Author: Theo Dupont

Germany and France are reportedly seeking a further relaxation of the European Union’s proposed CO₂ rules for new cars, in a development that could allow more vehicles with combustion engines and other powertrains to be sold after 2035. According to reports from German media outlets including FAZ and Handelsblatt, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have reached broad agreement on the issue. In return for France supporting greater flexibility on vehicle CO₂ targets, Germany would reportedly back stricter “Made in Europe” requirements under the EU’s planned Industrial Accelerator Act. No formal agreement has been concluded, and further…

Renault plans to invest more than €10 billion in France over the next five years, with a significant portion of the funding expected to support electric vehicles, more affordable models and new automotive technologies. Renault CEO François Provost announced the investment plans in an interview with French radio station France Inter. According to Handelsblatt, the programme will build on Renault’s ongoing transformation of its French manufacturing operations toward electric mobility. However, Provost said the investment commitment depends on political and social conditions in France. He did not initially provide details of the specific conditions Renault is seeking. Renault Links Investment…

Transport & Environment (T&E) says electric vehicles are retaining their value better than conventional industry depreciation estimates suggest, based on an analysis of used-car transactions in four major European markets. The analysis covers Germany, France, Italy and Spain and examines how depreciation estimates are used in leasing and financing calculations. T&E found that accounting for several factors omitted from commonly used calculations reduces the estimated depreciation gap between combustion and electric cars by about 80%. T&E Identifies Factors Affecting EV Depreciation Data from 2025 used-car transactions across the four markets showed a 12.9 percentage-point depreciation gap between combustion and electric…

Lucid is expanding its certified pre-owned business in Europe with the launch of its Lucid Recharged program. The initiative initially covers used Lucid Air electric vehicles in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Norway, with the Gravity electric SUV expected to join the program at a later stage. Under the “Lucid Recharged Certified Pre-Owned” program, eligible vehicles are listed through Lucid’s online inventory. The initiative gives customers another way to purchase the company’s electric vehicles beyond its new-car sales channel. Lucid Air Vehicles Undergo 163-Point Inspection Vehicles included in the Lucid Recharged program must be no more than five years old…

Renault plans to invest €600 million by 2030 to modernize its manufacturing facilities in Valladolid and Palencia, Spain. The investment will support production of five new models, including two electric vehicles, while a new battery assembly line will also be established at the Valladolid plant. The investment forms part of Renault’s futuREady strategy and is supported by funding from the Renault Group as well as national and regional government programmes for industrial transformation and sustainable mobility. Five New Models Planned Renault Spain has not identified the five models that will be produced at the two plants. However, the announcement confirms…

Renault has updated its battery-electric Renault 5 with efficiency and aerodynamic improvements that increase its WLTP range to up to 315 kilometres for the 40 kWh version and 430 kilometres for the 52 kWh model. The French automaker has also introduced a new entry-level version using an 80 kW motor and 36.5 kWh LFP battery, although the new configuration is not currently planned for Germany. Renault 5 Range Increases The updated Renault 5 Urban Range with a 40 kWh battery now offers up to 315 kilometres of WLTP range, compared with 312 kilometres previously. https://evmagz.com/renault-recalls-renault-5-and-renault-4-electric-models-over-battery-cell-defect/ The Comfort Range version with…

The Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan authority has opened 86 electric vehicle charging stations to the public after taking over infrastructure previously reserved for Renault Group’s car-sharing subsidiary, Mobilize Share. The move follows the discontinuation of Mobilize Share’s car-sharing operations in the region on 30 June 2026 as part of a wider restructuring of the business. Charging Stations Reopened for Public Use Following refurbishment, the former Mobilize charging stations have been integrated into the metropolitan area’s public charging network, allowing all battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle drivers to access the facilities. The charging points are now part of the “Prise de…

Vattenfall InCharge will begin a pilot programme on 1 August allowing gasoline and diesel vehicles to park at selected public electric vehicle charging spaces in 19 municipalities across the Netherlands without facing penalties. The initiative aims to accelerate the rollout of public charging infrastructure by removing a key administrative hurdle associated with reserving parking spaces exclusively for electric vehicles. Pilot Removes Exclusive Parking Requirement Under the programme, Vattenfall InCharge will install 150 public charging stations in the provinces of North Brabant and Limburg without dedicated EV-only parking restrictions. https://evmagz.com/vattenfall-sells-german-fleet-charging-business-to-edenred-unit/ The company will also deploy another 150 charging stations using the…

Horse Powertrain has introduced a new methanol-powered range-extender system designed for electric vehicles, expanding its portfolio of electrified propulsion technologies with a powertrain that combines a turbocharged combustion engine, generator and power electronics into a single integrated unit. The new D20 Methanol system was unveiled at Auto China 2026 by Horse Powertrain, the joint venture established by Renault and Geely. The company said the powertrain is intended for range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), in which the combustion engine functions solely as a generator to recharge the traction battery rather than driving the wheels directly. Methanol-Fueled Range Extender According to Horse Powertrain,…

Cupra has introduced a more affordable version of its all-electric Raval compact hatchback in Germany, opening orders for the new Raval Plus ahead of the arrival of the model’s entry-level variant. Priced from €29,850, the Raval Plus combines a 99kW front-mounted electric motor with a 37kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-September. New variant expands Raval lineup The Raval is the first model built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB+ platform for its next generation of compact electric vehicles. When the model debuted in April, Cupra announced a starting price below €26,000 but initially…

Renault Group has produced more than one million electric vehicles in France since 2010, marking a milestone in the company’s expansion of domestic battery-electric vehicle manufacturing. The automaker said approximately 600,000 of those vehicles have been built at its Electricity production hub in northern France, which includes the Douai and Maubeuge manufacturing facilities. The milestone comes after Renault invested €13 billion (US$14.95 billion) in its French electric vehicle operations since 2021. The company has also committed an additional €13 billion under its futuREady mid-term strategy. Northern France Hub Expands Production Renault said the Electricity manufacturing hub has developed into one…

Peugeot has introduced the E-5008 Dog Edition Concept, a one-off version of its all-electric SUV designed to explore how electric vehicles could better accommodate dog owners through dedicated accessories and software features. Developed in collaboration with the Stellantis Design Studio, the concept is based on the five-seat Peugeot E-5008. The automaker said the vehicle is intended as a design study and is not currently planned for mass production. Concept Focuses on Comfort for Dogs and Owners The E-5008 Dog Edition includes a range of features aimed at making travel with pets more convenient. Among them is a modular dog mat…

Renault has introduced a series of updates to its Master E-Tech Electric van, including a revised battery chemistry, expanded charging capabilities and additional vehicle variants aimed at commercial operators. The most significant technical change is an updated 87kWh battery that retains the same capacity while using a new medium-nickel cell chemistry. Renault said the revised battery is designed to improve thermal management and charging performance without affecting the vehicle’s driving range. The battery cells are supplied by LG Energy Solution, while assembly of the 87kWh battery takes place at Renault’s Batilly manufacturing plant. The Master E-Tech Electric continues to feature…

Chinese automaker BYD made two unsuccessful attempts within two years to acquire a stake in Renault, according to a report published by French financial newspaper Les Échos. The report, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said BYD sought an ownership stake in Renault as part of a strategy to gain access to the French automaker’s manufacturing facilities in Europe. According to one source quoted by the newspaper: “There was a desire to take control.” The report said Renault rejected both proposals, maintaining its position of not entering into such ownership arrangements in its core European market. Neither BYD…

Leapmotor has opened order books across Europe for the B03X, its new battery-electric compact car, with prices starting at €24,900 or €239 per month through a lease program without a down payment. The model, which made its European debut earlier this year in Brussels, is positioned as an urban-focused electric crossover and expands Leapmotor’s lineup between the entry-level T03 and the larger B10 and C10 SUVs. Two Battery Options and Up to 382km Range The 4.27-meter B03X is offered with two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery options and two electric motor outputs. The entry-level Life version combines a 39.8kWh battery…

Alpine has unveiled the A110 Future, a development mule previewing the engineering behind its third-generation A110, which the company says will become the world’s first true electric sports car based on its newly developed Alpine Performance Platform (APP). The prototype will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place from 9 to 12 July, where Alpine will also showcase its expanding range of high-performance electric vehicles. New 800V Platform Targets Lightweight Performance At the core of the A110 Future is the Alpine Performance Platform, an all-new aluminum architecture engineered specifically for electric sports cars. The platform…

Chinese automakers have outsold Japanese brands in Europe’s passenger car market for the first time, highlighting the growing influence of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers despite European Union tariffs of up to 45.3% on Chinese-made battery-electric vehicles. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), five major Chinese brands—BYD, SAIC, Geely, Chery and Leapmotor—sold a combined 138,410 vehicles across 31 European markets in May, an increase of 65% compared with a year earlier. By comparison, Japanese manufacturers Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda and Mitsubishi collectively sold 130,424 vehicles, representing a 3% decline year over year. Chinese EV Makers Continue…

Rosatom has reported a sharp increase in the use of its public electric vehicle charging network as fuel shortages continue to affect parts of Russia, highlighting growing interest in electric mobility during disruptions to conventional fuel supplies. The state-owned nuclear energy company said utilization of its charging infrastructure increased by 40% between 21 June and 28 June, with the network comprising more than 290 public charging points across the country. Fuel Shortages Drive Higher Charging Demand Rosatom attributed the increase in charging activity to ongoing shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel in several Russian regions. According to Reuters, the supply…

Jeep has confirmed that its all-electric Recon EV will launch in Europe in early 2027, reaffirming its commitment to the region despite recent reports questioning the model’s future. Earlier this week, AutoExpress reported that Jeep was no longer planning to introduce the Recon EV in the UK or Europe. However, the company told Electrek that the report was inaccurate and confirmed the electric off-roader remains part of its European product strategy. A Jeep spokesperson said the all-electric Recon is still scheduled to go on sale in Europe in early 2027. Recon EV Still Headed for Europe The Recon EV, an…

Alpine has officially concluded production of the second-generation A110, ending an eight-year manufacturing run at its Dieppe factory as the French performance brand prepares to enter the electric sports car era. The final vehicle, an A110 R 70 finished in the iconic Bleu Alpine paint, marks the end of production for a model that has accounted for 28,701 units since its return to the market in 2017. Final A110 Marks End of an Era Including both the original and modern generations, Alpine has now produced a total of 35,450 A110s at the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé since the model…