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 moving its best-selling Corolla, one of the most popular cars in history, to an all-electric powertrain. The announcement is drawing attention across the auto world, as the Corolla's huge global customer base could make it one of the most significant EV launches yet and a signal of Toyota's shifting stance on electric vehicles.

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.

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.

The Trump administration is moving to undo fuel economy standards put in place under Joe Biden, easing requirements that pushed automakers toward electric vehicles. Officials cite the slower-than-expected American shift to EVs and the cost burden on carmakers and buyers. The rollback is likely to reignite debate over US climate policy and the future of electric car adoption.

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.

USA Today and other outlets have published a ranking of the 10 US states with the most electric vehicle chargers, tying infrastructure growth to rising electric car sales. The coverage comes amid growing US EV adoption and expanded public and federal investment in charging networks. Readers are discussing which states lead on charging availability and how infrastructure compares with demand.

New quarterly figures show electric vehicle market share increased in 47 US states in the second quarter, while sales of internal combustion engine vehicles declined. The broad-based gains suggest EV adoption is spreading beyond its traditional strongholds, and industry watchers are weighing what the shift means for dealers, automakers and charging infrastructure.

BYD is rolling out a major overhaul of its cheapest electric vehicle, and the scope of the update is larger than anticipated. The Chinese automaker, the world's top seller of EVs, is revising its entry-level model as competition in the budget electric car market intensifies. Details of the redesign and its implications for pricing and rivals are drawing attention across the auto industry.

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.

Donald Trump has once again attacked US electric vehicle mandates, calling them a "ridiculous EV mandate" and claiming that significant changes are coming. The remarks renew his long-standing opposition to policies pushing automakers toward electric vehicles, and signal that rollbacks of EV rules may be on his agenda.

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.

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.

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.

Bosch is arguing that battery-electric alone will not dominate long-haul trucking, and that hybrid technology will instead define the trucks of the future. The supplier's position, reported by Autoweek, pushes back against the industry's widespread EV-first messaging for freight. It adds to an ongoing debate among truck makers and suppliers about how quickly zero-emission powertrains can realistically replace diesel over long distances.

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.

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.

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has passed 1,000 retail locations across Europe, marking a rapid expansion of its dealer network on the continent. The milestone underlines the company's push to scale up sales of affordable electric cars in Europe, backed by its partnership with Stellantis, and signals growing competition for established European and Asian EV brands.

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.

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.

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.