Author: Jessica Park

Skoda is expanding its upcoming electric SUV portfolio with the Epiq SportLine, a sportier flagship version of its compact all-electric SUV. Priced from £32,450 in the UK, the new variant combines distinctive exterior styling, upgraded cabin equipment and 211 PS of power with a claimed driving range of approximately 270 miles. The Epiq SportLine will sit at the top of the Epiq range, above the Edition 55, bringing Skoda’s established SportLine treatment to its smallest all-electric SUV. The addition also extends SportLine availability across all four of the brand’s all-electric models. UK customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in the…

BYD has unveiled the Atto 8, a seven-seat electric SUV featuring its second-generation Blade Battery and Flash Charging technology, at the Paris Motor Show. The model is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2027, with pricing yet to be announced. The Atto 8 is the first BYD vehicle in Europe to feature the company’s second-generation battery and Flash Charging system. According to BYD, the charging technology can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in five minutes, or from 10% to 97% in nine minutes under its stated conditions. At temperatures as low as…

Stellantis has presented six concept cars representing Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Opel, Alfa Romeo and DS Automobiles ahead of the 2026 Paris Motor Show. Revealed on 11 October, the concepts explore potential directions for vehicle design, powertrains and in-car technology as the group implements its FaSTLAne 2030 strategic plan. The six studies cover a range of approaches, from fully electric mobility and performance-oriented hybrid powertrains to adaptable vehicle layouts and new digital interfaces. Stellantis plans to display more than 60 vehicles at the Paris event, with eight of its brands represented, including partner Leapmotor. The concepts form part of a broader…

The European Commission plans to prioritise charging infrastructure for electric trucks and buses in future funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), as policymakers and industry representatives discuss how to accelerate heavy-duty transport electrification at Connecting Europe Days in Brussels. The event is taking place from September 28 to October 1 and includes discussions on investment and financing for transport infrastructure. Commission Targets Heavy-Duty Charging Investment Eric von Breska, Director for Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Transport at the European Commission, said CEF and AFIF support would be prioritised for charging infrastructure serving electric trucks…

Dacia is reportedly preparing to put its Hipster electric microcar into production in 2027, with the model expected to launch in Europe as a low-cost alternative to larger electric vehicles. British automotive publication Autocar reported that the L7e-class vehicle is scheduled to enter production next year and could be launched in the UK for less than £10,000, citing a source close to the project. That price would equate to approximately €11,000. Production Reportedly Planned in China Dacia unveiled the Hipster as an electric concept in October 2025 without announcing series-production plans at the time. The production version is now reportedly…

Munich Electrification will present a semiconductor-based battery disconnect device for electric commercial vehicles at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, Germany. The company’s ME Solid-State Relay (ME SSR) is designed to replace conventional mechanical contactors and pyrotechnic fuses used to isolate high-voltage battery systems from the powertrain. The ME SSR will be showcased from 15 to 20 September 2026. Munich Electrification says the technology is designed specifically for the switching cycles, vibration levels and continuous loads associated with commercial vehicle applications. Semiconductor-Based Battery Disconnection The ME SSR connects the high-voltage battery to the vehicle’s powertrain during normal operation and can rapidly…

Porsche is upgrading its fully electric Macan for the latest model year with a 22 kW onboard AC charger as standard on the Macan GTS and Macan Turbo. The faster charger will also be available as an option for the Macan, Macan 4 and Macan 4S, which otherwise retain an 11 kW maximum AC charging rate. The update also introduces a new Business Package, additional standard equipment and higher starting prices across the electric Macan range. 22 kW AC Charging Added to Top Variants The Macan GTS and Macan Turbo will receive a factory-installed 22 kW onboard charger as standard…

The European Commission has opened applications for its Battery Booster Facility, launching a funding programme that will provide up to €1.5 billion in interest-free loans to accelerate battery cell manufacturing for electric vehicles across Europe. Applications for the programme are open until 30 September 2026 following the Commission’s approval of the initiative in June. Funding Targets Large-Scale Battery Cell Production The Battery Booster Facility will provide interest-free loans to support the construction and expansion of battery cell production facilities within the European Economic Area (EEA). Under the programme, eligible projects may receive financing covering up to 60% of qualifying investment…

A pilot project covering 12,000 public electric vehicle charging points has been launched in the Dutch province of Gelderland to encourage drivers to charge during periods of lower electricity demand through financial incentives. The initiative brings together Dutch distribution system operator Liander, technology provider Deftpower, charge point operators Vattenfall and Allego, and e-mobility service providers ANWB and Athlon. The partners will evaluate whether rewarding flexible charging behavior can reduce peak electricity demand while maintaining driver convenience. Pilot Rewards Drivers for Off-Peak Charging The trial will run until January 2027 and covers approximately 12,000 public charging points across Gelderland. https://evmagz.com/allego-to-launch-new-mobility-services-platform-with-deftpower/ Instead…

Xpeng has officially launched the Mona L03 sport utility vehicle (SUV), introducing its first model to debut simultaneously in China and Europe as the company accelerates its global expansion with competitive pricing, dual powertrain options and next-generation intelligent driving technology. The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer unveiled the Mona L03 during a global launch event in Munich, Germany. The model is offered in nine variants in China, with prices ranging from 123,800 yuan (US$18,300) to 156,800 yuan, while the battery electric version starts at €35,600 (US$40,770) in Europe. The Mona L03 will eventually be available in 64 overseas markets, making…

Zeekr has expanded the availability of its 7 GT electric shooting brake across 16 European countries, marking another step in the Geely-owned premium electric vehicle (EV) brand’s international expansion strategy. The company announced that the Zeekr 7 GT, the European name for the Zeekr 007 GT, is now available with a starting price of €45,990 (US$52,460). The latest rollout covers Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. The expansion significantly broadens the model’s footprint after its initial launch earlier this year in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway and…

Berlin-based semiconductor startup NextGO Epi has secured €2 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate the development of gallium oxide epitaxial wafers for next-generation power semiconductors. The company, which was spun out of the Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growth (IKZ) in 2025, said the investment will support product development, team expansion and growth across European and international markets. Funding to support semiconductor development The financing round was led by Vireo Ventures, with participation from Ultratech Capital Partners, IBB Ventures and business angel Boris Habets. NextGO Epi said it is currently the only European manufacturer producing industrial-grade gallium oxide epitaxial wafers with…

European Union tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China have reduced the share of China-built battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in the bloc’s market, but Chinese automakers continue to expand their presence, according to a new analysis by Transport & Environment (T&E). The organization said battery-electric vehicles manufactured in China accounted for 17% of the EU market in the first quarter of 2026, down from a peak of 22% in 2024 when the tariffs were introduced. However, T&E said the decline was driven largely by Western automakers relocating production from China rather than a broad reduction in Chinese vehicle exports. Western Brands…

Hyundai has expanded its Charge myHyundai Preferred Partner Network into nine additional European countries while introducing a new Ionity Pro subscription package designed to reduce public fast-charging costs for electric vehicle owners. The expansion extends the charging program to Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Poland and Slovakia, building on its existing availability in Germany, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Preferred Partner Network Expands The Preferred Partner Network integrates selected charging infrastructure operators into Hyundai’s charging ecosystem, allowing customers to access discounted charging rates through the Charge myHyundai platform. Customers subscribed to Hyundai’s Smart Tariff receive…

Knorr-Bremse has unveiled a new portfolio of zero-emission technologies at IAA Transportation 2026, highlighting a multi-emission strategy that supports battery-electric, hydrogen and other low-emission commercial vehicle platforms rather than relying on electrification alone. The German supplier’s showcase is led by the debut of its oil-free Multi Tumble Piston (MTP) electric compressor, alongside new braking, steering and air supply technologies designed to reduce carbon emissions, noise, oil consumption and particulate pollution. Oil-Free Electric Compressor Headlines Product Launch The new Multi Tumble Piston electric compressor expands Knorr-Bremse’s existing electric compressor portfolio with a modular design intended for different commercial vehicle applications and…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is close to deciding on the acquisition of an existing automotive manufacturing plant in Europe, with Spain and France emerging as the leading candidates, according to comments made by the company’s Special Adviser for Europe, Alfredo Altavilla, at the Reuters Automotive Europe conference in Frankfurt. Altavilla said teams are currently evaluating potential sites and indicated that a final decision is expected soon. “This week, we have two teams looking around in different jurisdictions, so we’re close,” Altavilla said, adding that the decision “needs to be made very soon.” European Manufacturing Expansion The proposed acquisition would…

Dacia has confirmed that the next generation of its all-electric Spring will be built in Europe, marking a major production shift for the compact city car as the automaker continues its strategy of offering affordable battery-electric vehicles for the mass market. The second-generation Spring will retain its fully electric powertrain, four-seat layout, and practical luggage space while continuing to target urban drivers seeking an accessible entry into electric mobility. Production Moves to Europe Since its launch in 2021, the Dacia Spring has sold around 210,000 units across Europe, including approximately 50,000 vehicles in Germany. Unlike the current model, which is…

Xpeng has officially launched its flagship X9 electric MPV in seven European countries, marking a major step in the Chinese automaker’s international expansion strategy. The premium electric people mover is now available in Germany, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary, with customer deliveries already underway in several markets. According to Xpeng, some of the first European deliveries have already taken place in Norway, while deliveries in Germany are expected to begin this month following the vehicle’s market launch in May. Flagship MPV Targets European Families Originally introduced in China in late 2023, the X9 is the seventh model in…

Kyiv is preparing a significant expansion of its electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with city authorities currently assessing approximately 6,500 potential locations that could eventually support around 13,000 charging points across the Ukrainian capital. The initiative was announced by Kostjantyn Usov, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration (KMDA), during the Elektroperspektive 2026 forum. According to city officials, the project is designed to support the growing adoption of electric vehicles while creating new opportunities for private investment in urban infrastructure. Mapping Future Charging Locations The Kyiv City Administration has launched a comprehensive assessment programme to identify suitable locations for future…

Microlino AG has filed a legal complaint against Switzerland’s Federal Office of Energy, challenging the exclusion of light electric vehicles from the country’s CO₂ fleet emissions regulations. The Swiss manufacturer argues that its Microlino electric microcar is being unfairly disadvantaged compared with larger battery-electric vehicles because light electric vehicles classified under the L6e and L7e categories are not included in Switzerland’s CO₂ fleet regulation framework. The case has been submitted to the Federal Administrative Court in St. Gallen, where Microlino is seeking to overturn the current regulatory treatment and allow its vehicles to participate in emissions communities and fleet-average calculations.…