10 stories in the last 7 days
The latest EVs news, distilled by AI into sharp ~100-word summaries covering electric vehicles, autonomous driving and the future of transport. ByteBrief scans dozens of tech sources and surfaces only what matters, updated hourly. Tap any story for the full brief, or open the original source.
Plugin EVs took 33.0% share in France in Q1 2026, up from 22.9% in Q1 2025. The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling BEV in Q1, with 10,670 units registered. BEV sales grew 50% year on year to 112,086 units, while PHEV sales remained flat. Mild hybrids and HEVs now hold 47% share, replacing combustion-only powertrains. Diesel-only powertrains are down to 2.5% and petrol-only to 14.6%.
Tesla's Full Self Driving system has been scrutinized by hundreds of workers in a Utah office, who review video clips of the cars hitting animals and failing to brake before impact. Former staff members say the system is not good enough for broad deployment and requires labor-intensive training on specific routes. This contradicts Elon Musk's claim that Tesla's self-driving technology will work anywhere globally without local mapping.
Rivian increased Georgia plant capacity to 300,000 vehicles. The company received $1 billion from Volkswagen and delivered first batch of R2 trucks. The R2 is a mass-market model priced below the R1. Rivian achieved gross profit, proving it can sell trucks for more than production costs. The R2's success will determine if Rivian becomes sustainably profitable.
Tesla has pushed the public demonstration of its next-generation Roadster to August or later, according to sources cited by The Information. The event, expected in Texas, will showcase a SpaceX cold gas thruster system internally called A71. The system aims to improve acceleration and potentially allow the car to briefly lift off the ground. The prototype was first shown in 2017 with a promised 2020 production start.
The EV Play LT adapter adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to most GM EVs from 2024 to 2026. It costs $199 and installs in two minutes via a USB connection. The device streams CarPlay or Android Auto to the car's infotainment system using an app on the Android Automotive OS. GM does not support these features natively and may disable the adapter in the future. EVPlay confirms no subscription is needed and functionality is not guaranteed long-term.
Tesla will unveil the next-generation Roadster in August in Texas. The supercar has a top speed over 250 MPH and 650 miles of range. Tesla will showcase the SpaceX package for faster acceleration and possible hovering. The event marks a second delay after prior postponements due to supply chain issues.
Waymo and B2U Storage Solutions have agreed to repurpose used robotaxi batteries into stationary energy storage for California and Texas power grids. The batteries will support local grids that power Waymo's autonomous vehicles. The arrangement enables used electric vehicle batteries to serve a second function after vehicle use ends. This supports renewable energy storage in regions where Waymo operates robotaxis.
Shares of Lucid Group fell 22% this week, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. The electric vehicle brand's market cap is now $2.2 billion, down from over $75 billion in late 2021. Lucid is trying to raise funds to stem the holes in its balance sheet after a poor quarter and abrupt CEO transition.
AT&T shares declined after Oppenheimer downgraded the stock citing Starlink as a growing threat to telecom providers. The telecom giant has expanded its fiber network and invested heavily in 5G and balance sheet rebuilding. Oppenheimer's analysis highlights Starlink's potential to disrupt traditional wireless services. This shift raises investor concerns about AT&T's long-term competitive position.
Dodge raised the price of the Charger EV by a significant amount. The increase affects the base and higher trim levels of the vehicle. Consumers face higher costs for the electric version of the Charger. The move reflects updated production and pricing strategy for the EV model.