Highlights include Doug DeMuro's positive review of the Rivian R2, praising its design and ride comfort despite a modest charging speed. Canada plans to invest $84.4 million to expand EV charging infrastructure. The EU struck a tariff deal on the Chinese-made Cupra Tavascan, easing import costs. Ford's Model E division reported a $4.8 billion loss, reflecting challenges in EV development. The Kia ZV-2 prototype showed impressive cold-weather range in Norway. Meanwhile, new US rules on EV charger assembly threaten federal funding availability. Volvo's SPA-3 platform promises a dedicated electric future, possibly reviving the iconic wagon body style.
Topics:rivian r2 reviewev charging infrastructure canadaeu china tariff dealford model e financialskia zv-2 cold weather testus ev charger funding rulesvolvo spa-3 platformelectric suvev range in coldev import tariffs
It's EV News Briefly for Wednesday 11 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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"but if it keeps the cost down and you're not in a hurry to charge, this vehicle, starting at $45,000, it's 15 inches shorter than the R1-S, for instance. And yet he says, this is just as comfortable."
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And so now we've seen some proper media driving the R2.
I think the best one of all of them.
If you're going to go watch one, it's long.
It's Doug DeMuro, over 5 million subscribers, very famous automotive journalist.
He raves about it.
87.4 kilowatt hour battery pack, 10 to 18 half an hour on the R2.
Not killer.
That might be the only weakness of this vehicle,
but if it keeps the cost down and you're not in a hurry to charge,
this vehicle, starting at $45,000, it's 15 inches shorter than the R1-S, for instance.
And yet he says, this is just as comfortable.
It hasn't got the fancy air suspension, but it rides brilliantly.
And it's full of really beautiful design touches, like the rear screen.
So the rear glass of the rear door of the hatch slides vertically downwards into the door.
And that's great because you can throw stuff in, not the first vehicle to do that,
but still nice little touches like that.
Surfboard sticking out or something.
This looks really nice from the reviews.
R2 should be coming in the spring, a March reveal on exact pricing and colours.
Canada will fund 8,000 more EV charges,
investing $84.4 million Canadian dollars nationwide.
The European Union has reached a deal to waive tariffs under the first Chinese-made car.
This will be Volkswagen's Cupra Taverscan, great SUV, sells good numbers,
but it's made in China and they had to pay some import tariffs last year.
And they're going to be waived and they've done that by agreeing to get rid of the 21% tariff
in return for some minimum price guarantees,
also for some European investment, accepting an annual import quota.
That's actually a really big deal.
Ford's Model E department division lost $4.8 billion last year.
Okay, that's down from $5.1 billion, but a massive operating loss.
Actually Ford's been doing okay.
I totally understand why Ford have pressed pause and gone back on their EV plans.
It's a massive shame, but they'll get there eventually.
And the vehicles they've had have largely been good.
Mustang Mach-E's fantastic.
I'm not a huge fan of the Cologne European Capri.
The Explorer, I'm a bit more of a fan of.
They're expensive cars, but the buyers seem to like them.
Kia ZV-2 prototype did the Winter L-Pri test in Norway recently.
Still in camouflage, not out till later this year in June.
But it was only 25% off its summer rated range,
and this was at minus 21 degrees Celsius.
That's brilliant engineering.
Still did 310 kilometers from its 61 kilowatt hour battery
at minus 21 degrees Celsius.
A federal judge that ordered Trump to release the Neve funds recently
seems to once again have been wasting their time
because the US Department of Transportation just raised the requirements
for chargers to get the Neve money from 55% assembled in America
to 100% every single part.
Well, America doesn't have simply the manufacturing capacity
for every single part of an EV charger.
Every single power module can't do it.
So effectively the Neve money is gone once again
and that's what the White House wanted at the end of the day.
I don't know why they hate EVs, but that's a topic for a different day.
And Volvo, say their new SPA-3 platform,
was designed in a way with no compromises,
no combustion cars ever going to use it.
So they're going to be low,
and that could mean that they were going to return
of the famous Swedish Volvo estate or wagon.
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