It's EV News Briefly for Thursday 14 May 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.
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GLOBAL EV SALES HIT 1.6 MILLION IN APRIL
Global EV sales reached 1.6 million units in April 2026 and 5.6 million year to date, with April up 6% year over year but down 9% from an unusually strong March. Europe led growth with 400,000 sales, up 27% year over year, driven by rising petrol prices and strong gains in Germany, France and Italy, while Chinese-built EVs grew their European market share from 19% in 2025 to 22% in 2026.
ELECTRIC GOLF SLIPS TO DECADE'S END
Volkswagen has pushed the electric Golf back to the end of the decade, later than the previously expected 2028 launch, due to delays with the SSP platform that will underpin it. SSP-based vehicles will now begin with Audi and Porsche from 2028, with Volkswagen following later, as the brand needs greater scale to achieve margin parity on the platform.
HOUSE BILL SEEKS PERMANENT BAN ON CHINESE CARS
A bipartisan group of Michigan lawmakers has introduced the Connected Vehicle Security Act, which would permanently ban Chinese-developed connected vehicles from US roads. The bill would codify and expand a Biden-era executive order, barring passenger vehicles from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran if they contain software or connectivity systems developed in those countries.
JAGUAR NAMES FIRST EV TYPE 01
Jaguar has confirmed its first all-electric production car will be called the Type 01, with the "0" representing zero tailpipe emissions and the "1" marking it as the first model of a new era. The full production reveal is planned for September 2026, with customer deliveries expected to begin in early 2027.
FORD STARTS STATIONARY BATTERY BUSINESS
Ford has launched Ford Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary, to compete in the stationary battery storage market, with its first product being the DC Block — a modular LFP battery container offering 5.45 MWh of storage and a 20-year service life. Built at a repurposed factory in Glendale, Kentucky, the DC Block will be sold in two- and four-hour discharge versions, with first customer deliveries due in early 2027 and planned annual output of 20 GWh.
APTERA BUILDS FIVE VALIDATION VEHICLES
Aptera Motors has completed five validation vehicles on a newly established 14-station low-volume assembly line at its Carlsbad, California facility, marking a significant step towards production readiness. The vehicles will now enter a comprehensive testing programme covering road performance, durability, safety, software integration and solar energy generation efficiency.
FILOSA: CHINESE OEMS FACE US DELAY
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said Chinese OEMs will not enter the US market for at least a few years, citing the current tariff and regulatory climate. He left the door open to future partnerships, suggesting Chinese technology could still find common ground with US operations, even if direct car sales remain off the table in the near term.
ANDROID AUTO STRETCHES TO FIT ANY SCREEN
Google is giving Android Auto its first major display overhaul in 11 years, with a new version that adapts to fill any car screen shape and eliminates the black borders previously seen on round, trapezoidal and other non-standard displays. The update also introduces pinnable widgets that stay over the active map, alongside a redesigned Google Maps with 3D Immersive Navigation showing buildings, lane markings, traffic lights and stop signs.
CATL ADDS 5 GWH MODULE LINE IN DEBRECEN
CATL has opened a new 5 GWh battery module assembly line at its gigafactory in Debrecen, Hungary, fed by cells from other CATL plants while the on-site cell factory awaits final regulatory permits. The added capacity could cover approximately 50,000 EVs with 100 kWh packs or 125,000 EVs with 40 kWh packs per year.
JEEP AVENGER ELECTRIC JOINS UK GRANT SCHEME
The fully electric Jeep Avenger now qualifies for the UK government's Electric Car Grant, reducing prices by £1,500 across the range and bringing the entry-level Longitude to £28,499. The car offers a WLTP range of 248 miles, 100 kW DC fast charging capable of 20–80% in under 30 minutes, and an 11 kW onboard AC charger.
TESLA ADDS REMOTE METER FOR HOME CHARGING
Tesla has launched a Remote Meter accessory in Canada and the US, priced at CA$285 and US$210 respectively, for homes whose electrical panels lack capacity for a full-power Wall Connector installation. The device enables Dynamic Power Management by continuously monitoring panel capacity and automatically adjusting charging output in real time to prevent overloading.
PREMIER TAKES JCB ELECTRIC FLEET PAST 100
Leicestershire-based Premier Plant & Tool Hire has grown its JCB electric machine fleet to more than 100 units, positioning itself as a leader in zero-emission construction equipment rental in the UK. The expansion is driven by rising demand from urban job sites where tightening regulations make diesel-powered equipment increasingly difficult or impossible to use.
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