ThursdayJul 23, 2026 10:00 am

Deflationary Pressures Bite as China Slashes EV Incentives

Beijing's decision to cut electric vehicle tax incentives is taking a heavy toll on China's auto market as deflationary pressures squeeze consumer spending and government support erodes. In June, Chinese EV sales tumbled 11% year-over-year to a million units, a steeper decline than in global EV markets, which grew 7% during the same period.  The weakness extended across the first half of 2026, with China's EV sales dropping 14% to 4.9 million units while global sales climbed to 9.6 million units with just 2% growth.  Multiple economic forces are driving the market collapse in China. Beijing cut its EV purchase tax break that had shielded buyers…

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TuesdayJul 21, 2026 10:00 am

Reports Suggest Lucid Could Go Private or File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Sources have revealed that American tech and automotive company Lucid may be considering either going private or filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after it hired a consultancy firm to help improve its performance.  Lucid tapped the services of AlixPartners, a financial advisory and consulting company that has advised major firms like General Motors and Enron Corp., to review strategic options that included filing for bankruptcy protection or going private. The automaker has struggled to achieve notable sales for the past couple of years and operates at a loss amidst falling stock prices, dwindling sales, and employee cuts.  Facing such a grim picture, Lucid is reportedly…

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FridayJul 17, 2026 10:00 am

California Offers Generous Rebates to First-Time EV Buyers

First-time electric vehicle buyers in California will be able to buy electric cars at subsidized rates after Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation offering rebates for new and used EV purchases. California’s new rebate program, worth around $270 million, will provide $3,500 in rebates for vehicles costing up to $50,000 and $1,750 for second-hand electric cars priced at up to $25,000.  Price has consistently been one of the main barriers to electric vehicle adoption, especially now that the early adopter phase has passed. With these rebates, potential first-time EV buyers in California now have a little more incentive to make the jump.  Unfortunately,…

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ThursdayJul 16, 2026 10:00 am

Volkswagen Group Reports a Drop in EV Sales

Volkswagen Group has reported a drop in electric vehicle sales amidst mounting competitive pressures from several major players in the EV segment. Battery-electric vehicle deliveries in the first six months of the year fell to 438,500 units, compared to 465,600 units in the first half of 2025, a 5.8% decline that dampened hopes for strong growth in Volkswagen’s BEV segment.  Second-quarter BEV deliveries of 238,400 vehicles showed 4.2% year-over-year deterioration, with regional market data revealing sharply divergent trends in Volkswagen Group’s performance.  European markets performed well, with 377,000 BEV units sold, up 8.4% year-over-year. By contrast, major growth markets experienced severe volume contraction, as BEV…

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TuesdayJul 14, 2026 10:00 am

CATL Launches Battery Designed for Light Commercial EVs

China's traction battery standards tightened on July 1, introducing new thermal runaway and fast-charging safety requirements for manufacturers. Against that regulatory shift, CATL has extended its commercial EV battery portfolio with the Tectrans II Superfast Charging Edition, targeting light commercial vehicles. The product addresses logistics operators whose electric delivery fleets are constrained by long charging windows and high asset downtime. Charging speed defines the battery's commercial proposition, with CATL describing the Tectrans II as the first unit in its category to reach 8C peak charging. A 20-to-80-percent charge advance takes 6 minutes and 48 seconds while a full charge is…

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FridayJul 10, 2026 10:00 am

Renault Reports Higher Profits from Compact EVs

Renault's compact electric vehicles are generating stronger margins than the company's larger models, CEO François Provost disclosed this week. Speaking with French financial publication Les Echos, he confirmed the R5, R4, and Twingo each achieve margins that outperform the Megane and Scenic segment benchmarks. The disclosure is significant given that the latter two models occupy a higher vehicle class, where margins have traditionally been superior. Traditional industry wisdom holds that vehicles in the C segment, being larger and more expensive, generate stronger margins over compact alternatives. European manufacturers have also argued that regulatory burdens and insufficient battery component sourcing make…

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ThursdayJul 09, 2026 10:00 am

Political Ideology, Shifting Demand Put US EV Industry at Crossroads

The global electric vehicle industry is undergoing profound transformation, yet American consumers remain locked out of the affordable revolution reshaping worldwide transportation. Slate Auto's recent entry into the market with a $24,950 electric pickup truck illustrates America's struggle to compete in affordable vehicle manufacturing. Chinese automakers are producing vehicles in the $10,000 to $15,000 range that offer features and range Americans have rarely seen at budget prices. In comparison, the average vehicle sold in the U.S. now costs $48,402, pricing out millions who might otherwise transition to electric vehicles. Chinese manufacturers dominate global EV markets through aggressive pricing and a…

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TuesdayJul 07, 2026 10:00 am

New Fluid Boosts EV Charging Speed and Travel Distance

Researchers at Shell Technology have developed a new thermal fluid that could boost electric vehicle charging speeds and range, currently two of the most common barriers to EV adoption. For most potential EV buyers, total effective range and charging speed are some of the most important factors to consider. EVs with higher ranges and faster charging speeds are more likely to be purchased, especially if customers can justify the pricing, as they are much more convenient and can be slotted into a driver’s life with ease. Shell’s newly developed thermal fuel can reportedly lower charging speeds to around 10 minutes,…

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MondayJul 06, 2026 10:00 am

Nissan to Double Down on Entry-Level EVs, Abandons Planned SUV

Nissan is redirecting its European EV lineup toward cheaper models, abandoning a long-anticipated plan to electrify one of its most recognizable SUVs. The company will not build a fully battery-powered Qashqai at its plant in Sunderland, England, according to a Reuters report citing plant insiders. This pivot falls under Nissan's Re:Nissan recovery strategy, which has prioritized cutting costs across its global operations.  Rather than a Qashqai EV, Sunderland is now expected to host production of two different electric models. A Juke EV is due at Sunderland before 2027, followed by a cheaper A-segment model slated for announcement before year-end.  Nissan's EV range already encompasses…

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ThursdayJul 02, 2026 10:00 am

Why EV Batteries Last Longer Than Initially Projected

Last year, Stanford University researchers published a high-profile study that directly challenged established projections about EV battery longevity. For years, conventional wisdom held that the battery pack would be the limiting factor on how long an EV could realistically last. But the findings from Stanford University revealed that EV batteries held up roughly 40% longer than earlier laboratory testing had predicted when subjected to real-world conditions.  Conventionally, the average electric vehicle battery is expected to last for 12 to 15 years of active service before it has to be retired, similar to gasoline and diesel vehicles which typically last between 124,000 and 186,000 miles or 10 to 15 years.  According to…

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