Autos

The Trump administration is preparing to sharply weaken federal clean car rules, the emissions and fuel-efficiency standards that govern vehicle pollution in the United States. The New York Times reports the plan would roll back requirements pushed under previous administrations to push automakers toward electric vehicles. The move is expected to draw swift opposition from environmental groups and some states while being welcomed by parts of the auto industry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 electric vehicles continue to gain ground in Norway, one of the world's most mature EV markets, even as scepticism about Chinese carmakers grows in Europe and elsewhere. Coverage highlights the gap between political wariness over Chinese-made technology and Norwegian consumers, who appear focused on price, range and quality when choosing their next electric car.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A heavy-duty electric motorcycle is now available in South Africa for R22,500, a price point notably low for electric two-wheelers. The launch has drawn attention from South African tech and motoring audiences, with discussion focusing on what such affordability could mean for electric vehicle uptake in a market where high costs have slowed EV adoption.

A Tesla owner in the Bay Area is looking for answers after their vehicle was destroyed in a fire in Corte Madera that authorities are treating as suspicious. The incident has prompted questions about how the blaze started and whether it was deliberately set, with the owner awaiting official findings from investigators.