BRIEFLY: EV Intent, Honda, Slate & more | 15 May 2026

It's EV News Briefly for Friday 15 May 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily

JD POWER SAYS EV INTEREST IS HOLDING UP

Consumer interest in EVs remained steady despite plateauing sales, with 26% of new-vehicle shoppers in April 2026 saying they were "very likely" to consider an EV — up 3 points month on month — partly driven by rising fuel costs. Charging availability remained the top barrier at 46%, though concerns around cost and charging time all eased year on year.

HONDA SWINGS TO LOSS AS HYBRID STRATEGY HARDENS

Honda posted its first operating loss since going public in 1957, recording a ¥414.3 billion ($2.6 billion) operating loss for the fiscal year ended March 2026, driven by ¥1.57 trillion in EV-related write-offs. CEO Toshihiro Mibe abandoned the 2040 combustion-free target and pivoted to 15 new hybrid models through 2030, with two prototypes — a fastback sedan and a red crossover — unveiled in Tokyo on May 14.

SLATE AUTO PLANS 392 MICHIGAN JOBS

Slate Auto plans to add 392 jobs and invest $10.4 million at its Troy, Michigan headquarters over five years, nearly doubling its Michigan workforce ahead of its low-cost electric pickup launch later in 2026. The Bezos-backed company, now led by CEO Peter Faricy following a leadership change in March, will focus new roles on engineering, design, and R&D, with positions starting at $43 per hour.

TOYOTA HILUX ADDS EV FOR 2026

Toyota will launch the ninth-generation Hilux in 2026 with both a fully electric and a diesel version, with the electric model reaching UK customers first in June in Icon (£52,845 after grant) and Invincible (£55,695 after grant) trims. Both electric variants qualify for the UK government's £5,000 plug-in van grant and come in a Double Cab body style, with a two-seat commercial conversion to follow later in 2026.

VAUXHALL MATCHES EV AND DIESEL VAN PRICES

Vauxhall has achieved finance and lease price parity between the electric and diesel versions of its Combo and Vivaro vans, with the Combo Electric available from £305 per month and the Vivaro Electric from £335 per month — both matching their diesel equivalents on 36-month, 10,000-mile terms. The parity has been extended to the Astra and Frontera passenger cars as part of a wider brand strategy to remove the cost barrier to electrification.

TRATON RAISES €850 MILLION FOR EV DRIVE

Volkswagen-majority-owned Traton Group has raised €850 million to accelerate battery-electric drivetrain development across MAN, Scania, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus. Battery-electric vehicle sales across the group grew to 1.4% of total sales in Q1 2026, up from 0.9% in Q1 2025, with MAN and Scania both expanding their electric lineups.

RENAULT CLAIMS EDGE OVER CHINESE RIVALS

Renault CEO François Provost claimed the group's European manufacturing efficiency surpasses Chinese rivals, while acknowledging it still uses Chinese supply chains and a China development centre to bring new models to market in under 24 months. With French and European plants running at 85% capacity and momentum from models like the electric Renault 5, Renault is deepening ties with Nissan — both holding 15% stakes in each other — while Nissan's CEO signalled desire for a closer partnership.

BYD ATTO 2 DM-I PRICED FOR UK

BYD has confirmed UK pricing for the Atto 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV, with orders opening 2 June 2026 and first deliveries in August. The Active trim starts at £26,995 with a 7.8kWh battery and 24 miles of EV range, while the Boost costs £29,995 with an 18kWh battery and up to 55 miles of EV range.

OMODA-JAECOO MAKES A FAST UK START

Jaecoo and Omoda launched in the UK in March 2025 with immediate impact — the Jaecoo 7 became that month's best-selling car, and by year-end over 26,000 units had sold, making it the fourth most popular retail car in the UK. The brand reached a 1.4% UK market share, ahead of Seat and Suzuki, built on Range Rover Evoque-inspired styling, competitive pricing, and strong dealer incentives.

POLESTAR SAYS FUEL SHOCK DRIVES EV DEMAND

Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller said "pump anxiety" has overtaken "range anxiety" as the key driver of EV consideration, with WTI and Brent crude up 50% since late February due to disruption at the Strait of Hormuz. Polestar is seeing rising demand for both new and used EVs as a result, though eroding US tax incentives and broader cost pressures continue to make the American market challenging.