Briefly | 02 Mar 2023

It’s EV News Briefly for Thursday 2nd March. I’ll be back as usual at 5pm UK time, that’s Midday Eastern, for the full podcast.  Patreon supporters get the episodes as soon as they’re ready AND ad free. You can be like them by clicking here.

Polestar 5 has been spied on the road with provisional lights, giving a glimpse of its sleek. Set to hit the market in 2023, the Polestar 5 will be a strong contender in the luxury electric vehicle market and a direct competitor to the Tesla Model S and Lucid Air.

Volkswagen has unveiled the facelifted version of its popular ID.3 featuring subtle updates and improved software, assist systems, and other tweaks that enhance both its exterior and interior. The car retains the same electric drive motor, battery options, and range ratings, and is set to ship to customers in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2023. It adds “functions on demand,” which can be added later. The starting price for the ID.3 is now €43,995, significantly higher than the previous price of €30,000.

Volkswagen-owned software company CARIAD has launched a new application store for cars, in partnership with HARMAN. Audi is the first brand to integrate the store in selected models as of July 2023, offering customers a range of exclusive apps from Volkswagen Group brands, as well as third-party content.

Kia will unveil its new electric SUV, the EV9, in mid-March, which will be the company's flagship SUV built on the E-GMP platform, offering impressive performance and range, and equipped with advanced technology and driver assistance systems. The EV9 is expected to have a range of around 300 miles on a single charge and compete with the Tesla Model X and the Audi e-tron.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering a new interpretation that would require all electric and hybrid passenger vehicles made since 1997 to have pedestrian warnings. The reinterpretation could result in a massive recall, forcing manufacturers to retrofit millions of affected vehicles

Jaguar Land Rover owner, Tata Motors, has demanded over £500m of government aid for a new battery factory in the UK, with the Indian group reportedly close to choosing between Spain and the southwest of England. UK car production dwindled last year to its lowest level since the 1950s, following the closure of Honda’s plant in Swindon.

In Australia, Victoria's Zero and Low-Emission Vehicle road user charge has resulted in the registration of 243 electric vehicles being cancelled, with critics labelling it "the world's worst EV policy." The highly unpopular tax is facing a High Court challenge, with plaintiffs arguing that it is unconstitutional.

Italian sporting brand Abarth has unveiled its first-ever electric vehicle, the Abarth 500e, which features a more responsive motor and improved handling over its petrol counterpart. Priced from £38,695 in the UK, deliveries of the hot hatch will begin in June 2023.

In the UK, Luxury vehicle division Genesis, owned by Hyundai Motor Group, is seeking partners with automotive experience and customer service experience to expand its presence in the UK and operate around 15 new retail centres next year, following its growth curve and popularity in particular of its electrified models, including the Genesis GV60 EV. Genesis will reward its partners based on their customer satisfaction scores alone.

In China, Dongfeng Motor Group has partnered with Renault to develop sodium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in China, which offer a lower cost and safer alternative to commonly used lithium-ion batteries. Renault and Dongfeng plan to begin mass production of EVs equipped with sodium-ion batteries in the near future to reduce their dependence on the supply chain for rare earth metals used in lithium-ion batteries.

Mini has announced the production of an electric version of the Countryman crossover in 2023, with a range of approximately 300 miles per charge, contributing to BMW's goal of 50% electrified global sales by 2030.