BRIEFLY: Volvo, Tesla, VW & more | 23 Jan 2026
About this episode
Volvo's new EX60 electric SUV is making waves with impressive range and innovative features, positioning it against competitors like the Model Y. Tesla faces backlash for moving basic safety features behind a paywall, while Volkswagen has overtaken them as the top EV brand in Europe. Other highlights include Dacia's electric plans, legal disputes over Scout's licensing in Colorado, and Ford's return to Formula One. The episode also touches on Mitsubishi's new EV and Honda's shift away from a fuel cell partnership with GM.
It's EV News Briefly for Friday 23 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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VOLVO EX60 GIVES BEST-SELLER AN ELECTRIC TWIN https://evne.ws/3YSThvN
TESLA PUTS BASIC LANE‑KEEPING BEHIND FSD PAYWALL https://evne.ws/4resXIH
VW OUSTS TESLA AS EUROPE’S TOP EV BRAND https://evne.ws/4qBIMce
LEMONADE BACKS TESLA’S FSD WITH 50% PREMIUM CUT https://evne.ws/3Z0yTc6
DACIA RIDES BUDGET BOOM INTO ELECTRIC MANDATE WALL https://evne.ws/3NDnFb5
COLORADO VW DEALERS SUE TO BLOCK SCOUT LICENCE https://evne.ws/3YSweRM
PLUG-IN HYBRIDS COST BRITONS FAR MORE THAN ADVERTISED https://evne.ws/3LQyohG
RENAULT SCRAPS AMPERE SPIN-OFF AND PULLS EV UNIT BACK IN-HOUSE https://evne.ws/3Ztkc1h
MITSUBISHI PLOTS FOXCONN-BUILT EV HOT HATCH FOR AUSTRALIA https://evne.ws/4pRZR0n
FORD USES F1 TO FIGHT CHINA ON SOFTWARE https://evne.ws/3ZvtPfY
HONDA ENDS GM FUEL-CELL JV TO GO IT ALONE ON HYDROGEN https://evne.ws/4ab5QZD
Volvo EX60
"Volvo unveiled their EX60 to date, hugely important vehicle, massive segment right up against the Model Y, the BMW iX3..."
The Volvo EX60 is a new electric SUV from Volvo, designed to compete with other popular electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y.
The Volvo EX60 is an electric vehicle that aims to compete in the growing electric SUV market, particularly against models like the Tesla Model Y and BMW iX3.
Tesla Model Y
"...ant vehicle, massive segment right up against the Model Y, the BMW iX3, whole podcast coming for you in th..."
Bmw Ix3
"...right up against the Model Y, the BMW iX3..."
The BMW iX3 is an electric SUV from BMW, designed to provide a luxury experience while being environmentally friendly.
The BMW iX3 is BMW's first all-electric SUV, offering a blend of luxury and performance, and is part of the brand's push towards electrification.
WLTP
"...headline stats, over 500 miles WLTP, 400 miles EPA..."
WLTP is a testing standard used to measure how far a vehicle can go on a charge or tank of fuel, giving a more accurate idea of its efficiency.
WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, which is a standard for measuring the fuel consumption and emissions of vehicles, providing a more realistic assessment than previous tests.
EPA
"...500 miles WLTP, 400 miles EPA, three versions..."
EPA is a U.S. government agency that measures how far a vehicle can go on a charge or tank of fuel, helping people compare vehicle efficiency.
EPA stands for Environmental Protection Agency, which provides fuel economy estimates for vehicles in the United States, helping consumers understand how efficient a vehicle is.
cell-to-pack construction
"...innovative technologies, cell-to-pack construction, which many European automakers still haven't nailed..."
Cell-to-pack construction means that the battery cells are put directly into the battery pack without extra parts, making the battery lighter and more efficient.
Cell-to-pack construction is a battery design approach where individual battery cells are integrated directly into the battery pack, improving energy density and reducing weight, which can enhance the overall performance of electric vehicles.
SPA3 platform
"...they have new architecture, SPA3 platform, they're saying that this is not some sort of shared..."
The SPA3 platform is a new design framework from Volvo that helps build electric and hybrid cars, making them safer and better to drive.
The SPA3 platform is Volvo's latest vehicle architecture designed for electric and hybrid vehicles, providing flexibility for various models and enhancing safety and performance.
Volvo XC60
"...ing, it's all us, and of course it's basically an XC60 in electric form, it looks fantastic, it's got v..."
The Volvo XC60 is a stylish and comfortable SUV that offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo. It's known for being safe and has a lot of nice features, making it a good choice for families or anyone who needs a reliable vehicle.
The Volvo XC60 is a luxury compact SUV known for its elegant design, advanced safety features, and comfortable interior. It has gained popularity for its blend of performance and practicality, making it a strong contender in the competitive SUV market.
adaptive cruise control
"Tesla has put its basic safety features behind its paywall. Adaptive cruise control is the only thing left, they're getting rid of autopilot and lane censoring..."
Adaptive cruise control helps your car maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you by automatically speeding up or slowing down. It makes long drives easier because you don't have to constantly adjust the speed yourself.
Adaptive cruise control is an advanced driver assistance system that automatically adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead. It enhances convenience during highway driving by allowing the car to accelerate and decelerate as needed without driver input.
FSD
"...they're moving into FSD, so you can spend $60,000 on a Model Y..."
FSD, or Full Self-Driving, is a package from Tesla that adds advanced driving features to their cars. It aims to make driving easier, but you still need to pay attention while using it.
FSD stands for Full Self-Driving, a package offered by Tesla that includes advanced features such as automatic lane changes, traffic light recognition, and the ability to navigate on autopilot. It represents Tesla's vision of fully autonomous driving, although it still requires driver supervision.
lane centering
"...and the only thing you'll get is adaptive cruise control, everything else lane-centering is now part of the FSD package..."
Lane centering helps your car stay in the middle of the lane by adjusting the steering automatically. It makes driving easier, especially on long trips or highways.
Lane centering is a feature that uses cameras and sensors to detect lane markings on the road and automatically adjusts the steering to keep the vehicle centered within its lane. This technology enhances safety and reduces driver fatigue during long trips.
Camry
"...the 20 grand Toyota Camry comes with adaptive cruise and lane-centering..."
The Camry is a popular car made by Toyota. It's known for being reliable and comfortable, making it a good choice for many drivers.
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan known for its reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency. It has been a best-seller in the United States for many years, appealing to a wide range of drivers with its practical features and solid performance.
Volkswagen
"...Volkswagen have ousted Tesla as the top EV brand in Europe, the data is in from last year..."
Volkswagen is a well-known car company from Germany that makes many types of cars, including popular models like the Golf. They are now focusing a lot on electric cars.
Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including the iconic Beetle and the Golf. In recent years, Volkswagen has made significant investments in electric vehicle technology and has become a major player in the EV market.
Dacia
"Dacia is riding the budget boom into the electric mandates, and they're doing very well, but they're going to go electric,"
Dacia is a car brand that makes budget-friendly cars, often sold in Europe.
Dacia is a Romanian car manufacturer that is part of the Renault group, known for producing affordable vehicles.
Renault Twingo
"Dacia preparing the new small Renault Twingo equivalent by the end of the year."
The Renault Twingo is a small car that's easy to drive around cities and is designed for everyday use.
The Renault Twingo is a small city car produced by the French manufacturer Renault, known for its compact size and practicality.
Scout
"Colorado VW dealers are suing to block the Scout license, now Scout which is backed by VW,"
Scout is a new car brand that is part of Volkswagen and plans to sell electric cars directly to people.
Scout is an automotive brand backed by Volkswagen that focuses on electric vehicles and aims to sell directly to consumers.
range extenders
"...will use VW engines in their range extenders, but say we're not VW, had been given a license to sell direct..."
Range extenders help electric cars drive further by adding a small engine that can generate extra power when needed.
Range extenders are additional power sources used in electric vehicles to increase their driving range, typically by using a small gasoline engine.
plug-in hybrids
"Plug-in hybrids cost twice as much as the manufacturers say new research today say that it doesn't cost £500 a year to fuel one in the UK..."
Plug-in hybrids are cars that can use both gasoline and electricity. You can charge them like an electric car, but they also have a regular engine.
Plug-in hybrids are vehicles that combine a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. They can be charged from an external power source and typically offer better fuel efficiency than conventional vehicles.
Mitsubishi
"Mitsubishi will plot a EV in Australia, a high-performance drivers car built by Foxconn..."
Mitsubishi is a car company from Japan that makes different kinds of vehicles, including electric cars.
Mitsubishi is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a range of vehicles, including SUVs and electric vehicles. The company has been exploring new markets and technologies, including EVs.
Formula One
"Ford are coming back into Formula One after a couple of decades away, and they've hooked up with Red Bull powertrains..."
Formula One is a very popular and fast car racing sport where teams compete in races around the world. It's known for its advanced technology and fast cars.
Formula One is a premier international auto racing sport known for its high-speed races and advanced automotive technology. Teams compete in a series of races known as Grands Prix, and it is considered the pinnacle of motorsport.
Red Bull
"from what Red Bull have been building with their engines and the battery deployment to try and counter the Chinese motors that are coming, and Honda are knocking on the head"
Red Bull is a company that owns a Formula 1 racing team. They create high-performance engines for their race cars.
Red Bull is known for its Formula 1 team, which has been successful in developing competitive engines and technology in motorsport.
Honda
"to try and counter the Chinese motors that are coming, and Honda are knocking on the head their fuel cell joint venture with General Motors"
Honda is a car company that makes many different types of vehicles, including cars and motorcycles. They also participate in racing.
Honda is a well-known automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, and is involved in motorsport.
fuel cell
"their fuel cell joint venture with General Motors, they'll go it alone on Hydrogen, they say after 30 years of development, they've got more work to do, and that's briefly."
A fuel cell is a technology that makes electricity from fuels like hydrogen. It's often used in cars to create clean energy without pollution.
A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy from fuels, like hydrogen, directly into electricity through a chemical reaction, often used in clean energy applications.
hydrogen
"they'll go it alone on Hydrogen, they say after 30 years of development, they've got more work to do, and that's briefly."
Hydrogen is a type of fuel that can be used to power cars. When used, it produces only water, which is good for the environment.
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity, producing only water as a byproduct, making it an environmentally friendly energy source.
General Motors
"their fuel cell joint venture with General Motors, they'll go it alone on Hydrogen, they say after 30 years of development, they've got more work to do, and that's briefly."
General Motors is a big car company that makes many popular brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac. They also work on new car technologies.
General Motors is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, known for brands like Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac, and has been involved in various automotive technologies including fuel cells.
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