BRIEFLY: Hyundai Staria, VW Overtakes Tesla and Zeekr 7GT
About this episode
Hyundai unveils the Staria, their largest electric vehicle designed for families and fleets, boasting a range of 250 miles. Meanwhile, Tesla's new stripped-down Long Range Model Y offers the longest range in Europe but sacrifices many premium features. Volkswagen has overtaken Tesla in global EV sales outside of China, while Toyota tops the EV charts in Japan for the first time. Additionally, Portugal incentivizes electric vehicle adoption with a €4,000 grant, and the Zeekr 7 GT, linked to the James Bond franchise, is set to launch in Europe.
It's EV News Briefly for Sunday 11 January 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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Hyundai Staria
"Hyundai picked the Brussels Motor Show to show off their largest electric vehicle yet. It's a pure battery version of their Staria MPV. A people carrier."
The Hyundai Staria is a large vehicle made for carrying people, like a family van. It's designed to be comfortable and flexible for families who need to transport several passengers.
The Hyundai Staria is a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) designed for families and groups, offering spaciousness and comfort. It features a modern design and is available in various configurations, including electric versions.
WLTP
"It's a WLTP range of 250 miles, 400 kilometers, vehicle to load, digital key, load-to-drive resistance, and the biggest Hyundai that they are selling yet."
WLTP is a way to test how far a car can go on a full charge or tank of gas. It gives a better idea of what to expect in everyday driving compared to older tests.
WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure. It's a global standard for measuring the fuel consumption and emissions of vehicles, providing a more accurate representation of real-world driving conditions compared to previous testing methods.
Tesla Model Y
"Tesla are going bare bones with their Long Range Model Y for Europe. We've been talking about the standard range vehicles with Tesla for a while, only a few days ago. Talking about the Canadian version of the new standard Model Y. But this is the standard Long Range rear wheel drive."
The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV that can go a long distance on a single charge. The Long Range version is built to travel farther than other versions, making it great for road trips.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV that offers impressive range and performance. The Long Range variant is designed for efficiency and extended driving range, making it suitable for long trips.
electric drive unit (EDU)
"Shanghai has now built the five millionth electric drive unit, EDU, which is the motor, the gearbox, the inverter, and everything associated with it."
An electric drive unit is a part of electric cars that includes the motor and other necessary components to make the car move. It helps the car run smoothly and efficiently.
An electric drive unit (EDU) is a key component in electric vehicles that combines the electric motor, gearbox, and inverter into a single unit. This integration helps improve efficiency and reduce space requirements in the vehicle's design.
Volkswagen
"Volkswagen have overtaken Tesla, though."
Volkswagen is a car company from Germany that makes many different types of cars, including electric ones. They are working to sell more electric vehicles.
Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, including electric cars. The company has been expanding its electric vehicle offerings as part of its strategy to compete in the growing EV market.
BYD
"...how BYD just became the biggest EV maker in the world, taking Tesla's crown..."
BYD is a car company from China that makes electric cars. They have become one of the biggest makers of electric vehicles in the world.
BYD is a Chinese automotive manufacturer that specializes in electric vehicles and batteries. It has rapidly grown to become one of the largest electric vehicle producers in the world, often competing directly with Tesla.
EV
"VW just sold 1.13 million EVs last year,"
EV means electric vehicle, which is a car that uses electricity to run instead of traditional fuels like gas.
EV stands for electric vehicle, which is a type of vehicle that runs on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel.
Toyota bZ4X
"They make their top selling electric car, the BZ4X."
The Toyota BZ4X is a new electric SUV made by Toyota, which is their first major electric car model.
The Toyota BZ4X is an all-electric SUV that represents Toyota's entry into the electric vehicle market, featuring modern technology and design.
market share
"They have a one to two percent market share,"
Market share is how much of the total sales in a market a company has compared to others, showing how popular they are.
Market share refers to the percentage of an industry's sales that a particular company or brand controls, indicating its competitiveness in the market.
Honda N1E
"like Honda's N1E. That's an electric mini vehicle."
The Honda N1E is a small electric car made by Honda, perfect for city driving and easy to park.
The Honda N1E is an electric mini vehicle designed for urban environments, emphasizing efficiency and compactness.
battery electric car
"They'll pay you 4,000 euros to switch to a battery electric car. There are caveats, though, and some hoops to jump through."
A battery electric car is a type of vehicle that uses electricity from batteries to run, instead of gasoline or diesel. This means they don't produce exhaust fumes.
A battery electric car is a vehicle that runs entirely on electricity stored in batteries, without a combustion engine. They are known for being environmentally friendly and producing zero tailpipe emissions.
combustion car
"you've got to scrap an old, dirty combustion car."
A combustion car is a vehicle that runs on fuel like gasoline or diesel. It creates power by burning this fuel, which also produces exhaust gases.
A combustion car refers to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, which burn fuel (like gasoline or diesel) to create power. These vehicles typically produce emissions that contribute to air pollution.
Zeekr 7GT
"...but it does get old vehicles off the road. And finally, the Zika 7 GT, otherwise known as the James Bond car, the 007,..."
The Zika 7 GT is a car that is linked to the famous James Bond movies. It's designed to be fast and luxurious, and it's expected to come out in Europe soon.
The Zika 7 GT is a car associated with the James Bond franchise, known for its high-performance features and luxury design. It is anticipated to be released in Europe later this year.
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