ev.news Briefly: IONIQ 3, Lucid Gravity, French Subsidies & more | 17 Aug 2026
Aug 17, 05:13 PM
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➤ HYUNDAI STARTS IONIQ 3 PRODUCTION IN TURKEY
➤ HYUNDAI OPENS IONIQ 3 ORDER BOOKS
➤ LUCID UNVEILS GRAVITY GT-S
➤ FRANCE TO BACK USED ELECTRIC VEHICLES
➤ PORSCHE REPORTS POINT TO TAYCAN PHASE-OUT
➤ TESLA ADDS V2L TO MODEL Y PREMIUM
➤ TESLA LEASES POWERWALL BACKUP IN TEXAS
➤ CORVUS TO SUPPLY BATTERIES FOR BC FERRIES SUMMIT CLASS
➤ FERRARI LUCE SELLS FOR $40 MILLION
It's ev.news Briefly for Monday 17 August 2026, only todays headlines and nothing else, in just 4 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.
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HYUNDAI STARTS IONIQ 3 PRODUCTION IN TURKEY
Hyundai has begun building the IONIQ 3 at its Izmit plant in Turkey, the site's first EV, following a €250 million ($290 million) investment that modernised around half the facility. Initial output is 30,000 units a year, with Dutch prices from €27,995 ($32,000) and the next-generation BAYON and i20 to follow next year.
Hyundai has begun building the IONIQ 3 at its Izmit plant in Turkey, the site's first EV, following a €250 million ($290 million) investment that modernised around half the facility. Initial output is 30,000 units a year, with Dutch prices from €27,995 ($32,000) and the next-generation BAYON and i20 to follow next year.
HYUNDAI OPENS IONIQ 3 ORDER BOOKS
Hyundai Motor UK has opened orders for the IONIQ 3 compact hatchback from £22,245 on-the-road, positioning it against the Kia EV2, Renault 5 and VW ID Polo. Buyers choose a 42.2kWh battery with up to 213 miles or a 61kWh version with up to 308 miles, both charging 10-80% in about 30 minutes, and the car debuts Hyundai's Android Automotive-based PleOS Connect system. Grant eligibility is still pending.
Hyundai Motor UK has opened orders for the IONIQ 3 compact hatchback from £22,245 on-the-road, positioning it against the Kia EV2, Renault 5 and VW ID Polo. Buyers choose a 42.2kWh battery with up to 213 miles or a 61kWh version with up to 308 miles, both charging 10-80% in about 30 minutes, and the car debuts Hyundai's Android Automotive-based PleOS Connect system. Grant eligibility is still pending.
LUCID UNVEILS GRAVITY GT-S
Lucid's 2027 Gravity GT-S produces 1,070hp from a dual-motor powertrain and hits 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, priced from $127,750 — about $14,000 below the outgoing Dream Edition. It comes with rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension as standard, while a 926V architecture supports 400kW charging that Lucid says adds 200 miles in under 12 minutes.
Lucid's 2027 Gravity GT-S produces 1,070hp from a dual-motor powertrain and hits 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, priced from $127,750 — about $14,000 below the outgoing Dream Edition. It comes with rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension as standard, while a 926V architecture supports 400kW charging that Lucid says adds 200 miles in under 12 minutes.
FRANCE TO BACK USED ELECTRIC VEHICLES
From September, France will subsidise used EV purchases and leases through the Energy Savings Certificates scheme, funded by energy suppliers including EDF, Engie and TotalEnergies under the polluter-pays principle. Cars must have been first registered in France between 2017 and 2023 and retain at least 80% battery capacity, with buyers required to keep the vehicle three years and to purchase through a dealer rather than privately.
From September, France will subsidise used EV purchases and leases through the Energy Savings Certificates scheme, funded by energy suppliers including EDF, Engie and TotalEnergies under the polluter-pays principle. Cars must have been first registered in France between 2017 and 2023 and retain at least 80% battery capacity, with buyers required to keep the vehicle three years and to purchase through a dealer rather than privately.
PORSCHE REPORTS POINT TO TAYCAN PHASE-OUT
Porsche is reported to have agreed in principle with employee representatives to end Taycan production by 2029 or 2030, closing a roughly decade-long run, though nothing has been formalised or confirmed. Output has collapsed from 39,397 cars in 2023 to 11,510 in 2025, with first-half 2026 deliveries down 25% and no successor named as Porsche appears set to prioritise the electric Macan and Cayenne.
Porsche is reported to have agreed in principle with employee representatives to end Taycan production by 2029 or 2030, closing a roughly decade-long run, though nothing has been formalised or confirmed. Output has collapsed from 39,397 cars in 2023 to 11,510 in 2025, with first-half 2026 deliveries down 25% and no successor named as Porsche appears set to prioritise the electric Macan and Cayenne.
TESLA ADDS V2L TO MODEL Y PREMIUM
Tesla has enabled vehicle-to-load for the Model Y Premium in the US and Puerto Rico, delivering 2.4kW at 120V via an $80 adapter that requires the Gen 3 Mobile Connector. Eligibility is narrower than the badge suggests, with reports indicating only newer Juniper-built cars from around May 2026 carry the necessary hardware, and Tesla still trails rivals offering up to 10.2kW.
Tesla has enabled vehicle-to-load for the Model Y Premium in the US and Puerto Rico, delivering 2.4kW at 120V via an $80 adapter that requires the Gen 3 Mobile Connector. Eligibility is narrower than the badge suggests, with reports indicating only newer Juniper-built cars from around May 2026 carry the necessary hardware, and Tesla still trails rivals offering up to 10.2kW.
TESLA LEASES POWERWALL BACKUP IN TEXAS
Tesla Electric is offering a whole-home Powerwall lease in selected Texas retail-choice areas for roughly $35 a month plus tax in year one, achieved by applying an $87 monthly credit to a two-unit lease costing about $122. The deal carries a 3% annual escalator, a $100 order fee, a 20% minimum backup reserve for virtual power plant dispatch, and credits that may not start until two billing cycles after installation and utility approval.
Tesla Electric is offering a whole-home Powerwall lease in selected Texas retail-choice areas for roughly $35 a month plus tax in year one, achieved by applying an $87 monthly credit to a two-unit lease costing about $122. The deal carries a 3% annual escalator, a $100 order fee, a 20% minimum backup reserve for virtual power plant dispatch, and credits that may not start until two billing cycles after installation and utility approval.
CORVUS TO SUPPLY BATTERIES FOR BC FERRIES SUMMIT CLASS
Corvus Energy will supply 40MWh of battery storage across four hybrid-electric Summit Class ferries for BC Ferries, each carrying 360 vehicles and 2,100 people and fitted with a 10MWh Dolphin NxtGen system. The hardware is scalable to 70MWh per vessel for near-zero-emission running once shore charging exists, with China Merchants' Weihai Shipyard delivering the first ship in 2029 and all four in service by 2031.
Corvus Energy will supply 40MWh of battery storage across four hybrid-electric Summit Class ferries for BC Ferries, each carrying 360 vehicles and 2,100 people and fitted with a 10MWh Dolphin NxtGen system. The hardware is scalable to 70MWh per vessel for near-zero-emission running once shore charging exists, with China Merchants' Weihai Shipyard delivering the first ship in 2029 and all four in service by 2031.
FERRARI LUCE SELLS FOR $40 MILLION
Chassis 0 of the Ferrari Luce, the marque's first EV and a one-off Tailor Made build designed by Sir Jony Ive's LoveFrom, sold for $40 million at RM Sotheby's Monterey auction, over 36 times its estimate and a record for a new car. The sale was offered without reserve and with no buyer's premium, sending the full amount to The Ferrari Foundation, with winning bidder Dr Herbert Wertheim taking delivery early next year.
Chassis 0 of the Ferrari Luce, the marque's first EV and a one-off Tailor Made build designed by Sir Jony Ive's LoveFrom, sold for $40 million at RM Sotheby's Monterey auction, over 36 times its estimate and a record for a new car. The sale was offered without reserve and with no buyer's premium, sending the full amount to The Ferrari Foundation, with winning bidder Dr Herbert Wertheim taking delivery early next year.