Top Stories & Trends
Global EV adoption reached a milestone: one in four new cars sold is now electric or hybrid, according to Pew Research Center. This signals a massive shift, but the road ahead is bumpy. While Chinese upstart Xiaomi is selling EVs at a rapid clip (losing $5,600 per car), legacy automakers like Honda and Nissan are scaling back US plans due to weak demand and tariff pressures. Meanwhile, Kia’s EV3 tops German tests, and the UK offers grants for more models. Ferrari’s first EV gets a thumbs-down from purists. A new car-share program in Bellingham, Washington shows EVs are expanding into shared mobility.
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Key Data:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Global EV/hybrid share of new car sales | 25% |
| Xiaomi loss per EV sold | $5,600 |
| UK grant eligible models (latest) | Updated list |
Implications
The industry is at a crossroads: demand is real but uneven. Automakers investing in new battery tech (Honda’s silicon-carbon) may gain an edge, but near-term headwinds from tariffs and consumer hesitation are forcing painful cuts. For buyers, it’s a buyer’s market with more choices and incentives. Car-share programs lower the barrier to try EVs. Ferrari’s resistance hints that luxury EV adoption might lag until the emotional appeal matches performance.
News Summaries
- Worldwide, a quarter of new car sales are electric vehicles or hybrids – Pew Research Center: Global EV/hybrid share hits 25%, marking a major milestone. (Pew Research Center)
- There’s an EV car-share program emerging in Bellingham. Here’s how it will work – Bellingham Herald: A new EV car-share launches in Bellingham, Washington, expanding access. (Bellingham Herald)
- China’s Xiaomi SU7 is the Apple Car That Apple Couldn’t Build – MotorTrend: Xiaomi’s SU7 electric sedan impresses, outperforming Apple’s abandoned project. (MotorTrend)
- Xiaomi’s EV Sales Are Booming, But It Is Losing $5,600 On Every Car – Autoblog: Xiaomi sells EVs fast but loses thousands on each unit, raising sustainability questions. (Autoblog)
- The Kia EV3 wins the highest-rated EV in a new German comparison test – Electrek: Kia EV3 tops German EV comparison, highlighting its value and performance. (Electrek)
- These are the latest models eligible for the £1,500 electric car grant – Carwow: UK updates list of EVs qualifying for a £1,500 government grant. (Carwow)
- Honda halts North American EV plans amid weak demand and US tariff pressures – Fastmarkets: Honda pauses US EV investments due to slower demand and tariff uncertainties. (Fastmarkets)
- Honda Pursues New Blended Silicon-Carbon EV Batteries – CleanTechnica: Honda invests in advanced silicon-carbon battery tech to boost range and cost. (CleanTechnica)
- Nissan Drops EV Plans in Mississippi – Advanced Manufacturing: Nissan cancels EV production plans in Mississippi, citing market conditions. (Advanced Manufacturing)
- ‘It’s insulting’: Ferrari fans have given their verdict on its first electric car, and it’s not good – CNN: Ferrari’s first EV faces backlash from enthusiasts who feel it betrays the brand’s heritage. (CNN)
