CHINA: Audi E7X, BYD Update Adds Range and Canada Opens Window Of Opportunity For China | 12 Feb 2026
About this episode
The discussion centers on China's evolving EV market with a focus on the new Audi E7X, a premium electric SUV exclusive to China, showcasing advanced tech like 800-volt architecture and fast charging. BYD's latest OTA update boosts the Han-L plug-in hybrid's electric range and adds new driver assistance features. The episode also covers Canada's new policy allowing a growing quota of Chinese-made EV imports at reduced tariffs, signaling a shift in North American market dynamics. Additionally, China's acceptance of direct EU tariff negotiations for EVs hints at changing trade relations. The episode highlights innovation, market strategy, and international trade impacts shaping the EV landscape.
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AUDI E7X ELECTRIC SUV BREAKS COVER IN CHINA https://evne.ws/4bZwxlB
BYD HAN L DM OTA UPDATE ADDS EV RANGE https://evne.ws/4rYfTaF
CANADA OPENS A NARROW GATE FOR CHINA EVS https://evne.ws/3O96nmq
CHINA APPROVES SEPARATE EU TARIFF TALKS https://evne.ws/4rV5mwM
BYD SONG TOPS CHINA JANUARY SALES https://evne.ws/4bW0zXi
XPENG TARGETS 1,000 KW CHARGERS IN EUROPE https://evne.ws/4kGLbjG
CHINA SETS JULY 2026 DEADLINE FOR SOLID-STATE STANDARD https://evne.ws/4as1M6e
XIAOMI SHOWCASES ROBOT-RUN SU7 FACTORY IN BEIJING https://evne.ws/4r9BTz7
Audi
"Today, the Audi E7X, BYD's update adds range and Canada opens a window opportunity for China. ... Volkswagen and SAIC are testing the new Audi E7X. This is the Audi with Audi spelt capitalized AUDI."
Audi is a company that makes fancy cars. They are making more electric cars to help the environment.
Audi is a German luxury car manufacturer known for its advanced technology and performance vehicles. It is part of the Volkswagen Group and is expanding its electric vehicle offerings globally.
BYD
"Today, the Audi E7X, BYD's update adds range and Canada opens a window opportunity for China."
BYD is a big company from China that makes electric cars and batteries. They help make cars that run on electricity instead of gas.
BYD is a Chinese automotive company specializing in electric vehicles and batteries. It is one of the largest EV manufacturers in the world, known for its innovations in battery technology and electric cars.
SAIC
"Volkswagen and SAIC are testing the new Audi E7X."
SAIC is a big car company in China that works with other car companies to build cars in China.
SAIC Motor Corporation is a large Chinese state-owned automotive manufacturer. It partners with foreign brands like Volkswagen and Audi to produce and develop vehicles for the Chinese market.
Volkswagen
"Volkswagen and SAIC are testing the new Audi E7X."
Volkswagen is a big car company from Germany. They own Audi and are making many electric cars.
Volkswagen is a major German automotive manufacturer and parent company of Audi. It is heavily investing in electric vehicle development and partnerships, including collaborations in China.
22-inch wheels
"The exterior makes no effort at subtlety. It rides on 22s."
The car has big wheels that are 22 inches wide across. Big wheels can make the car look cool and handle well but might make the ride a bit rougher.
The car rides on 22-inch wheels, which are large diameter wheels that can improve the vehicle's appearance and handling but may affect ride comfort and efficiency.
roof-mounted LiDAR bulge
"It's got a roof-mounted LiDAR bulge."
There is a bump on the roof that holds special laser sensors. These sensors help the car see what's around it to drive safely by itself or help the driver.
A roof-mounted LiDAR bulge is a raised section on the roof housing LiDAR sensors, which use laser light to create detailed 3D maps of the car's surroundings. This technology supports advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving features.
active aerodynamics
"Camera-based side mirrors, active aero at the front for the air to come in or not. For better aero."
The car has parts that can move to control how air flows around it. This helps the car go faster or use less energy by letting air in or blocking it when needed.
Active aerodynamics refers to movable parts on the car's body that adjust airflow dynamically to improve efficiency, cooling, or performance. For example, front air intakes can open or close depending on driving conditions to optimize aerodynamics.
camera-based side mirrors
"Camera-based side mirrors, active aero at the front for the air to come in or not."
Instead of regular mirrors on the sides, the car uses cameras that show pictures on screens inside. This helps the car be more aerodynamic and can give better views.
Camera-based side mirrors replace traditional mirrors with cameras that provide video feeds to screens inside the car. This can reduce drag, improve aerodynamics, and offer better visibility in some conditions.
retractable door handles
""It's got B-pillar cameras, retractable door handles, sculpted bumpers, fenders," , "
Retractable door handles are door handles that hide inside the car's body and pop out when you want to open the door, making the car look smoother.
Retractable door handles are door handles that sit flush with the car's body and extend outward when needed. They improve aerodynamics and aesthetics.
kilowatt hours
""It's either going to be 100 kilowatt hours or 109.3 kilowatt hours.", "Range from 395 to 467 miles.""
Kilowatt hours tell you how much power a car's battery can hold, which affects how far the car can go before needing to recharge.
Kilowatt hours (kWh) measure the capacity of a battery, indicating how much energy it can store and thus how far an electric vehicle can travel.
800-volt architecture
""It's an 800-volt architecture, so it's going to charge quickly.", "Yeah, I mean really quickly.""
An 800-volt system means the car's battery and charging parts work at higher power, so it can charge faster and drive better.
An 800-volt electrical system in an EV allows for faster charging and improved power delivery compared to the more common 400-volt systems.
electric range
"adding 25 kilometers of electric range to the front-wheel drive and 15 kilometers to the all-wheel drive version. The front-wheel drive model now has 225 kilometers of all-electric range. The all-wheel drive, 195 kilometers, with the engine totally switched off."
Electric range means how far a car can go just using electricity before it needs gas or another fuel.
Electric range refers to the distance a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle can travel using only electric power before the gasoline engine or other power source is needed.
lithium-ion phosphate battery
"you'll be drawing on a 29.46 kilowatt hour lithium-ion phosphate battery."
This is a kind of battery used in electric cars that lasts a long time and is safer than some other types.
A lithium-ion phosphate battery is a type of rechargeable battery known for its safety, long life, and thermal stability, commonly used in electric vehicles.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Long Range AWD
"all-wheel drive version, 400 kilowatts of power,"
This version of the Ioniq 6 has two motors that power all four wheels to help it drive better and faster.
The all-wheel drive version of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Long Range features dual motors producing a combined 400 kilowatts of power, providing enhanced traction and performance.
all-wheel drive
"all-wheel drive version, 400 kilowatts of power,"
This means the car sends power to all four wheels, helping it grip the road better when driving.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously, improving traction and handling especially in adverse conditions.
0-62 time
"This is a sub-four-second vehicle, by the way, 0-62."
This is how fast a car can speed up from stopped to about 62 miles per hour, showing how quick it is.
0-62 time refers to the time it takes a vehicle to accelerate from a standstill to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h), a common performance metric.
head-up display
"Smaller additions include head-up display improvements,"
This is a screen that shows important info right on your windshield so you don't have to look down.
A head-up display (HUD) projects important information like speed or navigation onto the windshield so the driver can see it without looking away from the road.
in-car gaming
"memory functions in-car gaming,"
This means you can play video games inside the car on its screen.
In-car gaming refers to video games or interactive entertainment systems integrated into the vehicle's infotainment system for passenger enjoyment.
China cycle
"700 kilometers. Again, China cycle, all-wheel drive,"
This is a way China tests how far an electric car can go on one charge.
The China cycle is a standardized test used in China to estimate the driving range and efficiency of electric vehicles under typical conditions.
0-60 time
"It's a 2.7-second 0-62 vehicle."
0-60 time tells you how fast a car can go from stopped to 60 miles per hour. It's a way to see how quick the car feels when you press the gas.
The 0-60 time measures how quickly a vehicle can accelerate from a standstill to 60 miles per hour (or 0-62 mph in metric terms). It's a common performance metric to compare acceleration capabilities of cars.
1,000-volt architecture
"This is crazy, on a 1,000-volt architecture."
This means the car's electric system uses very high voltage, which helps it charge faster and work better.
A 1,000-volt electrical architecture in an electric vehicle allows for higher power delivery and faster charging speeds compared to the more common 400-volt systems. This technology improves efficiency and reduces charging times.
EV
"...The agreement trades EV access for reduced Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola..."
An EV is a car that runs on electricity from batteries instead of using gas like most cars. This means it doesn't produce exhaust pollution.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, which is a car powered entirely or partially by electricity stored in batteries instead of traditional gasoline or diesel fuel.
tariffs
"...for reduced Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola. Chinese brands are not yet certified for the Canadian market..."
Tariffs are extra taxes that a country puts on things it buys from other countries. This can make those things more expensive.
Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on imported goods, which can affect the price and competitiveness of those goods in the domestic market.
vehicle certification
"...Chinese brands are not yet certified for the Canadian market, and that certification could take from 12 to 18 months..."
Before a car can be sold in a country, it has to be checked and approved to make sure it is safe and follows the rules. This is called certification.
Vehicle certification is the process by which a car manufacturer obtains official approval for a vehicle to be sold in a particular market, ensuring it meets safety, emissions, and other regulatory standards.
tariff exemption
"The move follows the European Union's first tariff exemption since duties were adopted in 2024."
A tariff exemption means the government lets some products come into the country without extra taxes, so they cost less.
A tariff exemption is a government decision to waive import taxes on certain goods, making them cheaper to import and sell in the local market.
import duty
"So, no 21% duty on that. That was stacking on top of the 10% existing Levy."
Import duty is a tax you pay when you bring products from another country into your own.
Import duty is a tax imposed by a country on goods brought in from other countries, which increases the cost of those goods.
electric vehicles (EVs)
""...model-specific exemptions on China-made EVs. Just the Taverscan is the first one for CUPRA.""
Electric vehicles are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They use batteries to power electric motors to move.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars powered entirely or primarily by electric motors using energy stored in batteries, rather than traditional internal combustion engines.
Tesla Model Y
"...i's YU7 rounding out the top five just behind the Model Y. Of the 17 models that sold"
The Tesla Model Y is a small electric car that looks like a tall car you can sit in comfortably and it doesn’t use gas. Many people like it because it can go far on one charge and has cool features like a big touchscreen. It’s one of the most popular electric cars you can buy today.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact all-electric SUV that has gained significant popularity due to its combination of performance, range, and advanced technology features. It is a key model in Tesla's lineup, often ranking highly in electric vehicle sales worldwide. Its mention in sales rankings highlights its strong market presence and consumer demand.
Nio ES8
"...ed not even a year ago and NEO's third generation ES8, only out since September last year,"
The Nio ES8 is a big electric car from China that feels fancy inside and can change its battery quickly instead of waiting to charge. The newest version came out recently and has better features and goes farther on a charge. It’s part of a new group of electric cars that are getting better fast.
The Nio ES8 is a premium all-electric SUV from Chinese automaker Nio, known for its luxury features and innovative battery swapping technology. The third generation ES8, launched recently, represents Nio's efforts to enhance performance, range, and user experience in the competitive EV market. Its recent release indicates ongoing advancements in electric vehicle technology from emerging manufacturers.
X9 Xpong
"that were doing well. X-Pong is building some car charges in Europe that we actually can't use yet"
The X9 is an electric car made by a company called XPeng from China. They are also making places to charge these cars in Europe, but right now, some chargers might not work with all cars. This shows how new electric cars and chargers are still being figured out in different countries.
The X9 likely refers to a model from XPeng, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer known for its smart EVs and charging infrastructure development. XPeng's efforts in building charging stations in Europe signal its ambition to expand internationally, although compatibility issues may currently limit use. The mention reflects the growing presence of Chinese EV brands in global markets.
megawatt charging
"ultra-fast thousand kilowatts, aka megawatts charges in Europe this year"
Megawatt charging means using chargers that give a huge amount of power to fill up an electric car's battery very fast.
Megawatt charging is a term for extremely high power EV charging, typically above 1,000 kilowatts, enabling very rapid battery replenishment for electric vehicles.
Xiaomi SU7
"and completed phase one a year later. Mass production of the sedan, the SU-7, launched in December 2023."
The Xiaomi SU7 is a new electric car made by Xiaomi, a company famous for phones and gadgets. It started being made in late 2023 and is a regular car that runs on electricity instead of gas. This shows how companies that make phones are now also making cars.
The Xiaomi SU7 is an electric sedan produced by Xiaomi, a company traditionally known for electronics, marking its entry into the automotive industry. Launched in December 2023, the SU7 represents Xiaomi's push into mass production of electric vehicles, combining smart technology integration with competitive pricing. Its development highlights the trend of tech companies expanding into electric mobility.
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