BRIEFLY: Leapmotor, SK On, Rivian, Renault 4 and more | 17 Sep 2025

It's EV News Briefly for Wednesday 17 September 2025, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

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LEAPMOTOR TO BUILD CARS IN SPAIN https://evne.ws/4mgfwEX
SK ON OPENS SOLID-STATE BATTERY PILOT PLANT https://evne.ws/4poDxws
RIVIAN BREAKS GROUND ON GEORGIA PLANT https://evne.ws/3VWurJG
RENAULT 4 EV GETS A CARGO VAN VARIANT https://evne.ws/4nDkCwo
UK GEELY EX5 CUSTOMERS GET FREE ANDERSEN A3 HOME CHARGER INSTALLED https://evne.ws/47G1wRs
GAC AION V APPROVED FOR AUSTRALIA https://evne.ws/465ShsA
TESLA MELBOURNE FSD TEST WAS NOT APPROVED  https://evne.ws/4nrNoQc
TESLA ADDS 7‑YEAR WARRANTY TO SOME PARTS https://evne.ws/3IgdcQE
NHTSA OPENS PROBE INTO 2021 TESLA MODEL Y DOORS https://evne.ws/465VwjM
SUZUKI LAUNCHES E VITARA EV IN JAPAN IN JANUARY https://evne.ws/4prFSqo
ID. TOUAREG COULD BE THE FIRST SSP MODEL https://evne.ws/3VkOLo4
VOLKSWAGEN DROPS FLUSH DOOR HANDLES FOR FUNCTION https://evne.ws/4gs1T4t
NISSAN CUTS NEW LEAF OUTPUT OVER BATTERY SHORTAGE https://evne.ws/3VlzNya

LEAPMOTOR TO BUILD CARS IN SPAIN
Stellantis will enable Chinese automaker Leapmotor to assemble vehicles at a Spanish plant to bypass steep EU import tariffs, likely beginning with the B10 electric SUV next year. The €1.5 billion joint venture includes major investment in battery production at Zaragoza, positioning Leapmotor for broader European expansion under Stellantis’s international partnership.
SK ON OPENS SOLID-STATE BATTERY PILOT PLANT
SK On has opened a Daejeon, South Korea pilot facility focused on sulphide- and polymer-oxide solid-state battery development, aiming for commercialization of sulphide-based cells in 2029—one year ahead of schedule. Backed by Solid Power’s tech, the facility will produce prototype batteries featuring advanced lithium-metal and silicon anodes with targets up to 1,000 Wh/l energy density.
RIVIAN BREAKS GROUND ON GEORGIA PLANT
Rivian has started building a $5 billion EV plant in Georgia, aiming for 200,000 vehicles yearly by 2028, unaffected by the discontinuation of federal EV tax credits. The facility will support scale and lower costs for new models like the R2, following Tesla’s profitability playbook as Rivian moves into higher-volume, lower-priced vehicles.
RENAULT 4 EV GETS A CARGO VAN VARIANT
Renault's new electric 4 is now offered as a cargo van with a load capacity of 1,045 litres and up to 254 miles of range, priced in France from €29,300 before VAT. The conversion is managed in-house by Renault at its Maubeuge plant, with multiple battery and power options for commercial customers.
UK GEELY EX5 CUSTOMERS GET FREE ANDERSEN A3 HOME CHARGER INSTALLED
Geely will provide buyers of the all-electric EX5 a free Andersen A3 home charger, featuring unique design and smart charging integration, for orders placed before October 23, 2025. The charger, which includes full installation and a seven-year warranty, is compatible with solar power and smart charging tariffs.
GAC AION V APPROVED FOR AUSTRALIA
Chinese automaker GAC’s Aion V electric SUV has been cleared for sale in Australia, featuring a 75 kWh LFP battery for up to 374 miles of range and fast charging from 30% to 80% in 16 minutes. Pricing will start below $45,000 AUD, with deliveries and detailed specs announced closer to launch.
TESLA MELBOURNE FSD TEST WAS NOT APPROVED
Victorian authorities confirmed Tesla was not authorized to test "Full Self-Driving" on Melbourne’s public roads after a viral video showed a Model Y performing an autonomous hook turn in the city center. Tesla says FSD is driver-supervised and not yet legal for autonomous use in Australia, where regulatory permits are required for such trials.
TESLA ADDS 7‑YEAR WARRANTY TO SOME PARTS
Tesla’s 2026 model year vehicles in the US and Canada now carry a “High-Priced Propulsion-Related Part Warranty,” giving seven years’ coverage for key electrical components like the power conversion system and high-voltage parts. This new warranty is separate from existing battery and drive unit terms, aimed at lowering costly repair risk for buyers.
NHTSA OPENS PROBE INTO 2021 TESLA MODEL Y DOORS
U.S. safety regulators have launched a probe into 174,000 Model Y vehicles from 2021 after reports the electronic door handles could fail, potentially trapping children inside. Preliminary findings suggest the issue is linked to low-voltage battery problems, and several parents broke windows to access their children during incidents.
SUZUKI LAUNCHES E VITARA EV IN JAPAN IN JANUARY
Suzuki’s first battery-electric car, the e Vitara SUV, will go on sale in Japan in January 2026, produced in India for export and offering 267 miles per charge at around $27,000. It represents Suzuki’s major push into global EVs with significant investments and ambitions for high-volume exports.
ID. TOUAREG COULD BE THE FIRST SSP MODEL
Volkswagen may transform its Touareg into the first fully electric SSP platform model, with combustion production ending in 2026 and SSP assembly possibly starting in Bratislava by 2029. The SSP platform promises cost savings and fast charging, with VW’s wider rollout across brands and models to follow.
VOLKSWAGEN DROPS FLUSH DOOR HANDLES FOR FUNCTION
Volkswagen will move away from flush-mounted door handles in favor of traditional grab handles in response to customer frustration, as outlined by the brand’s CEO at IAA Mobility. The company’s next-gen ID. models will prioritize practicality to appeal to mainstream buyers over early adopters.
NISSAN CUTS NEW LEAF OUTPUT OVER BATTERY SHORTAGE
Nissan has halved production plans for its new Leaf due to shortfalls in battery supply, with revised output at the Tochigi plant being several thousand lower per month. The cutback delays a key launch for Nissan, which is betting on the new Leaf to reinvigorate its lagging EV business.