ev.news Briefly: Slate, France, BMW & more | 17 Oct 2026

It's ev.news Briefly for Saturday 17 October 2026, only today's headlines and nothing else, in just 4 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

SLATE OPENS FIRST SHOWROOM FOR $26,400 ELECTRIC PICKUP
Slate has opened its first showroom in Chicago ahead of sales later this year, showcasing its $26,400 electric pickup, including destination fees, with a projected EPA range of 205 miles. Optional kits can convert the basic truck into a five-seat SUV, while servicing will use RepairPal’s independent network, including more than 100 workshops capable of working on high-voltage EV systems.

FRANCE’S EV SHARE HITS 42%, LED BY MODEL Y
Electric cars took 42% of France’s new-car market in September, up from 22% a year earlier, led by Tesla’s Model Y ahead of the Renault 5 and electric Twingo. Social leasing capped at €200 a month helped support demand, but only the Renault 5 among those three is assembled in France, highlighting the challenge of turning growing EV sales into domestic manufacturing gains.

BMW RAISES IX5 EPA RANGE ESTIMATE TO 450 MILES
BMW has raised the iX5 60 xDrive’s estimated EPA range from 435 to 450 miles ahead of its planned launch in the first quarter of 2027. Its 144.0 kWh battery, BMW’s largest in a production vehicle, will support charging at up to 460 kW, with a quoted 10–80% charging time of 22 minutes.

GERMANY SEEKS FREEZE ON PLUG-IN HYBRID CO₂ RULES
Germany wants to freeze November’s correction to EU plug-in hybrid emissions calculations, which would reduce the assumed amount of electric driving to better reflect real-world use. Transport & Environment says plug-in hybrids registered in 2024 emitted around six times their official CO₂ figures and warns that a freeze would let carmakers meet 2030 targets while selling fewer battery electric cars.

MERCEDES CHIEF WARNS EU AGAINST EXCLUDING UK CARMAKERS
Mercedes-Benz chief Ola Källenius warns that excluding British carmakers from the EU’s proposed Made in Europe rules would damage manufacturers and supply chains on both sides of the Channel. Brussels says British tariffs on Chinese-built electric cars would strengthen the UK’s case for inclusion, but the British government says it isn’t considering them.

IONITY TO REPLACE CHARGERS THAT LEFT EVS STRANDED
Ionity will replace faulty chargers at Elverum in Norway after receiving six incident reports involving high-voltage safety fuses being triggered, leaving affected EVs unable to drive until those fuses are replaced. One Volkswagen ID. Buzz owner faces a reported $12,100 repair bill, with Ionity’s insurer handling the case and responsibility for payment still unresolved.

CHERY UNVEILS Q ELECTRIC HATCHBACK FOR EUROPE
Chery has unveiled its 4.2-metre Q electric hatchback for Europe, with a UK arrival expected in 2027 that would bring the brand’s first fully electric car to its British line-up. European specifications are still being finalised, but the South African version has a 42.7 kWh battery, a 90 kW rear motor and up to 400 km of NEDC range, with 30–80% DC charging in 16.5 minutes or less.

BYD SHARK WINS FIVE-STAR EURO NCAP RATING
BYD’s Shark DMO plug-in hybrid pickup has earned Euro NCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, with UK orders open at £47,295 including VAT. The 321 kW pickup offers up to 90 km of WLTP electric range from a 32.2 kWh battery, with 55 kW DC charging taking 21 minutes from 30% to 80%, adding an electrified option to a diesel-dominated market.

TESLA ROADSTER RESERVATIONS COME WITHOUT DELIVERY GUARANTEE
Customers can pay up to $250,000 to reserve Tesla’s Roadster without securing a guaranteed car, delivery date, final price or fixed specification. Tesla is targeting a 2028 launch, with some reservations dating back to 2017; payments are fully refundable if customers cancel or Tesla cannot deliver, but reservations cannot be transferred.