BRIEFLY: Ford, Hyundai, Polestar & more | 27 Feb 2026
About this episode
Ford has removed the Mustang Mach-E's front trunk from standard features, charging $495 for it due to low usage. Hyundai is developing a body-on-frame pickup truck, possibly named Ioniq T7, to compete in the mid-sized segment by 2028. Polestar expands its smart charging program across Europe, offering cost savings with car-controlled charging. Rivian hints at adopting 48-volt systems for future models, potentially enabling advanced autonomy. Volvo upgrades the EX30 with over-the-air updates including vehicle-to-load capability and a new entry-level motor. The UK extends EV home charger grants, and Mercedes plans a dual powertrain Baby G-Wagon. Mexico tightens emissions policies to improve public health.
It's EV News Briefly for Friday 27 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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FORD MAKES MACH-E FRUNK A $495 OPTION
Ford has removed the front trunk from the standard equipment list on the 2026 Mustang Mach-E, citing low usage among owners, and now charges $495 to unlock access to the under-bonnet storage space that has been part of the car's appeal since its 2021 launch. The move fits a broader industry trend of unbundling previously standard features, but risks a backlash on perceived value — particularly given the frunk already lost roughly half its original five cubic feet of space when a heat pump was added in 2024.
HYUNDAI TARGETS BODY-ON-FRAME PICKUP BY 2028
Hyundai is developing a midsize body-on-frame pickup truck targeting a ~2028 launch, with CEO José Muñoz committing to the project at last September's investor day and Australian COO Gavin Donaldson confirming it will be a distinct vehicle from Kia's unibody Tasman — designed to compete with the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. Trademarked "IONIQ T7" branding hints the truck may sit under Hyundai's electric sub-brand, and the same platform could underpin a rugged SUV previewed by the Crater Concept at the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show.
POLESTAR ENERGY ADDS GRID REWARDS IN GERMANY, FRANCE
Polestar is expanding its smart charging programme to Germany and France, joining Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK, with German owners on an Intelligent Octopus tariff able to cut home charging costs by up to roughly 50% per session and save around €300 annually by shifting charging to cheap, low-carbon off-peak windows. A key differentiator is that the programme now runs car-controlled charging directly through the Polestar 2 and Polestar 4 via the in-house app, removing the need for a compatible smart wallbox — and Polestar has also activated V2G and V2H capability for the Polestar 3 in California.
RIVIAN JOB POSTING POINTS TO 48V PLATFORM
A Rivian engineering job listing has surfaced that explicitly names a 48V DC architecture — a first for the company in any public-facing document — calling for someone to design vehicle topologies spanning 12V, 48V and 120/230V AC systems for an active, undisclosed vehicle programme. When read alongside recent postings for steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering and Level 4 autonomy roles, the listing points toward a next-generation platform that could combine all four technologies; a 48V system is notable because it delivers the same power as 12V at one-quarter the current, enabling lighter, cheaper wiring harnesses
VOLVO PLANS 2027 EX30 UPDATE WITH V2L
Volvo is planning a 2027 EX30 refresh that adds vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability and a new 148 hp entry-level powertrain via an over-the-air software update requiring no dealer visit, alongside a reworked touchscreen interface. The cheaper motor — pairable with either a 51 kWh or 69 kWh battery for up to 251 miles of WLTP range — could push the UK entry price toward £30,000, narrowing the gap to rivals like the Alfa Romeo Junior and Mini Aceman, though UK availability has not been confirmed.
UK EXTENDS HOME CHARGER GRANT TO 2027
The UK government has extended its Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant to March 2027 and is raising the maximum contribution from £350 to £500 from 1 April 2026, with the grant covering renters, flat owners and homeowners without driveways — groups previously locked out of cheap home charging. The extension complements a separate £600 million public charging fund, with ChargeUK noting the UK public charging network has reached 88,500 chargepoints, but underscoring that most drivers rely on a blend of home and public infrastructure.
MERCEDES BABY G GAINS HYBRID OPTION
Mercedes-Benz has reversed its EV-only plan for the smaller "Baby" G-Class, adding a hybrid variant that will use the CLA's turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit from Horse Powertrain producing 188 hp, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with an integrated electric motor. Both the battery-electric and hybrid versions will feature four-wheel drive as standard on a bespoke platform, with BEV production pencilled in for 2027 and the hybrid expected to follow — and Mercedes insisting the smaller model will match the full-size G-Class for off-road capability.
LEAKED PRICING LIFTS 2026 GEELY EX5 RANGE
Industry guide Redbook has leaked Australian pricing for new Extended Range variants of the 2026 Geely EX5 — AU$41,990 for the Complete and AU$45,990 for the Inspire, each AU$1,000 above current equivalents — though Geely Australia has not officially confirmed figures, specs or an on-sale date. The Extended Range models swap in a larger 68.4 kWh LFP battery (up ~14% from 60.22 kWh), pushing WLTP-rated range to 475 km and 450 km respectively, gains of 45 km over standard versions.
MEXICO TIGHTENS AIR RULES AND PUSHES ELECTRIC TRUCKS
Mexico is combining tightened air quality monitoring under the Ministry of Health with a push to electrify its medium- and heavy-duty fleet, which makes up roughly 25% of the vehicle fleet but generates more than half of all transport-related emissions. Electric truck sales have surged 800% over three years with 25 brands now offering more than 60 commercial EV models in Mexico, while new import rules cap used diesel commercial vehicles at engines no older than 10 years — closing a significant back door for ageing, high-emission trucks.
front trunk
"Ford has removed the front trunk from the standard equipment list on the Mustang Mac E, citing low usage among existing owners."
A front trunk is a storage area at the front of some cars, especially electric ones. Since these cars don't have a big engine in front, they use that space to store things.
A front trunk, often called a 'frunk', is a storage compartment located at the front of a vehicle, common in electric vehicles that don't have a traditional engine. It provides extra cargo space separate from the main trunk.
Ford Mustang
"Ford has removed the front trunk from the standard equipment list on the Mustang Mac E, citing low usage among existing owners."
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an electric car shaped like an SUV. It usually has extra storage space in the front called a front trunk, but Ford decided to stop including that in the basic version because most people didn't use it.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric SUV that combines Mustang-inspired design with electric vehicle technology. It features a front trunk (frunk) for additional storage, which Ford has removed from the standard equipment list due to low usage among owners.
unbundling previously standard features
"a trend of unbundling previously standard features, but risks a backlash from potential buyers on the perceived loss of value."
Car companies sometimes stop including things for free that used to come with the car. Instead, you have to pay extra if you want those features.
Unbundling refers to the automotive industry trend of charging separately for features that were once included as standard, increasing the base price but allowing customization.
body-on-frame
"Hyundai is developing a mid-sized body-on-frame pickup truck for 2028... It'll be a body-on-frame to compete with competitors like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger."
Some trucks are built with a strong frame and then the car part is put on top. This makes them tougher and better for carrying heavy stuff.
Body-on-frame is a vehicle construction method where the body is mounted on a separate frame, typically used in trucks and off-road vehicles for durability and towing capacity.
Kia Tasman
"Now Australian COO say it'll be distinct from something like a Kia unibody Tasman."
The Kia Tasman is a type of pickup truck that is built more like a car, making it smoother to drive.
The Kia Tasman is a unibody mid-sized pickup truck primarily sold in Australia, known for its car-like construction and ride quality.
Ford Ranger
"It'll be a body-on-frame to compete with competitors like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger."
The Ford Ranger is a medium-sized truck that is good for work and everyday driving.
The Ford Ranger is a mid-sized body-on-frame pickup truck popular for its balance of capability, comfort, and technology features.
Toyota Hilux
"It'll be a body-on-frame to compete with competitors like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger."
The Toyota Hilux is a tough pickup truck that can handle rough roads and heavy work.
The Toyota Hilux is a durable and popular mid-sized body-on-frame pickup truck known worldwide for its reliability and off-road capability.
Hyundai Ioniq
"They've also trademarked the name Ioniq T7, so maybe that's what they'll use for the branding of the electric truck from Hyundai."
Hyundai plans to make an electric pickup truck called the Ioniq T7 in the next few years.
The Hyundai Ioniq T7 is a trademarked name for a future electric pickup truck expected around 2028, marking Hyundai's entry into electric trucks.
Polestar
"Polestar is expanding its smart charging program to Germany and France, joining the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium. ... and I obviously have a Polestar too."
Polestar is a car company that makes electric cars. They work with Volvo and make cars that are good for the environment.
Polestar is an electric performance car brand jointly owned by Volvo Car Group and Geely. It focuses on producing electric vehicles with advanced technology and sustainable features.
smart charging
"Polestar is expanding its smart charging program to Germany and France, joining the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium. ... by shifting charging to cheap low-carbon off-peak windows."
Smart charging means charging your electric car at the best times to save money and use cleaner energy. The car or charger decides when to charge.
Smart charging is a system that manages when and how an electric vehicle is charged to optimize energy use and costs, often by shifting charging to times when electricity is cheaper or cleaner.
Intelligent Octopus tariff
"German owners on the Intelligent Octopus tariff can save roughly 300 euros annually by shifting charging to cheap low-carbon off-peak windows."
It's a special electricity plan that makes power cheaper at certain times, so you can save money by using electricity when it's less busy.
The Intelligent Octopus tariff is a dynamic electricity pricing plan by Octopus Energy that offers cheaper rates during off-peak times, encouraging users to shift their energy consumption to these periods.
off-peak windows
"German owners on the Intelligent Octopus tariff can save roughly 300 euros annually by shifting charging to cheap low-carbon off-peak windows."
Off-peak windows are times when fewer people use electricity, so it's cheaper and better for the environment to charge your car then.
Off-peak windows are periods during the day or night when electricity demand is low, resulting in cheaper and often cleaner power availability.
car-controlled charging
"A key differentiator is the program now runs car-controlled charging. So whether your charger on the side of your house wall is smart or dumb,"
Car-controlled charging means your electric car decides the best time to charge itself to save money and use clean energy.
Car-controlled charging is a system where the electric vehicle itself manages the charging process, deciding when and how to charge based on factors like electricity cost and grid demand.
Dodge Charger
"...ow runs car-controlled charging. So whether your charger on the side of your house wall is smart or dumb, ..."
The Dodge Charger is a big car that can be very fast and strong. People talk about it because it can connect to special chargers at home that help it get power in a smart way. This means it can charge itself more easily and safely.
The Dodge Charger is a full-size sedan known for its powerful engine options and muscle car heritage. It is often discussed in contexts involving performance and modern technology integration, such as smart charging systems for electric or hybrid variants. Its mention here likely relates to advancements in vehicle charging technology and home energy management.
Zappi V2 charger
"and I obviously have a Polestar too. I've got the Zappi V2 charger from my energy."
The Zappi V2 is a special charger for electric cars that helps you charge your car using clean energy and at the best times.
The Zappi V2 charger is a smart electric vehicle charger that allows users to optimize charging using renewable energy sources and supports features like car-controlled charging.
48-volt system
"A Rivian engineering job listing asking for somebody with experience of 48-volt systems could be hinting towards Rivian moving to, like Tesla and Ford with their new UEV platform, replacing the 12-volt system with a 48-volt system."
A 48-volt system is a way cars use electricity that is stronger than the usual 12-volt system, helping cars work better and use less energy.
A 48-volt electrical system is a higher voltage architecture used in some modern vehicles to improve efficiency, reduce wiring weight, and support advanced features compared to the traditional 12-volt systems.
Rivian
"A Rivian engineering job listing asking for somebody with experience of 48-volt systems could be hinting towards Rivian moving to, like Tesla and Ford with their new UEV platform,"
Rivian makes electric cars, especially trucks and SUVs, that are designed for outdoor activities and off-road driving.
Rivian is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for producing electric trucks and SUVs with a focus on adventure and off-road capability.
12-volt system
"could be hinting towards Rivian moving to, like Tesla and Ford with their new UEV platform, replacing the 12-volt system with a 48-volt system."
Most cars use a 12-volt electrical system to run things like lights and radios, but newer cars sometimes use stronger systems to work better.
The 12-volt system is the traditional electrical architecture used in most vehicles to power accessories and control systems, but it is being replaced in some modern EVs by higher voltage systems like 48-volt for better efficiency.
rear-wheel steering
"Along with other recent job ads, we could be seeing a 48-volt, steer-by-wire rear-wheel-steered level 4 autonomy Rivian coming in the future."
Rear-wheel steering means the back wheels can turn a little bit to help the car turn better or stay steady.
Rear-wheel steering allows the rear wheels to turn slightly, improving vehicle maneuverability at low speeds and stability at high speeds.
steer-by-wire
"Along with other recent job ads, we could be seeing a 48-volt, steer-by-wire rear-wheel-steered level 4 autonomy Rivian coming in the future."
Steer-by-wire means the car uses computers to turn the wheels instead of a physical connection, making steering smoother and more flexible.
Steer-by-wire is a technology where the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels is replaced by electronic controls, allowing for more precise steering and enabling features like rear-wheel steering.
level 4 autonomy
"Along with other recent job ads, we could be seeing a 48-volt, steer-by-wire rear-wheel-steered level 4 autonomy Rivian coming in the future. That means that you can make the cables smaller or lighter, thinner and save costs"
Level 4 autonomy means the car can drive itself most of the time without the driver needing to do anything, but sometimes the driver might have to take over.
Level 4 autonomy refers to a high level of self-driving capability where the vehicle can handle most driving situations without human intervention but may still require human control in certain conditions.
Volvo EX30
"Volvo is upgrading the EX30 over the air. They're adding vehicle to load capability."
The Volvo EX30 is a small electric SUV that can get updates for its software through the internet without needing to go to the dealer.
The Volvo EX30 is a compact electric SUV from Volvo, featuring modern technology and connectivity including over-the-air software updates.
over-the-air update
"Volvo is upgrading the EX30 over the air. They're adding vehicle to load capability."
Over-the-air updates mean the car can get new software or fixes through the internet without going to the shop.
Over-the-air updates allow vehicles to receive software improvements and new features remotely via wireless internet connections, eliminating the need for dealer visits.
vehicle to load capability
"They're adding vehicle to load capability. You'll need a new adapter to do that, but that's a great new feature and no visit to the dealer required."
Vehicle to load means the car can give power to other things like tools or appliances, acting like a big battery you can take with you.
Vehicle to load (V2L) capability allows an electric vehicle to supply power externally to other devices or appliances, effectively turning the car into a mobile power source.
electric vehicle charge point grant
"The UK government extending its electric vehicle charge point grant to March 2027 kicks off this April."
This grant helps people pay for a charger at home so they can easily charge their electric cars.
The electric vehicle charge point grant is a government incentive in the UK that helps subsidize the cost of installing home charging stations for electric vehicles.
on-street charging
"so it's not a trip hazard, a lot of on-street charging happens here,"
This means you can charge your electric car on the street, even if you don't have a driveway or garage.
On-street charging refers to electric vehicle charging stations installed in public spaces, such as pavements or street curbs, allowing people without private driveways to charge their cars.
G-Class Gwagon
"or will happen here, by the way, because people don't have driveways. The Baby G-Wagon, the Baby G from Mercedes is coming, and they say it could well be dual powertrain like we see a lot in China,"
The G-Class is a fancy, tough SUV that looks like a box and can drive on rough roads. There's talk about a smaller version that might use two types of power to run, like gas and electric, which is becoming popular in some countries.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, often called the G-Wagon, is a luxury off-road SUV known for its boxy design and strong performance. The mention of a 'Baby G-Wagon' refers to a smaller, possibly more affordable version with dual powertrains, which means it could use both gasoline and electric power, a trend growing especially in markets like China.
plug-in hybrid
"so Pure Bev and the plug-in hybrid version as well."
A plug-in hybrid is a car that uses both gas and electricity. You can plug it in to charge the battery and drive some distance just on electricity.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery that can be charged from an external power source. It can run on electric power alone for short distances.
BEV
"so Pure Bev and the plug-in hybrid version as well."
A BEV is a car that runs only on electricity from batteries, with no gas engine.
BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle, which is a car powered solely by electricity stored in batteries, without an internal combustion engine.
all-wheel drive
"That'll be an all-wheel drive vehicle."
All-wheel drive means the car sends power to all four wheels, helping it grip the road better, especially when it's wet or snowy.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously, improving traction and handling, especially in slippery conditions.
Geely Galaxy EX5
"Leaked pricing in Australia shows that the new Geely EX5 eREV"
The Geely EX5 eREV is a car from China that mainly runs on electricity but has a small gas engine to help it go farther when the battery runs low.
The Geely EX5 eREV is an electric vehicle from Chinese automaker Geely featuring an extended-range electric vehicle (eREV) powertrain, which typically includes a battery and a small internal combustion engine to extend driving range.
kWh
"That's very good value for a vehicle with a 68 kWh LFP pack,"
kWh is a way to measure how much electricity a car's battery can hold. Bigger numbers mean the car can drive farther on electric power.
kWh stands for kilowatt-hour, a unit of energy that measures the capacity of a battery. Higher kWh means more stored energy and generally longer electric driving range.
LFP pack
"That's very good value for a vehicle with a 68 kWh LFP pack,"
LFP means the car's battery uses a special kind of safe and long-lasting lithium battery to store electricity.
LFP stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate, a type of lithium-ion battery chemistry known for safety, longevity, and thermal stability, often used in electric vehicle battery packs.
WLTP range
"up from 60 kWh in the old one pushing WLTP range to 475 km."
WLTP range is a way to test how far an electric car can drive on a full battery in normal driving situations.
WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, a standardized test to measure electric vehicle range and fuel consumption under realistic driving conditions.
emissions policy
"And finally, Mexico is doing the opposite to what the USA is doing, as the US unwinds its policy on emissions."
Emissions policy means rules that control how much pollution cars and trucks can make. Different countries have different rules to keep the air cleaner.
Emissions policy refers to government regulations aimed at controlling the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere by vehicles and industries. These policies can vary by country and impact vehicle manufacturing and usage.
heavy-duty transport
"Mexico is tightening it, linking the Ministry of Health to transport, saying if we can clear up emissions from heavy-duty transport, it'll make people's health better..."
Heavy-duty transport means big trucks and buses that carry lots of stuff or people. They make more pollution than small cars, so rules try to reduce that.
Heavy-duty transport refers to large vehicles such as trucks and buses that carry goods or passengers over long distances. These vehicles typically produce more emissions and are a focus for environmental regulations.
electric vehicles (EV)
"...and they're serious about going EV. That's briefly."
Electric vehicles, or EVs, are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They don't make pollution from their exhaust, so they're better for the environment.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars or trucks powered by electric motors using energy stored in batteries instead of traditional internal combustion engines. They produce zero tailpipe emissions and are promoted to reduce pollution.
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