BRIEFLY: Audi A2, BYD Shark 6, Citroën E-C3 Urban & more | 12 Feb 2026
About this episode
Highlights include Audi reviving the A2 name with an electric A2 e-tron potentially based on VW's MEB Plus platform, BYD's Shark 6 cab chassis launch in Australia, and Citroën's competitively priced E-C3 Urban. General Motors confirms continued China supply chain ties despite US pressures. Daimler buses become charge point operators in Munich and Cologne with 600kW chargers. Honda reports losses due to EV write-downs and US tariffs. Canada invests in green freight programs while Stellantis plans to exit its Samsung battery joint venture. Avalu raises funds to expand battery health testing in the US. The episode blends EV industry updates with market and supply chain insights.
It's EV News Briefly for Thursday 12 February 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.
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AUDI TESTS A2 E-TRON IN ARCTIC SWEDEN https://evne.ws/4amVsya
BYD SHARK 6 CAB-CHASSIS HITS REDBOOK AT $55,900 https://evne.ws/4rOOw2w
CITROËN E-C3 URBAN RANGE HITS £18,495 WITH GRANT https://evne.ws/46GPIgo
GM DOUBLES DOWN ON CHINA SUPPLY CHAIN https://evne.ws/4qqOQn1
DAIMLER BUSES TAKES PUBLIC CHARGING TO MUNICH ZOB https://evne.ws/46g1SNb
HONDA CAR UNIT SWINGS TO 93.4 BILLION YEN LOSS https://evne.ws/4kuID8p
CANADA FUNDS GREEN FREIGHT AND EV CHARGERS PUSH https://evne.ws/4tIhUJI
STELLANTIS WEIGHS EXIT FROM SAMSUNG SDI US JV https://evne.ws/4rhdgRi
AVILOO RAISES €30M TO EXPAND BATTERY TESTING https://evne.ws/3MC29Dt
AGRATAS TOPS OUT SOMERSET BATTERY GIGAFACTORY FRAME https://evne.ws/4tIi5ES
Audi Etron
"Now, I'm still very much loved by certain enthusiasts of it in bits of the internet, but now they're going to bring the A2 name back with the A2 e-tron. Think of this a bit like Audi's version of the Volkswagen ID3."
The Audi A2 e-tron is a small electric car from Audi, based on a special platform made for electric cars. It's a new version of an older Audi model but powered by electricity.
The Audi A2 e-tron is an electric revival of the original Audi A2, a compact and lightweight hatchback. The e-tron version is expected to be built on Volkswagen Group's MEB platform, designed specifically for electric vehicles.
Volkswagen Id3
"... this a bit like Audi's version of the Volkswagen ID3. Will it sit on the existing platform or the new ..."
The Volkswagen ID.3 is a small electric car made by Volkswagen. It runs only on electricity instead of gas, which makes it cleaner and quieter. People talk about it because it's one of the first new electric cars from Volkswagen and uses a special design made just for electric cars.
The Volkswagen ID.3 is a compact electric hatchback that marks Volkswagen's significant push into the electric vehicle market. It is built on the MEB platform, designed specifically for electric cars, and represents a key model in VW's transition from combustion engines to electric mobility. The ID.3 is often discussed in relation to other electric vehicles and platform strategies within the Volkswagen Group.
Volkswagen MEB platform
"Will it sit on the existing platform or the new MEB Plus platform? Well, that's an interesting question because they'll use that for larger vehicles like the VW ID Tiguan and the ID Polo, ID Cross."
The MEB platform is a special design that Volkswagen uses to build many electric cars. It helps make electric cars that can have different battery sizes and driving styles.
The MEB platform is Volkswagen Group's modular electric vehicle architecture designed to underpin a wide range of electric cars from various brands like Volkswagen, Audi, and others. It allows for flexible battery sizes and drivetrain layouts, including front-wheel and all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen ID Polo
"Well, that's an interesting question because they'll use that for larger vehicles like the VW ID Tiguan and the ID Polo, ID Cross."
The Volkswagen ID Polo is a small electric car version of the Polo, made to be an easy and efficient electric car for city driving.
The Volkswagen ID Polo is an expected electric version of the popular Polo hatchback, built on the MEB platform to offer a small electric vehicle option in Volkswagen's lineup.
Volkswagen Tiguan
"Well, that's an interesting question because they'll use that for larger vehicles like the VW ID Tiguan and the ID Polo, ID Cross."
The Volkswagen ID Tiguan is a new electric SUV from Volkswagen, designed to be a bigger electric car for families or people who want more space.
The Volkswagen ID Tiguan is an upcoming electric SUV expected to be built on the MEB platform, extending Volkswagen's electric vehicle range into the popular SUV segment.
cab chassis
"BYD's Shark 6 now being offered as a cab chassis in Australia."
A cab chassis is a type of vehicle that comes with just the front part where the driver sits and the frame behind it. People can add different back parts depending on what they need, like for work or carrying things.
A cab chassis is a vehicle configuration where the chassis and cab are provided without a factory-installed rear body, allowing for custom bodies or equipment to be fitted, often used for commercial or utility vehicles.
Byd Shark 6
"BYD's Shark 6 now being offered as a cab chassis in Australia. Well, at least the pricing just hit the industry price guide Redbook."
The BYD Shark 6 is an electric car made by a Chinese company. It has good battery technology and can be used as a regular car or a work vehicle with a special back part.
The BYD Shark 6 is an electric vehicle from Chinese automaker BYD, known for its advanced battery technology and electric drivetrains. It is offered in various configurations including a cab chassis version for utility purposes in markets like Australia.
Citroën ë-C3
"Citroen have got the EC3 here down to £18,495 list price. Citroen always do good deals, offers monthly prices, and so expect that to fall even further."
The Citroen EC3 is a small electric car made to be cheap and easy to drive in cities. It's good for short trips and everyday use.
The Citroen EC3 is a small electric city car aimed at affordability and urban mobility, competing with other budget electric vehicles in Europe.
Leapmotor T3
"because that car really is competitive with something like the Dacia Spring Leap Motor T03 and it needs to come down in price."
The Leap Motor T03 is a small electric car from China made to be cheap and good for city driving. It runs on electricity and is easy to park and use in towns.
The Leap Motor T03 is a compact electric vehicle from Chinese manufacturer Leap Motor, designed for urban use with affordable pricing and efficient electric powertrains.
Dacia Spring
"because that car really is competitive with something like the Dacia Spring Leap Motor T03 and it needs to come down in price."
The Dacia Spring is a small and cheap electric car made for city driving. It's one of the most affordable electric cars available in Europe.
The Dacia Spring is an affordable electric city car from Dacia, known for its low price and practical design, making it popular in European markets as an entry-level EV.
BYD Dolphin
"BYD Dolphin Surf. Same mileage as that. Charged a little bit slower. Needs to bring the price down. But that's with the UK government grant taking off it already."
The BYD Dolphin is a small electric car made by BYD. It can drive a good distance on a charge and is priced to be affordable for many people.
The BYD Dolphin is a compact electric hatchback from BYD, offering competitive range and features in the affordable EV segment, popular in various international markets including the UK.
General Motors
"General Motors is doubling down on their supply chain and saying they're not disconnecting from China. Well, also they have to remember they sell about a million EVs with their joint ventures in China."
General Motors is a big car company from the US that makes many cars and trucks. They work with Chinese companies to make electric cars.
General Motors is a major American automotive manufacturer known for brands like Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac. They have significant joint ventures in China, especially in electric vehicle production.
Daimler
"Daimler buses are taking public charging to the Munich Central Bus Terminal and in doing so turn themselves into a charge point operator. They operate in Cologne as well. They haven't said where else they're expanding to, but they will. Daimler buses will be a charge point operator for bus infrastructure."
Daimler is a German company that makes cars and buses. They are now helping run electric charging stations for buses in some cities.
Daimler is a German automotive corporation known for Mercedes-Benz cars and commercial vehicles including buses. They are expanding into electric bus infrastructure and charge point operations in cities like Munich and Cologne.
charge point operator
"Daimler buses are taking public charging to the Munich Central Bus Terminal and in doing so turn themselves into a charge point operator. They operate in Cologne as well. They haven't said where else they're expanding to, but they will."
A charge point operator is a business that runs places where electric cars and buses can plug in to get power.
A charge point operator is a company that manages and operates electric vehicle charging stations, including maintenance and customer access.
600 kilowatts charging power
"They're new chargers going in charge each bus at 600 kilowatts power each. Honda's car business swung to an operating loss last quarter of 602 million."
Charging at 600 kilowatts means the electric buses can get a lot of power very fast, so they can be ready to go again quickly.
Charging at 600 kilowatts is an ultra-fast electric vehicle charging rate, allowing buses or cars to recharge their batteries much quicker than typical chargers.
Honda
"Honda's car business swung to an operating loss last quarter of 602 million. They blamed EV write downs and impairments. But actually new tariffs into the United States cost them 802 million. EV write downs cost them 280. Sounds like tariffs are more of an issue. But of course they don't want to poke the United States. And if you look at the whole year over nine months, yeah they've written down 1.7 billion. As Honda, like many of the established car makers have had some false starts in going EV."
Honda is a big car company from Japan. They lost money recently because of problems with their electric car investments and new taxes on imports.
Honda is a major Japanese automaker known for cars, motorcycles, and power equipment. Recently, Honda has faced financial losses partly due to electric vehicle write-downs and tariffs impacting their business.
EV write downs
"They blamed EV write downs and impairments. But actually new tariffs into the United States cost them 802 million. EV write downs cost them 280."
EV write downs mean the company had to lower the value of their electric car investments because they aren't making as much money as expected.
EV write downs refer to the accounting process where a company reduces the book value of its electric vehicle assets due to lower expected returns or market value.
tariffs
"But actually new tariffs into the United States cost them 802 million. EV write downs cost them 280. Sounds like tariffs are more of an issue. But of course they don't want to poke the United States."
Tariffs are extra taxes that make imported cars or parts more expensive, which can cause companies to lose money or charge more.
Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods, which can increase costs for companies importing vehicles or parts, affecting profitability and pricing.
false starts in going EV
"As Honda, like many of the established car makers have had some false starts in going EV. Some investments that haven't necessarily paid off. You could call the mistakes if you want to."
False starts in going EV means some car companies tried to make electric cars before but it didn't work out well at first.
False starts in going EV refers to early attempts by traditional automakers to enter the electric vehicle market that did not succeed as planned, often due to technology, market, or strategic challenges.
Green Freight program
"Canada is funding Green Freight, putting 5.7 million Canadian into a Green Freight program to cut fuel costs and lower emissions across vehicle fleets."
Green Freight is a program that helps trucks and delivery vehicles use less fuel and pollute less to help the environment.
The Green Freight program is an initiative to reduce fuel costs and emissions across vehicle fleets by promoting cleaner and more efficient freight transportation methods.
electric vehicle chargers
"Alongside what I told you about recently are the 8000 new chargers going in the ground. Somewhat of a kind of talking out of both sides of their face thing going on here. Like, well, we want to put EV charge in the ground."
Electric vehicle chargers are places where electric cars can plug in to get more battery power. More chargers make it easier to drive electric cars.
Electric vehicle chargers are infrastructure units installed to provide electric power to recharge EV batteries. Increasing the number of chargers supports EV adoption by reducing range anxiety.
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