electric vehicle batteries

Toyota is preparing to offer its best-selling Corolla as a fully electric vehicle, according to a report by Electrek. The Corolla is one of the most popular cars in history, so moving it to battery power would mark a significant step in Toyota's electrification strategy, which has so far leaned heavily on hybrids. Commenters are debating whether the move signals a genuine shift in the company's EV commitment.

Electric vehicles have outsold gasoline and diesel cars in Europe for the first time, according to reports by Korean media including Chosun Ilbo. The milestone marks a turning point for the European auto market, highlighting how quickly battery-powered cars have moved from the margins to mainstream dominance across the continent.

Volkswagen has announced a partnership with Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech to supply batteries for its electric vehicles. The deal deepens the German automaker's ties with Chinese suppliers as it scales up its EV production and secures battery capacity. The announcement drew attention from industry and market watchers tracking VW's electrification strategy and its reliance on Chinese battery technology.

A proposed EU bill would require electric vehicles sold in Europe to meet local-content rules, threatening Japanese automakers such as Toyota. If adopted, the 'Made in EU' legislation could raise costs or restrict market access for Japanese EVs, which rely heavily on parts and batteries made outside the bloc. Japanese industry is watching closely amid wider EU efforts to favor domestic manufacturing.

Researchers are applying semiconductor chipmaking techniques to build improved electric vehicle batteries, according to a report by SciTechDaily. The approach adapts lithography-based manufacturing methods from the chip industry to battery production, potentially improving battery performance. Details on which institutions are involved and the specific results have not been widely reported, but the cross-industry idea is drawing attention in technology and energy circles.

A commentary argues that Europe must build a domestic battery industry to secure its electric vehicle transition rather than relying on foreign suppliers, particularly Asian and Chinese manufacturers. The piece reflects ongoing debate in Brussels and national capitals about industrial policy, energy security and competitiveness as the EU pushes its shift away from combustion engines.

Geely has agreed to acquire a 30% stake in the battery-swapping business of rival Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio. The move would link two competing automakers in the infrastructure segment that Nio has built out as a differentiator for its cars, allowing drivers to exchange depleted batteries for charged ones in minutes. The reported deal highlights growing consolidation and cooperation in China's crowded electric vehicle market.

Chinese automaker BYD has confirmed plans to bring an electric vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery to market in 2027. Solid-state batteries are seen as a potential breakthrough for electric cars, promising greater range, faster charging and improved safety over today's lithium-ion cells. The announcement puts BYD in the race with other manufacturers working toward mass production of the technology.

Chinese car companies are pushing ahead in electric vehicle technology with ultrafast charging that can refill a battery in about five minutes. Reports carried in US regional newspapers highlight the advance, which would put Chinese manufacturers well ahead of Western rivals on charging speed and reinforce concerns about China's growing lead in the EV sector.

South Korean chemical maker LG Chem and German automaker Volkswagen have announced a partnership to develop new materials. The collaboration signals growing cooperation between battery and materials suppliers and carmakers as the auto industry works to secure supply chains and advance technologies such as lighter components and next-generation battery materials. Details on the scope and value of the deal have not been disclosed, but industry watchers view it as another step in deepening ties between Asian suppliers and European automakers.

Mercedes-Benz will assemble its electric GLC model in Thailand, adding local production of a battery-electric vehicle in Southeast Asia. The move points to growing investment in EV manufacturing capacity in the region, though details on timing, output or local partners have not yet been made clear.

Sales of Chinese hybrid cars are growing rapidly in the European Union even as the bloc imposes tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The tariffs, introduced to counter alleged subsidies, apply mainly to battery-electric models, so manufacturers are increasingly exporting hybrids, which fall outside the measures, to keep a foothold in the European market.

Nature has published an item titled 'Lowering lithium impacts', focused on reducing the environmental and social costs of lithium extraction. Lithium is central to electric vehicle batteries and grid storage, and mining it consumes large amounts of water and affects local communities. The publication is drawing attention from readers following the clean energy transition.

Chinese electric vehicle makers NIO and Geely have announced a partnership covering EV charging networks and battery swapping technology. The deal would link NIO's battery swap infrastructure, one of the largest in China, with Geely's vehicle lineup and energy services. Cooperation between two of China's biggest EV groups signals growing industry consolidation around battery swapping as a charging alternative.

Chinese EV maker BYD says a significantly improved electric vehicle battery will arrive next year, promising better performance over current technology. The announcement puts further pressure on rivals like Tesla and CATL in the increasingly competitive battery and EV market, where battery breakthroughs on range, charging speed and cost are a key differentiator.

China currently supplies up to 70% of the battery-grade lithium chemicals used in Europe, and a German recycling company has opened a new plant it hopes will help cut that dependence. The company's process recovers lithium from batteries, though significant obstacles remain before it can make a real dent in imports. The project is being watched as a test case for Europe's broader push to secure homegrown supplies of critical raw materials for the electric vehicle and battery industries.

A new benchmark is taking hold in the electric vehicle market: 300 miles of range on a single charge is now standard for many new models, according to automotive outlet InsideEVs. The outlet asks whether 400 miles could be the next target as battery technology improves and buyers demand longer range. The discussion reflects how quickly EV expectations have shifted from novelty to mainstream capability.

Nissan has detailed its third-generation e-POWER powertrain, the company's series-hybrid system in which a gasoline engine generates electricity to drive the wheels via an electric motor. The technology page outlines improvements in efficiency, refinement and packaging over previous generations. Technology enthusiasts and hybrid skeptics alike are debating whether the refined system can keep e-POWER competitive against full hybrids and battery-electric vehicles in key markets.

A large-scale analysis of 500,000 EV battery health checks compared 20 electric car models to assess how well their batteries retain capacity over time. One model stood out from the pack, outperforming the rest on long-term battery health. The findings give prospective buyers a data-driven way to compare durability across popular electric vehicles.

An American-developed battery technology is being pitched as a way to loosen China's dominance over the electric vehicle supply chain. China currently controls much of the world's battery production and critical mineral processing, making any credible US alternative strategically significant. Industry coverage suggests the technology could reduce Western automakers' dependence on Chinese suppliers, though questions remain over cost, scale and timelines.

FAW-Volkswagen has introduced the Jetta M6, an electric sedan carrying the Jetta badge into the battery-powered era. The brand, long known for affordable combustion models in China, is extending Jetta to a fully electric vehicle as automakers push into the EV market. Further details on specifications, pricing and launch markets were not immediately available.

An auto industry executive has publicly admitted that most companies are struggling to develop solid-state EV batteries, calling out an uncomfortable truth in the race to commercialize the technology. Solid-state batteries promise greater range, faster charging and improved safety, but mass production has proven difficult, and the comments suggest timelines may slip further than many manufacturers have publicly acknowledged.