Everything that happened in EVs on 9 September 2026

European expansion is gathering pace for Chinese brands. Xiaomi plans to sell EVs in Germany from 2027, backed by eight major retail groups, with the SU7 sedan the likely launch candidate. Meanwhile, the six-seat Li Auto i9 will debut on September 16 with 400 kW all-wheel drive, and Denza has cut the Chinese price of its 850 kW Z9 GT e3 by roughly €5,000 without changing its tri-motor powertrain or fast-charging system.

Tesla’s autonomous-driving ambitions are moving forward cautiously. Elon Musk has raised hopes of a European Cybercab launch, although no timing or markets have been confirmed and regulatory barriers remain substantial. More concretely, Slovenia has approved the rollout of FSD (Supervised), making it Tesla’s sixth European market, but that does not guarantee approval in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

Demand for Volkswagen Group’s smaller EVs is already strong, with the ID. Polo passing 30,000 European orders and configured cars facing waits of around ten months. The Škoda Epiq and Cupra Raval are also attracting interest as Spanish production ramps up. Behind the scenes, VW’s supervisory board has approved a major cost-cutting plan intended to protect investment in models and software, while the Osnabrück plant could shift from cars to air-defense components under a proposed sale, subject to contracts and regulatory approval.

Several upcoming models are beginning to take shape. The camouflaged Smart #2 has appeared in Chinese road tests, pointing to around 300 km of WLTP range ahead of an expected Paris debut in October. Polestar, meanwhile, will preview a more dynamic identity with its Formula 2030 concept, a look that is set to influence the next Polestar 2 and compact Polestar 7.

European manufacturing is also entering its next phase. BMW is preparing Regensburg for Neue Klasse series production, bringing its 800-volt architecture and new drivetrain technology beyond pilot facilities and into broader deployment.

German premium brands are reshaping their operations. Audi reportedly plans a clearer split between FAW and SAIC in China, with FAW handling traditional Four Rings models and SAIC expanding the market-specific AUDI EV brand. At Porsche, Germany will be folded into the wider Europe sales region from October 1 as the company reduces its global structure from five regions to four.

For owners, today’s practical reads cover both costs and equipment. Driving an EV can be around 33% cheaper than using a combustion car, depending mainly on electricity prices and driving habits, with maintenance providing further savings. Our guide to EV tires explains how weight and instant torque affect load capacity, grip and efficiency, while the Tesla Mobile Connector guide covers safe charging from Schuko and compatible CEE sockets.

Finally, ElektroQuatsch is now on Instagram, offering another way to follow its electric-mobility posts and stay in touch.