ev.news Briefly: Volvo, BYD, Hyundai & more | 16 Sep 2026
Sep 17, 12:48 AM
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➤ VOLVO XC60 PHEV CLAIMS 124-MILE ELECTRIC RANGE
➤ BYD ATTO 1 OFFERED FOR $19,990 DRIVEAWAY
➤ HYUNDAI AND KIA EXPORT 591,000 ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES
➤ RENAULT UNVEILS 800 V ELECTRIC TRAFIC VAN
➤ SCANIA SAYS BATTERY LAYOUT CAN INCREASE RANGE TO 720 KM
➤ CATL UNVEILS TECHTRANS 2 TRUCK BATTERY
➤ ENGLAND PLANS CROSS-PAVEMENT EV CHARGING RIGHTS
➤ GERMANY CONSIDERS PLUG-IN HYBRID AND EREV TARIFFS
➤ JAC PLANS 2027 HUNTER PHEV CAB-CHASSIS FOR AUSTRALIA
➤ HULL 096 REACHES SOUTH AMERICA
It's ev.news Briefly for Wednesday 16 September 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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VOLVO XC60 PHEV CLAIMS 124-MILE ELECTRIC RANGE
Volvo's restyled XC60 T6 plug-in hybrid claims 124 miles of electric range, still unconfirmed as an official WLTP figure, which is 2.5 times the previous 49 miles and makes it the UK's longest-range PHEV. The gain comes from a battery that grows from 19 kWh to 41.2 kWh and a stronger motor. The T8 manages 117 miles, easily beating the BMW X3 30e (56 miles) and Mercedes GLC PHEV (80 miles), and the XC90 PHEV rises to 100 miles, with both long-range hybrids expected in North America.
Volvo's restyled XC60 T6 plug-in hybrid claims 124 miles of electric range, still unconfirmed as an official WLTP figure, which is 2.5 times the previous 49 miles and makes it the UK's longest-range PHEV. The gain comes from a battery that grows from 19 kWh to 41.2 kWh and a stronger motor. The T8 manages 117 miles, easily beating the BMW X3 30e (56 miles) and Mercedes GLC PHEV (80 miles), and the XC90 PHEV rises to 100 miles, with both long-range hybrids expected in North America.
BYD ATTO 1 OFFERED FOR $19,990 DRIVEAWAY
BYD is offering the Atto 1 Essential for A$19,990 driveaway in Australia until 15 December unless extended, a 26% discount from A$23,990 plus on-road costs. That makes it the country's cheapest new car and undercuts the petrol Kia Picanto. It has a 65 kW motor, a 30 kWh LFP battery, 220 km WLTP range, 65 kW DC charging, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and adaptive cruise control, while the rival Geely EX2 starts from A$26,490 plus on-road costs.
BYD is offering the Atto 1 Essential for A$19,990 driveaway in Australia until 15 December unless extended, a 26% discount from A$23,990 plus on-road costs. That makes it the country's cheapest new car and undercuts the petrol Kia Picanto. It has a 65 kW motor, a 30 kWh LFP battery, 220 km WLTP range, 65 kW DC charging, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and adaptive cruise control, while the rival Geely EX2 starts from A$26,490 plus on-road costs.
HYUNDAI AND KIA EXPORT 591,000 ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES
Hyundai and Kia exported 591,000 electrified vehicles in the first half of the year, up 22.3%, according to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association. Hybrids drove the growth as Hyundai prioritised the US, lifting hybrid exports there by 38% in response to IRA tax-credit changes and consumer demand. Combined EV exports rose 12.7% to 162,000, but Hyundai's fell 12.4% while Kia's climbed 34.3% to almost 104,000 between January and July, helped by the EV2, EV4, EV5 and PV5 van in Europe.
Hyundai and Kia exported 591,000 electrified vehicles in the first half of the year, up 22.3%, according to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association. Hybrids drove the growth as Hyundai prioritised the US, lifting hybrid exports there by 38% in response to IRA tax-credit changes and consumer demand. Combined EV exports rose 12.7% to 162,000, but Hyundai's fell 12.4% while Kia's climbed 34.3% to almost 104,000 between January and July, helped by the EV2, EV4, EV5 and PV5 van in Europe.
RENAULT UNVEILS 800 V ELECTRIC TRAFIC VAN
Renault unveiled the Trafic Van E-Tech Electric at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, built on the 800 V RGEV medium-van platform with an 81 kWh battery. It claims more than 470 km of range, nearly 690 km in urban driving (not an official figure), and 280 km added in 20 minutes of charging. Renault says total cost of ownership is 10% lower than a combustion equivalent, and the van adds vehicle-to-load, new multi-link rear suspension, and a planned electric power take-off for conversions such as refrigeration and ambulances. It is part of a plan for five new LCVs by 2028, following 2.8 million Trafics sold since 1980.
Renault unveiled the Trafic Van E-Tech Electric at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, built on the 800 V RGEV medium-van platform with an 81 kWh battery. It claims more than 470 km of range, nearly 690 km in urban driving (not an official figure), and 280 km added in 20 minutes of charging. Renault says total cost of ownership is 10% lower than a combustion equivalent, and the van adds vehicle-to-load, new multi-link rear suspension, and a planned electric power take-off for conversions such as refrigeration and ambulances. It is part of a plan for five new LCVs by 2028, following 2.8 million Trafics sold since 1980.
SCANIA SAYS BATTERY LAYOUT CAN INCREASE RANGE TO 720 KM
Scania's new Battery Behind Cab layout adds two MP20 packs behind the cab to supplement chassis-mounted batteries, raising electric truck range to up to 720 km for long-haul operators. Scania claims this doesn't reduce operational flexibility, and the layout works with its aerodynamic Increased Vehicle Dimension front and vehicles longer than 16.5 m, alongside the rollout of megawatt charging (MCS).
Scania's new Battery Behind Cab layout adds two MP20 packs behind the cab to supplement chassis-mounted batteries, raising electric truck range to up to 720 km for long-haul operators. Scania claims this doesn't reduce operational flexibility, and the layout works with its aerodynamic Increased Vehicle Dimension front and vehicles longer than 16.5 m, alongside the rollout of megawatt charging (MCS).
CATL UNVEILS TECHTRANS 2 TRUCK BATTERY
CATL unveiled Techtrans 2, a modular battery for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses, at IAA Transportation. It claims up to 1,000 km of range, 80% charging in 25 minutes via a megawatt charger, and 70% capacity retention after 12 years or 1.5 million km. At 170 Wh/kg it still forces fleets to trade range against payload, while 300–400 Wh/kg chemistries head to test vehicles in 2027 and solid-state could double density, starting in high-end applications.
CATL unveiled Techtrans 2, a modular battery for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses, at IAA Transportation. It claims up to 1,000 km of range, 80% charging in 25 minutes via a megawatt charger, and 70% capacity retention after 12 years or 1.5 million km. At 170 Wh/kg it still forces fleets to trade range against payload, while 300–400 Wh/kg chemistries head to test vehicles in 2027 and solid-state could double density, starting in high-end applications.
ENGLAND PLANS CROSS-PAVEMENT EV CHARGING RIGHTS
Following consultation, the government has confirmed plans for permitted development rights that would let eligible homes in England with on-street parking install cross-pavement charging gullies without a planning application. Highways authority approval remains a separate requirement. With four in ten UK households lacking off-street parking and relying on pricier public charging, the change aims to cut costs and red tape, though it won't stop others taking the space outside your home.
Following consultation, the government has confirmed plans for permitted development rights that would let eligible homes in England with on-street parking install cross-pavement charging gullies without a planning application. Highways authority approval remains a separate requirement. With four in ten UK households lacking off-street parking and relying on pricier public charging, the change aims to cut costs and red tape, though it won't stop others taking the space outside your home.
GERMANY CONSIDERS PLUG-IN HYBRID AND EREV TARIFFS
Germany will seek cabinet approval on 14 October for economic-security measures that could include tariffs on plug-in hybrids and EREVs. Chinese makers have used these vehicles to sidestep EU tariffs on battery-electric cars and grow European sales. Ministers are also weighing mandatory joint ventures with European majority ownership and stronger investment requirements, a tougher, more reciprocal China stance for export-reliant Germany before it seeks uncertain EU backing.
Germany will seek cabinet approval on 14 October for economic-security measures that could include tariffs on plug-in hybrids and EREVs. Chinese makers have used these vehicles to sidestep EU tariffs on battery-electric cars and grow European sales. Ministers are also weighing mandatory joint ventures with European majority ownership and stronger investment requirements, a tougher, more reciprocal China stance for export-reliant Germany before it seeks uncertain EU backing.
JAC PLANS 2027 HUNTER PHEV CAB-CHASSIS FOR AUSTRALIA
JAC plans to launch a Hunter PHEV cab-chassis in Australia in 2027 to rival the BYD Shark 6, letting tradespeople, fleets and farmers fit trays, canopies or toolboxes. It is expected, but not confirmed, to share the powertrain of the dual cab. That dual cab is now in dealerships from A$50,000 plus on-road costs for the Pro, and offers up to 100 km electric range, more than 1,000 km combined, 3.3 kW V2L, 3.5-tonne towing, 915 kg payload, and seven-year commercial warranty, servicing and roadside cover.
JAC plans to launch a Hunter PHEV cab-chassis in Australia in 2027 to rival the BYD Shark 6, letting tradespeople, fleets and farmers fit trays, canopies or toolboxes. It is expected, but not confirmed, to share the powertrain of the dual cab. That dual cab is now in dealerships from A$50,000 plus on-road costs for the Pro, and offers up to 100 km electric range, more than 1,000 km combined, 3.3 kW V2L, 3.5-tonne towing, 915 kg payload, and seven-year commercial warranty, servicing and roadside cover.
HULL 096 REACHES SOUTH AMERICA
Hull 096, the world's largest battery-electric ship, built by Incat in Tasmania, has arrived in South America after a heavy-lift vessel carried it from Hobart across the Pacific and around Cape Horn in under a month. After commissioning, it will carry more than 2,000 passengers on a 30-nautical-mile River Plate route between Buenos Aires and Colonia, Uruguay. Incat is also building three similar ferries that will be the EU's largest of their type.
Hull 096, the world's largest battery-electric ship, built by Incat in Tasmania, has arrived in South America after a heavy-lift vessel carried it from Hobart across the Pacific and around Cape Horn in under a month. After commissioning, it will carry more than 2,000 passengers on a 30-nautical-mile River Plate route between Buenos Aires and Colonia, Uruguay. Incat is also building three similar ferries that will be the EU's largest of their type.