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 Monday 10 March, I’m Martyn Lee and I go through every EV story so you don’t have to.
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KIA LAUNCHES EV4 ELECTRIC SEDAN IN SOUTH KOREA
Kia has started taking orders for its first electric sedan, the EV4, in South Korea. Prices begin at about ₩41.92 million (USD $29,000), with an expected purchase price of around ₩34 million (USD $23,500) after incentives.
The EV4 offers the longest driving range in the Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle lineup, exceeding 330 miles (533 kilometers) on a single charge. It debuted as a concept in October 2023 and is now one of the most awaited electric vehicles.
As part of Kia’s “EVs for all” strategy, the EV4 is priced between USD $30,000 and over $80,000 to reach various consumers. This complements Kia’s earlier models, the EV5 and EV3, which are electric SUVs.
The standard “Air” model has a 58.3 kWh battery for a range of up to 237 miles (382 kilometers). For longer trips, there’s a variant at ₩46.29 million (USD $31,800) with an 81.4 kWh battery that extends the range to 331 miles (533 kilometers).
EV OWNERSHIP STRONGLY PREDICTS FUTURE EV PURCHASES
J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study shows that once consumers buy an electric vehicle (EV), they rarely switch back to gasoline models. The study surveyed 6,164 owners of EVs and plug-in hybrids from the 2024 and 2025 model years about their first year of ownership, collecting data from August to December 2024.
Among the EV owners surveyed, 94% are likely to consider another EV for their next purchase, while only 12% might replace their EV with a gasoline vehicle, including hybrids.
The research also found that EV owner satisfaction has improved. This is a positive change after two years of significant dissatisfaction with technology interfaces and public charging availability.
VOLVO EX90 TO UPGRADE TO 800V SYSTEM
The Volvo EX90 electric SUV will receive a significant upgrade by adopting the ES90 saloon’s advanced 800-volt electrical system for faster charging and improved efficiency.
Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan explained that the shift from the current 400-volt architecture to 800 volts is driven by the need for better range and faster charging speeds. He stated, “We can now add about 300 kilometers (186 miles) of range in 10 minutes.” Rowan also noted that many Chinese competitors are already using 800-volt systems, which reduce component costs.
Rowan confirmed plans to transition all Volvo models to 800 volts, including upgrades to the EX90 during future model-year changes. The ES90 will launch with this system, and the upcoming EX60 on SPA3 will also feature it. While the EX90’s upgrade is imminent, Rowan clarified that it is still a relatively new model.
Switching to 800 volts is expected to increase the EX90’s peak charging speed by 40%, from 250 kW to up to 350 kW. This could reduce charging times by up to 80%, cutting them from about 30 minutes to as little as 20 minutes]. However, it remains uncertain whether the EX90 will adopt the ES90’s slightly smaller 106 kWh battery (102 kWh usable) instead of its current 111 kWh cell. While this change may enhance efficiency, real-world range is expected to stay around 370–380 miles (595–610 kilometers).
Initial EX90 units have recently reached UK customers after being revealed in 2022. Volvo plans a hardware upgrade for all existing EX90s, equipping them with the ES90’s dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin software platform. Alwin Bakkenes, Volvo’s global software engineering head, said this would provide “eight times the computing power” and significantly enhance ADAS system performance. This retrofit will be offered at no extra cost.
CANADA ADVANCES EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AMID U.S. RETRENCHMENT
With the current U.S. administration’s approach to electric vehicles (EVs) and potential trade conflicts, predicting the automotive industry’s future is tough, especially for EVs.
While the U.S. cuts back on EV investments, other countries are pushing forward with their electrification plans. Canada, facing tense relations with the U.S., recently halted its nationwide EV incentive program after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation. Provinces like Quebec have also stopped their incentive programs.
Despite these setbacks, Canada is making progress in its public charging infrastructure for EVs.
Public EV charging in Canada grew significantly over the past year. Data from Natural Resources Canada shows a 24.2% increase in the public EV charging network from March 2024 to 2025. Canadian EV users now have access to 12,955 public chargers with a total of 33,767 ports: 11,087 stations offer Level 2 chargers with 27,456 ports, while 2,192 stations provide DC fast chargers with 6,309 ports. This marks a 23.4% rise in Level 2 chargers and a 27.8% increase in DC fast chargers over the last year.
Electric Autonomy credits this growth to new players entering the market and the widespread adoption of Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). As more manufacturers adopt NACS, it could ease range anxiety for drivers and boost sales.
CANOO CEO LAUNCHES FIRM TO ACQUIRE BANKRUPT EV MAKER’S ASSETS
Canoo Inc. CEO Anthony Aquila started WHS Energy Solutions to buy the assets of the bankrupt electric vehicle maker for $4 million (about $4.3 million). This purchase needs approval from the bankruptcy court. WHS Energy Solutions was first set up in Torrance, where Canoo was based until moving to Texas last year.
Canoo, a seven-year-old startup in the electric vehicle market, had contracts with NASA, the Department of Defense, and the United States Postal Service. Despite these deals, it delivered few vehicles. In 2020, Canoo went public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), raising nearly $600 million (around €540 million) in funding and securing contracts worth $2 billion (about €1.8 billion). However, it declared bankruptcy in January 2025 after failing to attract enough investors to keep operating.
BATTERY MARKET GROWTH FUELED BY RISING DEMAND AND LOWER COSTS
The global battery market is growing fast due to rising demand and lower prices, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
In 2024, electric vehicle (EV) sales increased by 25%, reaching 17 million units. This growth raised annual battery demand above 1 terawatt-hour (TWh). Meanwhile, average EV battery pack costs fell below $100 per kilowatt-hour, making electric cars more competitive with traditional vehicles.
Lower battery prices partly result from cheaper minerals. Lithium prices dropped over 85% from their peak in 2022. Advances in battery technology have also helped cut costs. Global battery production capacity reached 3 TWh in 2024 and could triple within five years if planned projects proceed.
These changes suggest the battery market is entering a new phase, shifting from regional to global scale, with technologies becoming more standardized. Future success depends on economies of scale, supply chain partnerships, efficient manufacturing, and rapid innovation adoption. This may lead to industry consolidation and government efforts to diversify supply chains.
Currently, China produces over 75% of global batteries. In 2024, Chinese battery prices fell nearly 30%, a bigger drop than elsewhere. Batteries from China are over 30% cheaper than Europe’s and more than 20% cheaper than North America’s. Due to these lower prices, many electric vehicles in China now cost less than gasoline-powered cars.
RIVIAN DEVELOPS ADAPTIVE AERO WHEEL COVERS
Rivian has applied for a patent on active aerodynamic wheel covers to boost efficiency in its electric vehicles. Currently, the 2025 Rivian R1S and R1T use smooth, fixed wheel covers to lower drag, but these can’t adapt to changing conditions.
The patent was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in August 2023 and published on March 6. It describes wheel covers with movable parts for better aerodynamics. These covers can open to match wheel spokes or close for a smooth surface, using a spring mechanism to rotate between positions.
According to Rivian, active wheel covers would let drivers switch between covered and uncovered wheels without removing them. The movable parts could also release air pressure from wheel wells, improving performance. When open, the covers help cooling, similar to active grille shutters used in many modern vehicles.
Reducing drag is especially difficult for boxy-shaped SUVs and pickups like Rivian’s models. Other manufacturers are also exploring advanced aerodynamic methods. Stellantis has patented a rear step with an integrated diffuser for pickup trucks. Hyundai tested an active air skirt on SUVs and electric vehicles with wider wheels. In 2024 tests using the Genesis GV60, Hyundai’s design reduced drag coefficient by 2.8%, potentially increasing range by about 3.7 miles, though Hyundai hasn’t confirmed production plans yet.
FUEL COSTS SOAR, BOOSTING ELECTRIC MOBILITY APPEAL
A BloombergNEF analysis, cited by ADAC, predicts fuel prices will rise by 22 to 27 percent by 2030 due to the new European Emissions Trading System (ETS). Starting in 2027, ETS2 will charge 149 euros per ton of CO₂, affecting suppliers of gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and heating oil. These costs will likely be passed on to consumers, making traditional refueling more expensive.
This price increase highlights the appeal of electric options like electric vehicles and heat pumps, encouraging a shift to more efficient and eco-friendly solutions for mobility and heating. “The slower the transition, the higher the demand for climate compensatory certificates and thus their price,” warns BloombergNEF.
Since 2021, Germany has had a CO₂ pricing system in building and transport sectors. It started at 25 euros per ton but has tripled to 55 euros per ton. The revenue supports initiatives like heat pump installations and restructuring the economy for climate goals. Currently, this increased CO₂ price has raised gasoline prices by €0.13 per liter and diesel by €0.15 per liter.
LEVC L380 MINIVAN LAUNCHES IN CHINA AT LOWER PRICE
The LEVC L380 electric minivan has launched in China under the Geely Galaxy brand. Its price has dropped by 80,000 yuan (about 10,935 USD), making the starting cost 299,900 yuan (around 41,455 USD). Geely plans to release the LEVC L380 in the UK in 2026.
LEVC is a subsidiary of Geely and comes from The London Taxi Corporation Limited, known for making TX London cabs.
To improve sales, Geely reintroduced the minivan under its NEV-focused Geely Galaxy brand.
The LEVC L380 has an aircraft-inspired design with slanted front pillars, a floating roof, retractable door handles, and a single rear taillight. It measures 5.316m long.
Inside, it features three rows of seating in a 2+2+2 layout and offers a trunk capacity of 1,100 liters. An optional fourth row is available. The center console includes a 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel and a 15.4-inch touchscreen. Each seat is heated and ventilated, and there are also 14 Yamaha-branded speakers.
The entry-level LEVC L380 has one electric motor on the rear axle with peak power of 200 kW (268 hp) and is paired with a 100 kWh NMC battery for up to 570 kilometers of range. A second variant uses the same motor but has a larger 140 kWh battery for an extended range of up to 825 kilometers. A four-wheel-drive version offers more power at 400 kW (536 hp) with a smaller battery for a range of about 650 kilometers. The top model features up to 544 hp and uses the larger battery for an impressive range of up to805 kilometers.
Its association with Geely Galaxy increases its visibility among consumers considering competitors like Denza D9 and Xpeng X9.
LEAPMOTOR LAUNCHES B10 SUV PRE-SALES WITH LIDAR
Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle maker backed by Stellantis, has started pre-sales of its B10 SUV, an affordable electric model featuring LiDAR technology. The B10, first in Leapmotor’s new B-series, launched today with a starting price of RMB 109,800 ($15,130).
Leapmotor says the B10 is the first electric vehicle with LiDAR technology priced below RMB 130,000. Official launch is planned for April. Within one hour of opening pre-orders, Leapmotor announced on Weibo it received over 15,010 orders; 73 percent chose LiDAR-equipped versions.
The variants with a CLTC range of 510 kilometers use a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack of 56.2 kWh capacity. The variants with a range of 600 kilometers CLTC use a larger LFP battery pack of 67.1 kWh capacity. The B10 supports DC fast charging from about 30 percent to 80 percent in roughly 20 minutes.
PREMIUM PARTNERS
PORSCHE OF THE VILLAGE CINCINNATI
AUDI CINCINNATI EAST
VOLVO CARS CINCINNATI EAST
NATIONAL CAR CHARGING ON THE US MAINLAND AND ALOHA CHARGE IN HAWAII
OCTOPUS ELECTROVERSE GLOBAL PUBLIC CHARGING MADE SIMPLE WITH ONE APP AND ONE MAP
PARTNERS
RICHARD AT RSEV.CO.UK
JUKKA KUKKONEN FROM WWW.SHIFT2ELECTRIC.COM
RAJEEV NARAYAN
BATTERY REPORTS FOR EVS AT RECURRENTAUTO.COM
JAN TORE GJØBY
BOB BOOTHBY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
ADRIAN BOND
ALAN SHEDD
ALEX BANAHENE
ANDERS HOVE
ANDREA JEFFERSON
ANDREW LUOMA
ANDREW WANEK
ANDY NANCARROW AND LILIAN KASS
ASEER KHALID
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CRAIG ROGERS
DAVE QUADY
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ED CORTEEN
ED SUTTON
EDDIE RAGASA
ERIC HANSEN
ERU KYEYUNE-NYOMBI
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JACK OAKLEY
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JIM MORAN
JIM MORRIS
JOHN BERTRAM
JOHN SCHROEDER
JOHN VAN DEVOORT
JON AKA BEARDY MCBEARDFACE FROM KENT EVS
JON MANCHAK
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KEVIN MEYERSON
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NEIL E ROBERTS FROM SUSSEX EVS
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PETE GLASS
PETE GORTON
PETER & DEE ROBERTS
PETER RYNER
PHIL MILES
PHIL MOUCHET
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RAYMOND ROWLEDGE
REALTORS CHOICE PHOTOGRAPHY
ROB FROM THE RSTHINKS EV CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE
ROBERT GRACE
RON HUNTER
ROOSEVELT WATSON
SEIKI PAYNE
STEPHEN PENN
STEVE JOHN
STEVEN BURTNESS
THE PLUGSEEKER’S EV YOUTUBE CHANNEL
THOMAS J. THIAS
TIMOTHY PHILLIPS
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