electric vehicle batteries

Toyota is reportedly preparing to launch an electric version of the Corolla, its best-selling car and one of the top-selling models in automotive history. The move would mark a significant shift for a company long skeptical of full battery-electric vehicles in favor of hybrids. Commenters are debating whether Toyota is genuinely pivoting or responding to pressure from competitors and regulators.

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.

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.

Electric vehicles have outsold gasoline and diesel cars in Europe for the first time, according to reports by Korean media including Chosun Ilbo. The milestone marks a turning point for the European auto market, highlighting how quickly battery-powered cars have moved from the margins to mainstream dominance across the continent.

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.

A Reuters commentary argues that Europe's shift to electric vehicles and clean energy depends on developing a domestic battery industry rather than relying on foreign suppliers, mainly from Asia. The piece adds to an ongoing debate in Brussels and national capitals over industrial policy, subsidies and how far the EU should go to secure its own battery manufacturing capacity.

A Nature piece examines how the environmental and social impacts of lithium mining and extraction can be reduced as global demand for the metal keeps rising with battery production. Researchers discuss ways to lower the footprint of lithium used in electric vehicles and energy storage.

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.

Nissan has detailed the third generation of its e-POWER powertrain, the petrol-electric drive system in which the engine acts solely as a generator for the electric motor that drives the wheels. The company says the new version brings further gains in efficiency, refinement and output. It is drawing attention among electric-drive enthusiasts and industry watchers tracking alternatives to conventional hybrids and full battery-electric vehicles.

A large-scale analysis of 500,000 electric vehicle battery health checks compared 20 models to determine which hold their charge capacity best over time. One model reportedly stood out from the rest. Drivers and industry watchers are weighing in on what the findings mean for used EV values and buyer confidence in battery longevity.

South Korean chemical maker LG Chem and German automaker Volkswagen have announced a partnership to develop new materials. The collaboration signals growing cooperation between battery and materials suppliers and carmakers as the auto industry works to secure supply chains and advance technologies such as lighter components and next-generation battery materials. Details on the scope and value of the deal have not been disclosed, but industry watchers view it as another step in deepening ties between Asian suppliers and European automakers.

Chinese EV maker BYD says a significantly improved electric vehicle battery will arrive next year, promising better performance over current technology. The announcement puts further pressure on rivals like Tesla and CATL in the increasingly competitive battery and EV market, where battery breakthroughs on range, charging speed and cost are a key differentiator.

FAW-Volkswagen has introduced the Jetta M6, an electric sedan carrying the Jetta badge into the battery-powered era. The brand, long known for affordable combustion models in China, is extending Jetta to a fully electric vehicle as automakers push into the EV market. Further details on specifications, pricing and launch markets were not immediately available.

Saltwater flooding in South Jersey has triggered fires in electric vehicles, as salt water can short-circuit lithium-ion batteries and ignite them, sometimes days after submersion. Local firefighters and officials are warning owners of flooded EVs to keep vehicles away from structures and to have them inspected. The incidents have renewed discussion about EV battery safety during coastal storms and flooding.

A new benchmark is taking hold in the electric vehicle market: 300 miles of range on a single charge is now standard for many new models, according to automotive outlet InsideEVs. The outlet asks whether 400 miles could be the next target as battery technology improves and buyers demand longer range. The discussion reflects how quickly EV expectations have shifted from novelty to mainstream capability.