{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"BRIEFLY: BMW, Tesla, EVgo & more | 06 Mar 2026","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/briefly-bmw-tesla-evgo-more-06-mar-2026","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audioboom.com/posts/8870950.mp3?modified=1772880880&sid=5051980&source=rss","description":"\nIt's EV News Briefly for Friday 06 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyBMW TO UNVEIL ELECTRIC I3 SALOON ON 18 MARCH  BMW will reveal the new i3 saloon on 18 March as the first fully electric 3 Series, using the Neue Klasse Gen6 platform with 800V architecture, 400kW charging, and an expected 50 xDrive dual-motor, 108kWh setup targeting around 500 miles of range and potentially more thanks to its saloon aerodynamics. It will be the second Neue Klasse model after the iX3, aimed squarely at the Tesla Model 3 and future premium rivals from Mercedes, Audi, Xpeng and BYD’s Denza, with a full line-up planned including an electric M3.  TESLA UK DROPS 37% AS UK EV SALES RISE  Tesla’s UK registrations fell 37% year-on-year in February to 2,422 units, even as the overall market hit its strongest February since 2004 and BEVs grew to 24.2% of new registrations, with Chinese brands like BYD surging 83%. Tesla has argued that monthly registration data is misleading versus orders and quarterly shipments, but critics note all brands face similar timing issues, and for now the headline picture is a growing UK EV market in which Tesla’s share is shrinking.  EVGO ENDS 2025 WITH 5,100 FAST-CHARGING STALLS  EVgo closed 2025 with 5,100 DC fast-charging stalls in operation, up 25% year-on-year after a record Q4 net gain of about 510 stalls, including 320 company-owned units and 190 eXtend-branded stalls at partner sites. The network is getting both denser and faster, with nearly a third of stations now offering six or more stalls and 62% of all stalls equipped with 350kW hardware, up sharply from 50% in late 2024.  LUCID FEBRUARY US SALES JUMP ON GRAVITY RAMP  Lucid’s US sales jumped to 1,500 vehicles in February, almost double January, driven by a sharp ramp in Gravity SUV deliveries alongside 900 Air sedans. With Gravity now starting at $79,900 (via the Touring trim) and supported by a $7,500 lease credit plus targeted trade-in offers for Tesla, Rivian and Polestar owners, Lucid is boosting US momentum even as European registrations remain minimal. VW DEALERS SUE OVER SCOUT DIRECT SALES  Two Volkswagen dealerships in Connecticut and New York have launched a class-action lawsuit against Scout Motors and Volkswagen, arguing that Scout’s Tesla-style direct-to-consumer sales model violates existing VW franchise agreements and deprives dealers of a lucrative new brand. Scout and CEO Scott Keogh counter that Scout is a separate entity from Volkswagen Group of America and therefore not bound to use VW’s franchised dealer network.  VOLKSWAGEN GROUP HITS FOUR MILLION BEV DELIVERIES  Volkswagen Group has delivered its four-millionth battery-electric vehicle, accelerating from nearly a decade to reach the first million to adding the fourth million in just one year, powered largely by its MEB platform and around 30 all-electric passenger models. Most BEVs are built and sold in Europe, where compact SUVs and crossovers such as the VW ID.4/ID.5 dominate, while China and the US account for smaller but growing shares of volume and production. EGBATT LAUNCHES NOVA 60 DUAL BUFFERED CHARGER  EGbatt’s new Nova 60 Dual combines a 60kW DC fast charger with a 60kWh LiFePO₄ battery in a single outdoor unit, allowing sites to deliver full fast-charging power without expensive grid upgrades by relying on buffered energy. Optional 20kW DC solar input lets operators integrate rooftop PV directly, helping cut operating costs and increase the share of renewable energy used for charging. LOTUS ADDS RANGE-EXTENDER ELETRE X FOR CHINA  Lotus has responded to softer demand for high-end pure EVs by launching the Eletre X plug-in range-extender SUV in China, pairing a 70kWh battery and 900V fast-charging system with a 2.0-litre turbo engine that mostly drives a generator but can also clutch to the front wheels for motorway efficiency. Delivering 952bhp, 0–62mph in 3.3 seconds and around 150 miles of electric-only range in a 2.6-tonne package, the Eletre X shares its new Geely-platform underpinnings with the Zeekr 9X and is slated to reach the UK no earlier than 2027."},"annotations":[{"startTime":6.44,"endTime":10.84,"type":"car","title":"BMW i3","url":"/cars/bmw/i3","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/BMW_i3_front.jpg","quote":"BMW will unveil the i3 on the 18th of March. The i3 is dead. Long live the i3 because, of course, the old i3 name was that fantastic car that is still a great car when I see one now.","canonicalId":"car:bmw:i3","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The BMW i3 is an electric city car originally launched in 2013, known for its distinctive design and use of lightweight materials. It was one of the early premium electric vehicles focusing on urban mobility.","simplifiedExplanation":"The BMW i3 is a small electric car made for city driving. It looks different from other cars and uses special materials to be light and efficient.","imageAttribution":"Frank Schulenburg (CC0)"}},{"startTime":20.1,"endTime":28.0,"type":"car","title":"BMW 3 Series","url":"/cars/bmw/3-series","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/BMW_3_SERIES_E90_China.jpg","quote":"So futuristic, but this is the i3 badge on an entirely different kind of car. It's a three series and it's the Neuerklasse platform.","canonicalId":"car:bmw:3-series","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The BMW 3 Series is a popular compact executive car known for its sporty handling and luxury features. The new electric i3 mentioned is based on the 3 Series platform, indicating a shift from the original i3's unique design to a more conventional sedan or hatchback form.","simplifiedExplanation":"The BMW 3 Series is a well-known car that is sporty and comfortable. The new electric i3 is built on the same base as this car, meaning it will look and drive more like a regular car.","imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":25.3,"endTime":28.0,"type":"concept","title":"Neuerklasse platform","url":"/glossary/neuerklasse-platform","quote":"It's a three series and it's the Neuerklasse platform. Gen 6, 800 volt, 500 miles plus because the i3 does that.","canonicalId":"concept:neuerklasse-platform","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Neuerklasse platform is BMW's new vehicle architecture designed for electric and hybrid vehicles, starting a new generation of cars with improved efficiency, range, and technology integration.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Neuerklasse platform is the new way BMW builds their electric cars to make them better and more modern."}},{"startTime":28.0,"endTime":34.4,"type":"term","title":"800 volt electrical system","url":"/glossary/800-volt-electrical-system","quote":"Gen 6, 800 volt, 500 miles plus because the i3 does that. And so this is going to be lower and more slippery.","canonicalId":"term:800-volt-electrical-system","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An 800 volt electrical system in electric vehicles allows for faster charging speeds and improved efficiency compared to the more common 400 volt systems. This technology supports higher power delivery to the battery and motor.","simplifiedExplanation":"An 800 volt system means the car's battery can charge faster and work better than older electric cars that use less power."}},{"startTime":36.8,"endTime":42.7,"type":"term","title":"WLTP","url":"/glossary/wltp","quote":"And I can't wait to get a WLTP number charging at 400 kilowatts. The first one will be the XDrive 50s, that all wheel drive dual motor.","canonicalId":"term:wltp","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, a standardized test used to measure vehicle range, fuel consumption, and emissions in a way that better reflects real-world driving conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"WLTP is a test that shows how far a car can go or how much fuel it uses in normal driving, so people know what to expect."}},{"startTime":42.7,"endTime":47.0,"type":"term","title":"XDrive","url":"/glossary/x-drive","quote":"The first one will be the XDrive 50s, that all wheel drive dual motor. Reviews are out on YouTube now, the early impressions and they're really good.","canonicalId":"term:x-drive","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"XDrive is BMW's all-wheel-drive system that distributes power between the front and rear wheels for improved traction and handling, especially in adverse conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"XDrive means the car can send power to all four wheels to help it drive better on slippery or rough roads."}},{"startTime":117.4,"endTime":126.6,"type":"term","title":"fast charging","url":"/glossary/fast-charging","quote":"Ended 2025 with 5100 fast charging stalls and adding a lot more fast charging. 350, 350 kilowatt charges, but also sites with six stalls or more.","canonicalId":"term:fast-charging","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Fast charging refers to high-power electric vehicle charging that can replenish a battery much more quickly than standard charging, often using DC current at power levels like 350 kilowatts.","simplifiedExplanation":"Fast charging means filling up an electric car's battery really quickly, so you don't have to wait long to keep driving."}},{"startTime":132.8,"endTime":140.0,"type":"company","title":"EVGo","url":"/glossary/evgo","quote":"Increasingly part of EVGo's mix to make them the third largest DC charging network in the United States.","canonicalId":"company:evgo","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"EVGo is a company that operates a large network of fast charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) across the United States, focusing on DC fast chargers.","simplifiedExplanation":"EVGo runs places where electric cars can quickly recharge their batteries, helping drivers travel longer distances."}},{"startTime":140.1,"endTime":157.2,"type":"car","title":"Lucid Air","url":"/cars/lucid/air","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Lucid_Air_Bahrain_Front.jpg","quote":"Lucid Motors had a good February selling 1500 vehicles. The gravity had a tenfold increase in sales and the air starts at 80 K and the gravity starts at 80,000 for the touring variant. The grand touring is almost $100,000 and it's selling pretty well.","canonicalId":"car:lucid:air","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Lucid Air is an electric luxury sedan produced by Lucid Motors, known for its long electric range and high performance. The Air comes in several variants, including the Touring and Grand Touring trims.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can drive a long way on a single charge and has different versions with more features or power.","imageAttribution":"ToyGTone (CC0)"}},{"startTime":144.92,"endTime":153.28,"type":"car","title":"Lucid Gravity","url":"/cars/lucid/gravity","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Lucid_Gravity%2C_GIMS_2024%2C_Le_Grand-Saconnex_%28GIMS0047-3-RR%29.jpg","quote":"...s had a good February selling 1500 vehicles.  The gravity had a tenfold increase in sales and the air start...","canonicalId":"car:lucid:gravity","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Lucid Gravity is an upcoming electric SUV from Lucid Motors, known for their luxury electric vehicles like the Lucid Air. Its significant sales increase indicates growing consumer interest in Lucid's expanding lineup beyond sedans. The Gravity represents Lucid's move into the competitive electric SUV market segment.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lucid Gravity is a new electric car that looks like a big SUV. People are buying a lot more of them recently, showing that more folks want this kind of car. It's made by the same company that makes fancy electric cars called Lucid Air.","imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)"}},{"startTime":160.4,"endTime":184.8,"type":"term","title":"direct sales","url":"/glossary/direct-sales","quote":"Volkswagen dealers are suing over scout direct sales. Two more dealerships heading to court, this one in Connecticut and one in New York, filing a class action lawsuit against Scout saying you are effectively Volkswagen. You want to sell direct to consumers to set the pricing directly and have a relationship like Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, but you can't because you have to sell through Volkswagen dealerships because you are Volkswagen.","canonicalId":"term:direct-sales","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Direct sales refers to manufacturers selling vehicles directly to consumers without using traditional franchised dealerships, a model used by companies like Tesla.","simplifiedExplanation":"Direct sales means car companies sell their cars straight to buyers instead of through car dealers."}},{"startTime":184.76,"endTime":190.06,"type":"car","title":"Traveler Volkswagen Scouts","url":"/cars/scout/traveler","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Scout_Jerzy_Jeli%C5%84ski_in_Katowice_after_returning_from_a_trip_around_the_world.jpg","quote":"like Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, but you can't because you have to sell through Volkswagen dealerships  because you are Volkswagen. Scouts and its CEO, Scott Keough, dispute the framing  saying that Scout operates entirely as an independent entity and now a judge will decide.","canonicalId":"car:scout:traveler","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Traveler is a vehicle associated with Volkswagen's Scout brand, which aims to compete with electric vehicle makers like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid. Volkswagen plans to sell Scout vehicles through its dealership network, which has sparked some debate about distribution strategies. The Traveler likely represents Volkswagen's push into electric off-road or adventure vehicles under the Scout name.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Traveler is a new electric car from Volkswagen's Scout brand, which wants to compete with popular electric cars like Tesla. Volkswagen will sell these cars at their usual car stores, which is a bit different from how some other electric cars are sold. It's meant for people who like adventure and off-road driving.","imageAttribution":"Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":196.5,"endTime":202.7,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen E-Up","url":"/cars/volkswagen/e-up","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/2021_Volkswagen_E-Up%21.jpg","quote":"Volkswagen Group has hit 4 million pure bevs just days after the milestone of 2 million for the VW brand. They started counting back in 2013 with the VW E-Up.","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:e-up","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen E-Up is an all-electric version of the Volkswagen Up city car, one of the early electric vehicles produced by Volkswagen starting in 2013.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen E-Up is a small electric car made by Volkswagen that was one of their first electric models.","imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":196.5,"endTime":211.2,"type":"term","title":"BEV","url":"/glossary/bev","quote":"Volkswagen Group has hit 4 million pure bevs just days after the milestone of 2 million for the VW brand. They started counting back in 2013 with the VW E-Up. The core brands, Volkswagen within Volkswagen Group does a lot of the business.","canonicalId":"term:bev","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle, which is a vehicle powered entirely by electricity stored in batteries, with no internal combustion engine.","simplifiedExplanation":"A BEV is a car that runs only on electricity and doesn't use gas or diesel."}},{"startTime":222.3,"endTime":229.1,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen ID. Polo","url":"/cars/volkswagen/id-buzz","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Volkswagen_ID._Buzz_1X7A1610.jpg","quote":"The compact class is about 70% of Bev Sales and they've got that new smaller class, that city segment coming in with the ID Polo and the Scott Epic Cooper Reval all coming this year.","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:id-buzz","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen ID. Polo is a forthcoming small electric hatchback designed for urban use, expanding Volkswagen's ID family of electric vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen ID. Polo is a new small electric car made for city driving.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":234.9,"endTime":250.6,"type":"car","title":"Lotus Eletre X","url":"/cars/lotus/eletre","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Lotus_Eletre_004.jpg","quote":"Finally, Lotus are putting an engine back into the Electra. In China, they'll call it the Lotus for me, odd name. Here, it's going to be called the Lotus Electra X. So it's an e-rev range extender, but it can clutch onto the front wheels to provide drive at highway speeds and top gear rate it very highly in their review.","canonicalId":"car:lotus:eletre","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Lotus Electra X is an electric vehicle with an extended range electric vehicle (e-REV) powertrain that includes a range extender engine to assist in driving at highway speeds.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lotus Electra X is an electric car that has a small engine to help it drive longer distances, especially on highways.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0"}},{"startTime":239.9,"endTime":250.6,"type":"term","title":"e-REV (extended range electric vehicle)","url":"/glossary/e-rev-extended-range-electric-vehicle","quote":"So it's an e-rev range extender, but it can clutch onto the front wheels to provide drive at highway speeds and top gear rate it very highly in their review.","canonicalId":"term:e-rev-extended-range-electric-vehicle","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An e-REV or extended range electric vehicle is an electric car that uses a small internal combustion engine as a generator or to assist driving, extending the vehicle's range beyond the battery alone.","simplifiedExplanation":"An e-REV is an electric car that has a small gas engine to help it go farther when the battery runs low."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Martyn Lee","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/briefly-bmw-tesla-evgo-more-06-mar-2026/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}