BRIEFLY: Scout, Diesel Dying, Ford Delays & more | 18 Jan 2026
About this episode
Scout is making strides in California, navigating regulatory challenges to sell its vehicles, while the diesel market in the UK continues to decline, with predictions of EVs overtaking diesel cars by 2030. The episode also discusses the impact of Canada's subsidy removal on imported Chinese EVs, with brands like Volvo and Tesla poised to benefit. Ford is delaying its new EV platform in Europe, opting for a partnership with Renault instead. Additionally, the MG4's crash test results and Ram's new range extender pickup are highlighted, showcasing the evolving landscape of the automotive industry.
It's EV News Briefly for Sunday 18 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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SCOUT CLEARS CALIFORNIA HURDLE IN EV SALES PUSH https://evne.ws/4sSi5lq
DIESEL CARS HEAD FOR SCRAPHEAP AS EVS SURGE https://evne.ws/4k6Gwrn
VOLVO, POLESTAR AND TESLA EARLY WINNERS FROM CANADA TARIFF SHIFT https://evne.ws/3LIaxAH
CHINA-BUILT EVS DOMINATE AUSTRALIAN SAFETY RANKINGS https://evne.ws/4qEEi4A
FORD DELAYS IN-HOUSE EV PLATFORM FOR EUROPE https://evne.ws/4jMVsKV
MG4 URBAN POINTS TO TWO-TIER MG EV RANGE https://evne.ws/49qT6hi
RAM’S RANGE-EXTENDER ARRIVES LATE BUT FIRST https://evne.ws/3ZhIonh
RANGE-EXTENDER RAM AIMS TO EASE EV PICKUP FEARS https://evne.ws/49KD2po
UNIGRID EXPORTS SODIUM-ION BATTERIES AT COMMERCIAL SCALE https://evne.ws/3NQYzW5
VOLVO BETS ON LONG-RANGE EX60 DRIVE EV ADOPTION https://evne.ws/3Nt6xoj
Scout
"...let's get you up to speed. Scout has cleared some hurdles in California, now being allowed to sell their vehicles there."
Scout is a company that makes electric cars. They have recently been given permission to sell their cars in California, which is an important market for EVs.
Scout is an automotive company that focuses on electric vehicles (EVs). They are making strides in the market by overcoming regulatory challenges, allowing them to sell their vehicles in California.
diesel cars
"Diesel cars are heading for the scrap heap. They've dropped over the last couple of years from the peak of 12.4 million diesel cars on UK roads."
Diesel cars are cars that run on a special type of fuel called diesel. They used to be very popular because they could go further on less fuel, but now many people are moving away from them because of pollution issues.
Diesel cars are vehicles powered by diesel engines, which use diesel fuel. They have been popular for their fuel efficiency and torque but are facing declining popularity due to environmental concerns and regulations.
EVs
"where there'll be more EVs on the road, bevs than diesel cars."
EVs stands for electric vehicles, which are cars that run on electricity instead of gas or diesel. They are better for the environment because they don’t produce exhaust fumes.
EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that are powered entirely by electricity rather than traditional fuels like gasoline or diesel. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower emissions and the push for sustainable transportation.
Volvo
"Volvo, Polestar and Tesla look to be the early winners"
Volvo is a car brand from Sweden that makes safe and reliable cars. They are known for their focus on safety features and quality.
Volvo is a Swedish automotive manufacturer known for its focus on safety and quality. The brand has a strong reputation for producing reliable vehicles and has been a pioneer in automotive safety innovations.
Tesla
"Volvo, Polestar and Tesla look to be the early winners"
Tesla is a car company from the United States that makes electric cars. They are known for their advanced technology and long-range vehicles.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its innovative technology and high-performance electric cars. The company has played a significant role in popularizing electric vehicles worldwide.
Polestar
"Volvo, Polestar and Tesla look to be the early winners"
Polestar is a car brand that makes electric vehicles and is associated with Volvo. They focus on performance and sustainability.
Polestar is a performance electric vehicle brand that originated as a tuning division of Volvo. It has since become a standalone brand focusing on high-performance electric cars.
giga Shanghai
"Of course, Tesla has giga Shanghai"
Giga Shanghai is a large factory in China where Tesla makes its cars. It helps Tesla produce more vehicles to sell in Asia.
Giga Shanghai refers to Tesla's Gigafactory located in Shanghai, China, which is a major production facility for Tesla vehicles. It plays a crucial role in Tesla's strategy to meet demand in the Asian market.
Polestar 4
"like Polestar three and four"
The Polestar 4 is another electric SUV from Polestar. It focuses on performance and luxury features.
The Polestar 4 is another electric vehicle from Polestar, designed to offer a blend of performance and luxury. It aims to compete in the growing electric SUV market.
Polestar 3
"like Polestar three and four"
The Polestar 3 is an electric SUV made by Polestar. It is designed to be both high-performance and environmentally friendly.
The Polestar 3 is an electric SUV that combines performance with sustainability. It is part of Polestar's lineup of electric vehicles, focusing on luxury and advanced technology.
EV
"The safest car is now a Chinese built EV in each of those categories."
An EV, or electric vehicle, is a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. They are known for being better for the environment because they produce fewer emissions.
EV stands for electric vehicle, which is a type of vehicle that is powered entirely or partially by electricity. EVs are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Ford
"Ford is delaying its in house EV platform for Europe. Yes, we like a lot of mid-sized"
Ford is a well-known car company that makes many types of vehicles, including trucks and electric cars. They have been around for a long time and are famous for their popular models like the Ford F-150.
Ford is an American multinational automaker known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles. The company has a long history in the automotive industry and is recognized for its innovation and contributions to vehicle technology.
universal electric vehicle platform
"And yes, then you universal electric vehicle platform could work, but they say a better way to deploy capital"
A universal electric vehicle platform is like a common base that car companies can use to build different electric cars. It helps them save money and time when making new models.
A universal electric vehicle platform is a standardized framework used by automakers to develop various electric vehicle models. This approach allows for more efficient production and cost savings by using the same underlying technology across different models.
Euro NCAP
"Now our MG4 rear wheel drive, great chassis, driver's car is not the new MG4 in China. That is much more of a cheaper value car, front wheel drive."
Euro NCAP is a program that tests how safe new cars are. They crash test vehicles and give them ratings to help buyers know how safe a car is.
Euro NCAP stands for the European New Car Assessment Programme, which evaluates the safety of vehicles sold in Europe. It provides safety ratings based on crash tests and other safety assessments.
MG4 Urban
"Now our MG4 rear wheel drive, great chassis, driver's car is not the new MG4 in China."
The MG4 Urban is a small electric car made by MG. It's designed to be affordable and is good for city driving, with a focus on being easy to handle.
The MG4 Urban is a compact electric vehicle from MG, known for its affordability and practicality. It features a rear-wheel-drive layout and is designed to appeal to urban drivers looking for a budget-friendly option.
front wheel drive
"That is much more of a cheaper value car, front wheel drive. They've softened the look, also changed really the whole ethos of the car."
Front-wheel drive means that the front wheels of the car are the ones that get the power from the engine. This is a common setup for many smaller cars because it helps with space and can be more fuel-efficient.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a vehicle configuration where the engine's power is directed to the front wheels. This layout is common in many compact cars and offers advantages in terms of space and fuel efficiency.
restyling
"...we'll just tweak it a bit and restyling it. Well, now they've been crash testing the Chinese MG4."
Restyling is when a car's look is changed a bit to make it more attractive or modern, without changing how it works. It's like giving a car a new outfit.
Restyling refers to making cosmetic changes to a vehicle's design, often to refresh its appearance without altering its underlying structure or mechanics. This can include changes to the body, lights, and interior features.
Ram 1500 Rev
"Ram's range extender, the Ram 1500s Rev, used to be called the Ram Charger, has been shown off at the Detroit Auto Show."
The Ram 1500 Rev is a new electric truck from Ram, designed to offer more range and utility than traditional electric vehicles.
The Ram 1500 Rev is an electric pickup truck that represents Ram's foray into the electric vehicle market, featuring a range extender for added versatility.
kilowatt hour
"It's gonna have a 90 kilowatt hour pack, which will do you a lot of electric miles."
A kilowatt hour is a way to measure how much energy a battery can store. It helps you understand how far an electric car can go on a single charge.
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.
CCS charger port
"They've shown it off with a CCS charger port."
A CCS charger port is a type of plug used for charging electric cars quickly. It lets you charge your car's battery faster than regular chargers.
CCS stands for Combined Charging System, a standard for charging electric vehicles that allows for both AC and DC fast charging.
Stellantis
"Won't it, Stellantis? Come on, don't make that mistake."
Stellantis is a company that makes cars and trucks. It was created when two big car companies, Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group, joined together.
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. It encompasses several well-known brands including Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Peugeot.
range extended engine
"But they say it'll still be the first American built pickup with a range extended engine. That V6 Pentastar 3.6 liter, only ever a generator."
A range extended engine helps electric cars go further by using a gas engine to create electricity when the battery runs low, so you don't get stuck.
A range extended engine is a type of hybrid powertrain that uses an internal combustion engine to generate electricity for an electric motor, extending the vehicle's range beyond what the battery alone can provide.
V6 Pentastar 3.6 liter
"That V6 Pentastar 3.6 liter, only ever a generator. Unigrid are exporting sodium iron batteries..."
The V6 Pentastar 3.6 liter is a type of engine made by Chrysler that has six cylinders and is used in many of their cars and trucks. It's designed to be both powerful and fuel-efficient.
The V6 Pentastar 3.6 liter is a gasoline engine developed by Chrysler, known for its balance of performance and efficiency. It is used in various models across the Stellantis brand lineup.
Unigrid
"Unigrid are exporting sodium iron batteries at commercial scale for storage from America..."
Unigrid is a company that makes special batteries that can store energy. These batteries are made from sodium and iron, which are more environmentally friendly than some other types.
Unigrid is a company involved in the production and export of sodium iron batteries, which are used for energy storage solutions. These batteries are considered a more sustainable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Bmw X3
"from the likes of Volvo EX60 BMW X3,"
The BMW X3 is a luxury SUV that offers a mix of performance and comfort, making it a popular choice among drivers.
The BMW X3 is a compact luxury SUV known for its performance, comfort, and advanced technology features.
Volvo EX60
"from the likes of Volvo EX60 BMW X3,"
The Volvo EX60 is a new electric SUV from Volvo, focusing on eco-friendly driving and technology.
The Volvo EX60 is an electric SUV that represents Volvo's commitment to electrification and sustainable mobility.
Mercedes-Benz Mercedesbenz Glc
"from the likes of Volvo EX60 BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, these 500 mile plus cars are crucial to drive the next wave of EV adoption."
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a fancy SUV that is known for being comfortable and stylish. It's important because it can drive over 500 miles on a single charge, which helps more people consider electric cars.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a luxury compact SUV that combines style, comfort, and advanced technology. It is significant in the electric vehicle (EV) market as it offers impressive range and performance, making it a strong competitor against other models like the Volvo EX60 and BMW X3 in the push for EV adoption.
EV adoption
"are crucial to drive the next wave of EV adoption. That's briefly."
EV adoption is when more people start using electric cars instead of traditional gas-powered ones, often because they are better for the environment.
EV adoption refers to the increasing acceptance and use of electric vehicles (EVs) by consumers and businesses, driven by factors like environmental concerns and advancements in technology.
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