Autos

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.

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.

Geely has agreed to acquire a 30% stake in the battery-swapping business of rival Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio. The move would link two competing automakers in the infrastructure segment that Nio has built out as a differentiator for its cars, allowing drivers to exchange depleted batteries for charged ones in minutes. The reported deal highlights growing consolidation and cooperation in China's crowded electric vehicle market.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Volkswagen's most affordable electric models are reportedly overtaking orders for its petrol and diesel cars in Germany, a shift the company is said to be slowing as it balances the transition. The development is being covered by finance and climate-focused outlets, with commentators framing it as a sign that cheap EVs are reaching mass-market buyers faster than the automaker planned.

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.

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.

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.

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.

President Trump announced that his administration has eliminated the electric vehicle rule introduced under President Biden and has updated federal fuel economy standards. The announcement reverses a core piece of the previous administration's climate and transportation policy, easing requirements that pushed automakers toward electric vehicle production. Reaction is focused on what the rollback means for US carmakers, consumers and emissions goals.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.