BRIEFLY: Mercedes C-Class, Cybtertrucks, Mazda 6E & more | 17 Apr 2026
About this episode
Mercedes drops details on its next all-electric C-Class, spotlighting a massive optional 40-inch Hyperscreen, added interior space, a new heat pump, vegan upholstery, and a Burmester 4D system with seat exciters. Cybertruck chatter follows: SpaceX reportedly bought nearly a fifth of Q4 2025 sales, with Musk-linked entities taking deliveries, raising questions about who’s actually buying. Mazda 6e pricing lands in the UK, plus fast-charging and range figures. Other updates include BMW plug-and-charge in Germany, BYD Shark ute expansion in Australia, and smarter overnight charging in the Netherlands.
It's EV News Briefly for Friday 17 April 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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MERCEDES PREVIEWS ELECTRIC C-CLASS CABIN
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the interior of its first all-electric C-Class ahead of a full reveal on 20 April, showcasing a screen-dominated cabin featuring either a standard Superscreen or an optional 39.1-inch Hyperscreen spanning nearly the full dashboard width, with 10 colour schemes and matrix backlighting using nearly 10 million pixels. The EV platform frees up more interior space than any previous C-Class, and the car adds a new multi-source heat pump that heats the cabin twice as fast as combustion models while using roughly half the energy, alongside Vegan Society-certified upholstery, electropneumatic lumbar seats with massage and ventilation, an optional Burmester 4D system with seat exciters, and an optional Sky Control roof with 162 illuminated stars.
MUSK COMPANIES PROPPED UP CYBERTRUCK Q4
SpaceX purchased 1,279 Cybertrucks in Q4 2025, accounting for nearly 20% of all US Cybertruck registrations in the period, with Musk-owned entities including xAI, The Boring Company, and Neuralink collectively taking 1,339 units out of 7,071 total US registrations. Analysts estimated that without these affiliated-company purchases, Cybertruck registrations would have fallen more than 50% year-over-year, and Musk-linked companies continued buying in early 2026 with 158 units in January and 67 in February.
MAZDA6E UK PRICED FROM £38,995
Mazda will launch the all-electric Mazda6e in the UK this summer with orders open now, priced from £38,995 for the Takumi trim and £39,995 for the Takumi Plus, featuring a 78kWh LFP battery with up to 348 miles of WLTP range and a 10–80% DC fast charge time of just 24 minutes. Unlike mainland European versions, the UK model gets a single-battery setup, paired with a rear-mounted motor doing 0–62mph in 7.9 seconds, a five-door hatchback body, a 14.6-inch touchscreen, and an augmented reality head-up display.
BMW ADDS CONTRACT-FREE PLUG & CHARGE IN GERMANY
BMW Group has launched a contract-free Plug & Charge service in Germany, allowing drivers of compatible BMW and MINI EVs to authenticate at public DC charging points simply by plugging in, with billing going directly to the credit card stored on their BMW or MINI account. The first rollout covers over 1,400 charging points across Germany and Austria via partner Mer Germany using Hubject's system, and is the first time Plug & Charge has been extended to drivers without an existing charging contract, including tourists and fleet users.
BYD ADDS TWO SHARK 6 VARIANTS
BYD has expanded its Shark 6 ute range in Australia from one model to three, adding the Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis (from A$55,900) and the Shark 6 Performance (from A$62,900) alongside the existing Shark 6 Premium. All variants use BYD's Dual Mode Off-Road plug-in hybrid system combining a turbocharged petrol engine with front and rear electric motors and a Blade battery, with the Performance variant boosting towing capacity to 3,500kg and adding a dedicated Crawl Mode for off-road use.
ALLEGO ADDS SMART OVERNIGHT CHARGING IN DUTCH MARKET
Allego has launched a smart overnight charging scheme in the Netherlands using Deftpower technology, offering drivers a choice from 6 PM between immediate and smart charging, with the latter shifting sessions to off-peak hours to reduce grid strain during evening peaks. Drivers who opt in receive cashback rewards of up to 5% of charging costs, and Allego plans to expand the model from its initial rollout to around 9,000 charging points in the Netherlands before extending it to Belgium.
FUEL SPIKE PUSHES DRIVERS TOWARDS EVS
A survey by Electrifying.com of over 1,000 visitors found that more than 70% of non-EV drivers said rising fuel prices — spiked by US-Israel air attacks on Iran and disruption to oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz — are making them more actively consider switching to electric. Electrifying.com founder Ginny Buckley reported a near-50% week-on-week surge in site traffic since the start of the US-Iran conflict, while analyst Tom Barnard noted some used EVs priced under £5,000 can pay for themselves within a few years through fuel savings alone.
RIVIAN MAKES FOUR RAN SITES NACS-ONLY
Rivian has converted four California-based Rivian Adventure Network charging sites to NACS-only, removing CCS1 connectors entirely in a first for the network, a move likely driven by the ramp-up of the R2 and the 2026 R1S and R1T, all of which ship with NACS as standard. Owners of older CCS1 Rivians and other non-NACS EVs will need a NACS-to-CCS1 adapter to use these four sites, with the switch also simplifying site logistics as NACS-equipped Rivians grow in number.
HONDA SUPER-N SET FOR UK JULY LAUNCH
Honda has revealed the Super-N, an all-electric kei-inspired hatchback measuring 3.4 metres in length, due on sale in the UK from July at under £20,000, directly rivalling the Dacia Spring and Hyundai Inster. Power comes from a compact e-axle producing 47 kW (rising to 70 kW in BOOST Mode), with Honda quoting a UK urban range of 199 miles and a combined range of 128 miles, though battery and charging specifications have not yet been disclosed.
MAV SYSTEMS LAUNCHES BAYIQ FOR EV BAYS
UK-based MAV Systems has launched BayiQ, an ANPR camera system designed to help parking operators, councils, and transport authorities tackle overstaying, ICEing, and poor turnover at EV charging bays. A single BayiQ unit can monitor multiple adjacent bays simultaneously, unlike conventional ANPR systems that require one camera per bay, reducing installation costs and civil works for operators managing busy charging locations.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
"Mercedes-Benz has revealed the interior of its new all-electric C-Class very important vehicle Full reveal is happening next week"
Mercedes-Benz is showing off the inside of its next electric C-Class. The main focus is the dashboard screen setup and how it makes the cabin feel more high-tech.
Mercedes-Benz is previewing the interior of its new all-electric C-Class. The big story is the dashboard tech and how it changes the cabin experience compared with traditional Mercedes layouts.
Hyperscreen
"The headline has to be the interior dominated by a massive screen the super screen is just the standard option the optional 40-inch Hyperscreen means the entire width of the dash is a big old slab of glass loads of matrix backlighting and 10 million pixels"
Hyperscreen is Mercedes-Benz’s big dashboard display. Instead of lots of separate screens, it’s one wide screen that stretches across the dash.
Hyperscreen is Mercedes-Benz’s name for a wide, glass-like display spanning much of the dashboard. It’s designed to consolidate infotainment and vehicle information into one continuous, high-resolution panel.
heat pump
"There's also more interior space than any other C-Class There's a new heat pump for more efficiency Vegan society satisfied upholstery and if you get the optional Burmeister 4d sound system"
A heat pump is how the car warms the cabin more efficiently. In cold weather it can use less battery power than traditional heating.
A heat pump is an HVAC system that moves heat rather than generating it from scratch, improving efficiency—especially in cold weather. EVs use it to reduce energy consumption for cabin heating and extend real-world range.
Burmeister
"Vegan society satisfied upholstery and if you get the optional Burmeister 4d sound system It comes with inbuilt seat"
Burmeister is a premium car audio brand. If you choose the optional Burmeister system, you’re paying for better speakers and sound quality.
Burmeister is an audio brand associated with premium sound systems offered in some Mercedes-Benz vehicles. When the podcast mentions an optional Burmeister system, it’s referring to a higher-end speaker and amplifier setup.
4d sound system
"Vegan society satisfied upholstery and if you get the optional Burmeister 4d sound system It comes with inbuilt seat Exciters to vibrate you in time with the music you're listening to"
A “4D” sound system is meant to make music feel more physical, not just something you hear. Here, the seats vibrate along with the audio to add an extra layer of immersion.
A “4D” sound system typically combines audio with physical effects—like seat vibration—to make the sound feel more immersive. In this case, the podcast describes seat-mounted exciters that vibrate in sync with the music.
US registrations
"Out of the total 7,000 US registrations in Q4 Some experts say would have fallen more than 50% year over year if he hadn't been selling cars"
US registrations are basically the number of cars that get officially registered to be driven. Analysts use it as a sales proxy, and the episode suggests the numbers look better because certain companies bought trucks.
US registrations are a key metric used to estimate vehicle sales, because they reflect vehicles that have been registered for use on public roads. The segment argues that registrations would have dropped sharply year over year without Musk-affiliated buying.
6e
"Also Musk owned entities or affiliated entities like XAI the boring company and Neuralink have also been taking deliveries There's not many regular people that do want to buy a cyber truck Mazda's 6e is priced in the UK from 38995"
The Mazda 6e is a Mazda electric model being talked about for UK pricing. They mention the starting price and then a more expensive trim level.
Mazda’s “6e” is discussed here in the context of UK pricing and trim levels. The episode treats it like a specific EV model with entry pricing and higher-spec variants.
Takumi trim
"Got more clarity on this now. I'd mentioned the previous headline pricing So entries entry spec 38995 Takumi trim Takumi trim plus is 40k"
“Takumi trim” is the name of a particular version of the car with a certain set of features. Higher trims usually cost more because they include extra equipment.
“Takumi trim” refers to a specific equipment level/package offered on a model. In pricing discussions, trim names matter because they typically bundle features that change the total cost.
LFP pack
"More details and what I've said before 78 kilowatt hour LFP pack so WLTP range"
LFP is a type of battery used in some EVs. It’s generally designed to last a long time and handle heat well. “78 kilowatt hour” is how much energy the battery can store.
LFP stands for lithium iron phosphate, a battery chemistry known for long cycle life and good thermal stability. A “78 kilowatt hour LFP pack” means the vehicle’s battery capacity is 78 kWh and uses LFP cells, which can influence charging behavior and longevity.
WLTP range
"More details and what I've said before 78 kilowatt hour LFP pack so WLTP range"
WLTP range is an official test estimate of how far an EV can go on a full charge. Real-world range can be lower depending on weather, speed, and driving style.
WLTP is the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, a standardized method for estimating EV range. When the host says “WLTP range” and then gives miles, they’re referring to a lab-tested estimate rather than real-world driving.
10 to 80
"Got the charging speed as well. The 10 to 80 is 24 minutes now"
This is a charging-time comparison from a low battery level (10%) to a fairly full one (80%). It’s useful because charging tends to slow down as the battery gets fuller.
“10 to 80” refers to the time it takes to charge from 10% battery state-of-charge to 80%. This is a common EV metric because charging is usually fastest at lower percentages and slows as the battery fills.
195 kilowatt charger
"They said if connected to a 195 kilowatt charger, there aren't any of those"
This is about the power of a fast charger. Higher kilowatts generally mean faster charging—up to the limits of the car and the station.
A “195 kilowatt charger” is a DC fast-charging station rated to deliver up to 195 kW to compatible EVs. The point being made is that if the network doesn’t have many chargers at that rating, the practical charging experience depends on what peak power the car can actually use.
peak charge rate
"Just tell us what the peak charge rate is if it's 195 just say that"
Peak charge rate is the fastest charging power the car can take. Even if a charger is powerful, the car can only charge as fast as it’s designed to.
Peak charge rate is the maximum power (kW) an EV can accept during fast charging. It matters because real charging speed is limited by both the charger’s output and the car’s battery/charging system.
350 kilowatt DC fast charger
"So you'll probably need to find a 350 kilowatt DC fast charger, but 24 minutes on a big boy pack"
This is a very fast charging station. The idea is that to get the quickest charging results, you may need a charger that can deliver around 350 kW.
A “350 kilowatt DC fast charger” is a high-power charging station designed for rapid EV charging. The host is implying that to reach the best-case charging times, you’d likely need chargers in the 350 kW class rather than lower-power options.
rebadged version of the Chinese car
"That's really good for Mazda. This isn't just a rebadged version of the Chinese car either"
A “rebadged” car is basically the same vehicle sold under a different brand name. The host is saying this Mazda isn’t just that kind of simple re-labeling.
A “rebadged” car is one that’s built by one manufacturer (often overseas) and sold under another brand with different branding and sometimes minor changes. The host is arguing the Mazda EV being discussed has more differentiation than a simple badge swap.
right-hand drive
"Delivery start later this year in the UK right-hand drive"
Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. That’s important for countries like the UK, where most cars are built this way.
Right-hand drive (RHD) means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, which is required for markets like the UK and Australia. The host notes the delivery timing and that the vehicle will be configured for right-hand-drive buyers.
plug-and-charge service
"BMW group has launched a contract free plug-and-charge service in Germany allowing drivers of BMWs and minis"
Plug-and-charge lets you plug in and start charging with less hassle. Instead of tapping apps or choosing a payment option, the car handles the login automatically.
Plug-and-charge is an EV charging feature where the car and charger authenticate automatically, so you can start charging without manually selecting a payment method. The host says BMW Group launched a contract-free version in Germany for BMW and MINI drivers.
BYD
"BYD expanding its shark six Ute range in Australia from one model to three."
BYD is a big EV company that also makes batteries. In this segment, they’re talking about expanding their electric ute lineup in Australia.
BYD is a major Chinese EV and battery manufacturer, known for producing both vehicles and battery technology. Here, BYD is expanding its “Shark” ute lineup in Australia and discussing variants including performance and premium versions.
Byd Shark 6
"BYD expanding its shark six Ute range in Australia from one model to three. There is now now a Cab chassis a proper Ute look"
BYD’s Shark 6 is an electric pickup-style vehicle (“ute”). The podcast says BYD is offering more versions in Australia, including a configuration that looks more like a traditional ute.
The BYD Shark 6 Ute is an electric pickup/ute model being expanded in Australia from one variant to three. The host highlights body style changes like adding a cab-chassis configuration and also mentions performance/premium variants.
Ute
"I always think of a Ute as a cab at the front and a kind of a big metal tray if you like in the back"
A ute is like a pickup truck. It has a front cab for passengers and an open cargo area in the back for hauling.
A “ute” (utility vehicle) is a vehicle type common in Australia and some other markets, typically combining a cab with an open cargo tray. The host explains the concept as “a cab at the front” plus “a big metal tray” in the back.
plug-in hybrid off-road system
"There's also a shark six performance, which is much more High-end and a shark six premium as well or using their plug-in hybrid off-road system"
This is a system meant to help a hybrid vehicle handle dirt or rough terrain better. It combines off-road driving features with the ability to run on electric power from charging.
A plug-in hybrid off-road system refers to a drivetrain and control setup designed to improve traction and capability for rough terrain, while still using plug-in hybrid power. The segment suggests BYD’s Shark 6 lineup can use a specific plug-in hybrid off-road capability.
towing up to three and a half thousand kilograms
"But now towing up to three and a half thousand kilograms a Lego is launching smart charging"
Towing capacity is how much weight the vehicle is rated to pull behind it. “Three and a half thousand kilograms” means it can tow quite heavy loads.
Towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle is rated to pull, typically measured in kilograms for many markets. The host says the BYD Shark 6 can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, which is a key spec for buyers who need hauling capability.
Lego
"But now towing up to three and a half thousand kilograms a Lego is launching smart charging overnight in the Netherlands"
The host mentions a company launching “smart charging,” but the name sounds like it could be mis-transcribed. The important part is that a charging service is being introduced to encourage better charging times.
The transcript appears to mention “Lego” in the context of launching “smart charging,” which is likely a transcription error or a misheard company name. Because the surrounding context is about charging programs in the Netherlands, it’s unclear which real organization is being referenced.
smart charging overnight
"And that's what it's got now. There's also a shark six performance... But now towing up to three and a half thousand kilograms a Lego is launching smart charging overnight in the Netherlands"
Smart charging means the car charges at a planned time instead of immediately. Overnight and off-peak charging can be cheaper and helps the power grid run more smoothly.
Smart charging is a charging strategy that coordinates when the EV charges, often to take advantage of lower electricity prices or grid conditions. The host says it’s offered overnight in the Netherlands, letting drivers choose a charging window (starting at 6 p.m.) to encourage off-peak charging.
off-peak
"Offering drivers the choice between from 6 p.m. in the evening to do some smart charging and encourage people to charge off-peak"
Off-peak refers to electricity pricing periods when demand is lower, which often makes charging cheaper. The segment connects smart charging with encouraging drivers to charge during these lower-cost hours.
Rivian Adventure Network (RIN)
"So the rising fuel prices because of the Middle East conflict is driving interest in EV's Rivian is converting for California based Rivian Adventure Network RIN charging sites to be only"
RIN is Rivian’s charging network for its vehicles. The segment says Rivian is changing the California charging sites, likely affecting how people use them.
Rivian Adventure Network (RIN) is Rivian’s network of charging sites intended to support road trips and long-distance travel. The host says Rivian is converting California-based RIN charging sites to be “only” (the rest is cut off), implying a change in how those stations are used or who can access them.
K car
"That's the little K car"
A “K car” is a small car category from Japan. Because it’s small and meets certain rules, it usually costs less to own there than bigger cars.
“K car” is a Japanese category for very small vehicles with strict size and engine limits. They’re popular in Japan because they typically qualify for favorable taxes and insurance compared with larger cars.
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