Autos

Toyota is reportedly preparing to launch an electric version of the Corolla, the world's best-selling car. The move would put the company's best-known nameplate into its battery-electric lineup, a notable shift for a manufacturer that has so far favored hybrids. Readers are debating whether an electric Corolla signals a real change in Toyota's EV strategy or a cautious branding move.

Nissan has detailed the third generation of its e-POWER powertrain, the system that drives the wheels with an electric motor while a petrol engine works solely as a generator. The new version promises improvements in efficiency, size and refinement over the previous setup. Interest is focused on what the updates mean for Nissan's hybrid lineup and its broader electrification strategy.

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.

BMW's chief executive has said that some Chinese-made cars sold in Europe 'make no business sense,' while also supporting dialogue over tariffs rather than outright trade barriers. His comments reflect the tension facing European automakers as Chinese brands expand into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles, prompting EU tariff discussions. The remarks signal BMW's call for a negotiated approach that protects European industry without escalating a trade conflict with China.

Fortune reports that Chinese companies are now competing head-on with Europe's most profitable industries, from luxury goods like $1,000 Gucci sneakers to German cars. The piece argues China's industrial upgrade means it is no longer just a manufacturing base but a direct rival in premium sectors long dominated by European brands, raising the stakes for the continent's export-driven economies.

Global carmakers are cutting electric vehicle prices in South Korea, turning the country into a frontline of an intensifying EV price war, according to KED Global. Aggressive discounting by international manufacturers is putting pressure on local prices and reshaping the competitive landscape in one of the world's most advanced EV markets.

Nikkei Asia reports that the race among automakers to dominate Southeast Asia's electric vehicle market could leave ordinary drivers behind, as the rapid push for new EV models raises prices beyond what many consumers in the region can afford. The article highlights the tension between automakers' expansion plans and affordability for local buyers.

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.

Electric vehicle sales dropped sharply in January, falling 41% according to an InsideEVs report. Despite the overall decline, certain brands still managed to grow their sales during the month. The figures suggest a split market, where weaker demand for some manufacturers has not prevented others from gaining ground.

An analysis argues that electric vehicles have reached a tipping point globally, and that Australia — long a laggard on EV adoption due to weak policy and limited model choice — is no longer an exception. Growing sales, expanding model ranges and shifting regulation are cited as signs the country is finally following the global transition to electric transport.

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.

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.

IntelliNews reports, in its Datacrunch analysis, that Europe's average car fleet is growing older while Ukraine, despite the war, is shifting rapidly to electric cars, many of them Chinese-made. The piece contrasts the EU's ageing stock of combustion vehicles with Ukraine's fast EV adoption, highlighting a widening split in Europe's car markets and growing Chinese influence in EV supply.

An auto industry executive has publicly admitted that most companies are struggling to develop solid-state EV batteries, calling out an uncomfortable truth in the race to commercialize the technology. Solid-state batteries promise greater range, faster charging and improved safety, but mass production has proven difficult, and the comments suggest timelines may slip further than many manufacturers have publicly acknowledged.

Commentary argues the Philippines must align its electric vehicle strategy with the wider ASEAN region. The piece contends that as neighbouring Southeast Asian economies build EV supply chains, manufacturing capacity and charging standards, a go-it-alone approach would leave the country behind. It urges policymakers to treat regional integration as central to the Philippines' EV ambitions rather than an afterthought.

Li Auto has launched the i9, a new electric model offering a claimed range of 705 km on a single charge and a 400 kW all-wheel-drive powertrain. The debut positions Li Auto's growing EV lineup against premium electric sedans and SUVs from rivals in China and beyond, drawing attention for its combination of long range and high output.

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.

Reports say a Tesla Model S broke a crash test machine during testing, with headlines circulating about the electric sedan's unusual result. The claim has drawn attention from car and tech audiences, sparking discussion about the vehicle's strength and how crash testing equipment handles heavy electric vehicles. Details about when and where the test took place have not been confirmed.

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.

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.

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.

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.