BRIEFLY: Global Sales, Rivian, Tesla & more | 14 Feb 2026
About this episode
Global EV sales dipped slightly in January due to new tax rules in China, Norway, and the Netherlands, marking a rare slowdown in the upward trend. Rivian delayed its European R2 deliveries to 2027 but confirmed UK availability and progress on its VW joint venture software. Tesla's US sales fell 17% year-over-year, continuing a downward trend. China plans to ban yoke steering wheels, impacting future designs. MG4 Urban launched in Austria at an attractive price point. Canada introduced a new EV affordability program, and UK fleet buyers face fewer barriers to EV adoption amid charge point market consolidation.
It's EV News Briefly for Saturday 14 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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GLOBAL EV SALES SLIDE AS CHINA HITS BRAKES https://evne.ws/46fQuRo
RIVIAN DROPS EUROPE R2 DATE AND SLIPS CANADA https://evne.ws/4tXiUtI
RIVIAN-VW TECH JV HITS WINTER TEST MILESTONE https://evne.ws/3MQoEof
RIVIAN PLANS THIRD AMAZON-BACKED EDV WITH AWD https://evne.ws/4rRstZa
TESLA US SALES SLIDE AS TAX CREDIT FADES https://evne.ws/3MRbEi9
MG4 EV URBAN HITS AUSTRIA AT €19,990 https://evne.ws/3ZMKN9U
CHINA DRAFT RULES COULD END STEERING YOKES https://evne.ws/46IV0rI
CANADA LAUNCHES EVAP WITH NEW REBATE RULES https://evne.ws/3OoitYW
SKODA ADDS GAMES, VIDEO AND SIREN ALERTS https://evne.ws/4rUsJXc
UK DRIVERS SEE FEWER BARRIERS TO FLEET EVS https://evne.ws/4rRyrco
UK CHARGING MARKET CONSOLIDATES AFTER ACQUISITION SPREE https://evne.ws/4kIfVkn
EV sales
"Global EV sales slid last month in January. We've been used to giving these figures just year over year, month over month. EV sales globally up, up, up. Actually, last month, three things kicked in. China had some new tax rules. Norway had new VAT rules. Netherlands had new business tax rules."
EV sales mean how many electric cars people buy. Watching these numbers helps us see if more people are using electric cars or not.
EV sales refer to the number of electric vehicles sold within a specific period. Tracking EV sales helps understand market trends and the adoption rate of electric vehicles worldwide.
VAT rules
"China had some new tax rules. Norway had new VAT rules. Netherlands had new business tax rules."
VAT is a kind of tax added when you buy things. If the rules about this tax change, it can make electric cars more or less expensive.
VAT stands for Value-Added Tax, a consumption tax placed on goods and services. Changes in VAT rules can affect the final price of electric vehicles, influencing sales.
right-hand drive
"They'll be delivering to the UK, right-hand drive. Very good news."
Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. This is normal in places like the UK.
Right-hand drive refers to vehicles designed with the steering wheel on the right side, common in countries like the UK, Japan, and Australia.
Rivian R2
"It simply says sign up to stay in touch. The Rivian R2 is, I think, going to be a very popular vehicle. ..."
The Rivian R2 is a new electric truck that is not out yet but many people are excited about it. It's made by a company called Rivian, which makes trucks that run on batteries instead of gas. This truck should be cheaper and good for both city driving and outdoor adventures.
The Rivian R2 is an upcoming electric pickup truck from Rivian, aimed at a more affordable price point than their larger R1T model. It is expected to be popular due to its combination of electric powertrain, off-road capability, and Rivian's growing reputation in the EV market. The R2 represents Rivian's effort to expand their lineup and appeal to a broader audience.
software and architecture
"Also, the Rivian Volkswagen Joint Venture, developed by the software and the architecture, is moving forward at quite a rip, actually."
Cars today use computer programs and special designs inside to make them work better. This includes how the car drives and what features it has.
In automotive terms, 'software and architecture' refers to the underlying digital systems and hardware platform that control vehicle functions, including powertrain, infotainment, and driver assistance. Modern electric vehicles rely heavily on advanced software and modular architectures for performance and updates.
test vehicles
"13 months later, they've now got that software working in test vehicles which are driving around Ervine and Palo Alto."
Test vehicles are special cars that companies use to try out new ideas and make sure everything works well before selling the cars to people.
Test vehicles are prototypes or pre-production cars used by manufacturers to evaluate new technologies, software, or designs on public roads or tracks before full production. They help identify issues and validate performance.
VW ID.1
"like the VW ID 1. That is already on the road in test vehicles with the new Rivian software running inside Volkswagen's."
The Volkswagen ID.1 is a small electric car made by Volkswagen. It is meant to be easy to drive in cities and uses electricity instead of gas.
The Volkswagen ID.1 is a small electric vehicle from Volkswagen, part of their ID series of electric cars. It is designed to be an affordable, city-friendly EV with modern software and architecture.
EDV electric delivery van
"And Rivian will add a third version of their Amazon-backed EDV electric delivery van with a bigger battery and all-wheel drive."
The EDV electric delivery van is a big electric van made by Rivian for delivering packages, especially for Amazon. It uses electricity instead of gas to run.
The EDV electric delivery van is an electric commercial vehicle developed by Rivian, primarily for Amazon's delivery fleet. It is designed to be efficient, with electric powertrain and modern features tailored for delivery use.
all-wheel drive
"And Rivian will add a third version of their Amazon-backed EDV electric delivery van with a bigger battery and all-wheel drive."
All-wheel drive means the car sends power to all four wheels, which helps it drive better on slippery or rough roads.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously, improving traction and handling, especially in poor road conditions or off-road.
Tesla
"Tesla's US sales have been sliding. It fell 17% year-over-year in January from almost 50,000 to just over 40,000. A fourth consecutive monthly decline and the ninth year-over-year drop in just 12 months at Tesla."
Tesla makes electric cars that run on batteries instead of gas. They are very popular and known for being high-tech and fast.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its electric cars and innovative technology. It is a major player in the EV market with popular models like the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y.
Motor Intelligence
"Not official data. That's per motor intelligence. We pull this together from the likes of Cox AutoMotive and Kenny Blue Book, etc."
Motor Intelligence collects information about car sales from different places to help people understand how many cars are sold when the car companies don't share that information.
Motor Intelligence is a company that aggregates and analyzes automotive sales data from various sources to provide insights on vehicle sales trends, especially when manufacturers do not release detailed data.
Kelley Blue Book
"We pull this together from the likes of Cox AutoMotive and Kenny Blue Book, etc."
Kelley Blue Book helps people find out how much cars are worth when buying or selling.
Kelley Blue Book is a well-known automotive research company that provides vehicle pricing and valuation information to consumers and dealers.
MG4 Urban
"Now, MG4's Urban, which is not the MG4 which they do sell. It's an entirely different vehicle. It's the new MG4, but they've called it MG4 Urban to differentiate it."
The MG4 Urban is a type of electric car made by MG. It is a newer model that is a bit different from the regular MG4 and is sold in Europe.
The MG4 Urban is a variant of the MG4 electric hatchback, marketed separately to differentiate it from the standard MG4. It is an affordable electric vehicle available in Europe with different battery pack options.
Mg4S Urban
"and they don't do geographical numbers either. Now, MG4's Urban, which is not the MG4 which they do sell."
The MG4 is a small electric car made for driving around town. There's a special version called the MG4 Urban that is made just for city driving and is a bit different from the regular MG4 you might see in other places. It's a simple and cheaper electric car to help people switch from gas cars.
The MG4 is an electric hatchback from MG, designed primarily for urban use with a focus on affordability and practicality. The MG4 Urban is a variant tailored for city driving, differing slightly from the standard MG4 model sold elsewhere. MG has been expanding its electric vehicle offerings, making the MG4 a notable option in the budget EV segment.
kilowatt-hour pack
"and it's at 20,000 euros for the 54 kilowatt-hour pack. That's, I mean, that's a stellar deal, isn't it?"
The kilowatt-hour pack is how much electricity the car's battery can hold. Bigger numbers mean the car can drive farther before needing to recharge.
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) pack refers to the capacity of an electric vehicle's battery, indicating how much energy it can store. A higher kWh rating generally means longer driving range.
yoke steering wheel
"China is drafting some rules which will outlaw yoke steering wheels. Lots of concerns about things like airbag deployments and things, and so if China ban a technology,"
A yoke steering wheel is a steering control shaped like a small handle or airplane control instead of a round wheel. Some people worry it might be less safe in crashes.
A yoke steering wheel is a non-traditional steering control shaped more like an aircraft yoke than a circular wheel. It is used in some modern vehicles, including Tesla models, but has raised safety concerns related to airbag deployment and driver control.
airbag deployment
"Lots of concerns about things like airbag deployments and things, and so if China ban a technology,"
Airbag deployment means the airbags inside a car pop out during a crash to keep people safe. How the steering wheel is designed can change how well airbags work.
Airbag deployment refers to the activation of airbags in a vehicle during a collision to protect occupants. Certain steering wheel designs can affect how airbags deploy.
China automotive market
"It's the world's biggest car market"
China buys more cars than any other country, so if they make new rules about cars, it can change what cars are made everywhere.
China is the world's largest automotive market by volume, meaning regulations and trends there can significantly impact global car manufacturing and sales.
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