BRIEFLY: VW, Germany, Ford & more | 24 Jul 2026
About this episode
Volkswagen opened UK orders for its first Transporter plug-in hybrid, the “E hybrid,” featuring an 11.8 kWh battery and about 35 miles of electric range, with pricing starting at £38,000 excluding VAT. The hosts also connect EV affordability to a study showing comparable German BEVs fell by 18% in real terms. Elsewhere, Ford backs F-150 Lightning power accessories like a GenLink transfer switch, while charging and battery tech updates include new CCS hubs and silicon-carbon anode production.
It's EV News Briefly for Friday 24 July 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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VOLKSWAGEN OPENS UK ORDERS FOR TRANSPORTER EHYBRID
Volkswagen has opened UK orders for its first Transporter plug-in hybrid, badged eHybrid, offered in panel van, Kombi and Shuttle bodystyles with a 2.5-litre petrol engine, electric motor and 11.8kWh battery delivering 232PS and up to 35 miles of electric range. Prices start at £38,155 excluding VAT, and the van shares its Ford Transit Custom-derived plug-in hybrid platform while retaining a 1,132kg payload and 2,300kg towing capacity.
GERMAN BEVS GOT CHEAPER, NOT PRICIER
A study by ICCT and Fraunhofer ISI found that comparable battery EVs in Germany fell about 18% in real terms between 2020 and 2025, even though average list prices rose from roughly €37,000 to €53,000 due to larger, better-equipped models. Battery costs dropped 21-24% nominally over the period, but manufacturers mostly reinvested those savings into extra range and R&D rather than passing them fully to buyers.
FORD APPROVES F-150 HOME BACKUP SWITCH
Ford has approved Global Power Products' GenerLink transfer switch for F-150 Lightning and PowerBoost Hybrid owners, letting Pro Power Onboard feed a home's main electrical panel directly without extension cords. The hardware costs $1,100 plus installation fees of $250-$1,500, positioning it as a cheaper alternative to Ford's automatic wall-charger-based backup system.
NISSAN LEAF NISMO LAUNCHES IN JAPAN
Nissan has launched the Leaf Nismo in Japan starting July 22, with North America and Europe to follow later; it keeps the standard 160kW/214hp motor and battery but adds recalibrated software for about 20% stronger initial acceleration, plus suspension, tyre and aerodynamic upgrades. Pricing starts at ¥6.60 million (~$40,600), rising to ¥7.23 million (~$44,510) for the weight-saving Recaro edition.
SILA RAISES $300 MILLION FOR US ANODES
Sila has raised $300 million to expand production of its Titan Silicon silicon-carbon anodes, which it claims can boost EV range by up to 20% and energy density by 20-40% with faster charging. Its Moses Lake, Washington factory is scaling toward 250 GWh of annual capacity within five years, with customers including Mercedes-Benz and Panasonic Energy already signed up.
MILENCE OPENS ZERO-EMISSION BUILT HENGLO TRUCK HUB
Milence has opened its fourth Dutch heavy-duty charging hub, at Deurningen-Hengelo on the A1, notable as the company's first built entirely using zero-emission construction machinery. The site offers five 400kW CCS bays plus rest facilities, and Milence, backed by Daimler Truck, Traton and Volvo, plans to replicate the all-electric construction approach at future hubs.
SPECTRE CLIMBS AS ROLLS-ROYCE KEEPS V12
The Rolls-Royce Spectre became the brand's second best-selling model worldwide in 2025, drawing a younger buyer base and showing little resistance from existing V12 customers, according to sales director Julian Jenkins. Despite this EV momentum and an upcoming Spectre Series II with 500kW output and 628km range, Rolls-Royce has dropped its 2030 V12 phase-out plan, citing regulatory changes, and will keep selling both powertrains.
GRIDSERVE OPENS FIFTH ELECTRIC FORECOURT AT M1
GRIDSERVE has opened its fifth Electric Forecourt at Markham Vale on the M1, featuring 39 ultra-rapid 400kW ABB charging bays, solar panels and rainwater harvesting, bringing its national network past 200 sites. The launch follows a record first half of 2026 in which battery electric vehicles reached about 24.9% of UK new car registrations.
HOME CHARGING LEAVES RAPID NETWORK UNDER STRAIN
A YouGov survey of 2,086 EV drivers found 74.6% use public chargers only once every few months or less, reflecting that 91% of EV owners can charge at home where off-peak tariffs can fall to 7p/kWh versus 87p/kWh for public rapid charging. This heavy reliance on home charging is squeezing public chargepoint operators financially, even as rapid chargers remain essential for longer journeys.
AUSTRALIA POST GETS $40.5M FOR HEAVIER EVS
Australia Post will receive a $40.5 million federal investment in 2026-27 to add electric vans, trucks, prime movers and depot charging infrastructure, building on its existing fleet of over 5,000 electric vehicles. The move aims to cut diesel use by about 1 million litres a year while supporting a delivery network handling 2.2 billion parcels annually.
AVILOO EXPANDS USED EV BATTERY WARRANTY NORTH
Aviloo has extended its used EV Battery Warranty to Norway and Denmark, adding to ten existing European markets, using its three-minute Flash Test to set an individual State of Health threshold for each vehicle. If a covered battery falls below that threshold within a year, buyers receive compensation of up to 34,000 kr in Norway or 23,000 kr in Denmark, plus a refund of the test cost.
Volkswagen transporter plug-in hybrid
"Volkswagen has opened UK orders for its first transporter plug-in hybrid. They call it an E hybrid. It's either panel van, combi or shuttle body styles."
This is a Volkswagen van that can run on electricity for a limited distance, but it also has a regular engine for longer trips. The host points out it’s a plug-in hybrid and gives the battery size and electric range.
The Volkswagen Transporter plug-in hybrid is a commercial van that combines a conventional engine with an electric drive and a rechargeable battery. In this segment, the key details are its “E hybrid” setup, the available van body styles (panel van, combi, shuttle), and the relatively small battery that limits electric-only range.
shuttle body styles
"It's either panel van, combi or shuttle body styles."
A shuttle is a van setup aimed more at carrying passengers. It’s usually configured like a people-mover rather than a cargo-only vehicle.
A shuttle body style is a passenger-oriented van configuration, typically with more emphasis on seating capacity and interior space. In commercial lineups, “shuttle” usually implies a people-mover role rather than a pure cargo van.
panel van
"It's either panel van, combi or shuttle body styles."
A panel van is a work-focused van with a mostly enclosed cargo area. It’s usually meant for carrying tools or goods rather than passengers.
A panel van is a commercial vehicle body style with a mostly enclosed cargo area and minimal rear seating. It’s commonly used for deliveries and trades because it prioritizes carrying capacity over passenger space.
combi
"It's either panel van, combi or shuttle body styles."
A combi is a van layout that can carry both people and cargo. It’s meant to be flexible depending on what you’re doing that day.
A combi is a van body style that mixes passenger seating with usable cargo space. It’s designed to be flexible for owners who need to transport people sometimes and carry items other times.
kilowatts hours
"But get this, the battery is 11.8 kilowatts hours. That seems all very 2018, just me."
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) tell you how big the battery is. Bigger battery capacity usually means you can drive farther on electricity, but it depends on how efficiently the car uses energy.
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure battery capacity—how much electrical energy the battery can store. A larger kWh number generally supports more potential electric range, though real-world range also depends on vehicle efficiency and driving conditions.
electric range
"35 miles of electric range. The vehicle starts at £38,000 excluding VAT..."
Electric range is how far the car can go using electricity alone. For plug-in hybrids, it’s usually limited compared with fully electric cars.
Electric range is the distance a vehicle can travel using only its electric motor and battery before it needs to recharge or switch to non-electric power. For plug-in hybrids, electric range is typically shorter than for full battery-electric vehicles.
VAT
"The vehicle starts at £38,000 excluding VAT... But otherwise, have 20% on to that price."
VAT is a tax added to the price of many goods, including cars in the UK. The host is saying the listed price doesn’t include that tax, so the final cost can be higher.
VAT (value-added tax) is a consumption tax added to the price of goods and services. The host emphasizes the van’s starting price is quoted excluding VAT, which can make the “out-the-door” cost higher for non-business buyers.
plug-in hybrid system
"Of course, these vans share the Ford Transit custom plug-in hybrid system because of the partnership."
A plug-in hybrid system is the whole setup that lets the car run on electricity and also use a gas engine when needed. Sharing the same system usually means the cars have similar core parts.
A plug-in hybrid system refers to the integrated hardware and control strategy that combines an engine, electric motor(s), and a rechargeable battery. When two vehicles share the same plug-in hybrid system, they often share core components and calibration approaches.
Ford Transit custom plug-in hybrid system
"Of course, these vans share the Ford Transit custom plug-in hybrid system because of the partnership."
Ford’s Transit Custom is a work van, and the host says Volkswagen is using Ford’s plug-in hybrid setup for this new van. That means the two vans share the core hybrid technology.
The Ford Transit Custom is Ford’s commercial van platform, and in this segment it’s referenced as the source of the shared plug-in hybrid system. The key point is that Volkswagen’s new Transporter plug-in hybrid uses the same hybrid system architecture as Ford’s Transit Custom.
battery electric vehicles
"German BEVs are getting cheaper, not more expensive. Let me explain."
Battery electric vehicles are fully electric cars that run on a battery instead of gasoline. Their price can change based on battery costs and production.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) run only on electricity stored in a battery, with no gasoline engine. Because they rely on battery supply and manufacturing costs, their pricing can move differently than hybrids or gas cars.
real terms
"A study by the ICCT and Fraunhofer ICI found that comparable battery electric vehicles in Germany fell by 18% in real terms."
“Real terms” means they adjusted for inflation, so it’s a fair comparison of prices over time. It tells you what the price change really means for what you can buy.
“Real terms” means the change is adjusted for inflation, so it reflects the true purchasing-power impact rather than just nominal price movement. This is important when comparing how prices changed over time.
GenLink transfer switch
"Ford has approved global power products. GenLink transfer switch for the F-150 Lightning. And that lets pro-power on-board customers feed your home electrical panel directly"
This is a safety device that lets your EV act like a backup power source for your house. It connects the truck’s power to your home’s electrical panel without you running messy extension cords.
A GenLink transfer switch is an EV accessory that safely switches power between the grid and your home. In the Ford F-150 Lightning context, it lets the truck’s onboard power system connect directly to your home electrical panel.
Ford F-150 Lightning
"...r products. GenLink transfer switch for the F-150 Lightning. And that lets pro-power on-board customers feed ..."
The Ford F-150 Lightning is a pickup truck that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. Some versions can also provide power to other things, like tools or even parts of a home, using built-in power outlets. That’s why it comes up when people talk about EVs being useful beyond driving.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of the F-150 pickup truck, built for both everyday driving and heavy-duty work. It’s often discussed in EV business and technology news because it can supply electricity through features like Pro Power Onboard, including setups that use transfer switches for powering homes or job sites. That makes it a key example of how some EVs are being positioned as mobile power sources, not just vehicles.
Pro Power Onboard
"And that lets pro-power on-board customers feed your home electrical panel directly with no extension cords."
Pro Power Onboard is the feature that lets the Lightning power devices like a generator. In this case, it can even feed power into your home setup with the right connection.
Pro Power Onboard is Ford’s system that turns the F-150 Lightning’s battery into usable electrical power for tools and appliances. With the right approved hardware, it can supply power to a home electrical panel directly.
automatic wall charger based backup system
"The hardware is $1,100 plus installation. That's a cheaper alternative to Ford's automatic wall charger based backup system."
They’re comparing two ways to use your EV to help during a power outage. One uses a special setup with a wall charger, and the other uses the transfer switch method.
This refers to a home backup approach that uses a wall-mounted EV charger’s backup capability to provide power during outages. The host contrasts it with the GenLink transfer switch approach as a cheaper alternative.
Nismo
"Nissan confirming they will launch a Nismo version of the new leaf. Still call it new leaf. In Japan, okay, with North America and Europe set to follow."
Nismo is Nissan’s performance label. It usually means the car gets sportier tuning—like changes to how it accelerates and how it handles.
Nismo is Nissan’s performance brand, used for sportier tuning, suspension, and styling. The segment suggests the upcoming Nismo Leaf will focus on software, suspension, and tires rather than changing the core motor/battery setup.
Nissan Leaf
"Nissan confirming they will launch a Nismo version of the new leaf. Still call it new leaf."
The Nissan Leaf is a mainstream electric car. Here, the news is that Nissan plans a Nismo version of the newer Leaf, aiming for a sportier feel.
The Nissan Leaf is one of the best-known mass-market EVs, and it’s getting a performance-oriented Nismo variant. In this segment, the host notes Nissan confirming a Nismo version of the “new Leaf,” while keeping the same motor and battery capacity.
silicon carbon anodes
"Sealer has raised $300 million to expand production of its silicon carbon anodes. What that means though, is that their technology can boost your EV range by 20%"
This is a battery material inside the EV. Mixing silicon with carbon can help the battery store more energy, which can mean more range and quicker charging.
Silicon carbon anodes are battery electrode materials that combine silicon with carbon to improve lithium-ion battery performance. Silicon can increase capacity, which is why the host links this to higher energy density and potentially longer EV range and faster charging.
sealer
"Now, Sealer has raised $300 million to expand production of its silicon carbon anodes. What that means though, is that their technology can boost your EV range by 20%"
Sealer is a company working on EV battery materials. They’re raising money to make their silicon-carbon battery technology at larger scale.
Sealer is the company in this segment raising $300 million to scale production of silicon carbon anodes for EV batteries. The host ties Sealer’s materials work to improvements in range, energy density, and charging speed.
energy density
"What that means though, is that their technology can boost your EV range by 20%, an energy density by up to 40%, but also enables faster charging."
Energy density is basically how “full” the battery is for its size. A higher number usually means you can drive farther with the same battery weight.
Energy density is how much electrical energy a battery stores for a given weight or volume. Higher energy density generally means more driving range without increasing battery size.
Mylands
"Mylands has opened its fourth Dutch heavy-duty charging hub. And it's on the A1, notable as the company's first built entirely, using zero emission construction machinery."
Mylands is a company that runs charging locations. They opened a new heavy-duty charging hub in the Netherlands and emphasized low-emissions construction.
Mylands is the charging-network operator mentioned here as opening its fourth Dutch heavy-duty charging hub. The segment highlights that this hub is built entirely using zero-emission construction machinery.
A1
"Mylands has opened its fourth Dutch heavy-duty charging hub. And it's on the A1, notable as the company's first built entirely, using zero emission construction machinery."
The A1 is a major road where the new charging hub is located. Putting chargers on busy highways helps travelers and trucks find charging easily.
The A1 here refers to a major highway corridor in the Netherlands, used as a location marker for the new heavy-duty charging hub. Placing hubs on high-traffic routes is common for serving trucks and long-distance EV charging needs.
zero emission construction machinery
"And it's on the A1, notable as the company's first built entirely, using zero emission construction machinery. Which I thought was a cool point of the story."
This means the construction equipment used to build the site didn’t produce exhaust while it was working. It’s a way to reduce pollution during construction.
Zero emission construction machinery refers to equipment used during construction that produces no tailpipe emissions while operating. The host uses it to emphasize that the charging hub’s build process was done with cleaner equipment.
CCS bays
"The site offers five CCS bays at 400 kilowatts. So, these are for heavy-duty vehicles though, so not quite megawatt charging."
CCS is the standard plug most EVs use for fast charging. A “CCS bay” just means a charging spot/stall set up for that plug.
CCS (Combined Charging System) is the common fast-charging plug standard used by most EVs in Europe and many other regions. A “CCS bay” is a charging stall designed for that connector type, typically with high-power output for quicker charging sessions.
400 kilowatts
"The site offers five CCS bays at 400 kilowatts. So, these are for heavy-duty vehicles though, so not quite megawatt charging."
400 kilowatts is how powerful the charger is. Even with a very powerful charger, the car may not charge at the full rate the entire time.
400 kilowatts is a high charging power level for EV fast chargers, meaning the charger can deliver a lot of energy quickly. In practice, the EV’s battery and charging curve still limit how fast it can actually accept power.
megawatt charging
"So, these are for heavy-duty vehicles though, so not quite megawatt charging. But how cool, all built with electric vehicles."
Megawatt charging means charging at extremely high power—around 1,000 kilowatts or more. It’s the next step beyond today’s fast chargers, but it’s harder to supply and manage.
Megawatt charging refers to EV charging systems that can deliver power at the megawatt (1,000 kW) scale. It’s an emerging target for very fast charging, but it requires major grid upgrades and careful battery management.
Rolls-Royce's Spectre
"Nice. Rolls-Royce's Spectre became the brand's second best-selling model worldwide last year, drawing a younger buyer base."
The Rolls-Royce Spectre is Rolls-Royce’s electric car. The episode says it sold really well, even ranking near the top of the brand’s models.
The Rolls-Royce Spectre is the brand’s first fully electric model, designed to deliver a traditional Rolls-Royce luxury experience with an EV powertrain. The host notes it became Rolls-Royce’s second best-selling model worldwide, suggesting strong demand from newer, younger buyers.
GridServe
"GridServe opened their fifth electric four-court on the M1 in the UK. 39 ultra-rapid ABB chargers."
GridServe is a company that sets up EV charging stations. In this segment, they’re expanding their fast-charging locations in the UK.
GridServe is an EV charging operator in the UK, known for building high-power charging hubs. Here, it’s opening its fifth “electric four-court” site on the M1.
the M1
"GridServe opened their fifth electric four-court on the M1 in the UK. 39 ultra-rapid ABB chargers."
The M1 is a big highway in the UK. Building chargers there helps drivers on long trips find charging more easily.
The M1 is a major motorway in the UK, connecting key cities and carrying lots of long-distance traffic. Placing fast-charging infrastructure along it targets drivers who need reliable charging during trips.
ultra-rapid charger
"39 ultra-rapid ABB chargers. They're 400 kilowatt rated, and there's almost 40 of them."
Ultra-rapid chargers are designed to charge an EV quickly. ABB is the company that makes the charging equipment used at this location.
“Ultra-rapid” chargers are high-power EV fast chargers intended to reduce charging time compared with standard public chargers. ABB is the charging-equipment supplier mentioned here, indicating the hardware provider for the site’s chargers.
solar panel
"Also solar panels and rainwater harvesting at that site can't wait to go."
Solar panels make electricity from sunlight. Putting them at a charging site can help make the charging operation greener.
Solar panels generate electricity on-site using sunlight, which can offset some of the energy needed for charging. In EV charging hubs, they’re often paired with grid power and sometimes storage to improve sustainability.
rainwater harvesting
"Also solar panels and rainwater harvesting at that site can't wait to go."
Rainwater harvesting means collecting rainwater for later use. It helps reduce how much water the site needs from other sources.
Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater for later use, often for non-potable needs like landscaping or facility operations. Adding it to an EV charging site is a sustainability measure to reduce water demand.
charge at home
"A YouGov survey of over 2,000 EV drivers found that nearly all the drivers they question charge at home, for those that at least they can."
“Charge at home” means plugging your EV in where you live, usually overnight. The point here is that many drivers prefer it because public fast charging can cost more.
“Charge at home” refers to using residential charging (typically overnight) rather than relying on public fast chargers. The segment frames it as a key behavior pattern among EV drivers, especially when fast charging is expensive.
expensive fast charging
"Really, people avoiding expensive fast charging. Australia Post will receive $40 million in federal investment for EV vans,"
Fast charging at public stations can cost a lot more than charging at home. The episode says some people avoid it because of the price.
“Expensive fast charging” describes the higher cost of using high-power public chargers compared with charging at home or slower public options. The host connects it to driver behavior—people avoiding fast charging when prices are steep.
Australia Post
"Really, people avoiding expensive fast charging. Australia Post will receive $40 million in federal investment for EV vans,"
Australia Post is the postal service company. The segment says it’s getting government money to buy EV vans for deliveries.
Australia Post is the national postal service company receiving federal investment to deploy EV vans. This is a business/operations shift toward electrifying a delivery fleet.
EV battery warranty
"Australia Post will receive $40 million in federal investment for EV vans, and Avalo extending its EV battery warranty to Norway and Denmark,"
An EV battery warranty is protection for the car’s battery. If something goes wrong (or the battery degrades too much), the warranty helps cover the cost.
An EV battery warranty is a contract that covers defects or capacity loss for the vehicle’s traction battery for a defined period and mileage (or capacity threshold). Extending it to more countries can reduce buyer risk and improve confidence in used or serviced EVs.
Avalo
"Australia Post will receive $40 million in federal investment for EV vans, and Avalo extending its EV battery warranty to Norway and Denmark,"
Avalo is a company offering EV battery warranty coverage. Here, it’s expanding that warranty to more countries in Europe.
Avalo is mentioned as extending an EV battery warranty into Norway and Denmark. That suggests the company provides warranty coverage and is expanding its coverage footprint across additional European markets.
flash test technology
"and Avalo extending its EV battery warranty to Norway and Denmark, adding to 10 existing European markets with their flash test technology."
Flash test technology is a way to quickly check how healthy an EV battery is. It uses fast tests to estimate the battery’s condition.
“Flash test technology” refers to a battery testing method that rapidly evaluates battery condition using controlled electrical pulses. It’s used to estimate health and performance so warranties or assessments can be priced and underwritten more accurately.
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