BRIEFLY: VW Cells, Mercedes S-Class, BYD Hungary & more | 01 Feb 2026
About this episode
Volkswagen has launched series production at its new Gigafactory in Europe, focusing on battery cell manufacturing for their electric models. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class now features a plug-in hybrid option, offering 62 miles of electric range, while BYD begins trial production at its first European plant in Hungary. Volvo's CEO discusses the advantages of EV adoption in the U.S. due to suburban living, and the EU sees a significant increase in battery storage capacity. The episode also highlights new EV models and charging infrastructure developments.
It's EV News Briefly for Sunday 01 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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VW BRINGS BATTERY CELL MAKING HOME IN EUROPE https://bit.ly/4rsnyxy
S-CLASS PLUG-IN PLAYS SAFE ON ELECTRIC FUTURE https://bit.ly/4rx1Vwj
BYD LOCKS IN EU EV BEACHHEAD IN HUNGARY https://bit.ly/3LZ3h3K
VOLVO BETS AMERICA WILL CATCH UP WITH EVS https://bit.ly/4qNnMzp
EU BATTERY STORAGE SURGE TIGHTENS CELL RACE WITH EVS https://bit.ly/4kvNXZn
KIA EV4 CUTS COSTS, NOT RANGE, FOR AUSTRALIA https://bit.ly/3ZREUbi
MCS-READY HGV HUB LANDS AT MAGNA PARK https://bit.ly/45IQNE1
XPENG HOLDS UK PRICES AS IT REWORKS G6 SUV https://bit.ly/45CNhLp
EV RENTALS QUIETLY GO MAINSTREAM IN BRITAIN https://bit.ly/4qRO9El
Volkswagen
"Volkswagen's battery power co has started series production of their 2 billion Euro Gigafactory."
Volkswagen is a well-known car company from Germany that makes many types of cars, including electric ones.
Volkswagen is a major German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs). The company is part of the Volkswagen Group, which includes several other brands such as Audi and Porsche.
Gigafactory
"It means that now the VW Group designs, develops, and manufactures its own battery cells entirely in Europe."
A Gigafactory is a huge factory where batteries for electric cars are made. They help produce a lot of batteries quickly and at a lower cost.
A Gigafactory is a large-scale facility designed for the mass production of batteries, particularly for electric vehicles. These factories aim to reduce battery costs and increase production capacity to meet the growing demand for EVs.
MEB Plus platform
"They'll go in the MEB Plus platform for those small urban cars like the VW ID Polo..."
The MEB Plus platform is a special design that helps Volkswagen make electric cars more easily. It can be used for different small cars, making them efficient and versatile.
The MEB Plus platform is Volkswagen's modular electric vehicle architecture designed for small urban cars. It allows for efficient production and flexibility in design across different models.
Volkswagen ID Polo
"for those small urban cars like the VW ID Polo, Scotta Epic SUV, ID Cross..."
The Volkswagen ID Polo is a small electric car made for city driving. It's part of a series of electric cars from Volkswagen that are designed to be eco-friendly.
The Volkswagen ID Polo is a compact electric vehicle designed for urban environments. It is part of Volkswagen's ID family, which focuses on electric mobility.
Mercedes-Benz Sclass
"Scotta Epic SUV, ID Cross, and Cooper Revalent more. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has added a plug, but it's kept a fuel tank sadly."
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a very fancy car that is known for being super comfortable and packed with the latest technology. They recently made a version that can use electricity to help save fuel, but it still has a regular gas tank too, which some people find disappointing.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a flagship luxury sedan known for its advanced technology, opulent interior, and exceptional performance. The recent addition of a plug-in hybrid variant highlights the brand's commitment to electrification while maintaining traditional fuel options. This car often comes up in discussions about luxury vehicles due to its status and innovations.
plug-in hybrid
"And now it's a plug-in hybrid that'll do 62 miles or 100 kilometers of range."
A plug-in hybrid is a type of car that can use both electric power and gasoline. You can charge it at home and drive it without using gas for a while.
A plug-in hybrid is a vehicle that can run on both electricity and gasoline. It can be charged from an external power source, allowing for electric-only driving for a certain range.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
"you're still buying an EQS. It's been around quite a long time now."
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a high-end electric car from the luxury brand Mercedes-Benz. It's designed to be very comfortable and packed with the latest technology.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a luxury electric sedan that represents the brand's flagship electric vehicle offering. It combines advanced technology with high-end features and performance.
BYD
"BYD has begun trial production at its first European passenger car plant. They've been making EV buses for 10 years."
BYD is a big Chinese company that makes electric cars and buses. They've been in the electric vehicle business for a long time and are expanding into Europe.
BYD is a Chinese company known for manufacturing electric vehicles, batteries, and renewable energy solutions. It has become one of the largest electric vehicle manufacturers in the world.
electrify public car parks
"Governments are having to electrify public car parks and things like that."
Electrifying public car parks means adding charging stations for electric cars in places where people park. This helps more people use electric cars because they can easily charge them while parked.
Electrifying public car parks refers to the process of installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in parking facilities to support the growing number of electric cars. This initiative is crucial for promoting EV adoption and ensuring that drivers have access to charging infrastructure.
EV
"...is perfect for driving EV. You wake up every morning, your car is fully charged..."
EV means electric vehicle, which is a car that uses electricity to run instead of gas. They are better for the environment and can save money on fuel.
EV stands for electric vehicle, which is a type of car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. EVs are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and lower operating costs.
WLTP
"The big battery there is a really good WLTP, 380 miles on the EV4, 81.4 kilowatt hour pack."
WLTP is a testing standard used to measure how much fuel cars use and how much pollution they produce. It helps buyers understand how efficient a car is in everyday driving.
WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, which is a standardized method for measuring the fuel consumption and emissions of vehicles. It provides a more realistic representation of real-world driving conditions compared to previous testing methods.
kilowatt hour
"380 miles on the EV4, 81.4 kilowatt hour pack. Inside otherwise, so many standard features..."
A kilowatt hour is a way to measure how much energy a battery can hold. The higher the number, the more energy it can store, which usually means the car can drive further on a single charge.
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of energy that represents the amount of energy consumed by a device using one kilowatt of power for one hour. In electric vehicles, the kWh rating of the battery indicates how much energy it can store, affecting the vehicle's range and efficiency.
vehicle to load
"...standard features like vehicle to load, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the rest."
Vehicle to load means that the car can use its battery to power other things, like a small appliance or tools. It's handy for outdoor activities or emergencies when you need extra power.
Vehicle to load (V2L) is a feature in some electric vehicles that allows the car's battery to supply power to external devices, such as appliances or tools. This capability can be useful for camping, outdoor activities, or emergency power supply.
X-Pong
"X-Pong will hold its prices on the refreshed G6. 20,000 improvements they made to the new G6, but it'll cost the same here in the UK."
X-Pong is a car company that makes electric vehicles. They are known for their modern designs and technology that make their cars unique.
X-Pong is a company known for producing electric vehicles, particularly in the Chinese market. They focus on innovative designs and technology to enhance the driving experience of their electric cars.
G6
"X-Pong will hold its prices on the refreshed G6. 20,000 improvements they made to the new G6, but it'll cost the same here in the UK."
The G6 is an electric car made by X-Pong. The latest version has many updates to make it better while keeping the same price.
The G6 is a model of electric vehicle produced by X-Pong, featuring various improvements and updates in its latest iteration. It aims to provide a competitive option in the growing electric vehicle market.
electric motoring
"And Britain's car flat hire fleet is slowly going electric as more people get their first taste of electric motoring."
Electric motoring means driving cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. These cars are often better for the environment because they produce no tailpipe emissions.
Electric motoring refers to the use of electric vehicles (EVs) that are powered by electricity instead of traditional internal combustion engines. This shift is significant as it represents a move towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation options.
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