BRIEFLY: Battery ‘Breakthroughs’, Kia PV5, Hands Off Driving & more | 24 Feb 2026
About this episode
The episode covers recent developments in EV battery technology, including promising lithium metal battery advances by Samsung and ongoing testing of Slate Auto's electric truck. Kia's PV-5 electric van launch in Canada and a new Uber charging deal in the Netherlands highlight EV infrastructure growth. BMW and Mercedes are scaling back level 3 autonomy efforts, favoring advanced level 2 systems. Ford prepares for a powerful Pikes Peak run with a 1600-hp electric vehicle. The episode also touches on Australia's heaviest passenger vehicle, diesel pollution costs, and innovative solar farming. Brief sponsor mentions focus on money-saving apps and online gaming.
It's EV News Briefly for Tuesday 24 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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DALLAS SUPPLIER CLAIMS THREE-MINUTE LITHIUM-ION CHARGE https://evne.ws/3OuytZC
DONUT LAB BATTERY TESTS HIT 11C CHARGING https://evne.ws/4qSEkW0
SLATE AUTO PICKUP SPOTTED CHARGING IN MICHIGAN https://evne.ws/4rzzgXN
SAMSUNG SDI TARGETS LITHIUM-METAL BATTERY WEAK SPOT https://evne.ws/4qUkJEO
KIA BRINGS PV5 ELECTRIC VAN TO CANADA https://evne.ws/3MLHNri
ALLEGO CUTS UBER DRIVERS’ DC CHARGING COSTS https://evne.ws/4kSUBst
BMW TO DROP LEVEL 3 ON 7 SERIES https://evne.ws/46lma86
FORD PLANS 2026 PIKES PEAK MACH-E RETURN https://evne.ws/4kT1Qkf
DENZA B8 BECOMES AUSTRALIA’S HEAVIEST PASSENGER SUV https://evne.ws/4s80QuT
DIESEL TRUCKS AND BUSES COST AUSTRALIA A$6.2BN A YEAR https://evne.ws/3ZWPpdF
PHOENIX CONTACT LAUNCHES 500 KW NACS, CCS CABLES https://evne.ws/4tOmFlb
SOLAR PANELS BOOST SHEEP AND POWER NEAR DUBBO https://evne.ws/4rxDKxT
lithium metal batteries
"to solve a decades old problem with lithium metal batteries. Typically, I think would Dendrites, which are microscopic needle-like crystalline structures that can degrade the lifespan of batteries. I won't get into it but either way they've solved that problem and so that's a promising technology because those lithium metal batteries are about just over one and a half times as energy dense as conventional cells."
Lithium metal batteries are a type of battery that can store more energy than usual batteries. They have been hard to make safe because tiny needle-like bits called dendrites can damage them.
Lithium metal batteries use lithium metal as the anode, offering higher energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion cells. They have been challenging to commercialize due to issues like dendrite formation, which can reduce battery lifespan and safety.
dendrites
"Typically, I think would Dendrites, which are microscopic needle-like crystalline structures that can degrade the lifespan of batteries."
Dendrites are tiny sharp bits that can grow inside some batteries and cause them to stop working or become unsafe.
Dendrites are tiny, needle-like crystalline structures that can form inside lithium metal batteries during charging. They can pierce the battery separator, causing short circuits and reducing battery life.
Slate Auto
"Okay, Slate Auto, the makers of that stripped back truck. One of their test vehicles has been seen by a reader of the website Electric."
Slate Auto is a company that makes simple electric trucks that are tough and useful, without a lot of extra fancy stuff.
Slate Auto is an automotive company known for producing a stripped-back, minimalist electric pickup truck designed for utility and simplicity. Their vehicles focus on durability and practicality over luxury features.
Kia PV5
"Kia is bringing the PV-5 electric van to Canada. It's starting with a cargo version but you can get the PV-5 from Kia in all sorts of configurations. Passenger carries wheelchair accessible variants."
The Kia PV-5 is a type of electric van that can carry goods or people. It can be set up in different ways, including special versions for people who use wheelchairs.
The Kia PV-5 is an electric van designed for various uses including cargo and passenger transport. It is notable for its electric powertrain and versatility in configurations, including wheelchair accessible versions.
chassis cab
"They're going to come early with chassis cabs to vehicle to load and lots of features for those being working vehicles."
A chassis cab is like a truck frame with just the driver's area, so people can add special parts to use it for work like carrying tools or cargo.
A chassis cab is a vehicle sold as a bare chassis with a cab, allowing for custom bodies or equipment to be added for specific commercial uses, such as delivery or utility work.
ALEGO
"ALEGO, the charging network and Uber have done a deal in the Netherlands to allow the Uber drivers to charge half price"
ALEGO is a company that has places where electric cars can plug in and get more battery power.
ALEGO is a company that operates electric vehicle charging networks, providing infrastructure for EV drivers to recharge their vehicles.
BMW
"BMW and Mercedes are pulling back from autonomy."
BMW is a car company from Germany that makes fancy cars and tries new technology like self-driving features.
BMW is a German automotive manufacturer known for luxury vehicles and advanced technology, including autonomous driving systems.
Mercedes-Benz
"BMW and Mercedes are pulling back from autonomy."
Mercedes-Benz is a car company from Germany that makes luxury cars and works on self-driving technology.
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury car manufacturer known for innovation in safety and autonomous driving technology.
level three autonomy
"They've both had level three systems on the road up to various speeds where they take full control of the vehicle."
Level three autonomy means the car can drive itself in some situations, but the driver still needs to pay attention and be ready to help if needed.
Level three autonomy refers to a stage of self-driving technology where the vehicle can handle all aspects of driving in certain conditions, but the driver must be ready to take over when requested.
level two autonomy
"Moving back they say to advanced level two systems, which can go to higher speeds."
Level two autonomy means the car can help with steering and speed but you still have to watch and be ready to take control.
Level two autonomy refers to advanced driver assistance systems that can control steering and acceleration/deceleration simultaneously but still require human supervision at all times.
Pikes Peak
"Ford will return to Pikes Peak and take one of their vehicles up the hill."
Pikes Peak is a tall mountain where there is a special car race going uphill that is very hard and exciting.
Pikes Peak is a famous mountain in Colorado known for its challenging hill climb race, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which tests vehicles' performance and driver skill on a steep, winding course.
Ford
"Ford will return to Pikes Peak and take one of their vehicles up the hill."
Ford is a big car company from America that makes many different kinds of cars and trucks.
Ford is a major American automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles including trucks, SUVs, and performance cars.
horsepower
"They call it a Mackie but it's not a Mackie because it's 1600 horsepower,"
Horsepower tells you how strong a car's engine or motor is and how fast it can make the car go.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement that indicates the power output of an engine or motor, showing how much work it can perform over time.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
"They call it a Mackie but it's not a Mackie because it's 1600 horsepower,"
The Ford Mackie is a special car Ford uses for racing up a mountain, and it has a lot of power.
The Ford Mackie is a vehicle mentioned in the context of Pikes Peak racing, notable for its high power output and electric drivetrain configuration.
three six-phase motors
"three six-phase motors and a 50 kilowatt hour lithium polymer,"
The car has three electric motors that work together to make it go very fast and smooth.
Three six-phase motors refer to an electric drivetrain setup using three electric motors, each powered by six-phase electrical current, which can provide smoother and more powerful torque delivery.
50 kilowatt hour lithium polymer battery pack
"three six-phase motors and a 50 kilowatt hour lithium polymer, NMC pouch cell battery pack."
This is the big battery that stores electricity to power the car, and it can hold a lot of energy to make the car go far.
A 50 kilowatt hour lithium polymer battery pack is a type of rechargeable battery used in electric vehicles, providing energy storage with a capacity of 50 kWh, which influences the vehicle's range and performance.
NMC pouch cell battery pack
"a 50 kilowatt hour lithium polymer, NMC pouch cell battery pack."
This is a special kind of battery made with metals like nickel and cobalt, shaped like flat bags to fit inside the car easily.
NMC stands for Nickel Manganese Cobalt, a common lithium-ion battery chemistry used for high energy density and stability; pouch cells are a battery format that is lightweight and flexible.
D9 Denzers
"and they say this one will be more complex. Denzer's B8 is a big boy. It's got a weight problem in Australia because it tips the scales as now"
The D9 is a type of car that is known to be a bit complicated and heavy, especially in places like Australia. Being heavy means it might not drive as easily or quickly as lighter cars.
The D9 refers to a specific model or project, possibly related to Denzer's B8 mentioned in the context. It appears to be a complex vehicle, potentially with a significant weight issue, especially noted in Australia. This complexity and weight could affect its performance and handling.
Denza B8
"3,290 kilograms for the big Denzer B8. It's a three-row SUV. It's got a two-liter engine and a 37 kilowatt hour battery pack."
The Denzer B8 is a big SUV with three rows of seats. It weighs a lot and has a small engine plus a big battery, which helps it run using electricity and gas together.
The Denzer B8 is a large three-row SUV known for its significant weight, making it the heaviest passenger vehicle in Australia at 3,290 kilograms. It features a two-liter engine combined with a 37 kilowatt hour battery pack, indicating a hybrid or electric powertrain.
engine as a generator
"The engine is a generator but it can drive the wheels like the Shark 6 up at high highway speeds."
Sometimes the car's engine works like a power station, making electricity to help the car move instead of pushing the wheels directly.
In some hybrid vehicles, the engine acts as a generator to produce electricity that charges the battery or powers the electric motors. This means the engine doesn't always directly drive the wheels but can generate power for the electric drivetrain.
Byd Shark 6
"The engine is a generator but it can drive the wheels like the Shark 6 up at high highway speeds."
The Shark 6 is a type of car that can use its engine to help move the wheels, especially when driving fast on the highway.
The Shark 6 appears to be a vehicle model referenced for its ability to drive wheels at high highway speeds, possibly a hybrid or electric vehicle with a similar engine-generator setup.
health cost damage from emissions
"Diesel trucks and buses cost Australia $6.2 billion a year. In health cost damage Melbourne University putting an actual dollar amount on the emissions of heavy-duty vehicles and that's $6 billion a year of health costs"
Pollution from big trucks and buses can make people sick, and this costs a lot of money for health care every year.
This concept refers to the economic impact of health problems caused by pollution from diesel trucks and buses, quantified here as $6.2 billion annually in Australia. It highlights the broader societal costs of vehicle emissions beyond just environmental damage.
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