EV News Daily - Technology and Business of EVs Mar 26, 2026

BRIEFLY: Sony/Honda, MG, EV Vans & more | 25 Mar 2026

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Company

Sony Honda Mobility

Sony Honda Mobility is a company formed by Sony and Honda to build EVs together. Here, they’re saying they’re canceling one of their planned electric cars.

Concept

route to market

“Route to market” means the plan for how they’ll actually sell the car to customers. The episode says they couldn’t make that plan work.

Concept

reservation holders receiving full refunds

Customer reservations are deposits or sign-ups made before a vehicle is launched. Full refunds indicate the company is reversing commitments after canceling the models, which reduces customer risk but also signals a serious program change.

Company

MG Motor

MG Motor is a car company that’s working on EVs. In this segment, they’re opening more engineering work in Europe and talking about a new battery idea.

Term

semi-solid state battery

A semi-solid battery is a battery where the “middle” part (the electrolyte) is more like a gel than a fully liquid. The goal is to make the battery safer and more reliable.

Term

manganese based cathodes

The cathode is one of the key materials inside a lithium battery. Using manganese in that material can be part of a strategy to improve cost and safety, though real-world results depend on the whole battery.

Term

semi-solid electrolyte shielding

Electrolyte shielding refers to design features intended to protect the electrolyte and improve stability during charge/discharge. In battery tech announcements, it’s commonly used to describe barriers or engineered interfaces that reduce degradation and improve safety.

Concept

cold weather performance

Cold weather performance means how the EV battery behaves in winter. The goal is less range loss and better operation when temperatures drop.

Term

graphite anodes

The anode is the negative side of the battery. Graphite is a common material used there, and it’s often chosen because it’s proven and reliable.

Company

MG

MG is a car brand. They’re talking about a new kind of battery that could show up in regular EVs in Europe.

Concept

EV car van conversions

An EV van conversion is when a vehicle is changed to become an electric work van. The goal is usually more cargo space and lower operating costs for deliveries.

Car

Renault Twingo

The Renault Twingo is a small car meant for driving around town. In this case, Renault is turning it into an electric van version for work use, and it was developed with EDF. That means it’s designed to carry things while still being powered by electricity.

Company

EDF

EDF is an energy company. Here, they’re the organization that the electric van conversion is being developed for.

Term

removable rear seat

This means the back seat can be taken out. Removing it makes more room for cargo, which is useful for deliveries and work.

Car

Volvo EX30 cargo

Volvo’s EX30 is an electric vehicle, and this segment talks about a cargo version for fleets. It’s basically an EV set up to carry stuff for work.

Term

fleet only compact van

“Fleet only” means it’s meant for businesses that run vehicles for work. “Compact van” means it’s a small cargo-focused EV for deliveries.

Term

dual motor variant

A dual-motor EV has two electric motors instead of one. That usually helps it accelerate faster and can improve grip on slippery roads.

Concept

0-60 time

“0-60 time” tells you how fast a car goes from standing still to 60 mph. Lower numbers usually mean quicker acceleration.

Concept

Panic buying fuel

This is when people rush to buy gas because they think there won’t be any later. It can cause empty pumps even if the fuel supply is still available.

Car

Vauxhall Astra

The Vauxhall Astra is a popular family car in the UK. They’re talking about an updated version and what it costs, plus which versions can run on electricity.

Concept

facelifted

A facelift is when a car gets updated partway through its life. Usually it’s changes to the look and sometimes the tech, not a brand-new model.

Brand

Opel

Opel is another European car brand. The host is saying the same basic car is sold as Vauxhall in the UK and Opel in parts of Europe.

Term

plug-in hybrid

A plug-in hybrid is part electric and part gas. You can charge it like an EV, and it also has a backup engine for longer trips.

Term

kilowatt hours

Kilowatt-hours (kWh) tell you how big the battery is. Bigger battery usually means you can drive farther on electricity.

Term

electric range

Electric range is how far a vehicle can travel using only battery power. It’s typically quoted under standardized testing cycles, so it can differ from what you’ll see in everyday driving.

Concept

commercial fleet electrification

Commercial fleet electrification means companies are switching their work vehicles to electric. It can work well because businesses can plan routes and charging more easily.

Concept

purchase costs

Purchase costs are the money you pay upfront to buy the vehicle. If a program covers part of that, the EV is cheaper to buy at the start.

Term

DC fast charger

A DC fast charger is a public EV charger that can charge your car much faster. It sends power directly to the battery system so you don’t have to wait as long.

Term

96.5% conversion efficiency

Conversion efficiency is how much of the electrical energy entering the charger becomes usable energy delivered to the EV. A 96.5% figure implies low losses (less wasted heat), which can reduce operating costs and improve charger performance.

Concept

Coach Build Collection

“Coach building” means making a car feel custom, not like an off-the-shelf model. This program is about creating a one-of-a-kind look and spec.

Company

NASA

NASA is being mentioned as a knowledge source. The idea is that aerospace experts can help make the car’s acceleration feel more comfortable for people inside.

Term

G-forces

G-forces are how hard the car is accelerating or turning compared to gravity. If they’re too intense or too sudden, some people can feel nauseous.

Concept

unmet financing arrangements

This means the company didn’t meet its funding promises. When that happens, it can stop deliveries and create problems for customers.

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It's EV news briefly for Wednesday, 25th of March,

everything EV in less than five minutes.

If you haven't got time for the full podcast,

let's get you fully up to speed.

Sony Honda Mobility has scrapped its Affila EV.

After Honda's broad EV strategy reassessment last week,

which included a write down of $15.7 billion,

it left the joint venture with no viable route to market.

The Affila one was meant to be priced from $90,000,

deliveries coming this year.

That's been cancelled alongside a second model

targeting 2028, with California reservation holders

receiving full refunds.

MG Motor has opened a third European engineering centre

in Frankfurt and unveiled Solid Core,

a semi-solid state battery using manganese based cathodes,

semi-solid electrolyte shielding and graphite anodes,

claiming improvements in safety, range, durability

and cold weather performance.

But no specific figures have been announced.

MG will unveil the first semi-solid state battery

in a mass market car in Europe by the end of the year.

Renault and Volvo are getting in on the act

of EV car van conversions.

Renault's revealed an electric twingo van conversion

developed for EDF, this is the energy company,

doubling load capacity to 797 litres

via a removable rear seat.

Meanwhile, Volvo UK is already in the market

with an EX30 cargo, a fleet only compact van

with a thousand litres of capacity,

390 kilograms of payload and that top dual motor variant

will do 3.6 seconds 0-60 in the Volvo EX30.

That's gonna be the quickest work van you'll ever drive.

Panic buying fuel, not a disruption to supply,

is what Australian politicians say

has caused 500 petrol stations in Australia

to be short of at least one fuel grade

with New South Wales worst affected,

including 289 sites, their drive of diesel

and authorities have not declared a national emergency

nor introduced rationing, it's simply a change

in human behaviour of gas-guzzler drivers

following the conflict in the Middle East

and a potential disruption.

There isn't any, say the politicians,

but everyone's going out to buy fuel

because everyone else is going out to buy fuel.

The new facelifted Vauxhall Astra,

at least here in the UK we call it a Vauxhall,

not Opel, in continental Europe, starts at 29995.

There's plug-in hybrid and fully v-variance.

There's also a sports-tourist state

which I think looks really nice.

The plug-in hybrid grows from 12 to 17 kilowatt hours,

52 miles of electric range

and it beats something like the Golf E hybrid

by six and a half thousand pounds.

The full electric version does 281 miles WLTP,

and it charges at 100 kilowatts DC,

but 30 grand big family estate car,

that could be good enough for a lot of people.

The UK government has committed one billion pounds

to commercial fleet electrification

with the zero emissions truck and van scheme,

covering up to 40% of purchase costs,

that's 81,000 pounds for the heaviest electric trucks

out there, but for most people,

that'd be 5,000 pounds off a new work van.

SK Signit has begun production,

a then new all-in-one DC fast charger.

It's 400 kilowatt rated, making it their Texas facility

using silicon carbide electronics,

a 96.5% conversion efficiency.

Modular design offers up to 400 kilowatts of output,

using either CCS or Naxx ports.

Rolls Royce is launching their new Coach Build Collection.

It's a new electric coach building program

for the ultra high net worth clients

that want something completely unique.

Ferrari say they turned to NASA for advice

on how to tune their new electric Ferrari, the Luce,

that don't want people getting that sick feeling

that huge G-forces can give you.

And finally, the worst is happening in Australia.

X-Pung's distributor Down Under

has entered external administration

after a lender stepped in

over unmet financing arrangements,

leaving owners, buyers and even the Chinese industry

with many questions, that's briefly.

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like suddenly you wanna open the windows, drink more water,

and maybe act like you have your life together.

But when dinner rolls around

and you're this close to ordering takeout again,

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instead of slowing it down.

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with meat and seafood that's antibiotic-free,

hormone-free and independently verified.

Because when it comes to fueling your body,

quality isn't extra, it's everything.

Clean whole protein means better support for strength,

metabolism, and that steady all-day energy

we're all chasing.

As an exclusive offer,

new listeners can get their choice between chicken breast

or top sirloin for a year, or ground beef for life.

Plus $20 off when you go to butcherbox.com slash pods.

That's right, your choice of chicken breast

or top sirloin for a year, or ground beef for life.

Plus $20 off your first box and free shipping always.

That's butcherbox.com slash pods.

Don't forget to use our link so they know that we sent you.

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If you are out here living your life, being fabulous,

being busy, being the HBIC,

you need to be taking care of yourself.

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That's why I love QCare Plus.

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About this episode

Sony Honda Mobility has cancelled its Afeela EV plans after Honda’s EV strategy reset left the joint venture with no viable path to market, with California reservation holders set for full refunds. MG is pushing semi-solid EV battery tech, opening a Frankfurt engineering center and claiming gains in safety and cold-weather performance. Renault and Volvo are spotlighting electric van conversions with big cargo-capacity upgrades. Australia’s fuel “panic buying” is blamed for shortages at hundreds of stations. The UK’s new Astra facelift adds PHEV and EV updates, while charger and luxury EV news includes SK Signet’s 400 kW fast charger and Rolls-Royce/Ferrari tech tie-ins.

0-60 time 96.5% conversion efficiency Coach Build Collection cold weather performance commercial fleet electrification DC fast charger dual motor variant EDF electric range EV car van conversions

Renault Twingo Vauxhall Astra Volvo EX30

Original notes

It's EV News Briefly for Wednesday 25 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily

AFEELA EV PROGRAMME SCRAPPED
Sony Honda Mobility has scrapped its Afeela EV programme after Honda's broader EV strategy reassessment — which included a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) — left the joint venture with no viable route to market. The Afeela 1, priced from $89,900 with deliveries planned for late 2026, has been cancelled alongside a second model targeting 2028, with California reservation holders receiving full refunds.
MG TEASES SOLIDCORE BATTERY
MG Motor has opened a third European engineering centre in Frankfurt and unveiled SolidCore, a semi-solid-state battery cell using a manganese-based cathode, semi-solid electrolyte shield, and graphite anode — claiming improvements in safety, range, durability and cold-weather performance without providing specific figures. MG claims to be the first automaker to mass-produce a semi-solid-state battery, though the distinction from a similar cell already in China-market MG4s since December 2025 remains unclear; SolidCore is expected in European EVs by end of 2026.
EV CAR/VAN CONVERSIONS FROM RENAULT AND VOLVO
Renault has revealed an electric Twingo van conversion developed for EDF, doubling load capacity from 360 to 797 litres via a removable rear seat, mesh bulkhead, and cargo cage — though the concept remains unlikely to reach UK sale. Volvo UK is already in market with the EX30 Cargo, a fleet-only compact van offering 1,000 litres of capacity, 390kg payload, and a top dual-motor variant producing 423bhp with a 0–62mph time of 3.6 seconds.
AUSTRALIAN FUEL SHORTAGES SPREAD WITHOUT SUPPLY LOSS
Panic buying — not supply disruption — has left over 500 petrol stations across Australia short of at least one fuel grade, with New South Wales worst affected at 289 sites, including 164 diesel-dry locations pushing diesel prices above $3 per litre. Authorities have not declared a national fuel emergency or introduced rationing, with Victoria's Energy Minister confirming the strain is entirely driven by consumer behaviour rather than any import disruption.
VAUXHALL ASTRA FACELIFT STARTS AT £29,995
The facelifted Vauxhall Astra starts at £29,995 across mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full EV variants in both hatchback and Sports Tourer estate, with the PHEV's battery growing from 12.4kWh to 17.2kWh for 52 miles of official electric range and a BiK rate of 10% — undercutting the Golf eHybrid by £6,490. The Astra Electric uses a 154bhp motor with 55.4kWh usable battery, 281 miles of quoted range, and 100kW DC charging covering 20–80% in around 30 minutes.
UK PLEDGES £1 BILLION FOR FLEET ELECTRIFICATION
The UK government has committed £1 billion to commercial fleet electrification, with the Zero Emissions Truck and Van scheme covering up to 40% of purchase costs — reaching £81,000 for the heaviest electric trucks and £5,000 for vans, though reduced from a previous maximum of £120,000 for trucks over 26 tonnes. A separate £170 million uplift to the Depot Charging Scheme allows businesses to reclaim up to 70% of depot charging installation costs, capped at £1 million per application.
SK SIGNET STARTS TEXAS BUILD OF 400-KW CHARGER
SK Signet has begun production of a 400-kW all-in-one DC fast charger at its Texas facility, using silicon carbide electronics to achieve 96.5% conversion efficiency while reducing its physical footprint by up to 54% versus its predecessor. A modular design offers 320–400kW output tiers, supports one to four CCS1/NACS ports delivering a stable 150–250kW per vehicle simultaneously, and features a 32-inch outdoor touchscreen with Plug & Charge, credit card, and RFID payment support.
ROLLS-ROYCE OPENS ELECTRIC COACHBUILD PROGRAMME
Rolls-Royce has launched the Coachbuild Collection, a new electric coachbuilding programme for ultra-high-net-worth clients, with every vehicle fully road-legal and homologated — unlike predecessors Sweptail, Boatail, and Droptail. The first model will be fully electric, with powertrain, design, and interior details expected later in 2026, supported by a Private Office Network across Dubai, Seoul, Shanghai, New York, and Goodwood.
FERRARI TUNES LUCE FOR FEEL, NOT FIGURES
Ferrari says its first fully electric car, the Luce, will prioritise driver feel over headline performance figures, with CEO Benedetto Vigna consulting NASA and medical centres to identify the point at which EV acceleration becomes neurologically disturbing. Ferrari identified five distinct generators of driving thrills and is focusing on issues such as battery placement to address the mismatch between visual and vestibular cues in cornering caused by heavy EV battery packs.
XPENG AUSTRALIA DISTRIBUTOR ENTERS ADMINISTRATION
XPeng's sole Australian distributor, Sydney-based TrueEV, has entered external administration after a lender stepped in over unmet financing arrangements, with insolvency specialists now managing and selling close to 200 G6 vehicles across Melbourne, Brisbane, Wollongong, and Fremantle. A simultaneous legal dispute between TrueEV and XPeng has escalated to court action, leaving the brand's planned 2026 Australian expansion — including the X9 and G9 models — in serious doubt with no clarity offered to existing customers.

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