BRIEFLY: Cupra Tindaya, Geely EX5, ID.Golf, TESLA BERLIN & more | 16 Sep 2025

It's EV News Briefly for Tuesday 16 September 2025, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

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CUPRA TINDAYA IS VW’S ANSWER THE CHINESE RANGE EXTENDERS https://evne.ws/3KopUgD
GEELY LAUNCHES EX5 ELECTRIC SUV IN UK https://evne.ws/4n4e0ae
VW DELAYS ID. GOLF AND ID. ROC TO 2030 https://evne.ws/4pH14Jp
TESLA BERLIN PLANT RAISES OUTPUT DESPITE SALES DROP https://evne.ws/3IdI1p2
ALL-ELECTRIC AUDI RS6 E-TRON FUTURE UNCLEAR https://evne.ws/3I32pJw
HONG KONG PURSUES LOCAL EV ASSEMBLY BASE https://evne.ws/41RwmTA
LUCID TO EXPAND IN ASIA, BUT NOT CHINA https://evne.ws/41UAceF
EXTENDING AUSTRALIAN EV TAX EXEMPTION ADDS 1.5 MILLION TO ROADS https://evne.ws/3JXn5mR
NISSAN AND CHARGESCAPE LAUNCH V2G PILOT https://evne.ws/464rMUm
FORD’S MOVE TO LFP BATTERIES https://evne.ws/46ofcy6
TOYOTA UK PROFIT FALLS TO £462,000 https://evne.ws/4goz5K1
USED EV CREDIT WORTH $4,000 ENDING SOON https://evne.ws/4mfAZxS
UK REQUIRES LOCK UPGRADES FOR CHINESE CARS https://evne.ws/3K58IN8

CUPRA TINDAYA PREVIEWS EV FORMENTOR REPLACEMENT AND RANGE EXTENDER PLANS
Cupra unveiled the Tindaya concept at the Munich motor show, hinting at a Formentor successor and showcasing Volkswagen Group’s SSP platform with range-extender EV capability for increased market flexibility, especially in China. The sporty, composite-bodied SUV pairs dual motors and a petrol engine for 300 km range, with a production debut expected around 2027 or 2028.
GEELY LAUNCHES EX5 ELECTRIC SUV IN UK
Geely has launched its EX5 electric SUV in the UK, starting at £31,990 and offering up to 267 miles of range on a lithium-iron-phosphate battery with rapid charging. Featuring trims up to £36,990, the EX5 targets fleet buyers, includes a six-year warranty, and will begin deliveries in late October.
VW DELAYS ID. GOLF AND ID. ROC TO 2030
Volkswagen has postponed production of its ID. Golf and ID. Roc EVs to 2030, with the ID. Roc debuting first on the new SSP platform, followed by the ID. Golf. The delay triggers a reshuffle of its plant allocations, with related internal combustion and EV model moves now set for clarification in annual planning later in the year.
BERLIN PLANT RAISES OUTPUT DESPITE SALES DROP
Tesla’s Berlin Grünheide factory is increasing its production targets in response to anticipated market strength, despite ACEA reporting a 44% sales drop in the EU and a 39% decline in German registrations through August. Tesla attributes the downturn to Model Y design updates disrupting sales, with Norway showing strong growth and production revised upwards for Q3 and Q4.
ALL-ELECTRIC AUDI RS6 E-TRON FUTURE UNCLEAR
The fully electric Audi RS6 e-tron may be canceled, even as prototypes continue road testing, with Audi expected instead to launch a plug-in hybrid RS6 alongside its traditional combustion model. Both vehicles were planned to share RS6 design cues but sit on different platforms, and initial plans had the EV debuting before the plug-in hybrid’s 2026 arrival.
HONG KONG PURSUES LOCAL EV ASSEMBLY BASE
Hong Kong is negotiating with multiple Chinese carmakers, including FAW Group, to establish local EV production facilities as part of a push for strategic industry and international expansion. High local costs and China’s overcapacity drive suppliers to Hong Kong’s financial sector, with major players like Contemporary Amperex Technology already setting up headquarters and listing on the city's stock exchange.
LUCID TO EXPAND IN ASIA, BUT NOT CHINA
Lucid Motors plans expansion into Asian markets but will avoid China, citing heavy subsidies and overcapacity as reasons for staying out. Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff expressed confidence in Lucid’s technology and competitiveness while focusing future models on the $50,000 segment and higher, not the low-cost market.
EXTENDING AUSTRALIAN EV TAX EXEMPTION COULD ADD 1.5 MILLION TO ROADS
Extending Australia’s EV fringe-benefits tax exemption to 2035 could add 1.5 million electric cars to Australian roads, according to Electric Vehicle Council modelling. The policy has driven over 100,000 additional EV sales since 2022, with further benefits possible for plug-in hybrids and the second-hand market.
NISSAN AND CHARGESCAPE LAUNCH V2G PILOT
Nissan and ChargeScape have launched a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot in Silicon Valley, using Nissan EVs and Fermata Energy bidirectional chargers to support grid demand for local data centers. The project aims to set a model for broader V2G integration through California’s virtual power plant network and beyond.
FORD TOUTS MOVE TO LFP BATTERIES
Ford will manufacture lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries at its BlueOval Michigan plant from 2026, using CATL technology for future vehicles including a mid-size pickup. LFP batteries offer lower cost and better safety, though less energy density, and Ford remains open to evolving battery chemistry based on market needs and possible new plants.
TOYOTA UK PROFIT FALLS TO £462,000
Toyota Motor UK’s pre-tax profits fell sharply to £462,000 with revenues down over £135m, attributed to fleet mix management and compliance with tighter ZEV mandates. Despite a drop in market share, Toyota will expand its EV offering next year, including the all-electric Urban Cruiser SUV debuting in late 2025.
USED EV CREDIT WORTH $4,000 ENDING SOON
The U.S. federal Used Clean Vehicle Credit, worth up to $4,000 for electric or plug-in hybrid cars priced under $25,000, expires September 30. The credit drove significant price declines and saw models like the Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Bolt become notably affordable, making immediate purchases attractive for eligible buyers.
UK REQUIRES LOCK UPGRADES FOR CHINESE CARS
UK insurers have required Chinese car manufacturers to improve their vehicles’ anti-theft devices and locking systems to better meet local standards amid rising theft rates, now at 102,000 annually. Brands like BYD have worked with regulators and added advanced technology to boost security as Chinese car sales surge in Britain.