ev.news Briefly: Range Rover Sport, EVgo, Trump & more | 30 Sep 2026

 RANGE ROVER SPORT ELECTRIC STARTS £45K BELOW RANGE ROVER ELECTRIC

Range Rover has opened UK orders for the Sport Electric from £109,810, giving it the same 118.5 kWh usable battery and electric drivetrain as the larger Range Rover Electric for £45,000 less, with deliveries expected in early 2027. Its 800-volt system supports up to 350 kW DC charging and a claimed 10–80% charge in around 22 minutes, while quoted WLTP range is around 374–378 miles and the Sport gets air suspension, four-wheel steering and active roll control.

EVGO’S 750 KW SYSTEM WILL SPLIT POWER BETWEEN CARS

EVgo has delayed deployment of its next-generation fast-charging system from the second half of 2026 to 2027, with its headline 750 kW figure representing the total power available to share dynamically between connected vehicles rather than 750 kW for one car. The architecture should make better use of site capacity as vehicles move through their charging curves while supporting future higher-power EVs and trucks, with EVgo also planning more NACS connectors, lighter cables and touchless payment.

TRUMP CUTS 2031 US FUEL ECONOMY STANDARD TO 34.9 MPG

The Trump administration has finalised US fuel-economy standards corresponding to a 34.9 mpg fleet average in model year 2031, down from the previous 50.4 mpg requirement and reducing federal regulatory pressure on manufacturers to increase EV sales. From 2028 automakers will also lose the ability to buy CAFE credits from competitors, while tighter light-truck classification rules from 2030 will move many crossovers into the more demanding passenger-car category.

FORD WARNS US ON CHINESE CARS WHILE USING CHINESE TECH

Ford CEO Jim Farley has warned the US against allowing Chinese automakers to gain the foothold they have established in Europe, while arguing that Ford itself needs access to Chinese technology to remain competitive. Ford licenses CATL battery technology for its Michigan battery plant and has formed a manufacturing joint venture with Geely in Spain, illustrating its attempt to cooperate where Chinese companies hold useful intellectual property while developing its own Universal EV platform.

ALPINE TEASES ELECTRIC A110 FOR 2027

Alpine has previewed the design direction of its third-generation A110, which will become a full EV in 2027 while retaining an evolutionary version of the current sports car’s shape. It will use Renault Group’s bonded-aluminium Alpine Performance Platform and is expected to underpin a wider family including a convertible and four-seat A310, although battery size, range, charging speed and motor output remain unannounced.

EU SHIFTS CHARGING FUNDING TOWARDS ELECTRIC TRUCKS

The European Commission plans to prioritise electric-truck and bus charging in future infrastructure funding as financing and grid connections become major barriers to heavy-duty electrification. Europe has nearly 40,000 battery-electric trucks and around 3,000 suitable public charging points, but studies suggest the busiest future sites could require 20–50 MW grid connections as charging demand rises towards roughly 100 TWh a year by 2035.

STELLANTIS TURNS TO MOMENTA FOR PEUGEOT AND JEEP DRIVER ASSISTANCE

Stellantis’ new technology joint venture with Dongfeng has selected Chinese autonomous-driving specialist Momenta to develop driver-assistance systems with Peugeot and Jeep for future vehicles. The technology is intended for China, Europe and other markets, making the partnership an international software programme rather than merely a China-specific localisation project and extending Momenta’s reach beyond its established German premium-brand customers.

TESLA PATENTS FOUR-FAN EV AERO SYSTEM BEFORE ROADSTER REVEAL

Tesla has patented an aerodynamic system using four electric fans around an EV’s rear diffuser to manage underbody airflow, increase downforce and potentially reduce the drag penalty of conventional aerodynamic surfaces. The patent appeared shortly before Tesla’s planned 15 October Roadster showing, but nothing in the filing confirms the technology will be fitted to the Roadster or any production Tesla.