Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily, your trusted source of EV information. It’s Wednesday 26 February, I’m Martyn Lee and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to.
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RAM REVEALS 2026 RAMCHARGER EREV SPECS
Ram has shared more details about the 2026 Ramcharger extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), set to hit dealerships in the latter half of this year.
The Ramcharger features a 92 kWh battery paired with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, providing a total range of 690 miles (1,110 kilometers). It can drive up to 145 miles (233 kilometers) on electric power alone. After the electric charge runs out, it aims for a fuel efficiency of 20.5 miles per gallon (mpg).
The battery uses only 69.7 kWh of its total capacity and supports DC fast charging at 350 kW, allowing a full charge in 45 minutes.
The V6 engine delivers a peak power of 202 kW (271 horsepower) and can sustain 175 HP when generating power for the batteries. The dual electric motors produce a combined output of 647 HP and 610 lb-ft of torque, allowing acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (96.6 kph) in just 4.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 114 mph (183 kph).
While some fully electric vehicles may have better range or efficiency, the Ramcharger stands out for its towing capability over long distances. BEVs often need charging stops that may not support towing heavy loads.
In contrast, the Ramcharger can be refueled like a gasoline truck, enabling continuous travel at highway speeds without worry. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis called it “a Goldilocks truck,” meaning it is well-sized and priced for consumers wanting an electric truck with traditional combustion engine functionality.
Pricing details for the Ramcharger are not yet available but are expected to be similar to those of combustion-powered Ram 1500 models.
ZEEKR REVEALS 007 GT SHOOTING BRAKE
The ZEEKR 007 GT, the second shooting brake from one of Geely’s top electric vehicle brands, has been unveiled. It will launch in the second quarter of 2025 and is aimed at the 200,000 yuan ($27,500) to 300,000 yuan ($41,300) market as a high-performance, tech-focused vehicle.
The 007 GT features a shooting brake design with advanced lighting systems. The front has the ZEEKR STARGATE intelligent light display, and the roofline flows into a roof-mounted spoiler for a sporty look. At the rear, a full-width light bar mirrors the front lighting.
The vehicle measures 4,864 mm (191.5 in) long, 1,900 mm (74.8 in) wide, and between 1,445 mm (56.89 in) and 1,460 mm (57.48 in) high. It has a wheelbase of 2,925 mm (115.2 in).
The ZEEKR 007 GT comes with a LiDAR-based advanced driving system standard on all trims. Built on an 800-volt platform, it offers two battery options: 75 kWh and 100 kWh, with the larger one managing a maximum CLTC-rated range of 825 km (513 miles). Customers can choose between rear-wheel drive with a 310 kW (416 hp) motor or all-wheel drive with combined motors delivering 475 kW (637 hp).
BYD INTRODUCES ATTO 2 ELECTRIC SUV IN FRANCE
BYD has officially launched its electric compact SUV, the Atto 2 in France. It starts at €28,990 ($30,440) and aims to compete in Europe’s B-segment SUV market.
The Atto 2 is priced €5,000 lower than the Kia Niro, €6,000 less than the Opel Mokka-e, and €7,000 cheaper than the Peugeot e-2008. However, both the Opel Mokka-e and Peugeot e-2008 qualify for a French subsidy of up to €4,000.
In China, BYD introduced the Yuan Up on March 26, 2024, with four variants starting at RMB 96,800 ($13,330). The Atto 2 measures 4,310 mm (169.7 inches) long, 1,830 mm (72.5 inches) wide, and 1,675 mm (65.94 inches) high with a wheelbase of 2,620 mm (103.1 inches).
BYD displayed nine models at the Brussels Auto Show on January 15 for the European debut of this compact SUV. On February 6, BYD announced that the Yuan Up would be rebranded as the Atto 2 for Europe.
FARIZON SV ELECTRIC VAN NOW AVAILABLE IN UK
The Farizon SV Large, an all-electric van, is now available for order through Jameel Motors UK, the official distributor of Farizon commercial vehicles in the UK. The starting price is £45,000 plus VAT for the L1 H1 model, rising to £56,000 for the L3 H3 model with a 106-kWh battery.
The van offers three battery options: an LFP 67-kWh pack, an LFP 83-kWh pack, and a 106 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pack exclusive to the L3 H3 variant. The electric motor delivers 227 horsepower (170 kW), providing an urban driving range of up to 342 miles (550 kilometers).
Standard features include a 360-degree camera system, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated windscreen, and a payload weight monitoring system that alerts drivers to overweight loads. The SV can also have vehicle-to-load functionality for an extra £500 plus VAT.
Deliveries are expected to start in early April.
Tom Carney, Managing Director at Jameel Motors UK, said, “We already knew that the Farizon SV would be a unique product in this competitive segment… Not only is the list of standard features impressive, but it also includes features that aren’t available on competitor models.”
TESLA FACES VANDALISM AND PUBLIC BACKLASH
Tesla is dealing with brand challenges as vandals defaced a Supercharger station with Nazi symbols and hate speech. This incident shows rising public anger toward the electric vehicle maker.
The vandalism, reported by YouTuber Quinn Nelson, prompted Tesla’s charging division to announce quick removal actions and a promise to prosecute those responsible. “We will press charges for vandalism at Superchargers,” Tesla stated.
This follows other incidents, including vandalism at a charging station in Massachusetts and damage to a Cybertruck in Brooklyn.
The backlash comes amid controversy over CEO Elon Musk’s role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the new US President. Musk’s aggressive restructuring of agencies and firing of federal workers has drawn criticism from experts.
Tesla faces growing challenges in various markets. Last week, protesters gathered outside Tesla showrooms nationwide, with demonstrations in New York, Seattle, and California drawing up to 100 people. Singer Sheryl Crow announced on Saturday that she would sell her Tesla due to concerns about Musk’s political ties.
TESLA FIRES SURGE IN GOTHENBURG LINKED TO SUSPECT
A series of Tesla arson incidents in Gothenburg, Sweden, coincided with the arrest and release of a 35-year-old man. On Thursday, two Teslas caught fire under suspicious circumstances, leading authorities to believe the fires were deliberate, since there were no apparent natural causes. Firefighters quickly responded and prevented the flames from reaching the vehicles’ high-voltage batteries.
After the Thursday incidents, police detained the suspect but released him later. “The suspect was arrested but was then released on Friday,” Thomas Fuxborg, a spokesperson for Västra Götaland police, said.
On Friday evening, two more Teslas were set on fire in similar attacks. Flammable materials were found near the wheel wells of these vehicles as well. Like before, the fires did not damage the battery packs.
All four incidents involved flammable substances ignited in the wheel wells of Teslas. Police are investigating possible links between the fires but have not identified those responsible. “We are investigating a connection between the fires. But it is unclear who or what is behind them,” said a police spokesperson. He added, “We don’t know if it has any connection to the suspect who was released.”
The 35-year-old man was arrested again after Friday’s fires and is also linked to a possible fifth Tesla arson earlier in the week. “He was arrested and questioned but then released by the prosecutor last night. A couple of hours later, another car started burning nearby, so he was captured again,” municipal police officer Ola Skogsberg explained.
STATE DEPARTMENT PAUSES TESLA ARMORED EV INITIATIVE
A dispute has arisen over the U.S. State Department’s plan to give Elon Musk’s Tesla a $400 million contract for armored electric vehicles.
A former Biden White House official said that during the Biden administration, the State Department and Tesla agreed to explore armoring electric vehicles. However, no funds were set aside for armored Teslas. Instead, a budget of $483,000 – a far cry from $400,000,000 – was approved for light-duty electric vehicles as possible State Department cars. This initiative was moving forward as recently as November 2024.
After the initial procurement document was released, NPR reported that the Trump administration made undisclosed changes. The term “armored Tesla” was replaced with “armored electric vehicles” without explanation, and later, it was removed from the procurement documents.
In a statement to NPR on Monday, a State Department spokesperson said that the $400 million figure was “an estimate,” stressing that the process is still in early stages and not yet a formal contract. The proposal is “strictly to gather information.”
When asked for more details, the State Department confirmed that the purchase is on hold with no plans to move forward with the contract. They also noted again that discussions with Tesla began during the Biden administration.
ITALIAN AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE MAJOR EV MAKERS FOR MISLEADING SPECS
Four major automakers—BYD, Stellantis, Tesla, and the Volkswagen Group—are under investigation by Italian authorities for allegedly providing misleading information about their electric vehicles on official websites.
The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has accused these companies of unfair commercial practices. They claim the automakers provided “generic” and sometimes “contradictory” details about the driving ranges of their electric vehicles. While the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) figures are the standard for EV range in Europe, AGCM argues that the manufacturers did not explain “which factors impact the advertised maximum range and how they affect actual range.”
Authorities also say the automakers did not give “clear and complete information” about battery capacity loss over time with normal use, which is important for consumers thinking about long-term ownership. AGCM also claims that the companies did not adequately disclose terms and limitations of their standard battery warranties.
These gaps suggest that key information about real-world electric vehicle performance may have been left out of marketing materials, leading consumers to be unsure of what to expect from their purchases.
AFEELA EV PUBLIC VIEWING OPENS IN LA
The AFEELA EV, a joint project by Sony and Honda (SHM), is now open for public viewing in Los Angeles ahead of its California release in 2026. The Westfield Century City mall on Santa Monica Boulevard, known for its ties to the movie industry, is the chosen venue.
The studio will be open until August 1, allowing visitors to see the AFEELA EV, ask about its features, and book interior demonstrations. Test drives are not available yet.
The base price for the AFEELA is $89,900, with possible subscription fees for some features after an initial three-year period. The first trim level, AFEELA 1 Signature, costs $102,900.
Reservations can be made with a $200 fee but are currently limited to California customers.
Although there is still development needed before the mid-2026 release, progress on the AFEELA EV appears to be steady.
DAIMLER’S eACTROS 600: WINTER PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Daimler recently finished its “European Testing Tour Winter 2025,” covering over 6,500 kilometers (4,038 miles) in January and February. The tour used two eActros 600 trucks, each weighing 40 metric tons, across ten countries.
These electric trucks, like those from the summer tour, operated in temperatures as low as -18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit). Their average daily speeds were between 64 and 77 kilometers per hour (40 to 48 mph).
On a “representative section of the route,” starting at an average temperature of -2 degrees Celsius (28 degrees Fahrenheit) with energy efficiency class B tires on a snow-free road, engineers noted about a 25 percent increase in energy consumption.
In summer, the eActros 600s had efficiency class A tires. Of the extra consumption, 15 percent came from higher rolling and aerodynamic resistance, while five percent was for heating the cab to 21 degrees Celsius (69.8 degrees Fahrenheit). “Less than one percent” was for heating the battery, and “other auxiliary consumers accounted for well below one percent,” according to Daimler Truck. The remaining four percent was due to reduced recuperation power from increased rolling and air resistance.
Despite tough winter conditions, the 621-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery offered a range of about 390 kilometers (243 miles), enough for up to four hours of driving. With the 25 percent rise in consumption considered, the expected range is around 470 kilometers (292 miles).
Source: via electrive.com
https://evne.ws/43cgsEs
CIB PROVIDES $194M LOAN TO EXPAND EV CHARGING
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has given a loan of $194 million to Jolt, an Australian electric vehicle (EV) charging company, to boost its presence in Canadian cities. This funding will help install up to 1,500 new curbside EV chargers.
Jolt’s charging stations provide each vehicle with up to seven kilowatt-hours (kWh) of free, rapid charging daily. CIB CEO Ehren Cory said, “By investing in expanding EV charging infrastructure, we are supporting Canadians’ need for accessible and convenient charging points in urban centres.”
This is CIB’s third investment in EV charging infrastructure. So far, CIB has invested about $650 million to create around 5,500 public fast charging ports across Canada.
UK EXTENDS ELECTRIC VEHICLE GRANTS
The UK government is extending a program that offers financial support for electric vans and other electric vehicles. Businesses and individuals can get up to £2,500 for smaller vans weighing up to 2.5 tons . Vans up to 4.25 tons qualify for grants of up to £5,000.
The extension of the plug-in grant also helps other vehicle owners. Taxi drivers switching to electric can receive grants of up to £4,000, extended for another year. Electric motorcycle owners can get a £500 grant, and the maximum grant for plug-in wheelchair vehicles has increased from £35,000 to £50,000.
VOLVO DISCONTINUES V60 POLESTAR ENGINEERED IN THE US
Due to America’s lack of interest in station wagons, Volvo has stopped making the V60 Polestar Engineered. Their website states, “The V60 Polestar Engineered plug-in hybrid is no longer available as a new vehicle in the US.”
Last year, fewer than 3,500 V60 wagons were sold in the U.S. A Volvo spokesperson explained that production has moved to their facility in Ghent, Belgium.
The last V60 Polestar Engineered had a 312-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 143-horsepower electric motor, totaling 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet (709 Nm) of torque. It could also drive 44 miles (71 kilometers) on electric power alone.
https://evne.ws/41vzOTV
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