electric vehicles

The Wall Street Journal reports on U.S. efforts to challenge China's dominance over critical minerals such as rare earths, which are essential for electronics, electric vehicles and defense systems. The report examines how Washington is working to build alternative supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese processing and exports.

The UK is reviewing tariffs imposed on Chinese electric vehicle imports, according to Politico Europe. The move could signal a shift in Britain's trade stance toward Beijing, with potential consequences for domestic carmakers, consumers facing high EV prices, and relations with the EU, which has backed duties on Chinese EVs.

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.

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 car sales in Europe have surged 52%, according to Bloomberg, as gasoline prices reach the equivalent of $10 a gallon. The jump suggests high fuel costs are pushing drivers to switch to electric vehicles faster than expected. Commenters are debating whether record pump prices, rather than subsidies or technology, are now the main driver of Europe's EV boom.

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.

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.

Congress has passed a law requiring AM radios to be installed in all new vehicles sold in the United States. The move follows automakers, including several electric vehicle manufacturers, dropping AM radio from newer models over interference concerns. Supporters argue AM radio remains a critical channel for emergency alerts, especially in rural areas, while critics question mandating aging technology in modern cars.

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.

Chinese electric vehicle makers Nio and Geely are rumoured to be preparing an announcement of an agreement on September 28, according to a report circulating in automotive media. No details of the deal's scope have been confirmed by either company. The prospect of cooperation between the two automakers is drawing attention amid ongoing consolidation and cost pressures in China's electric vehicle sector.

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.

Industry analysis argues that humanoid robots, rather than electric vehicles, will be the first real-world testing ground for solid-state batteries. Robots' smaller energy needs and higher tolerance for premium pricing let early solid-state cells enter use sooner, while carmakers' stricter cost, volume and safety requirements keep them waiting for the technology to mature.