EVs

Two of China's electric vehicle manufacturers have announced a deal, a sign that the country's crowded and fiercely competitive EV sector is entering a period of consolidation. The move comes as intensifying price wars and overcapacity push weaker automakers toward partnerships or exits, and industry watchers expect more deals to follow as China's auto market reshapes itself.

Toyota is preparing to offer its best-selling Corolla as a fully electric vehicle, according to a report by Electrek. The Corolla is one of the most popular cars in history, so moving it to battery power would mark a significant step in Toyota's electrification strategy, which has so far leaned heavily on hybrids. Commenters are debating whether the move signals a genuine shift in the company's EV commitment.

President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have finalized the "Freedom Means Affordable Cars" initiative, which resets federal fuel economy standards and ends what the administration calls an illegal electric vehicle mandate. The Department of Transportation framed the move as lowering car prices for American consumers, while the rollback of efficiency rules is expected to draw criticism from environmental and clean-energy groups.

The Trump administration is rolling back fuel economy requirements put in place under Biden, easing mileage standards for automakers. The move comes as American drivers have been slower than expected to switch to electric vehicles, and it loosens pressure on carmakers to accelerate EV production. The change is expected to reignite debate over climate policy, auto industry costs and the pace of the US electric vehicle transition.

Electric car sales in Europe have surged, rising 52% as gasoline reaches roughly $10 a gallon across much of the continent. Bloomberg reports the record-high fuel prices are pushing drivers to switch to electric vehicles in growing numbers. The trend is drawing attention as a sign that high energy costs, not just regulation, are accelerating Europe's shift away from combustion engines.

Two of China's electric vehicle makers, identified as Geely and Nio, have announced a deal, the latest sign of consolidation in the country's crowded auto industry. The agreement comes as intensifying price competition and overcapacity push Chinese EV manufacturers toward mergers and partnerships to survive.

Recent reporting ranks the 10 US states with the most electric vehicle charging stations, as electric car sales continue to climb nationwide. California typically leads such rankings, followed by other large populous states, reflecting where charging infrastructure has expanded fastest. Interest comes as drivers weigh range and charging access against rising EV adoption.

BYD is carrying out a major overhaul of its cheapest electric vehicle, and the update is bigger than expected. Details beyond the headline are limited so far, but the move points to the Chinese automaker continuing to push down the price of entry-level EVs while improving the product, a strategy that has helped it lead global electric car sales.

New quarterly data shows electric vehicle market share increased in 47 US states during the second quarter, while sales of internal combustion engine vehicles declined. The figures point to a broad-based shift toward electric vehicles across most of the country, rather than growth concentrated in a few coastal markets, a pattern industry watchers are scrutinising closely.

Volkswagen has announced a partnership with Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech to supply batteries for its electric vehicles. The deal deepens the German automaker's ties with Chinese suppliers as it scales up its EV production and secures battery capacity. The announcement drew attention from industry and market watchers tracking VW's electrification strategy and its reliance on Chinese battery technology.

The Trump administration has issued a rule lowering federal fuel economy standards, effectively ending the Biden-era mandate pushing automakers toward electric vehicles. The move reverses one of the previous administration's key climate policies and gives carmakers more flexibility to sell gasoline-powered vehicles. It is expected to draw criticism from environmental groups while being welcomed by parts of the auto industry.

The European Union is pressing the United Kingdom to raise its tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China. Brussels has already imposed duties on Chinese EVs to counter subsidies it says give them an unfair advantage, and it now wants London to align its trade policy. The issue highlights ongoing differences between the EU and UK on how to handle Chinese competition in the car industry.

Researchers are applying semiconductor chipmaking techniques to build improved electric vehicle batteries, according to a report by SciTechDaily. The approach adapts lithography-based manufacturing methods from the chip industry to battery production, potentially improving battery performance. Details on which institutions are involved and the specific results have not been widely reported, but the cross-industry idea is drawing attention in technology and energy circles.

A proposed EU bill would require electric vehicles sold in Europe to meet local-content rules, threatening Japanese automakers such as Toyota. If adopted, the 'Made in EU' legislation could raise costs or restrict market access for Japanese EVs, which rely heavily on parts and batteries made outside the bloc. Japanese industry is watching closely amid wider EU efforts to favor domestic manufacturing.

First-quarter electric vehicle sales figures in the United States are drawing attention, with InsideEVs laying out five main takeaways from the numbers. The analysis comes as the industry watches how demand holds up amid changing incentives, pricing pressure and growing competition between established automakers and newer EV-only brands.

Volkswagen has previewed the ID Tiguan, an electric SUV set to replace the ID 4 in 2027. The announcement signals the next step in VW's electric lineup, with the new model carrying the well-known Tiguan name into the brand's EV family. Car news outlets picked up the preview, drawing attention from auto enthusiasts following VW's electrification plans.

Tesla holds the leading position in Israel's electric vehicle market, while Chinese manufacturers are finding it difficult to gain a foothold. Reports indicate Israeli buyers remain hesitant about Chinese EV brands despite their competitive pricing, continuing to favour Tesla's established reputation. The trend highlights how brand trust, not just cost, shapes EV adoption in the country.

Dubai will host the International Electric Vehicles Exhibition and Conference, known as EV World 2026, from 10 to 12 November 2026. Organisers say the event is intended to position the city as a global hub for electric vehicle investment, bringing together manufacturers, investors and policymakers. Coverage so far is limited to announcements about the event's staging and positioning.

Mercedes-Benz will assemble its electric GLC model in Thailand, adding local production of a battery-electric vehicle in Southeast Asia. The move points to growing investment in EV manufacturing capacity in the region, though details on timing, output or local partners have not yet been made clear.

The US has significantly weakened its vehicle fuel economy standards, a move framed as an effort to unwind Biden-era electric vehicle policies. The rollback eases requirements that would have pushed automakers to sell more electric cars, marking a major reversal in federal climate and transportation policy. The change affects automakers nationwide and is expected to draw criticism from environmental groups while easing pressure on car manufacturers.

Chinese automaker BYD has confirmed plans to bring an electric vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery to market in 2027. Solid-state batteries are seen as a potential breakthrough for electric cars, promising greater range, faster charging and improved safety over today's lithium-ion cells. The announcement puts BYD in the race with other manufacturers working toward mass production of the technology.

Electric vehicle sales in Europe jumped sharply in January, widening the gap with the United States, where EV demand has cooled. Reporting highlights how European buyers, supported by a broader range of models and tighter emissions rules, are adopting electric cars at a much faster pace than American consumers. Commentators are weighing what this divergence means for automakers' strategies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Volkswagen has confirmed that the successor to its electric ID.4 SUV will be named the ID. Tiguan, tying the upcoming EV to one of the brand's best-known nameplates. The announcement, picked up by major auto outlets, signals VW's strategy of carrying over familiar model names as it transitions its lineup to electric vehicles, aiming to reassure buyers and boost EV adoption.

Owners and industry watchers are asking what happens to electric vehicles after manufacturers discontinue them, particularly whether software updates, features and security patches will continue. The issue matters because modern EVs depend heavily on over-the-air software for performance, safety and convenience, and buyers worry discontinued models could be left unsupported.