Electric Cars Report

Toyota is reported to be developing an electric version of the Corolla, the world's best-selling car. The move would put the company's most recognisable nameplate into the battery-electric segment, a notable shift for a manufacturer that has long favoured hybrids. Discussion is focused on what this means for Toyota's broader EV strategy and its competition with other automakers.

The European Union is urging the United Kingdom to raise its tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, according to a report. Brussels has already imposed duties of its own on Chinese EVs, citing state subsidies, and now wants London to align its trade policy. The pressure risks straining EU-UK relations and could affect British consumers' access to cheaper Chinese-built electric cars.

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.

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.

Electric car sales in Europe have jumped 52%, with record-high gasoline prices — around $10 a gallon — pushing drivers to switch to battery-powered vehicles. Bloomberg reports the surge as a turning point for the region's auto market, with fuel costs making electric models increasingly attractive despite higher upfront prices.

Chinese car companies are pushing ahead in electric vehicle technology with ultrafast charging that can refill a battery in about five minutes. Reports carried in US regional newspapers highlight the advance, which would put Chinese manufacturers well ahead of Western rivals on charging speed and reinforce concerns about China's growing lead in the EV sector.

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.

Edmunds reports that higher gasoline prices are coinciding with a rise in consumer searches for electric vehicles, suggesting drivers are weighing a switch to EVs as fuel costs climb. The data comes from the car shopping platform, and analysts often point to gas prices as a key factor pushing buyers toward electric cars.

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.

Sales of Chinese electric vehicles continue to rise in Norway, according to Euronews, even as scepticism about Chinese-made cars grows among European consumers and policymakers. Norway, the world's leading market for electric car adoption, has proven notably open to Chinese brands. The report examines the gap between public wariness and actual buying behaviour.

A Guardian report says three-quarters of the UK's most popular plug-in hybrid cars cannot use the country's rapid electric-vehicle chargers, highlighting a compatibility gap as charging networks expand and petrol prices push drivers toward electrified vehicles. The finding raises questions about how practical plug-in hybrids are for quick top-ups, and adds to debate over whether buyers should opt for fully electric cars instead.

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.

Koreans in their 20s are increasingly choosing electric vehicles over gasoline cars, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. The trend reflects a generational shift in the world's major carmaking nation, where younger buyers are reportedly more drawn to EVs for running costs and environmental reasons, leaving older drivers sticking with combustion models.

A large-scale study drawing on 500,000 electric vehicle battery health checks compared 20 EV models to see which hold their charge best over time. InsideEVs reports that one car stood out from the pack in terms of battery degradation, offering buyers a rare data-driven comparison of long-term battery durability across brands.

Reports say charging electric vehicles in the United States costs less than filling a car with gasoline, reinforcing a key financial argument for switching to EVs. The comparison is drawing attention amid ongoing debate over fuel prices and the country's transition to electric transport, with drivers weighing long-term savings against higher upfront vehicle costs.

Congress has passed a law requiring all new vehicles sold in the United States to come equipped with AM radio. The measure, reported on September 28, 2026, is aimed at preserving broadcast AM service in cars as automakers have been phasing the technology out of newer electric models.

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.

A 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow once owned by Johnny Cash has been converted into an electric vehicle. The car was reportedly emitting black smoke, prompting the switch from its original petrol engine. The conversion revives interest in the country legend's former ride and highlights a growing trend of classic cars being given electric drivetrains.