{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"BRIFELY: Lucid, Diesel Decline, Volvo Recall & more | 25 Feb 2026","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/brifely-lucid-diesel-decline-volvo-recall-more-25-feb-2026","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audioboom.com/posts/8865799.mp3?modified=1772016583&sid=5051980&source=rss","description":"\nIt's EV News Briefly for Wednesday 25 February 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/EVNewsDailyLUCID LIFTS SALES, STILL BLEEDS CASHLucid posted Q4 2025 revenue of $522.7 million — more than double the prior year — and full-year revenue of $1.35 billion (+68%), while delivering 15,841 vehicles in 2025 (+55%), its eighth consecutive quarter of record deliveries, backed by $4.6 billion in liquidity. The growth comes at a steep price: the company burned $3.8 billion in cash in 2025, announced its third layoff in three years (cutting 12% of US salaried staff), and is banking on a new ~$50,000 midsize SUV later in 2026.EU PETROL AND DIESEL SHARE SLIDES AGAINEU new car registrations fell 3.9% in January 2026, but the real story is the collapse in fossil fuel powertrains: the combined petrol and diesel share fell from 39.5% a year ago to just 30.1%, down from 48.7% in January 2024, with petrol registrations dropping 28.2% year-on-year across France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Pure BEVs took a 19.3% share (up from 14.9% twelve months prior), and electrified powertrains collectively accounted for around 68% of all January registrations.COMMISSION DELAYS \"MADE IN EUROPE\" PROCUREMENT ACTThe European Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act — which would add a \"European preference\" to public procurement, including a 70% EU-origin threshold for electric vehicles — has been delayed for a fourth time, now targeting a 4 March presentation. The UK has raised concerns that any protectionist tilt could damage cross-Channel automotive supply chains, given the EU is the largest export market for UK-built cars.VOLVO RECALLS 40,323 EX30S OVER FIRE RISKVolvo has issued a formal recall of 40,323 EX30 Single-Motor Extended Range and Twin-Motor Performance vehicles over a battery overheating risk — caused by lithium plating growth in cells from Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Co — that could trigger a fire. Volvo will replace the battery modules free of charge, but has disputed Reuters' estimate that the replacements alone could cost around $195 million, while continuing to advise owners to cap charging at 70% until their vehicle is fixed.T&E PUSHES EU TO TOUGHEN CORPORATE EV QUOTASTransport & Environment, an NGO advocating for clean transport, is urging the EU to raise corporate fleet EV targets to 69% zero-emission vehicles by 2030 — well above the Commission's proposed 45% — while excluding PHEVs entirely, arguing that company car drivers rarely plug in and routinely exceed lab-test emissions figures. Corporate buyers account for roughly 60% of new EU car sales, and T&E says its stricter targets would deliver 1.9 million additional EU-made EV sales in 2030, versus 1.2 million under the current Commission plan, while redirecting €42 billion in annual fossil fuel company car tax subsidies toward EU-built EVs.VAUXHALL CONFIRMS ELECTRIC CORSA GSE FOR 2026Vauxhall has confirmed a fully electric Corsa GSE for 2026, the brand's first hot hatch in eight years and the second model under its revived GSE performance sub-brand. The car is expected to carry over the Mokka GSE's 276bhp front motor, 54kWh battery, Torsen limited-slip differential, and Alcon brakes — a combination that delivers 0–62mph in 5.9 seconds on the Mokka, matching the Mini Cooper Electric JCW.RENAULT TO BUY OUT FLEXIS PARTNERSRenault plans to take full ownership of Flexis, its electric van joint venture, by buying out partners Volvo Group and CMA CGM — part of a broader retrenchment under new CEO François Provost that also sees the Ampere EV and software unit folded back into Renault Group by as early as July 2026. The first Flexis product, the Renault Trafic Van E-Tech, remains on track for production at Sandouville before the end of 2026, with Renault Trucks distributing the van from 2027 under an existing light commercial vehicle partnership.LEPAS CONFIRMS L8 SUV FOR UK LAUNCHChery-owned Lepas has confirmed its L8 SUV as its first UK model, with a summer 2026 launch expected and full specifications still to come. The most likely powertrain is the plug-in hybrid system shared with the UK-spec Jaecoo 7 — a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor and 18.3kWh battery delivering 56 miles of electric range and 204bhp total — with a pure EV variant expected to follow.HONDA ICON E: ELECTRIC SCOOTER HITS ¥220,000 IN JAPANHonda has launched the ICON e: electric scooter in Japan at ¥220,000 (~$1,435 / €1,350), undercutting its own petrol mopeds by around ¥20,000 and claiming 81km (50 miles) of range via a removable, swappable Mobile Power Pack e: battery. Accessible from age 16 under Japan's moped licence class — mirroring the EU's AM category — the ICON e: is designed for urban practicality over headline specs, and its sub-€1,400 price positions it well as European cities continue to tighten low-emission zones."},"annotations":[{"startTime":8.4,"endTime":14.8,"type":"brand","title":"Lucid","url":"/glossary/lucid","quote":"Lucid just posted their results for Q4 last year, and therefore the full year numbers as well.","canonicalId":"brand:lucid","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Lucid is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for producing luxury electric cars with high performance and advanced technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"Lucid is a company that makes fancy electric cars that run on batteries instead of gas."}},{"startTime":36.4,"endTime":42.4,"type":"concept","title":"liquidity","url":"/glossary/liquidity","quote":"and they have $4.6 billion of liquidity. They say enough to get them through the painful bit","canonicalId":"concept:liquidity","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Liquidity refers to the amount of cash or easily accessible funds a company has available to meet its short-term obligations and continue operations.","simplifiedExplanation":"Liquidity means how much money a company has ready to use so it can keep running and pay its bills."}},{"startTime":42.4,"endTime":53.54,"type":"concept","title":"midsize SUV","url":"/glossary/mid-size-suv","quote":"and they're relying and banking on a new $50,000 midsize SUV to come to the rescue later in 2026, opening up much more affordable segments of the market.","canonicalId":"concept:mid-size-suv","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A midsize SUV is a medium-sized sport utility vehicle that balances passenger space, cargo capacity, and fuel efficiency, often appealing to families and everyday drivers.","simplifiedExplanation":"A midsize SUV is a medium-sized car that can carry people and stuff, bigger than a regular car but not too big."}},{"startTime":54.16,"endTime":55.0,"type":"term","title":"diesel","url":"/glossary/diesel","quote":"Petrol and diesel are sliding in Europe. New car registrations were down a smidge","canonicalId":"term:diesel","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Diesel is a type of fuel used in diesel engines, known for better fuel efficiency and torque compared to petrol engines. It is commonly used in trucks and some cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Diesel is another kind of fuel for cars and trucks. It helps engines run differently and often uses less fuel than petrol."}},{"startTime":54.16,"endTime":55.0,"type":"term","title":"petrol","url":"/glossary/petrol","quote":"Petrol and diesel are sliding in Europe. New car registrations were down a smidge","canonicalId":"term:petrol","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Petrol is a common fuel type used in internal combustion engines, derived from crude oil. It powers most gasoline engines in cars worldwide.","simplifiedExplanation":"Petrol is the fuel you put in many cars to make them run, similar to gasoline. It's what most regular cars use to drive."}},{"startTime":78.5,"endTime":87.1,"type":"term","title":"range anxiety","url":"/glossary/range-anxiety","quote":"You can see where this story ends up, can't you? I'll tell you what the real range anxiety is when you go to fill your petrol or diesel car and all the petrol stations have closed down.","canonicalId":"term:range-anxiety","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Range anxiety refers to the fear or concern that an electric vehicle (EV) will run out of battery charge before reaching a charging station. It's a common issue for EV adoption.","simplifiedExplanation":"Range anxiety means worrying that your electric car might run out of power before you can charge it again. It's like being scared of running out of gas but for electric cars."}},{"startTime":91.5,"endTime":105.6,"type":"concept","title":"European Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act","url":"/glossary/european-commission-s-industrial-accelerator-act","quote":"The European Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act is the rather dry name for the thing that would mean that EVs made in Europe have to have a 70% EU origin in terms of where the parts come from, excluding the battery because it's too difficult to take China out of that at the moment,","canonicalId":"concept:european-commission-s-industrial-accelerator-act","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The European Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act is a policy aimed at boosting the production of electric vehicles in Europe by requiring that at least 70% of parts (excluding batteries) come from within the EU. This supports local manufacturing and reduces dependency on imports.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is a new rule in Europe that says electric cars made there need to have most of their parts made in Europe. It helps local factories and jobs."}},{"startTime":91.5,"endTime":105.6,"type":"term","title":"EV","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"The European Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act is the rather dry name for the thing that would mean that EVs made in Europe have to have a 70% EU origin in terms of where the parts come from,","canonicalId":"term:ev","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"EV stands for electric vehicle, a car powered entirely or partially by electricity stored in batteries instead of traditional petrol or diesel engines.","simplifiedExplanation":"An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas or diesel. It uses batteries to move."}},{"startTime":125.5,"endTime":157.8,"type":"concept","title":"battery recall","url":"/glossary/battery-recall","quote":"Volvo has now been forced into issuing a formal recall of its EX-30 single motor and twin motor versions. There's a potential with lithium plating in the cells. The agreement has now been done with their battery supplier and their parent company, Geely, but ultimately, in very rare cases, it could lead to a fire. So Volvo say that their supplier will now replace the battery modules free of charge, and they still advise owners to cap charging at 70% until the vehicle is fixed.","canonicalId":"concept:battery-recall","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A battery recall is when a manufacturer asks owners to bring their electric vehicles in for inspection or repair due to a defect in the battery that could affect safety or performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"A battery recall means the car company found a problem with the car's battery and wants to fix it for free to keep people safe."}},{"startTime":125.5,"endTime":132.0,"type":"car","title":"Volvo EX-30","url":"/cars/volvo/ex30","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Volvo_EX30_1X7A1945.jpg","quote":"Volvo has now been forced into issuing a formal recall of its EX-30 single motor and twin motor versions.","canonicalId":"car:volvo:ex30","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volvo EX-30 is an electric vehicle offered by Volvo, available in single motor and twin motor versions. It represents Volvo's push into the compact electric SUV market.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volvo EX-30 is a small electric SUV made by Volvo. It comes with either one or two electric motors to power the car.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":132.0,"endTime":139.0,"type":"term","title":"lithium plating","url":"/glossary/lithium-plating","quote":"There's a potential with lithium plating in the cells. The agreement has now been done with their battery supplier and their parent company, Geely,","canonicalId":"term:lithium-plating","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Lithium plating is a battery issue where metallic lithium deposits form on the anode during charging, which can reduce battery life and potentially cause safety risks like short circuits or fires.","simplifiedExplanation":"Lithium plating happens when tiny bits of lithium build up inside a car's battery while charging. This can make the battery unsafe and damage it."}},{"startTime":172.7,"endTime":187.8,"type":"concept","title":"corporate fleets going EV","url":"/glossary/corporate-fleets-going-ev","quote":"...is urging corporate fleets to go EV. The current European Commission's target, proposed target, is 45% by 2030. TNE say it should be near a 70% because when corporate fleets go EV, it cleans up the air much quicker.","canonicalId":"concept:corporate-fleets-going-ev","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Corporate fleets switching to electric vehicles (EVs) can significantly reduce emissions and improve urban air quality because these vehicles are used frequently and cover many miles.","simplifiedExplanation":"When companies use electric cars for their work vehicles, it helps clean the air faster because these cars don't pollute like gas ones."}},{"startTime":187.8,"endTime":200.7,"type":"car","title":"Vauxhall Corsa GSE","url":"/cars/vauxhall/corsa-5-doors","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/1997_Vauxhall_Corsa_LS_Automatic_5_Doors_facelift_1.4.jpg","quote":"The Vauxhall has confirmed a fully electric Corsa GSE for this year. It's a re-engineering of the car, a first proper hot hatch in eight years, not just a trim level, and I'm totally here for it.","canonicalId":"car:vauxhall:corsa-5-doors","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Vauxhall Corsa GSE is a fully electric hot hatch version of the popular Corsa model, representing a significant re-engineering rather than a simple trim upgrade. It revives the spirit of 1990s hot hatches with modern electric powertrain technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Vauxhall Corsa GSE is a small sporty car that runs only on electricity, bringing back the fun style of sporty cars from the 1990s but with clean electric power.","imageAttribution":"Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":194.7,"endTime":200.7,"type":"concept","title":"hot hatch","url":"/glossary/hot-hatch","quote":"It's a re-engineering of the car, a first proper hot hatch in eight years, not just a trim level, and I'm totally here for it. Feels like a 1990s hot hatch revival era.","canonicalId":"concept:hot-hatch","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A hot hatch is a high-performance version of a hatchback car, usually with sportier styling, more powerful engines, and enhanced handling characteristics.","simplifiedExplanation":"A hot hatch is a small car that's been made faster and more fun to drive, often with a sportier look and better performance."}},{"startTime":206.8,"endTime":213.1,"type":"company","title":"Renault","url":"/glossary/renault","quote":"Renault takes full ownership of Flexis, its van venture with Volvo.","canonicalId":"company:renault","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Renault is a major French automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of cars and commercial vehicles, including electric models and vans.","simplifiedExplanation":"Renault is a big car company from France that makes many types of cars, including electric ones and vans."}},{"startTime":206.8,"endTime":213.1,"type":"company","title":"Volvo","url":"/glossary/volvo","quote":"Renault takes full ownership of Flexis, its van venture with Volvo.","canonicalId":"company:volvo","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Volvo is a Swedish automotive manufacturer known for its focus on safety and producing cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles including electric and hybrid models.","simplifiedExplanation":"Volvo is a car company from Sweden that makes safe and reliable cars and trucks, including electric ones."}},{"startTime":213.1,"endTime":219.6,"type":"term","title":"800-volt architecture","url":"/glossary/800-volt-architecture","quote":"...going to be 800-volt architecture Renault traffic van E-tex made in France before the end of the year.","canonicalId":"term:800-volt-architecture","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An 800-volt electrical architecture in EVs allows for faster charging times and can improve overall efficiency compared to the more common 400-volt systems.","simplifiedExplanation":"Some electric cars use a higher voltage system (800 volts) which means they can charge their batteries faster than normal electric cars."}},{"startTime":213.1,"endTime":219.6,"type":"car","title":"Renault Trafic van E-Tech","url":"/cars/renault/trafic","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/1986_Renault_Trafic_T_1300_D_2.1.jpg","quote":"The first ones are those going to be 800-volt architecture Renault traffic van E-tex made in France before the end of the year.","canonicalId":"car:renault:trafic","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Renault Trafic van E-Tech is an electric version of the popular Trafic commercial van, featuring an 800-volt electrical architecture for improved charging speed and efficiency.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Renault Trafic van E-Tech is a work van that runs on electricity and can charge faster because of its special high-voltage system.","imageAttribution":"Rutger van der Maar (CC BY 2.0)"}},{"startTime":219.6,"endTime":235.38,"type":"term","title":"plug-in hybrid system","url":"/glossary/plug-in-hybrid-system","quote":"...a plug-in hybrid system with a 20 kilowatt hour battery. That should be good for 50 plus miles of electric range.","canonicalId":"term:plug-in-hybrid-system","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A plug-in hybrid system combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery that can be charged from an external power source, allowing for some driving on electric power alone.","simplifiedExplanation":"A plug-in hybrid car uses both gas and electricity. You can charge it like an electric car and drive some distance without using gas."}},{"startTime":219.6,"endTime":235.38,"type":"car","title":"Li Auto L8","url":"/cars/li-auto/l8","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Li_Auto_L8_001.jpg","quote":"Cherry-owned LEPAS has confirmed a family SUV for the UK called the L8, a plug-in hybrid system with a 20 kilowatt hour battery. That should be good for 50 plus miles of electric range.","canonicalId":"car:li-auto:l8","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Lepas L8 is a family SUV available in the UK featuring a plug-in hybrid system with a 20 kWh battery, allowing for over 50 miles of electric-only driving range.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lepas L8 is a family SUV that can run partly on electricity alone for about 50 miles before switching to gas, helping save fuel and reduce pollution.","imageAttribution":"JustAnotherCarDesigner (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Martyn Lee","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/brifely-lucid-diesel-decline-volvo-recall-more-25-feb-2026/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}