BRIEFLY: Kia Niro, Porsche, BMW iX3 & more | 25 Jan 2026
About this episode
Kia's Niro gets a facelift, aligning its design with the rest of the Kia lineup, though its battery specs remain unchanged. Porsche introduces plug-in charging at Tesla stations, while BMW's iX3 sees increased production due to high demand. Bentley's new EV is spotted on the road, showcasing its smaller size and shared platform with VW. Ford reveals they licensed battery tech from CATL for their Michigan plant. California's EV sales remain strong despite a national decline, and Norway focuses on maintaining its extensive charging infrastructure. Polestar hints at reviving its 'beast mode' for future models.
It's EV News Briefly for Sunday 25 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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KIA NIRO FACELIFT GOES SHARPER https://evne.ws/4bieTcs
PORSCHE CANADA SWITCHES ON PLUG & CHARGE AT TESLA SITES https://evne.ws/3LQz9Hy
BMW’S IX3 FORCES FASTER EV PRODUCTION https://evne.ws/49NIEiQ
BENTLEY’S FIRST EV TAKES SHAPE AS COMPACT SUV https://evne.ws/49NIEiQ
FORD DEFENDS CHINA-LINKED BATTERY BET IN MICHIGAN https://evne.ws/49NIEiQ
CALIFORNIA EV SALES HOLD FIRM AS FEDERAL SUPPORT VANISHES https://evne.ws/49UWFvi
NORWAY’S FAST-CHARGING BOOM HITS A CONTROLLED CRUISE https://evne.ws/49UJ5ry
OFF-PEAK EV CHARGING COSTS DROP AS FLAT RATES RISE https://evne.ws/4bNAwkP
ELEPORT TO ADD 250 FAST-CHARGE HUBS WITH EIB CASH https://evne.ws/4bNAwkP
Kia Niro
"So the EV3, the EV9, that slab-sided, kind of blocky, chunky look with the black cladding, that's what the Niro looks like now, but they're not updating the actual technical, so it's got the same modest 8.9 kilowatt-hour battery."
The Kia Niro is a small SUV that can run on electricity or gasoline. It has a new look that matches other Kia cars, but the technology inside hasn't changed much.
The Kia Niro is a compact crossover SUV that is available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric versions. It has recently undergone a facelift, aligning its design with other models in the Kia lineup.
Kia EV3
"...t just looks like all the other Kia's now. So the EV3, the EV9, that slab-sided, kind of blocky, chunky..."
The Kia EV3 is a new electric car from Kia that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. It has a boxy shape and is designed to be practical and eco-friendly, making it a good option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Kia EV3 is an upcoming electric vehicle that showcases Kia's commitment to sustainable mobility. It features a modern design with a focus on practicality and efficiency, aligning with the brand's evolving aesthetic and technological advancements in the EV market.
kilowatt-hour (kWh)
"...it's got the same modest 8.9 kilowatt-hour battery. You'll be lucky on 40 miles of electronic range for the plug-in hybrid version."
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) tells you how much electricity a battery can store. It helps you understand how far an electric car can go before it needs to be charged again.
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy that measures how much electricity is used over time. In electric vehicles, it indicates the capacity of the battery and how far the vehicle can travel on a single charge.
electronic range
"...You'll be lucky on 40 miles of electronic range for the plug-in hybrid version. All EV version will knock on 300 miles, though."
Electronic range is how far an electric car can go before it needs to be plugged in to recharge. It's important to know so you can plan your trips without running out of power.
Electronic range refers to the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge before needing to recharge. This is a crucial factor for potential buyers considering an electric or hybrid vehicle.
Bmws Ix3
"BMW's iX3 is actually doing really well. We know it had a lot of orders in the early days..."
The BMW iX3 is an electric version of BMW's popular X3 SUV. It runs on electricity instead of gasoline, making it more environmentally friendly.
The BMW iX3 is an electric SUV that is part of BMW's growing lineup of electric vehicles. It features a modern design and advanced technology, appealing to both new and existing BMW customers.
WLTP
"with its 500 miles of range WLTP, 800-volt Neuer-class of goody-goody-goody-good stuff."
WLTP is a testing method used to measure how far a car can go on a full charge or tank of gas. It helps buyers understand the vehicle's efficiency.
WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure. It is a standardized method for testing the fuel consumption and emissions of vehicles, providing more realistic data compared to previous testing methods.
electric vehicle (EV)
"Bentley's new EV has been spotted. It's off of the sketchpad and it's onto the roads..."
An electric vehicle, or EV, is a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. This makes them cleaner for the environment because they don't produce exhaust fumes.
An electric vehicle (EV) is a car that is powered entirely or partially by electricity. EVs are known for being environmentally friendly, as they produce zero tailpipe emissions.
Bentley Bentayga
"It's smaller than a Bentley Bentayga, by the way, and it used PPE, which is the premium platform electric from the mothership at Volkswagen."
The Bentley Bentayga is a very luxurious SUV that offers a lot of comfort and high-quality features. It's one of the most expensive SUVs you can buy.
The Bentley Bentayga is a luxury SUV known for its opulence and performance. It combines high-end materials with advanced technology, making it a flagship model for Bentley.
PPE
"...and it used PPE, which is the premium platform electric from the mothership at Volkswagen. And that's the good stuff."
PPE is a special platform used for making electric cars. It helps different car brands use the same technology to create their electric vehicles.
PPE stands for Premium Platform Electric, which is a modular electric vehicle platform developed by Volkswagen. It allows for the production of various electric models across different brands.
Porsche Cayenne
"That's the Porsche Cayenne. It's the Audi Q6 e-tron."
The Porsche Cayenne is a luxury SUV that drives like a sports car. It offers a lot of space and comfort while still being fun to drive.
The Porsche Cayenne is a luxury SUV that blends performance with practicality. It's known for its sporty handling and powerful engine options.
Audi Q6 e-tron
"It's the Audi Q6 e-tron. So, high voltage, but obviously Bentley, a smaller bit of the business..."
The Audi Q6 e-tron is a new electric SUV from Audi. It's designed to be stylish and eco-friendly, offering a modern driving experience.
The Audi Q6 e-tron is an upcoming electric SUV that represents Audi's commitment to electric mobility. It features advanced technology and a modern design.
Ford
"It's a Ford factory with Ford employees and Ford to pay in the bills, but they have had to license the intellectual property from CATL."
Ford is a well-known car company that makes many types of vehicles, including cars and trucks.
Ford is a major American automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles.
CATL
"...but they have had to license the intellectual property from CATL, the world's biggest battery maker for LFP, lithium-ion phosphate."
CATL is a big company in China that makes batteries for electric cars, and they are the largest in the world.
CATL, or Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited, is a Chinese company that is the world's largest manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, particularly for electric vehicles.
intellectual property
"...but they have had to license the intellectual property from CATL, the world's biggest battery maker for LFP, lithium-ion phosphate."
Intellectual property is a legal term for ideas and inventions that companies own and can sell or license to others.
Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, designs, and brand names, that companies can legally protect and license.
LFP
"...the world's biggest battery maker for LFP, lithium-ion phosphate."
LFP is a kind of battery technology that is safe and lasts a long time, often used in electric cars.
LFP stands for lithium iron phosphate, a type of lithium-ion battery chemistry known for its safety, stability, and long cycle life, commonly used in electric vehicles.
lithium-ion battery
"...the world's biggest battery maker for LFP, lithium-ion phosphate."
Lithium-ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that power many electric cars because they can store a lot of energy.
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries commonly used in electric vehicles due to their high energy density and efficiency.
EVs
"Californians bought, say, 80,000 new EVs in the fourth quarter of the year."
EVs are cars that run on electricity instead of gas, making them more environmentally friendly.
EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that are powered entirely or primarily by electricity rather than gasoline or diesel fuel.
DC fast charging
"...you save yourself a lot of money on DC fast charging. And Polestar want to go back to beast mode...."
DC fast charging is a way to charge electric cars quickly. It uses direct current to fill the battery faster than regular charging methods.
DC fast charging refers to a method of charging electric vehicles that allows for much quicker charging times compared to standard AC charging, making it ideal for long trips or quick top-ups.
Polestar 2
"...but if you can charge off-peak, maybe even in the evenings or overnight, you save yourself a lot of money on DC fast charging. And Polestar want to go back to beast mode. There are Polestar 2 BST editions,..."
The Polestar 2 BST edition is a special version of the Polestar 2, which is an electric car. This edition is designed to be more powerful and sporty than the regular model.
The Polestar 2 BST edition is a performance-oriented variant of the Polestar 2 electric vehicle, known for its enhanced features and sporty design.
Hyundai
"M cars from BMW and the N brand from Hyundai,"
Hyundai is a car company from South Korea that makes many types of vehicles, including some sporty models under the N brand.
Hyundai is a South Korean automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, from economical cars to high-performance models under its N brand, which focuses on sporty and performance-oriented vehicles.
beast mode
"they will bring beast mode back to future Polestar's."
'Beast mode' is a fun way to say that a car is really powerful and can perform very well, especially when driving fast or aggressively.
'Beast mode' is a colloquial term often used in automotive contexts to describe a vehicle's high-performance capabilities or aggressive driving dynamics, suggesting that the car can deliver exceptional power and handling.
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