 300 miles of range have become the industry standard, with most new models from major automakers now hitting that benchmark. The discussion now centers on whether 400 miles will become the next target, as battery technology improves and manufacturers compete to ease drivers' charging and range anxieties.

Attention is turning to the 2026 Japanese MotoGP at Motegi, Honda's home circuit, where Ducati's dominance in MotoGP is expected to put pressure on the Japanese manufacturer in front of its home fans. The prospect of Ducati extending its winning run on Honda's own turf is fueling discussion among motorsport fans ahead of the season.

Kia's electric vehicle sales increased last month, a result described as surprising in automotive coverage. The gain comes despite broader reports of slowing EV demand in several major markets, with many automakers scaling back electric plans. Kia's EV lineup, including models like the EV6 and EV9, appears to have continued finding buyers. Industry watchers are now looking at whether the brand can keep the momentum going in the coming months.

A heavy-duty electric motorcycle is being sold in South Africa at a price of R22,500, according to MyBroadband's motoring report. The low price point is drawing attention as electric vehicles remain costly in the country, where load shedding and rising fuel prices keep interest in affordable electric transport high.

A Tesla owner in the Bay Area is looking for answers after the electric vehicle was destroyed in a fire in Corte Madera that authorities are treating as suspicious. The incident has raised questions about what caused the blaze and whether it was deliberately set, and local coverage has drawn attention to the ongoing investigation.

As Japan's expressways move toward cashless tolling, the ETC card is increasingly being treated as a must-have option when renting or buying a car. The Japan Times explains what drivers need to know, from how the card works to why toll gates that once accepted cash are phasing it out, leaving motorists without ETC at a growing disadvantage.

BYD has revealed the price and specifications of the Atto 2 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid small SUV priced from $24,990. The DM-i system pairs a petrol engine with electric drive for low fuel consumption and extended range, positioning the Atto 2 as an affordable option for buyers not ready to go fully electric. Attention is on how the pricing compares with rival hybrid compact SUVs.