BRIEFLY: Ford UEV, France, Ferrari & more | 17 Feb 2026
About this episode
Ford unveils its Universal EV platform with a $30,000 mid-sized pickup as the first model, focusing on cost efficiency and range improvements. France's BEV sales surged 50% year-on-year, nearing a third of new cars sold. Ferrari announces its first electric car, the Luce, designed by Johnny Ive, debuting in May. The EU considers a new small EV class to reduce costs, while Audi confirms production of a compact two-seater sports car. Battery recycling is projected to grow massively by 2040, driven by end-of-life EVs. Safety concerns influence 70% of female EV drivers' charging choices in Europe.
It's EV News Briefly for Tuesday 17 February 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/EVNewsDaily
FORD SETS OUT UEV PLATFORM FOR $30,000 PICKUP https://evne.ws/4kI7bLn
FORD REVEALS UEV PLATFORM FOR £23,800 PICKUP https://evne.ws/4s5fu6p
FRANCE BEV SALES JUMP 50% ON SOCIAL LEASING https://evne.ws/4kOxRtY
FERRARI LUCE EV SET FOR MAY REVEAL https://evne.ws/4tLwUX6
EU FLOATS M1E CLASS FOR CHEAPER CITY EVS https://evne.ws/4tKxdBF
MICROLINO LAUNCHES IN NORWAY WITH LOCAL PARTNER https://evne.ws/3Omlb1c
AUDI SAYS CONCEPT C PRODUCTION CAR STAYS ON TRACK https://evne.ws/4aLq1N1
BATTERY RECYCLING RACES FOR SCALE https://evne.ws/40i9s6o
HELIX BUILT 1,000HP MOTOR SET FOR SPÉIRLING https://evne.ws/4u1aVvN
TESLA ROBOTAXI PROMISES SHRINK IN AUSTIN https://evne.ws/4aJNm1H
VW FITS ID. BUZZ WITH NEW LOAD PARTITION https://evne.ws/4aYBERT
WOMEN WEIGH SAFETY WHEN CHOOSING EV CHARGERS https://evne.ws/3Mjn1iP
universal EV platform
"Ford has set out its platform for the UEV, a universal EV platform."
It's like a basic frame or setup that many electric cars can be built on, so companies can make different cars without starting from scratch every time.
A universal EV platform is a standardized vehicle architecture designed to underpin multiple electric vehicle models, allowing manufacturers to share components and reduce costs while offering various vehicle types.
Ford Maverick
"Think Maverick. Of course, this will be for the smaller version, smaller battery version."
The Ford Maverick is a smaller pickup truck that's easier to drive and cheaper than big trucks, good for everyday use.
The Ford Maverick is a compact pickup truck known for its affordability and practical size, recently offered with hybrid and gasoline powertrains.
towing capacity
""...Ford need to make money at that price point and it doesn't need to have the biggest payload or towing capacity.""
It's how much weight a vehicle can pull behind it, like a trailer or a boat.
Towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can safely pull behind it, such as trailers or boats.
payload
""...Ford need to make money at that price point and it doesn't need to have the biggest payload or towing capacity.""
It's how much weight a truck or vehicle can carry safely, like people or stuff inside it.
Payload refers to the maximum weight a vehicle can carry including passengers and cargo, excluding the vehicle's own weight.
Chevrolet Volt
"...e of the, a large truck at all. This can be a 400 volt platform to keep the costs down. They say that ev..."
The Chevrolet Volt is a car that can run on electricity but also has a gas engine to help when the battery runs out. This means you can drive it like an electric car for short trips and use gas for longer drives without worrying about charging. It's important because it helped many people try electric cars without the fear of running out of power.
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine to extend its driving range. It was significant for popularizing extended-range electric technology, allowing drivers to use electric power for daily commutes while having a gasoline backup for longer trips. The Volt is often discussed in the context of affordable electrification and transitional EV technology.
400 volt platform
""This can be a 400 volt platform to keep the costs down. They say that every nut and bolt has been worked on quite literally in terms of things sinking beneath the surface for a completely flat floor moving to a 48 volts low voltage system.""
It means the electric car uses a battery system with 400 volts, which helps keep the car's price reasonable while still working well.
A 400 volt platform refers to the electrical architecture of an electric vehicle that uses a 400-volt battery system, which can balance performance and cost effectively for certain vehicle types.
48 volts low voltage system
""...for a completely flat floor moving to a 48 volts low voltage system. Thinking about how slippery the vehicles are as well.""
It's a newer type of electrical system in cars that uses 48 volts instead of the usual 12 volts, helping the car work better and be lighter.
A 48 volts low voltage system is an electrical system in vehicles that operates at 48 volts instead of the traditional 12 volts, allowing for improved efficiency and reduced weight in vehicle electronics.
aerodynamics (vehicle slipperiness)
""Thinking about how slippery the vehicles are as well. Every marginal improvement to get every last bit of range...""
It means how smoothly air flows around the car, which helps it use less energy and go farther.
Vehicle slipperiness refers to the aerodynamic design that reduces air resistance, improving efficiency and range in electric vehicles.
Ferrari Luce
"Ferrari have put a date on their first electric car, the Luce, full public reveal in May designed by Johnny Ive, former Apple design chief"
Ferrari is making its first electric car called the Luce. It was designed by a famous designer who used to work at Apple.
The Ferrari Luce is Ferrari's first electric car, marking the brand's entry into the electric vehicle market with a design led by Johnny Ive, former Apple design chief.
M1E class
"The European Union are getting closer to floating this idea of a small class of EV, the M1E class think Japan's K car."
M1E class is a new category in Europe for very small electric cars, like tiny cars in Japan that are easy to drive in cities.
The M1E class is a proposed European Union vehicle classification for small electric vehicles, similar in concept to Japan's K car category, which are compact and efficient city cars.
Japan's K car
"The European Union are getting closer to floating this idea of a small class of EV, the M1E class think Japan's K car."
K cars are tiny cars in Japan that are made to be small and easy to drive, and they cost less to own.
Japan's K car category refers to a class of small, lightweight, and efficient vehicles designed to meet specific size and engine displacement regulations, making them ideal for urban driving and lower costs.
Porsche Cayman
"Same I would say as the Porsche 718 Boxter and Cayman, same platform, same co-development within Volkswagen."
The Porsche 718 Cayman is a small sports car with two seats and a fixed roof. It is built on the same base as the 718 Boxster.
The Porsche 718 Cayman is a mid-engine two-seater sports coupe sharing its platform with the 718 Boxster, offering sharp handling and performance.
Porsche 718 Boxster
"Same I would say as the Porsche 718 Boxter and Cayman, same platform, same co-development within Volkswagen."
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a small sports car with two seats. It is designed to be fun to drive and shares many parts with the 718 Cayman.
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a mid-engine two-seater sports car known for its balanced handling and performance, sharing its platform with the 718 Cayman.
platform sharing
"Same I would say as the Porsche 718 Boxter and Cayman, same platform, same co-development within Volkswagen."
Platform sharing means different cars are built using the same parts underneath to save money and make building them easier.
Platform sharing is when different car models use the same basic structure and components to reduce development costs and improve efficiency.
Audi
"but the Audi version will be and more details to come."
Audi is a company that makes fancy cars with lots of features.
Audi is a German automotive manufacturer known for luxury vehicles and advanced technology.
battery recycling
"Battery recycling is racing for scale."
Battery recycling means taking old car batteries and getting useful stuff out of them so we don't waste it.
Battery recycling is the process of recovering valuable materials from used electric vehicle batteries to reduce waste and environmental impact.
mainstream EVs
"the first mainstream EVs 2015 start to come off the road in the early 2030s,"
Mainstream EVs are electric cars that many people buy and use, not just special or expensive ones.
Mainstream EVs refer to electric vehicles that have been widely adopted by the general public, not just niche or luxury models.
end-of-life EVs
"driven by 10 years of a wave of end-of-life EVs, the first mainstream EVs 2015 start to come off the road in the early 2030s,"
End-of-life EVs are electric cars that are old and no longer work well, so they get taken off the road.
End-of-life EVs are electric vehicles that have reached the end of their usable lifespan and are typically retired from service.
battery pack
"And so but the battery pack, that's got a lot more life in it. Recycling will be a hugely important part."
The battery pack is like a big rechargeable battery that gives power to electric cars so they can move.
A battery pack in an electric vehicle stores electrical energy to power the electric motor and other vehicle systems.
Lotus Evias
"The company that makes the motors, things like Lotus Evias and Formula E say they're the ones behind the motors in"
Lotus Evias is a company that makes electric motors, which help power electric cars and race cars.
Lotus Evias is a company known for developing electric motors and technology, including involvement in Formula E racing and electric vehicle components.
McMurtry Spéirling
"the McMurtry spealing that crazy fan car that sets records everywhere"
The McMurtry Speirling is a special electric car that uses fans to go very fast and has set records.
The McMurtry Speirling is an electric fan car known for setting speed records using a unique fan-based propulsion system.
Volkswagen Id
"...razy fan car that sets records everywhere and the Volkswagen ID bars will now come if you want it with an optiona..."
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric van that looks like the old VW buses from the past but uses electricity instead of gas. It's roomy and good for families or carrying lots of stuff, and it helps people drive in a cleaner, quieter way. People talk about it because it mixes a fun old style with new electric technology.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a modern electric reinterpretation of the classic VW Microbus, combining retro styling with advanced electric vehicle technology. It represents Volkswagen's push into electric mobility with a spacious, family-friendly design and is notable for its customizable options and innovative features. The ID. Buzz is often highlighted for blending nostalgia with future-forward EV design.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.