Everything that happened in EVs on 7 September 2026

Hyundai’s new Ioniq 3 arrives in Europe from €28,950, offering two batteries, up to 497 km of WLTP range and optional 22 kW AC charging. Meanwhile, the Audi A2 e-tron promises up to 646 km from €38,200, along with three battery sizes and bidirectional charging.

Several established models are also gaining new battery options. The 2027 Mazda 6e gets a 78 kWh LFP battery and 200 kW charging, while the Zeekr 7X adds an 85 kWh mid-range version between its existing 75 and 103 kWh variants.

Tesla’s stretched SUV has performed better than expected in official testing, with the Model Y L beating Tesla’s own EPA range estimate and showing only a small penalty for 20-inch wheels. In Europe, France has started testing Tesla FSD under local conditions, an important step toward possible approval, though not an immediate customer launch.

Tesla is also pushing factory output higher. The company plans extra shifts at Grünheide to target 7,500 cars per week from mid-October, up from fewer than 6,500 currently.

Demand is creating pressure elsewhere in the German market. The VW ID. Polo has already collected more than 30,000 European orders, leaving some buyers with waits of at least ten months. At the same time, Volkswagen’s restructuring could ultimately put up to 110,000 jobs at risk, although only 50,000 cuts are confirmed and final decisions remain pending.

Strong demand for Germany’s 2026 EV incentive could exhaust the available budget early. Dealers are calling for clearer guidance to avoid another abrupt funding stop and a rush among buyers competing for grants of up to €6,000.

Two range tests highlight very different approaches to EV performance. The Xpeng P7+ used relatively large amounts of energy but recovered with extremely fast charging over more than 1,000 km, while the Skoda Peaq achieved a calculated 936 km range through an extreme, non-representative efficiency run at just 9.2 kWh per 100 km.

Chinese brands are expanding beyond the car itself. BYD is selling standardized solar packages through 233 Brazilian dealerships, including installation, grid approval and insurance, with expected average generation of around 600 kWh per month. In Germany, Xiaomi is laying the groundwork for an EV dealer network covering sales, test drives, financing and service, though locations and launch details are still under wraps.

Finally, for drivers who want to charge without signing up for another app or subscription, our guide to ad hoc charging by credit card explains how the process works, what it costs and which security issues and common pitfalls to watch for.