Author: Harding Greenwood

South Korea will require domestic carmakers to ensure half of their total vehicle sales are zero-emission models, including electric and hydrogen cars, by 2030, the government said on Tuesday. Companies failing to meet the target will face a levy of 3 million won ($2,200) per vehicle from 2028, a move that has raised concern among automakers already struggling with tariffs and slowing profits. According to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the new measures will be finalized by the end of this year as part of the country’s 2026–2030 roadmap for low and zero-emission vehicle adoption. The current target…

Nio has surpassed 90 million cumulative battery swap services, reaching the milestone at 10:53 p.m. Beijing time on October 26, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer said. The company achieved this figure just 100 days after completing its 80 millionth swap, reflecting the accelerating pace of its energy service operations. See also: Nio to Begin Trial Operations of Fifth-Generation Battery Swap Stations by Year-End https://twitter.com/WilliamLiNIO/status/1982481987467423800 Nio said it now conducts more than 100,000 battery swaps per day, with the 100 millionth service expected around January 2026. Cumulative electricity delivered through its swap network has reached 4.75 billion kWh—enough to power over…

A senior official from China’s leading auto industry association has urged the government to slow the pace of phasing out purchase tax incentives for new energy vehicles (NEVs), suggesting a reduced tax rate in 2026 and 2027 to ease pressure on the market. Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), proposed setting the NEV purchase tax at 3% in 2026 and 7% in 2027, compared with the currently planned 5% rate for both years. He made the remarks during the 2025 automotive industry statistical annual report conference in Changsha, Hunan, according to a CAAM WeChat…

Volkswagen Group is preparing deeper cost-cutting measures to strengthen its financial position, with executives targeting savings of up to 12 billion euros ($12.9 billion) in 2026. The plan could affect existing and future electric vehicle (EV) programs in the United States, Manager Magazin reported. At the end of September, Group Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz met with senior executives David Powels of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Jürgen Rittersberger of Audi, and Jochen Breckner of Porsche to discuss measures to improve cash flow. Antlitz reportedly demanded that the brands collectively deliver an additional 12 billion euros next year, calling it a “massive…

Leapmotor founder, chairman, and CEO Zhu Jiangming said China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) supply chain has reached a globally competitive position, with strengths in vehicle production and core component scale, quality, and cost. Zhu made the remarks in an October 23 interview with Chinese media. Zhu forecasted a rapid shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles in China. “In another three to four years, China’s automotive market will be almost entirely dominated by NEVs. Within the next decade, 90% to 95% of vehicles in China will be electric,” he said, adding that global electrification could reach 60% to 70%…

Xiaomi Corp’s electric vehicle unit, Xiaomi EV, has announced a subsidy program to shield customers from the effects of China’s planned reduction in new energy vehicle (NEV) purchase tax incentives. The move applies to buyers who secure orders by November 30, covering delays in delivery to 2026 caused by Xiaomi. The subsidy affects the SU7 sedan, SU7 Ultra sedan, and YU7 SUV, offering a final payment cash discount capped at RMB 15,000 (approximately $2,100), ensuring customers incur no additional purchase tax costs. See also: Xiaomi Takes Apart Tesla Model Y to Refine Its YU7 Electric SUV China’s NEV purchase tax…

Tesla has confirmed that production of its electric Semi truck has been delayed into 2026, despite earlier statements suggesting the vehicle was already in production. The company had previously delivered a few units to select customers, including PepsiCo, as part of a limited pilot program, but large-scale manufacturing has yet to begin. See also: Tesla Semi Charging Network Expands as PepsiCo Plans 18-Megacharger Station in North Carolina Originally unveiled in 2017, the Tesla Semi was slated for production in 2019. In late 2022, Tesla introduced the “production version” and delivered a small number of trucks, but the program has remained…

Chinese automaker BYD said it will introduce a plug-in hybrid version of its compact SUV, the Atto 2, to the European market in early 2026. The model will be offered in two variants, with the first deliveries planned for the first quarter of 2026. BYD, which brands its plug-in hybrid models under the “Dual Mode-intelligent” (DM-i) name, said the Atto 2 DM-i aims to “redefine the compact SUV segment.” According to the company, the vehicle will deliver an electric-only range of up to 90 kilometres, which it describes as “a performance unmatched in this class.” See also: BYD Europe Aims…

General Motors said it will launch a new centralized computing platform in 2028, marking a major step toward unified vehicle intelligence across its lineup. The system will debut in the Cadillac Escalade IQ and serve as the digital backbone for both the automaker’s future electric and internal-combustion vehicles. The new platform represents a shift from the distributed network of control modules currently used to a single, unified computing core. Acting as the “brain” of the vehicle, it will simultaneously manage propulsion, steering, infotainment, and safety systems, processing data in real time. See also: GM to Launch “Eyes-Off” Driving on Cadillac…

Vietnam’s VinFast said on Wednesday it delivered more than 120,000 electric two-wheelers in the third quarter, marking a 73% increase from the previous quarter, following Hanoi’s announcement to ban petrol-powered motorbikes from the city centre starting in mid-2026. The company’s third-quarter e-scooter and e-bike deliveries exceeded total sales from the first half of the year, bringing VinFast’s total sales for the first nine months of 2025 to 234,536 units, a nearly fivefold rise compared with the same period in 2024. See also: Hanoi to Ban Fossil Fuel Motorbikes in City Center by 2026, Expand Restrictions Citywide by 2030 The planned petrol…

Xpeng has provided further information on the extended-range X9 MPV (EREV) ahead of its official debut in October. The seven-seat vehicle pairs a 63.3-kWh battery pack with a 60-liter fuel tank, allowing a combined range of 1,602 kilometers, according to a company post on Weibo. The X9 EREV marks Xpeng’s first super extended-range product and serves as the brand’s global flagship model. Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said the company is introducing EREVs to address varying infrastructure, customer requirements, and regulatory conditions across different markets, emphasizing flexible technological approaches to meet global demand. See also: What We Know So Far…

Porsche has introduced the all-electric Macan GTS, expanding its electric SUV lineup with a performance-focused model that delivers up to 420 kW of overboost power and 955 Nm of torque. The vehicle combines the brand’s GTS styling and engineering heritage with electric mobility features designed for driving enthusiasts. See also: Porsche Launches Ninth Charging Lounge in Lower Saxony The Macan GTS accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds using Launch Control and offers a WLTP range of up to 586 km, with 270 kW fast-charging capability. It is equipped with GTS-specific sports air suspension, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and…