EV News

The world’s largest battery maker is forging ahead with a game-changing new technology.China’s CATL, which makes the lion’s share of electric vehicle batteries for the world’s carmakers, will start mass producing sodium-ion batteries this year, according to Chinese reports.Sodium-ion batteries have the potential to make electric cars even cheaper. They do away with pricey lithium and use sodium to hold charge instead.Sodium is cheap and plentiful, which reduces supply chain constraints associated with mining and refining lithium.Sodium-ion batteries are claimed to be less fire prone than conventional lithium-ion batteries, and they perform better at extreme low temperatures with less energy loss than other cell chemistries.The one drawback is they are less energy dense than conventional batteries, but recent advancements have brought them close to the Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) cells popularised by BYD.CATL is preparing a series of these new batteries specifically for electric vehicles, as well as grid level storage.The company is reportedly aiming to have sodium-ion batteries that can deliver a driving range of up to 600km.CATL’s recent announcement follows news of sodium-ion cells being developed by Chinese brand BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation).The company claims its latest sodium-ion battery can be fully charged in just 11 minutes, and recent tests showed it can absorb 200 per cent of its capacity without an increased risk of fire or explosion.BAIC does not currently sell vehicles in Australia directly, but the recently launched Hyundai Elexio was developed and built in partnership with BAIC via a joint venture called Beijing Hyundai.The other game-changing battery tech CATL is working on is called lithium-air batteries.A lithium-air battery uses lithium as the anode and oxygen from the air as a cathode. This means the lithium metal reacts with the oxygen gas to produce electricity. The result is a smaller and lighter battery because it doesn't need a heavy metal cathode, they are also claimed to be extremely energy dense.If this sounds too good to be true, then you’re right. There are numerous safety production and safety challenges that means there is no timeline on when or if these batteries will become a reality.

The internet can be a horrible swamp, and the comments surrounding Ferrari’s unveiling were particularly, though predictably, brutal.“Great thing Enzo can’t see this garbage,” read one. “He’ll be rolling in his tomb,” said another. “This is such a cynical marketing product purely conceived to make money for the company. It hurts me on a cellular level to see Ferrari stoop so low,” wrote another user who clearly needs to get outside more. Fun fact, though. Those comments had nothing to do with the Luce, Ferrari’s first EV that was revealed to much fanfare and even more furore this week. That was actually the reaction to the Purosangue, the brand’s first SUV, and the model that would – according to the internet at least – definitely, absolutely and entirely destroy the fabled Italian marque.That didn’t happen, though, did it? I recently met an Australian buyer who’d dropped $1.1m on his Purosangue, and he had to wait almost two years for his production slot to open up, such was the demand. It is a massive driver of Ferrari profit, too, and is consistently among the brand's best-selling models, despite a production cap.The point is, the internet was wrong. And I suspect this same Luce storm will die in the teacup in much the same way.Now, I’d be lying if I said my eyebrows didn’t shoot skywards when I first clapped eyes on the Ferrari Luce at its unveiling event in Italy. I can’t say for sure what I expected, but I can say for sure that it wasn’t this. But having now spent some time with it, and even more time digesting it, I can tell you that the internet is wrong once again.The point has been so painfully missed by the Ferrari Facebook army, who seem to have been expecting an 849 Testarossa with a battery. Ferrari has made it clear this isn’t a vehicle designed to appeal to Ferraristi faithful. It’s designed to appeal to an entirely new audience, and that is not an audience with a poster of a petrol-powered Prancing Horse on their wall.The Luce had to look different to everything else in the Ferrari range, both to appeal to a new buyer, but also (and I suspect more importantly) to ring-fence the rest of the Ferrari range and preserve their fuel-exploding mystique. I think that's also why the Luce is slower than the fastest Tesla and lacks the brand's angriest driving modes – it can't have its EV outshine the lustier, brand-defining models."This is a different kind of Ferrari. And that was the point. That was the entire purpose of the exercise," LoveFrom (the firm who penned the Luce) co-founder Mark Newson told me.This wasn't supposed to be in the mould of other Ferraris.But I actually think the more pressing question is, if not this design, then what? Is the issue with the Luce, or is merely the fact that it’s electric?If it’s the former, then tell me what design could have possibly pleased the traditionalists? Something more like a Rimac Nevera? Perhaps, but I would argue Ferrari already has cars like that, and that plonking a couple of electric motors on a 12Cilindri would have only riled the web up worse.If it’s the latter – and I think it definitely is – then what the hell is everyone so upset about? There is one electric Ferrari, and nine petrol-powered options in the brand’s regular range in Australia. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it – the fleet is still 90 per cent in your favour. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder – or whoever is behind the keyboard – but I can tell you this; the exterior design has continued to grow on me. It is undeniably forward-looking, and I think a pretty bold vision of what a family friendly Ferrari EV can be. Is it my favourite-looking Prancing Horse? No, but it doesn't have to be. And if the exterior of the Luce is controversial, the cabin isn't. The interior is spectacular, blending elegance and tech in a way that feels really, really special.Will I buy one? Irrelevant, I'm afraid. I can't afford it. And that's one thing the internet masses and I have very much in common.

BYD’s Denza sub-brand has lifted its game.The brand has rolled out its first over-the-air software update, in the same way your smartphone improves itself periodically, for its plug-ing hybrid B5 and B8 4WDs.There are several headline grabbing improvements, but the real Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series smashing news is in the details.Denza’s B5 and B8 four-wheel drives have had their security improved with a driver password lock added to the vehicle.This is in direct contrast to the LandCruiser 300, which is being stolen in increasing numbers around Australia.Thieves are effectively using a device to clone keys to access and drive the vehicles.Toyota’s response is a bit more old school, with the company offering a steering wheel lock. The steering locks are available as a genuine Toyota accessory on all models, and in the past few decades were used as a deterrent to car thieves.The Denza B5 also now has a cruise control function when towing, a dedicated towing mode switch and users can select a trailer weight that Denza claims the vehicle to intelligently adjust its performance parameters to enhance stability and safety during towing.The bigger B8 also now has cruise control when towing and more accurate range estimates when hauling.The company also made tweaks to the duo’s off-road performance, with new traction control settings.This improves the off-road capability, driving stability and performance on sand.Increased safety includes anti-jam second and third row folding seats, which now stop if they detect resistance. It has also added turn signals into the head-up display alerts.Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland said this update shows the brand is listening to its customers right here in Australia.

BYD is poised to step up its attack on the ute market, with a raft of possible Shark 6 expansion models under consideration.The Chinese brand’s decision to triple the Shark 6 line-up with the new 2.0-litre Performance model and the Cab Chassis variant is only the beginning of its growth plans for the popular ute.BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the company is focused on expanding the appeal of the plug-in hybrid ute to potential fleet customers in the short-term, with more options on the table beyond that.“There's more sub-segments that are pretty obvious that we're talking to HQ about,” Collins told CarsGuide.“So nothing I can confirm at this point, but yeah, we're certainly looking to continue to grow where it makes sense in the range. So whether that be at the top, whether it be at the bottom, whether it be certain mining-spec cars or whatever it may be, definite opportunities there. And because we're the lead market I think we have a lot of pull in what we can bring to the market.”The addition of the Shark 6 Performance means the ute can now tow up to 3500kg, opening the market to customers who tow larger items, such as ‘grey nomad’ caravaners and other tradespeople. While the new Dynamic Cab Chassis gives the Shark 6 more appeal to tradies and fleet customers in need of a specific solution at the rear instead of the integrated tub.Collins wouldn’t be drawn on any specific areas where the Shark 6 range could expand to, but did underline just how important growing its share of the lucrative fleet market is.“I think the obvious one has been fleet. We said last night that 35 per cent is about the norm. We've been at 10, we're now at 20 . So I think fleet is probably the obvious one where we've really been missing out, and we've established a fleet department. We work closely with our retail partners. We've probably got, in combination with our retail partners, we've probably got 25 people working on fleet. So that's the obvious one.“I think we just appeal broadly now, and I think there's just more opportunity as the car's only been in the market for 14-15 months. We've quickly gained, I think, a strong reputation getting on the shopping list. And I think now we're just getting on the shopping list of more tradies, grey nomads, families who just want to go camping, sparkies, just all of the above. And I think this just widens the appeal.”One likely option would be installing the new 2.0-litre petrol engine in the Cab Chassis, which would allow it to tow up to 3500kg, instead of the current 2500kg. Collins wouldn’t confirm such a variant was locked in, but did say it was “on the radar” for the brand.

The pile-on continues days after Maranello revealed its first electric car, with Lamborghini's CEO implying Ferrari has made a misstep with the new model.The 2026 Ferrari Luce debuted this week, designed by Jony Ive (of original iPhone fame) alongside Australian design veteran Marc Newson, and the internet has not reacted well.Nor has Ferrari’s customer base and investors - a drop in stock price of more than 6 per cent punctuated markets opening the day after the reveal.After that, external criticism from notable figures in the media and wider industry now includes Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann.While not the same direct admonishment as was handed down by former Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo who said he hopes “they at least remove the prancing horse from that car”, Winkelmann told CNBC plug-in hybrids are “the right way to go”.While he wouldn’t be drawn on directly commenting on the Luce as “ speak about its competitors”, he said “by observing the market ... we saw that the acceptance curve for our type of customers is not increasing, and that therefore we decided to move away from a full-electric car into a plug-in hybrid”.“Every brand, every company has to decide for themselves.”Lamborghini recently reversed plans to build a new model EV, the Lanzador, as well as an electric Urus, in favour of PHEV technology.Ferrari, on the other hand, went ahead with the move.Winkelmann’s comments and the more direct criticism from di Montezemolo aren’t the only high-profile snippets of ‘feedback’ aimed at Maranello, with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister (and Transport Minister) Matteo Salvini having taken to X (formerly Twitter) to say “electric, incredibly expensive (€550,000!), and aesthetically speaking, it speaks for itself... It looks anything but a Prancing Horse car”.“And this is supposed to be ‘innovation’? I wonder what Enzo Ferrari would say…," he said.The technology under the Luce hasn’t been as widely criticised as its design departure from Ferrari’s tradition - 772kW and 990Nm from four electric motors and a 0-100km/h sprint in 2.5 seconds would be welcome in most other stables.

China’s car industry may already have peaked, according to the boss of one of its biggest brands.Nio Chief Executive Officer William Li said the Chinese auto industry has moved past its “golden era”, according to Reuters.Electric vehicle sales in the country slumped 38 per cent in April, to a still astounding 443,000, which is the fourth straight month of sales declined in the world’s largest EV market.This is because of several issues.Li said car ownership in China had hit 370 million, which means it is no longer a growth market and instead the domestic market is considered “saturated”.Nio is known for its battery swap technology, but only has a small foothold outside of China, and is more at risk than others to poor domestic performance.Subsidies for EVs have also been reduced and a weak domestic economy are also to blame, according to Autonews.For BYD and Geely, two of China’s largest carmakers, net profit dropped by more than US$600m (A$840m).Tough home market conditions are likely to benefit global markets as Chinese brands push more models aggressively to boost total sales and keep factories in China humming. This could result in lower prices and more appealing vehicles sooner.Another benefit to markets of stagnating sales growth in China is the introduction of more widespread fast charging technology.Charging is the new battleground for electric car dollars in China.“Slow charging speeds, poor charging performance at low temperatures and anxiety about energy replenishment have remained the final hurdles in popularising electrified vehicles,” said BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu earlier this year.The company has begun rolling out its Flash charging network in China, which is capable of delivering speeds of up to 1500kW.BYD will have similar charging stations in Australia later this year.BYD is also rolling out vehicles capable of using these ultra fast chargers, though only the Denza Z9 electric sports car will be able to use their full capabilities in Oz this year.Solid state batteries are also destined to be another advanced selling point for electric cars in the next few years.Multiple Chinese brands are working on fitting the advanced power packs to their vehicles. These solid state cells are the holy grail of electric car batteries because they are more energy dense, which allows them to store more energy in smaller batteries. This will make electric 4WDs, utes and sports cars a reality by making EVs lighter. The batteries are also less prone to fire.

Yet another about face on a new electric vehicle program has come courtesy of Toyota’s decision to discontinue development of the Lexus LF-ZC sedan.Unveiling the LF-ZC Concept in 2023 Lexus positioned it as “a symbol of Lexus' electrification journey, characterized by its sleek proportions, low center of gravity, spacious cabin, and an emotionally charged design that seamlessly blends functionality and aesthetics.”But three years later the automotive world has changed thanks to a slower than expected market uptake of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) globally and ongoing consumer preference for hybrid and pure-combustion models.At the same time, a combination of political factors including high US import tariffs and President Donald Trump's elimination of tax incentives for EV purchases, as well as the European Union’s revision of its ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 have also thrown a big spanner in the EV development works.Global players including Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Volvo, VW, and most recently Subaru, have also shelved multiple EV model programs. Volume Lexus LF-ZC production was scheduled to begin late this year at Toyota’s Tahara plant south-east of Nagoya, using large section ‘gigacasting’ techniques to split the vehicle’s alloy body into front, centre and rear sections for reduced complexity and cost as well as lighter weight and increased rigidity.Recently postponed to mid-2027, Nikkei Asia has reported Lexus will now discontinue development, to “instead focus on developing SUVs and other vehicles amid a global slump in EV sales.” Despite the cancellation Toyota and Lexus will continue research and development into gigacasting and battery technology as the LF-ZC was set to feature “advanced high-performance batteries made with a prismatic structure engineered to achieve approximately twice the range of conventional BEVs through improved aerodynamic integration and weight reduction.” A “compact powertrain” also helped deliver an ultra-low Cd (Coefficient of drag) value of approximately 0.20 for the car.

Cupra has revealed it is secretly developing an all-wheel drive version of its Cupra Raval that bags a pioneering quad-motor all-electric powertrain, which will produce epic power that blows Tesla out of the water.Primed to be twinned with a white-hot Volkswagen ID. Polo R, the new Cupra Raval Racing will be the quickest and most powerful hot hatch of all time, with Volkswagen's Spanish performance brand leading its development.Cupra's global product boss Toni Gallego told CarsGuide his brand was pushing ahead to develop the four in-hub motor concept that made its debut on the VW ID. Cross, which is key to unlocking near supercar levels of performance.Expected to be capable of producing around 100kW, despite weighing around 39kg apiece, the state-of-the-art in-hub motors will see the Raval Racing come with at least 300kW.Combined with an uprated battery pack, the 4.1m-long Raval Racing should be able to rocket from 0-100km/h in less than 3.0 seconds – much quicker than the 3.8 seconds a BYD Seal Performance or Audi RS 3 takes, and even quicker than the 3.1 seconds a Tesla Model 3 Performance can achieve.As well quick in a straight line, according to the senior Cupra exec the in-hub units, which package their own power inverter, offers unbeatable torque vectoring and by being able to manage how much force is applied to each wheel on a millisecond-by-millisecond basis can neutralise any understeer or oversteer.Brake regeneration will also be class-leading with the Raval Racing able to claw back more energy than any of its rivals, boosting efficiency and real-world range.Traction will be unbeatable over all road surfaces and conditions, while packaging the motors within the wheels means the Raval's large 441-litre boot carries over unchanged.Aside from adding unsprung weight the biggest disadvantage of the new tech is cost, says Gallego."We requested four-wheel drive from the beginning, but it requires a huge investment."It's crazy. I cannot say the final figures, but the good thing is we can manage the production mix across our four plants to balance out the high development costs."The latter is a reference to both the Volkswagen ID. Polo R and potentially faster versions of the VW ID. Cross SUV sharing the same in-hub high-tech quad-motors. Later on, less powerful all-wheel drive VW Group models could also come with a detuned version of the same powertrain.Gallego was careful not to reveal an exact power figure for the mules already undergoing testing, nor did he provide a timeline for when the faster Raval Racing and ID. Polo R will arrive, but it's thought the pair of fast all-electric hot hatches should land in 2028."Some figures cannot be communicated right now. It is a concept and we are exploring how the performance works. It's a massive investment from the technical centre."According to Gallego, work has not finished on the core Raval as feedback from media and potential owners have requested some changes that will see both virtual gearshifts and a higher 190km/h top speed (up from 175km/h) rolled out via over-the-air updates once the Cupra small hatch is launched.

Audi’s global boss has hinted that the iconic R8 mid-engined supercar might be making a return, and this next-generation model could be powered by the Lamborghini Temerario's astonishing hybrid V8The brand’s CEO Gernot Dollner revealed that despite tightening emissions laws, he still had the V8s on his mind."I'm a big fan of the V8," he said, according to Motor1. Audi is in the process of replacing the revered 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in its high-performance saloons and SUVs with more efficient V6 hybrids.We’ve seen the Audi RS5 move from using a V8 10 years ago to a V6 plug-in hybrid in the just-launched new generation, Future versions of RS6, and others, are expected to also follow suit.But it appears there will still be a place for the V8, which Dollner admires. The new Lamborghini Temerario plug-in hybrid uses the same V8 paired with three electric motors. "There's no restriction to an engine like that," Dollner said.He’s not joking. The V8 in the Temerario can rev to 10,000 rpm, which is higher than any V8 production supercar has been able to hit. The output of the PHEV system is outrageous. The combined output of the V8 and motors in the Temerario is 676kW and the 0-100km/h sprint is over in 2.7 seconds.The same platform could easily be used for a new-gen R8 - Lamborghinis and Audi R8s have shared the same platform in the past.Production of the Audi R8 ended in 2024 after an 18-year run and during that time was powered by the V8 and a V10, also used by Lamborghini in its supercars.Whether a new Audi R8 actually happens will be down to demand, and of course Dollner.Emissions laws may not be the barrier some might think.Last year Audi Australian boss Jeff Mannering told CarsGuide the existence of more and more hybrids and EVs such as the Q4 and Q6 electric SUVs in the range means a couple of V8 models can be included without exceeding the overall fleet emissions limits.“A BEV, a PHEV, an ICE car - if you look at the market this is why the Q4 and Q6 are so important because it adds volume to BEVs, but we need plug-in hybrids as well because of those C02 targets,” he said. 

It’s hard to think of a person more connected and invested in the Ferrari brand than Luca di Montezemolo, but even the man who led the company from 1991 to 2014 and was Enzo Ferrari’s personal assistant in the early 1970s can’t abide the Prancing Horse’s new all-electric model.Having viewed the Ferrari Luce’s unveiling at this week’s Confindustria public assembly in Rome, Montezemolo told Italian outlet askanews, “If I were to say what I think, I would be hurting Ferrari. “It risks destroying a legend, and I'm deeply sorry. “I hope they at least remove the prancing horse from that car."It is definitely a car that at least the Chinese won't copy," he said.One of Italy’s most high-profile business and sporting personalities, Montezemolo went from the world of Ferrari, including close management of its Formula 1 efforts, to become Chairman of Alitalia and now sits on the board of McLaren Group.And Montezemolo is not alone in fearing Ferrari’s iconic status may be eroded thanks to the Luce.Speaking on X, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister (and Transport Minister) Matteo Salvini commented on Montezemolo’s views.“Electric, incredibly expensive (€550,000!), and aesthetically speaking, it speaks for itself... “It looks anything but a Prancing Horse car. “And this is supposed to be "innovation"? “I wonder what Enzo Ferrari would say…," he said.Former iPhone designer Jony Ive, who was commissioned by Ferrari to develop the Luce through his LoveFrom consultancy, has seemingly raised the hackles of Ferrari Tifosi around the globe.CarsGuide’s own coverage of the newcomer’s arrival has drawn fierce commentary on social media with feedback like, “Obviously, the designers are not car enthusiasts. Fire the CEO! Better yet, fire them all.  As well as, “One million??? For that Roomba???? Enzo is spinning in his grave!”  And perhaps most cuttingly, “The Ferrari design that became a global laughingstock.” It’s also worth noting Ferrari’s share price plummeted more than six per cent from €309.20 on the morning of the Luce’s launch to €290.00 by the evening’s close and currently sits at €283.75.