Sodium-ion batteries expected to reach cost parity by 2026
Manufacturers have scaled sodium‑ion technology towards commercial deployment and have projected cell cost parity with LFP by late 2026. Supply‑chain expansions and material cost reductions have been reported to underpin broader energy‑storage adoption.
US Adds Chinese Tech and EV Firms to Military List
The US Department of Defence has added multiple Chinese technology, electric-vehicle and battery companies to a Section 1260H list, and has signalled potential procurement and partner risks without imposing immediate sanctions.
EU endorses zero-emission truck charging roadmaps
EU ministers have endorsed two roadmaps under the Clean Transport Corridor Initiative and have identified priority infrastructure and investment needs for zero-emission truck charging along the Scandinavian–Mediterranean and North Sea–Baltic TEN-T corridors; the Commission has published updated project mapping.
BYD reveals flagship Great Han D-class sedan
BYD has published official images of its new flagship D-class sedan, the Great Han, and has confirmed PHEV and EV derivatives, second-generation Blade Battery and ultra-fast charging, two long-range variants and a planned market launch in the third quarter.
BYD Dolphin Cargo e-Van targets last-mile fleets
BYD has launched a Dolphin Cargo e-Van for last-mile delivery and has removed rear seats and has installed a metal bulkhead to provide over 1,090 litres of cargo space. It has been equipped with a 60 kWh battery and Vehicle-to-Load.
Chinese EVs may enter United States via local manufacture
China has expanded its electric-vehicle exports and production capacity worldwide, and exports to North America have risen. US policymakers and automakers have imposed tariffs and regulatory constraints, while industry participants have explored US manufacturing and joint ventures as market-entry routes.
ByteDance denies involvement in Seres' Saidou car venture
ByteDance has denied plans to launch or hold shares in Seres' Saidou and has said its Dola and Volcano Engine units have been limited to providing smart‑cockpit AI, while Saidou has been scheduled to disclose details on 9 June.
GAC Govy prioritises solid-state batteries for eVTOLs
GAC Govy has advanced eVTOL production and has set certification targets for 2026–27; its CEO has said solid‑state batteries have been essential for range, safety and commercial viability.
Scania to supply 91 electric buses to VR Sweden
Scania has agreed to supply 91 Fencer F1 battery electric buses to VR Sweden for Södertälje and Nykvarn services, which have been specified with 445 kWh batteries and 73-minute 5-95% charging times; the deal has included long-term service support.
Average passenger-car kerb weight in China rises 392 kg
China's average new-car kerb weight has risen 392 kg from 2012 to 2024 due to electrification, larger battery packs and demand for bigger models. Regulators have introduced energy-efficiency standards and tax thresholds, while battery advances have been announced.
Chinese axial flux motor achieves 25.73 kW/kg at 18,000 rpm
Chinese researchers have unveiled an axial flux motor and a dedicated permanent-magnet material that have achieved 25.73 kW/kg at 18,000 rpm, and have claimed improved thermal stability, mechanical strength and suitability for mass production.
Electric vehicle sales hit nearly 30% share in Australia
Data have shown that rechargeable vehicles have accounted for almost 30% of new car sales in Australia in May, with battery EVs at 20.6%, the ACT reaching 36.5% electric share and the Tesla Model Y topping monthly sales.
Australian EV Sales Rise as ICE Market Share Falls
VFACTS and EVC data have shown EV sales have more than doubled year-on-year, BEVs have reached about 20% market share, Tesla's Model Y has been the top-selling model and China has become the leading source of new vehicles.
Hyundai Ioniq V 4.9m fastback EV revealed
The Ioniq V has been spotted in near-production form: a 4.9 m mid‑size fastback EV with frameless doors, a 27‑inch 4K screen, Snapdragon 8295, 800V architecture and CATL batteries; it has been positioned to strengthen Hyundai’s China presence.
Lynk & Co 08 EM-P Max launched with 230 km range
Lynk & Co has launched the 08 EM‑P Max in China with a 38.2 kWh pack and 230 km electric range, priced at 188,800 yuan. The PHEV has posted 4.5 L/100 km consumption and deliveries have reached 169,057.
CATL targets lithium‑air battery development
CATL has announced a strategic focus on lithium‑air batteries, has outlined a short‑mid‑long-term roadmap, and has cited laboratory progress toward over 1,200 Wh/kg and theoretical densities up to 12,000 Wh/kg that have been projected to extend EV ranges.
Norway EV market 97.8 per cent in May; Tesla leads sales
Norway has recorded an EV share of 97.8 per cent in May and has maintained a 98 per cent share year-to-date; Tesla has led brand sales, with the Model Y having been the top-selling model.
BYD ship docks in Melbourne with over 4,900 vehicles
BYD has docked a car carrier in Melbourne carrying more than 4,900 new energy vehicles and has begun unloading units to meet Australian orders as it has expanded retail and service networks.
Australian EV Sales by Model and Brand - 2026
The dataset has compiled monthly 2026 battery-electric vehicle sales in Australia by model and brand from FCAI, EVC and company reports, and has noted gaps where manufacturers have not provided model-level breakdowns while aggregating totals by brand and group.
Volvo CE launches EWR150 Electric in Europe
Volvo Construction Equipment has launched the EWR150 Electric wheeled excavator in Europe, positioning a 15–17 tonne zero-emission model with up to 8–10 hours operating time, multiple charging options and road-travel capability for urban and constrained-site applications.
China NEV Sales: May 2026 Results
China’s New Energy Vehicle manufacturers have reported May 2026 deliveries, with BYD retaining market leadership and Leapmotor and Zeekr having recorded monthly delivery highs; several established brands have shown mixed year-on-year performance.
Smart to launch #6 EHD PHEV sedan on 11 June
Smart has scheduled a 11 June China launch for the #6 EHD PHEV liftback, has priced it from 189,900 yuan, and has equipped it with two LFP battery options delivering up to a 285 km CLTC electric range.
WEVO launches silicone seal for EV battery housings
WEVO has developed WEVOSIL 23130, a liquid silicone rubber for formed-in-place EV battery pack gaskets that has been designed to meet China's tightened GB 38031-2025 safety standard, offering chemical adhesion, fast curing and production-compatible handling.
Potential BYD Shark 7 electric ute market impact
BYD has signalled no immediate Shark 7 plans, while analysts have projected a long‑range, fast‑charging electric ute with competitive pricing has had the potential to capture Australian market share amid persistently low EV ute penetration and rising BYD SUV sales.
Pionix to supply EVerest software for Tritium chargers
Pionix has agreed to supply its EVerest open-source software stack to Tritium, and the first chargers running the stack have been scheduled for customer delivery this summer.
Geely refreshes Geome Xingyuan EV with extended range
Geely has launched a refreshed Geome Xingyuan EV with six variants, extended ranges of 410km and 480km, upgraded powertrain, ADAS, and cabin systems, and promotional prices from ¥61,800 to ¥91,800; it has been China’s top-selling NEV in April.
Ferrari defends €550,000 price for electric Luce
Ferrari has defended the €550,000 price of its first fully electric Luce after investor and public criticism, saying the model has embodied new technology and design, while shares have experienced volatility since the unveiling.
Denza Z9 GT reaches 10,000 deliveries in 2.5 months
Denza has achieved over 10,000 Z9 GT deliveries within 2.5 months and has launched the model in China and Europe; the vehicle has featured BYD's second-generation Blade Battery and flash-charging technology.
Lithium-ion battery fires strain firefighting systems
Authorities and industry have reported increasing lithium-ion battery fires that have proven difficult to extinguish, have required large volumes of water, and have highlighted gaps in suppression technologies and environmental safeguards.
Lamborghini CEO Defends Move Away From Full EVs
Lamborghini chief Stephan Winkelmann has said cancelling the firm’s full‑electric models in favour of plug‑in hybrids has been the correct strategic choice, after Ferrari has unveiled its Luce EV and Ferrari shares have fallen amid customer and analyst criticism.
EV added to Columbia Icefield tour fleet
Pursuit Attractions has added an Electric Ice Explorer to its Columbia Icefield tour fleet as a pilot to assess electrification; it has been developed with Noble Northern and equipped with solar panels, regenerative braking and glacier-specific safety systems.
Tesla confirms dry cathode process may reduce cathode costs
Tesla has confirmed it has begun mass production of 4680 cells using a dry cathode process and has said the technique could significantly reduce battery cathode production costs, with a wider rollout expected across 2026–27.
Xiaomi reports $5,600 loss per EV in Q1 2026
Xiaomi has reported Q1 2026 smart EV revenue of 19.9bn yuan and an operating loss of 3.1bn yuan, with 80,856 vehicles delivered and an implied loss of about US$5,600 per vehicle.
Ferrari launches first fully electric vehicle; shares slide
Ferrari has unveiled its first fully electric model, the Luce, and Milan-listed shares have fallen roughly 6% following the launch; the company has positioned the car as a new chapter while rivals have scaled back electric vehicle plans.
Next-generation Nissan NV200 PHEV MPV spotted in China
Spy images and JV statements have indicated Zhengzhou Nissan has developed a production-ready PHEV NV200 MPV with mild off-road capability and optional e-AWD, and it has been targeted for Q3 2026 with multiple powertrain options for China.
Toyota Q4 earnings fall amid EV transition delays
Toyota has reported a 21.5% decline in Q4 operating income, margins have fallen from 10% to 7.4%, and its North American unit has posted a $2 billion operating loss; its BEV market share has remained low amid sustained underinvestment.
California launches $1bn electric truck rebate programme
The California Air Resources Board has announced a $1bn rebate programme for electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks, has opened retailer enrolment and has allocated $250m for 2024, and has projected about $1bn through 2030.
China's patent position in solid-state batteries
An industry analysis has found China has led global solid‑state battery patent filings but has warned that the United States, Europe, Japan and South Korea have accelerated policy support and patent deployment, risking erosion of China’s comparative advantage.
Chery launches 2027 C9 SUV refresh (Exeed Yaoguang)
Chery has launched the 2027 C9 (Exeed Yaoguang) refresh, offering 2.0‑litre ICE and 1.5‑litre PHEV variants with a 120 km CLTC range; pricing has been set at ¥124,900–¥139,900 and the model has received safety and cabin upgrades.
Changan launches CS75 Plus and Eado BlueCore HEVs
Changan has launched the fourth-generation Eado and CS75 Plus BlueCore HEVs, has priced them from 79,900 yuan and 109,900 yuan respectively, and has adopted a shared 1.7 kWh battery with BlueCore hybrid control architecture.
BYD leads China EV lawsuits by disclosed claim value
Chinese automaker BYD has led a publicly compiled tally with 6.9263 million yuan in disclosed claims against bloggers; other EV firms have also pursued legal action over alleged misinformation, defamation and reputational disputes.
Global electric vehicle sales exceed 20 million in 2025
The International Energy Agency has reported that global electric vehicle sales have exceeded 20 million in 2025 and has forecast 23 million in 2026, while regional trends and potential fuel-excise cuts and rising electricity costs have been noted as risks.
Kia offers factory side-entry wheelchair option for PV5
Kia has unveiled a factory-option, side-entry wheelchair-accessible configuration for the PV5 electric van, and it has been offered initially in the UK and Europe, optimised for urban mobility; Australian availability has been scheduled for later this year.
BASQUEVOLT launches 402 Wh/kg lithium-metal NMC cell
BASQUEVOLT has launched the BQV400L, a 402 Wh/kg lithium‑metal NMC cell with 8.9C pulse capability, has been manufactured in Spain with 75% European sourcing, and has signed automotive validation agreements while third‑party safety testing has been commissioned.
Denza Z9 GT battery replacement priced at ¥78,700
A Denza Z9 GT owner has reported a replacement 122.5 kWh Blade Battery 2.0 has been quoted at ¥78,700 (about US$11,600), and BYD’s battery-cost advantages have been noted in industry data.
Tesla launches Full Self-Driving in China
Tesla has made its Full Self-Driving system available in China after regulatory delays, while domestic vehicle manufacturers and robotaxi firms have advanced their autonomous technologies, and Tesla has remained fourth in April electric-vehicle wholesales.
Xpeng GX Secures 24,863 Orders in 12 Hours
Xpeng has reported 24,863 firm orders for the GX within 12 hours of launch, offering eight variants priced from ¥279,800 (US$41,100) to ¥359,800 (US$52,900); the high‑end Ultra trim has represented over 80 per cent of orders.
Tesla reports >95% uptime for Semi electric trucks
Tesla has reported that its Semi fleet has achieved over 95% uptime in 2025, with under 5% downtime and 75% of service visits completed within 24 hours, and has begun high‑volume production at its Nevada gigafactory.
