Author: Jessica Park

Cupra has unveiled an updated version of its electric SUV, the Cupra Tavascan, introducing a new entry-level variant alongside interior and technology upgrades as part of the broader refresh of Volkswagen Group’s MEB-based models. The updated Tavascan follows recent revisions to models such as the Cupra Born, Skoda Enyaq and Skoda Elroq. However, design changes to the Tavascan remain minimal, reflecting the model’s relatively recent launch in 2024. The key update is the introduction of a new base drivetrain, featuring a 140 kW electric motor paired with a 58 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. This marks the first time…

The average price of electric vehicles in the European Union declined in 2025 for the first time in five years, driven by the arrival of lower-cost models as automakers respond to emissions regulations, according to an analysis by environmental think tank Transport & Environment (T&E). T&E said the average price of battery-electric cars in the EU dropped by about €1,800, or roughly 4%, to €42,700 in 2025. The decline was largely attributed to the introduction of more affordable compact electric vehicles in the B-segment, where average prices fell by 13%. Among the models contributing to the trend were the Citroën…

Austria’s Ministry of the Interior has concluded that battery-electric vehicles are only conditionally suitable for operational police use following a large-scale trial involving electric patrol cars across several regions of the country. The assessment came after a pilot program that deployed 24 electric vehicles in real-world police operations beginning in early 2024. The trial involved around 20 participating police stations across four federal states: Tyrol, Salzburg, Lower Austria and Vienna. According to the ministry, the evaluation identified several operational challenges, including limited charging infrastructure and increased vehicle weight resulting from batteries combined with tactical police equipment. As a result, the…

Cupra has unveiled a refreshed version of its Born electric hatchback, introducing a new exterior design and updated interior features while largely retaining the existing drivetrain configurations. The updated Born, produced at Volkswagen Group’s Zwickau plant in Germany, adopts the brand’s latest design language. The facelift includes a redesigned front end featuring a “shark nose,” new bumpers and triangular matrix LED headlights, a motif that also appears in the rear lighting design. The Cupra logo on the tailgate is now illuminated and integrated into the rear light strip. With the redesigned bumpers, the vehicle’s length has increased slightly by 12…

Lexus has discontinued the battery-electric UX 300e in several major markets, leaving the compact crossover available only with hybrid powertrains in many regions, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the United States. The Lexus UX 300e was the first fully electric vehicle introduced by the premium brand of Toyota. Based on the UX compact crossover platform, the model was launched in various international markets between 2020 and 2021 as Lexus’s initial entry into the battery-electric segment. See also: Lexus Unveils RZ 600e F SPORT Performance as New Flagship Electric Variant The vehicle initially featured a 54.3-kWh battery pack before…

Stellantis has confirmed that the Leapmotor B10 will be produced at its plant in Figueruelas near Zaragoza, with manufacturing scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. The confirmation came from Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa during the presentation of the company’s financial results. The B10 will be the first model from the Chinese brand to be manufactured at the Spanish facility. Plans for local production had previously been signalled in December when Ding Yongfei outlined the project during a visit to a supplier in Spain. The supplier, Lieder Automotive, is preparing to produce chassis components for the B10 locally…

Sales of battery-electric cars in the European Union rose 24.3% in January to 154,230 units, lifting their share of new car registrations to 19.3%, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). The increase marks a significant rise from a 14.9% market share a year earlier, even as the overall EU car market contracted by 3.9% to 799,625 registrations. The stronger performance of electric vehicles therefore reflects both higher absolute sales and weaker demand for conventional cars. Other electrified powertrains also expanded. Plug-in hybrid registrations climbed 28.7% to 78,741 units, while hybrid electric vehicles grew 6.2% to 308,364…

Chinese-owned automaker MG Motor has opened orders for the new MG4 EV Urban in Austria, marking the model’s first launch in continental Europe following its debut in the United Kingdom earlier this year. The entry-level electric hatchback starts at €19,990 under a promotional offer that includes trade-in, environmental and insurance bonuses worth €5,000. Without incentives, the base price would be about €25,000. Deliveries in Austria are expected to begin in April 2026. Three variants are currently available, all priced below €25,000 with incentives. The base model uses a 43-kWh battery, while higher-trim Comfort and Luxury versions feature a 54-kWh pack…

A consortium of German research institutions has launched a project to develop a magnet-free electric motor designed to reduce reliance on rare-earth materials while maintaining high torque density and efficiency. The initiative, known as NAFTech—short for “Sustainable Axial-Flux Machines Considering Tolerance-Affected Manufacturing Technologies”—is funded by the German government and brings together experts from RWTH Aachen University, the University of Stuttgart and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. See also: RWTH Aachen-Led Project Tests Delamination Methods for Direct Battery Recycling The project involves the Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen, the Institute for Electrical Energy Conversion (iew) at the University of Stuttgart,…

BMW Group has launched a commercial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) offering in Germany for its upcoming Neue Klasse electric vehicles, extending its long-standing partnership with E.ON into bidirectional charging services for private customers. The offering, which follows a pilot announcement at IAA Mobility in September 2025, allows customers to order a complete V2G package comprising the BMW Wallbox Professional, an E.ON electricity tariff with a V2G feed-in contract, and an intelligent metering system where required. See also: BMW Partners With PreZero to Boost Circular Economy in European Auto Industry The system enables eligible Neue Klasse vehicles equipped with BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology—starting…

BYD has begun trial production at its new passenger car plant in Szeged, Hungary, following a slight delay, with full series production expected to start in the second quarter, the city’s mayor said. Mayor László Botka said the initial trial phase started by the end of January 2026 and that output would be gradually ramped up over the coming years to a planned capacity of 200,000 vehicles annually. Employment at the site is also expected to increase progressively. See also: BYD Europe Registrations Jump 269% to 187,657 in 2025 as Tesla Falls 27% Despite Higher Volumes “At this stage, trial…

Abarth has overhauled its electric 600e range for the 2026 model year, introducing two new trim levels — Turismo and Competizione — as it sharpens the positioning of its battery-electric performance offering. The revised line-up replaces the previous standard Abarth 600e and the limited-run Scorpionissima edition. Alongside the smaller Abarth 500e, the 600e represents the brand’s attempt to inject performance character into the compact electric crossover segment, building on the Fiat 600 platform. The new range-topper, the Abarth 600e Competizione, is priced from £37,995 in the UK and is powered by a 207 kW electric motor. Abarth said the model…