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 Sunday 09 March, I’m Martyn Lee and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to.
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TESLA STARTS GLOBAL MODEL Y DELIVERIES
Tesla has begun delivering its updated Model Y, with the first vehicles handed over to customers in China on February 26. From February 24 to March 1, Tesla recorded 12,400 vehicle registrations in China, making it the company’s best sales week of 2025. Of these, 6,700 were Model Y units. This trend is expected to continue as Tesla increases production at its Giga Shanghai facility.
In Europe, a photo shared on Friday showed several Model Y vehicles outside Tesla’s Giga Berlin plant. The cars had signs saying “Model Y First Deliveries,” indicating that deliveries would start later that day or on Saturday. This aligns with the planned delivery event at Giga Texas.
European customers who ordered the refreshed SUV were told deliveries would begin between May and June. However, the image from Giga Berlin shows that delivery preparations are already in progress.
Additionally, a post on the Tesla Motors Club forum noted that the first known delivery in the United States took place in Knoxville, Tennessee, last Sunday.
https://evne.ws/3R2rQeN
FORD F-150 LIGHTNING CHARGING SPEED ENHANCEMENT
The 2022 and 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickups can charge faster at DC fast chargers after an over-the-air (OTA) update. This update, first for the 2024 model year and included in the 2025 models, raises the maximum current for DC fast charging from 450 A (amperes) to 500 A. This change can reduce charging times under certain conditions.
Ford spokesperson Sam Schembari confirmed that the update is being rolled out gradually to earlier models. Now, all Lightning model years benefit from improved DC fast-charging performance. Reports from Green Car Reports suggest this update may cut the long-range Lightning’s 10-80% charge time by about five minutes, bringing it down to around 40 minutes from the previous 45 minutes in optimal conditions.
The Lightning was introduced in 2022, reviving a name associated with performance trucks from the 1990s. Instead of creating a new electric vehicle, Ford adapted the existing F-150 platform, adding features like a front trunk and a home backup power system. This helped the Lightning win the Best Car To Buy 2023 award from Green Car Reports.
In 2023, the Lightning gained more range and added a mid-tier Flash grade in 2024 with ongoing price adjustments. The 2025 model year did not see major changes. Ford plans to replace the Lightning with a new electric full-size truck called Project T3, expected in 2027. The launch was delayed due to changes in Ford’s electric vehicle strategy. Meanwhile, the Lightning continues to perform well thanks to OTA updates that improve its capabilities after purchase.
Source: via Green Car Reports
https://evne.ws/3DreB4q
GENESIS GV60 ELECTRIC SUV RECEIVES MAJOR UPDATE
The Genesis GV60 electric SUV is getting a significant update in South Korea, the first since its October 2021 launch. Pricing and specifications for Europe will be announced soon.
While the exact WLTP range is not yet available, the GV60 now has an upgraded battery capacity from 77.4 kWh to 84 kWh. Charging capacity has increased from 240 k to 260 kW. This aligns the GV60 with its E-GMP siblings, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, allowing it to charge from 10% to 80% in about 18 minutes. Improved aerodynamics boost the total range from 451 kilometers (280 miles) to 481 kilometers (299 miles) based on Korean testing. The current European WLTP range is 517 kilometers (321 miles) and is expected to increase with these updates.
Genesis has made design changes announced in January. According to a press release from Genesis Europe, improvements include upgraded front and rear shock absorber valves in the Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS), enhancing stability and comfort. Hydro bushings have been added to the rear suspension for reduced road vibrations. The steering gear ratio has been adjusted for better responsiveness, and new damping materials are expected to improve noise comfort.
For performance, the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version of the GV60 is projected to produce 360 kW (482 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 700 Nm (516.5 lb-ft). Internal tests suggest it can accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in four seconds, though this is not officially confirmed.
While it does not match the Ioniq 5 N and EV6 GT’s output of 478 kW (639 horsepower), the GV60 includes features like ‘Virtual Gear Shift’ for simulated gear changes and a ‘Hidden Drift Mode’ for enhanced oversteer in bends. It also offers an ‘Electronic Limited Slip Differential’ (e-LSD) for improved dynamic performance.
https://evne.ws/3DpThwb
KGM INTRODUCES FINANCING FOR TORRES EVX SUV
KGM, formerly SsangYong, has launched a financing offer for its new electric vehicle, the Torres EVX. This offer aims to make it easier for consumers to switch to electric driving and is available until 31 March 2025. Customers can buy the all-electric SUV with monthly payments starting at £349 under 0% APR Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) plans. A minimum deposit of 20% is required, with financing terms up to 36 months. Despite being in the market for a long time, SsangYong has not gained much market share in the UK, raising concerns about its future as the automotive industry shifts to electric vehicles.
The Torres EVX offers spaciousness and flexibility typical of an SUV while featuring advanced electric technology. It has a 73.4kWh lithium iron phosphate battery that provides a driving range of up to 287 miles (462 kilometers) according to WLTP standards. The vehicle supports rapid charging, allowing the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in just 28 minutes using a 350kW charger. With 1,662 liters (439 US gallons) of load space and a premium interior with advanced safety and connectivity features, the Torres EVX is positioned as a strong contender in the electric vehicle market.
The Torres EVX comes with a comprehensive warranty covering 7 years or 90,000 miles (144,841 kilometers), plus a battery warranty of up to 1 million kilometers (621,371 miles), giving buyers significant peace of mind.
https://evne.ws/41EIPJ0
USED EV MARKET SHOWS SIGNS OF STABILITY AND GROWTH
The market for used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is changing, with faster sales and stable prices showing growing consumer acceptance and demand.
Data from Cap HPI shows that the average time to sell a three to five-year-old BEV has dropped to 35 days, better than petrol and hybrid vehicles, which take 41 days. In January, BEVs took 42 days to sell compared to 48 days for petrol and 43 days for hybrids.
Chris Plumb, Cap HPI’s head of current car valuations, noted, “The rise in the supply of BEVs is putting pressure on certain models… Attractive offers on new vehicles further influence the market.” Monthly payments for Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) plans on new BEVs are often lower than those for used models. Still, there is clear demand for retail-ready, three to five-year-old BEV models.
BEVs have been the fastest-selling fuel type across all vehicle age groups. In February, the average time to sell a BEV was just 39 days. Hybrid vehicles sold in 40 days, petrol in 42 days, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in 44 days, and diesels in 46 days. Car supermarkets sold three to five-year-old BEVs in an average of 33 days; franchised retailers took 34 days while independent dealers needed 43 days. The Tesla Model 3 sold fastest at an average of 28 days in February.
The latest Indicata Market Watch report suggests that used BEV prices may have stabilized. From July 2024 to January 2025, prices changed by only 0.8%, or £160 on an average £20,000 used car. Used BEVs made up a record high of 5.9% of the total used market in January.
This trend occurs as nearly 8% of all used cars available in UK dealerships were used BEVs by the end of January—the highest ever recorded. Normally, more stock might lower prices; however, Indicata reports that the variety of stock is preventing distress among dealers.
Fifteen percent of used cars under two years old are now BEVs, and ten percent of cars aged three to four years are also BEVs. Dean Merrit from Indicata UK stated, “Having seen monthly used BEV prices drop by between 5-10% in 2023… if supply and demand remain balanced during 2025 and beyond… it gives BEVs the stability they need.”
https://evne.ws/41RdAvD
US GRID BATTERY INSTALLATIONS SET TO SURGE IN 2025
In 2025, the United States is expected to add over 18 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale energy storage capacity, surpassing the nearly 11 GW installed in 2024, according to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data analyzed by Cleanview. This means the U.S. will install more grid batteries in 2025 than it had built from 2010 to 2023.
California and Texas lead the growth in the U.S. grid battery sector, together making up nearly 75% of the country’s total energy storage capacity of over 26 GW. California has traditionally been at the forefront of large-scale battery installations. Last year, despite predictions that Texas would take the lead, California held its position by a narrow margin. For 2025, EIA forecasts Texas will add about 7 GW of utility-scale storage compared to California’s projected 4.2 GW.
Arizona is also becoming important in energy storage. In 2024, Arizona installed just under 1 GW of storage with major projects like the Sonoran Solar Energy Center and Eleven Mile Solar Center, which combine solar power with battery storage for better energy capture. The EIA projects Arizona will nearly quadruple its capacity to reach about 3.6 GW in 2025.
It’s worth noting that EIA’s forecast for 2024 exceeded actual installations by around 3 GW due to uncertainties from the Trump administration regarding clean energy tax credits. These uncertainties may have slowed investments in storage and related sectors like solar and battery manufacturing.
Despite these challenges, developers are committed to expanding energy storage infrastructure. Currently, over 12 GW of storage projects are under construction or completed and waiting for grid connection. A key tax credit for battery storage is also secured for projects starting in 2025, giving developers financial certainty for upcoming work.
https://evne.ws/4iDhsGc
UK ANNOUNCES 54 EHGV CHARGING HUBS
The UK government plans to build 54 new electric Heavy Goods Vehicle (eHGV) charging and refuelling hubs, mainly for depot charging. This was announced at the ZEHID Progress Summit by Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood. She stated, “The shift to zero emission HGVs isn’t just about meeting climate targets, it’s about making sure Britain’s freight industry stays competitive, resilient and ready for the future, and it’s already happening. Thanks to real investment, real infrastructure and real commitment from government and industry, we’re moving towards the biggest transformation in road freight for a generation.”
About 90% of the new infrastructure will focus on depot charging, with 10% for public charging points on motorways and A-roads. Some locations will be “megawatt-ready” for future high-speed charging. This announcement follows Milence’s opening of the UK’s first electric truck charging hub.
Industry leaders support the government’s plan but highlight challenges like high charging costs, slow charging speeds, and high initial expenses for eHGVs. The project’s success will rely on ongoing government support and industry collaboration to create a sustainable, zero-emission freight system.
https://evne.ws/3DwREgb
£40.8M BOOST FOR MIDLANDS EV CHARGING
The UK government has allocated £40.8 million (€48.5 million) to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging in the Midlands. This funding will help install 16,000 new public charging stations across 13 local authorities, supporting EV use among residents without private parking.
More than twelve local authorities, including those in Lincolnshire, Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Warwickshire, have secured this funding. Midlands Connect noted that about 31 percent of people in the area lack access to off-street parking. The goal is to increase public charging points to help these residents transition to electric vehicles.
Lilian Greenwood, the UK Future of Roads Minister, confirmed that the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) funding will focus on smaller communities and rural areas. She said, “Making charging as seamless and as easy as possible is crucial to making the switch to electric a success… rolling out over 16,000 chargers across the Midlands will make driving an EV cheaper and easier.” Currently, the region has around 10,000 charging points.
Established in 2022, the £381 million (€453 million) LEVI fund aims to develop commercial charging infrastructure for UK residents. Local authorities can apply for this funding to improve their EV charging options and support wider adoption of electric vehicles across the country.
https://evne.ws/4bIi8b5
PEUGEOT BOOSTS UK MARKET POSITION WITH ELECTRIC SALES SURGE
Peugeot has improved its position in the UK automotive market, raising its combined car and van market share to 5.7% year-over-year. In the car segment, Peugeot’s market share is now 5.5%, making it one of the top four brands for new vehicle sales in the UK.
In February, Peugeot saw a 16% year-over-year increase in sales, moving 5,236 units and bringing its total registrations for the year to 14,777. A key factor in this growth is the rise in electric vehicle sales, which have more than doubled to 2,650 units so far this year from 1,161 units during the same period last year. As a result, Peugeot’s share of the electric car market has grown to 5.2%, an increase of nearly two percentage points from last year.
In the electric car and van category, Peugeot’s market share is now 5.4%, up from 3.7% in February 2024. Monthly market share has increased by 2.2%, now at 4.9%. Peugeot offers an all-electric version for each model in its 12-vehicle lineup, making it the European manufacturer with the largest all-electric range.
https://evne.ws/3Dr6TY0
26 DAYS LEFT FOR FREE EV ROAD TAX
Motorists have 26 days to secure free vehicle tax before changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) take effect. Starting April 1, 2025, electric vehicle (EV) owners will pay VED for the first time, with many facing the standard £195 fee. EVs valued over £40,000 will also incur an extra £425 Expensive Car Supplement (ECS).
These changes are significant and may catch many EV owners off guard. Experts have pointed out a loophole that can help drivers save money.
John Wilmot, CEO of LeaseLoco.com, said, “While the introduction of VED for electric cars was expected, many drivers may not realize they can delay these charges for another year by renewing their tax before April 1. Taking advantage of this short window to secure another year of tax-free driving is a no-brainer. It’s a simple step that could save you nearly £200, and with the deadline fast approaching, we’d encourage drivers to act now.”
EV owners can re-tax their vehicles online at any time. By re-taxing before the end of March, they can secure an additional 12 months of tax-free driving until March 2026.
Finance expert Martin Lewis advised drivers to act quickly: “Now the crucial thing is you can re-tax at any time, even if you only did it two months ago. You can do it again now. You have to pay each time, but it’s currently free so there’s nothing to pay. So effectively this is a loophole that says just go and do your retaxing as near to that deadline as possible and you get an extra year for free.”
About 1.4 million car owners could benefit from avoiding road tax until March 2026 by acting within this timeframe.
https://evne.ws/41Rh6pP
CYBERTRUCK REALITY AND OWNER HARASSMENT CONCERNS
When Tesla revealed the Cybertruck, Elon Musk promised a strong steel exoskeleton for durability, but this made it dangerous for pedestrians. However, the final product is a unibody electric vehicle with steel body panels glued together. The claimed toughness was questioned when a Cybertruck was reportedly damaged in a simple car wash.
Tesla owners, passionate about their vehicles, have faced harassment instead of showing toughness. One owner, Mike Miller, asked for harassment against Tesla owners to be treated as hate crimes. He said, “choosing to buy a Cybertruck knowing full well who the CEO was is exactly the same thing as being born Black or gay.” Miller shared his experiences of being targeted, including an attempted road assault and verbal abuse while washing his car. He called for laws to increase penalties for such behavior, stating, “No one should be harassed, threatened, or harmed based on the car they drive.”
https://evne.ws/3Fk9nYL
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