BRIEFLY: EU Sales, GM, Range Rover & more | 23 Jul 2026

EUROPEAN EV SALES JUMP 52% IN JUNE  European EV sales rose 52% in June, with volume models up 59% and premium models up 31%, pushing year-to-date growth to 35% overall. Tesla led the market with the Model Y and Model 3, while models like the Renault 5, Skoda Enyaq, and Leapmotor T03 showed strong gains, and BMW topped the slower-growing premium segment.GM EV RESET COSTS $10.9 BILLION  GM’s shift away from aggressive EV expansion has now cost $10.9 billion, including a new $2.3 billion charge tied to reducing battery capacity and retooling factories for more petrol vehicles. The reversal follows weaker EV demand and missed targets against Tesla, mirroring similar multi-billion-dollar pullbacks by Ford, Stellantis, and Volkswagen.RANGE ROVER SHOWS ELECTRIC GT PROTOTYPE  JLR has unveiled a low-slung electric GT-style crossover as a fifth Range Rover model, blending SUV and saloon design on its EMA platform. A production version is expected next year with likely dual-motor AWD, though performance and range figures remain undisclosed.HOLLYWOOD TESLA DINER TOPS GLOBAL SUPERCHARGER NETWORK  Tesla’s Hollywood diner and Supercharger site became the busiest in its global network within a year, delivering 21.2 GWh and averaging about 1,600 daily charging sessions. The location significantly outperforms other sites in weekly energy delivered, highlighting demand for high-traffic charging hubs.SWEDEN EV SHARE HITS 67% IN Q2  Plug-in vehicles reached a 67% market share in Sweden in Q2 2026, driven mainly by BEVs rising to 42% while PHEVs declined slightly. Overall car sales grew 22%, supported by new rural-focused incentives, with the Volvo EX40 remaining the top-selling BEV.VOLKSWAGEN ID. POLO STARTS AT £23,945  Volkswagen’s new all-electric ID. Polo will start at £23,945, marking a key model in its “True VW” strategy with improved design, usability, and physical controls. Offering up to 280 miles of range and modern tech across trims, it aims to balance affordability, practicality, and everyday performance.VOLKSWAGEN BACKS SAFETY-LED E-BIKE RANGE  Volkswagen has backed a premium e-bike line featuring 250W motors and a 25 km/h limit, focused on safety and urban usability rather than speed. Key features include a radar-assisted rear-view system, integrated lighting, and optional smart helmet and HUD glasses to bring car-style safety tech into micromobility.HYUNDAI UNITES V2X UNDER ALL DAY ENERGY  Hyundai has launched All Day Energy, a unified V2X platform that combines its regional systems into a single global service accessible via vehicle apps. The system enables EVs to supply power to homes, buildings, other vehicles, and the grid, with the UK set as the first rollout market.BURNHAM CUTS POWER VAT, WIDENS EV CHARGING GAP  The UK will remove VAT on domestic electricity from October, cutting bills and benefiting EV owners who charge at home while leaving public charging taxed at 20%. This widens the cost gap for the 32% of households without driveways, intensifying calls for equalised charging taxes.ABARTH 500E GETS UK GRANT  The Abarth 500e now qualifies for a £3,750 UK government grant, reducing its price to £24,245 and making the electric hot hatch more accessible. The incentive aims to broaden its appeal beyond early adopters since its 2023 launch.ILLINOIS EV REBATES RETURN ON AUGUST 1  Illinois will relaunch its EV rebate program on August 1 with $14 million in funding, offering up to $4,000 for low-income buyers and $2,000 standard rebates. The program runs until funds are exhausted, with strict eligibility rules including price caps, dealer requirements, and no leases.USED EVS KEEP MORE BATTERY THAN FEARED  A Swedish study of nearly 10,000 tests found many EVs retain 95–97% battery capacity after over 100,000 km, challenging common concerns about degradation. Models like the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona performed best, while battery chemistry and supplier differences also significantly affected long-term health.