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DAILY: Ford Updates Puma Gen-E, BYD To Export Flash Charging and Anti-EV Propaganda Hurting Buyers | 10 Mar 2026

DAILY: Ford Updates Puma Gen-E, BYD To Export Flash Charging and Anti-EV Propaganda Hurting Buyers | 10 Mar 2026

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About this episode

Ford enhances the Puma Gen E with a larger battery pack, improved range, and hands-free Blue Cruise driving, making it a more competitive and efficient electric crossover in the UK market. BYD is set to expand its ultra-fast 1,500 kW flash charging network internationally, promising full charges in under 10 minutes with its advanced Blade Battery 2.0 technology. The episode also highlights the impact of anti-EV misinformation on consumer perceptions, revealing widespread knowledge gaps about EV safety and costs. Additionally, Mercedes unveils the upcoming all-electric GLA with impressive range and tech, while MG prepares to launch the MG4 Urban in Australia.

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Car

Ford Puma

"...me back to EV News Daily. Today, Ford updates the Puma Gen E, BYD to export flash charging and anti-EV ..."

The Ford Puma is a small SUV that's easy to drive in the city. Ford has made new versions that use less gas or even electricity. People mention it when talking about new small cars that are better for the environment.

Car

Ford Puma Gen E

"Ford has updated the all-electric Puma Gen E with changes to range, blue crews, that's the hands-free driving, audio, connectivity, colors, and a new addition called Blue Crews Edition. What do we need to know for this podcast? Though we won't worry so much about the fancy stereo system and the new color palette, Ford said the Puma lineup makes it Europe's best-selling compact crossover last year, while this year, so far, the Puma Gen E is the UK's most popular electric vehicle. Alright, we're two months in, but we'll give them that. The biggest technical change is on the Puma Gen E with the pack and the efficiency as well."

The Ford Puma Gen E is a small electric SUV that you can drive in the city or on the highway. The newest version has a bigger battery and uses energy more efficiently, so it can go farther on a single charge.

Term

kilowatt hours per 100 kilometers

"Now, when Ford launched its 2024 Puma Gen E, it claimed the official efficiency of 13.1 kilowatt hours per 100 kilometers. If you prefer your measurements this way, as I do, that's 4.74 miles per kilowatt hour."

This number tells you how much battery power a car uses to go a certain distance. The smaller the number, the less power it uses and the better it is for saving energy.

Term

miles per kilowatt hour

"If you prefer your measurements this way, as I do, that's 4.74 miles per kilowatt hour. So, 4.74 brings me back to the heady days of driving my old Kona that I had for a year, that was fabulously efficient without even trying hard,"

This tells you how many miles a car can drive using a small amount of battery power. More miles per kilowatt hour means the car uses less energy to go farther.

Car

Hyundai Kona

"So, 4.74 brings me back to the heady days of driving my old Kona that I had for a year, that was fabulously efficient without even trying hard, but as many Puma Gen E owners listening to this podcast will tell you, without trying very hard, you can in the real world see five or six or if you're popping to the shops seven miles per kilowatt hour."

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a small electric SUV that many people like because it can go far on a single charge and is easy to drive around town.

Car

Tesla Model 3

"For the specs, you could just go get a two-year-old Tesla Model 3 that wiped the floor with it and the car would still feel new to you and it would go further and you'd be in the Tesla ecosystem and it's frankly a much bigger car."

The Tesla Model 3 is an electric car that can go a long way on a single charge and has lots of smart features that work together to make driving easier.

Car

Tesla Model

"... the specs, you could just go get a two-year-old Tesla Model 3 that wiped the floor with it and the car would ..."

The Tesla Model Y is a small electric SUV that can carry more people and stuff than a regular car. It's popular because it drives well and can go far on a single charge. People often compare it to the Model 3, which is a similar but smaller electric car.

Term

WLTP

"But they've made the pack bigger. So, it used to do officially 376 kilometers WLTP. That is now"

WLTP is a way to test how far a car can go on a charge or how much fuel it uses, trying to be more like real driving instead of just lab tests.

Term

Blue Cruise

"Ford is adding Blue Cruise to the Puma. The system allows hands-off, eyes-on driving on preset roads. Ford says it will cut driver fatigue on long commutes and motorway journeys and that's where I love self-driving."

Blue Cruise is a system from Ford that lets you drive without holding the steering wheel on some highways, but you still have to watch the road.

Car

Ford Mustang

"Launched in Europe in the Mustang Mach-E in 2023 is 135,000 kilometers of Blue Zones in 16 markets."

The Mustang Mach-E is an electric SUV from Ford that has a special system letting you drive without your hands on some roads.

Company

BYD

"I think the Puma just got even better under the skin. Now, let's talk a little bit about BYD, rolling out its ultra-fast flash charging."

BYD is a big company from China that makes electric cars and batteries, and they have new fast charging technology.

Concept

ultra-fast flash charging

"Now, they're going to roll it out at home in China first this year. 20,000 of those posts by the end of this year. 18,000 are going to be partner-hosted and 2,000 will be on the major Chinese motorways... Each flash charger runs 1,000 volts, 1,500 kilowatts. Each charging pile works as an on-site battery pack..."

Ultra-fast flash charging means charging an electric car's battery really quickly, so you can drive again after just a few minutes.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...just starts refilling its onboard battery at the charger from that nice, cheap, slow grid connection. It ..."

The Dodge Charger is a big, fast car from America that looks tough and has a strong engine. People talk about it when comparing old-style gas cars to newer electric ones. Sometimes it comes up when talking about how cars get power or charge up.

Term

LFP blade batteries

"It says the second-gen LFP blade batteries do 10 to 70 percent in five minutes. We always talk in 10 to 80, don't we? At least on this podcast, I like it as an industry."

LFP blade batteries are a kind of car battery that charges quickly and lasts a long time. They are shaped like thin blades to keep them safe and cool.

Term

fast charging

"But 10 to 97, in other words, it's a full charge. Batteries normally slow down after 80 percent-ish, depending on the type of battery. They give the 10 to 97. In other words, it's just the last 3 percent where it tapers significantly, and that is a nine-minute charge."

Fast charging means filling up an electric car's battery very quickly, so you don't have to wait long to drive again.

Term

charging taper

"Batteries normally slow down after 80 percent-ish, depending on the type of battery. They give the 10 to 97. In other words, it's just the last 3 percent where it tapers significantly, and that is a nine-minute charge."

When charging a battery, it slows down near the end to keep the battery safe and healthy.

Car

D9 Denzer

"...e at that speed, because they still say that the Denzer, now Denzer is the BYD premium brand, that the De..."

The D9 is a fancy electric SUV made by a company called Denza, which is part of BYD. It's designed to be a high-quality, expensive electric car. People talk about it when looking at new luxury electric cars.

Car

Denza Z9 GT

"Denzer, now Denzer is the BYD premium brand, that the Denzer, let me get this right, 7 GT? I was going to confuse with the Zika 007, which is not called the 007 here. It's called the Denzer, 7 GT. I'll correct myself in the show notes if I'm wrong. That's coming with Blade Battery 2.0."

The Denzer 7 GT is a fancy electric car made by BYD that uses a special battery to charge quickly and drive well in different countries.

Car

Zeekr Zika 007

"...his right, 7 GT? I was going to confuse with the Zika 007, which is not called the 007 here. It's called t..."

The Zeekr 007 is a special electric car that looks like a sporty wagon. It's made by a company called Zeekr and is meant to be fast and stylish. People sometimes mix up its name with other cars.

Term

right-hand drive

"That's going to be the international car that comes to Europe and the UK in right-hand drive. And you think of the right-hand drive, probably Australia and other right-hand drive markets as well."

Right-hand drive means the car's steering wheel is on the right side, which is normal in some countries like the UK and Australia.

Term

EV

"EV News China, almost the same audience figures as this main show now. People are really interested. Me too. I'm learning."

An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. It uses batteries to power the motor, so it doesn't need petrol or diesel.

Concept

disinformation

"New polling for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds a wide knowledge gap on EVs with non-EV drivers, all thanks to myths and disinformation shaping the views on EVs."

Disinformation is when wrong or fake information is shared on purpose to trick people, like stories that make electric cars seem unsafe when they are not.

Term

thermal runaway

"EVs don't have that problem. But with current battery technology, we know there can be thermal runaway in significant accidents, not in China because the new laws are coming in to do with battery safety."

Thermal runaway happens when a battery gets too hot and the heat keeps increasing, which can cause the battery to catch fire or explode.

Concept

total cost of ownership

"Cost is the same. Two-thirds of non-EV drivers don't realize EVs are cheaper to own over total cost of ownership and run than petrol and diesel."

Total cost of ownership means all the money you spend on a car, like buying it, filling it up, fixing it, and insurance, added up over the years you own it.

Car

Mercedes-Benz GLA

"I'll take a break. We'll come back. We talk about Mercedes and its new GLA and the MG4 Urban coming to somewhere else in the world."

The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a small SUV that is now available as an electric car. It's the cheapest electric car Mercedes offers.

Car

Mg4 Urban

".... We talk about Mercedes and its new GLA and the MG4 Urban coming to somewhere else in the world. Stick arou..."

The MG4 is a small electric car that doesn't cost too much. It's good for people who want an electric car but don't want to spend a lot. People mention it when talking about new small electric cars.

Term

800 volts

"The new GLA on the same platform as the CLA, the MMA platform, because it borrows all the same stuff, 800 volts, new supercomputer, software-defined setup, and a path to autonomy."

The 800 volts means the electric car can charge its battery faster and run more efficiently.

Car

Mercedes-Benz GLB

"...'s $57,000. Inside, it'll mirror the CLA and the GLB, so a 10.25-inch driver display, 14.5-inch centra..."

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is a small fancy SUV with lots of space inside and big screens to control things. It looks like some other Mercedes cars and is good for families. People talk about how it feels inside and what it offers.

Term

frunk

"EV versions adding a frunk under the bonnet. Now, let's move on. MG will bring the MG4"

A frunk is a storage area in the front of an electric car where the engine used to be in normal cars.

Car

MG4

"Also, the MG4, the existing one, I think, is technically here called the new MG4, but if you see one, you'd never know, because it looks the same. Not true. It's got a different wheel design. The spoiler at the back is now a single unit, not a twin design, but you don't know till you get in it. Inside, it's night and day different. The inside of the new MG4 is really nice, but we're talking about the MG4 Urban here. That's coming to Australia. Oh, by the way, the old MG, sorry, the new MG4, which looks like the old one, is going to move to a single battery pack. In Australia, because we've dropped the small battery pack on the MG4, now that there's the Urban, but we can still get the long range and the extended range. Oh, and the X-Power, which is bonkers."

The MG4 is a small electric car that comes with different battery sizes so it can go different distances. There's also a very fast version called the X-Power.

Term

rear wheel drive

"It's the E3 platform, it's rear wheel drive, lots of cost savings in terms of the chassis. It's not as much fun to drive,"

Rear wheel drive means the back wheels of the car make it move. This can make the car feel different when you drive it.

Car

BYD Dolphin

"Wow. Hopefully. BYD Dolphin is also under 30K in Australia. Okay, let's move on."

The BYD Dolphin is a small electric car from China that is cheaper and good for everyday driving.

Company

Octopus Energy

"Wow. Hopefully. BYD Dolphin is also under 30K in Australia. Okay, let's move on. Octopus Energy will extend its dynamic plunge pricing at public charging model from the UK to France."

Octopus Energy is a company that sells electricity and has special ways to make charging electric cars cheaper when there is lots of renewable energy.

Concept

dynamic plunge pricing

"Octopus Energy will extend its dynamic plunge pricing at public charging model from the UK to France. Plunge pricing links public charging prices to wholesale power prices. When it's windy and sunny, then the charges get cheaper."

Dynamic plunge pricing means the price to charge your electric car changes depending on how much electricity is available. When there’s lots of wind or sun, charging gets cheaper.

Company

Electroverse

"In France, they'll do 50% discounts on public charging when plunge pricing windows open, including 7,000 ultra rapids across the country on the Power.network. Electroverse already connects via roaming to 97% of France's public charging points, 172,000 of them, and a single Electroverse account and an app. It means you can find compatible charges, star sessions, and even put it on your home electricity bill, which"

Electroverse is a company that helps electric car drivers find and use charging stations easily with one app and account.

Car

Porsche Panamera

"... Porsche is exploring a plan to merge Taycan and Panamera, offering a unified range. Today, the two cars ar..."

The Porsche Panamera is a fancy, fast car with four doors that is comfortable to drive. It's special because it mixes sports car speed with a nice ride. People talk about it when Porsche thinks about making their electric and gas cars work better together.

Car

Porsche Taycan

"... moving on. Porsche is exploring a plan to merge Taycan and Panamera, offering a unified range. Today, th..."

The Porsche Taycan is a fast electric car that looks like a sports car. It doesn't use gas and is known for being quick and high-tech. People talk about it when Porsche thinks about mixing their electric and gas cars.

Car

Audi E-Tron GT

"Taycan is a J1 platform like the Audi E-Tron GT. Panamera uses something different, the same as the Bentley Continental GT."

The Audi E-Tron GT is a fast electric car made by Audi. It shares many parts with the Porsche Taycan to make it work well.

Car

911 Gt Porsche

"separate platforms, obviously separate names. Taycan is a J1 platform like the Audi E-Tron GT. Panamera uses something different, the same as the Bentley Continental GT. Porsche had planned to move a next-generation Taycan to SSP Sport from the Volkswagen Group mothership, but thanks to"

The Porsche 911 is a famous fast sports car that looks different from other cars because its engine is in the back. It's been around for a long time and is very special to Porsche. People talk about it when comparing different Porsche cars.

Car

Bentley Continental GT

"Panamera uses something different, the same as the Bentley Continental GT. Porsche had planned to move a next-generation Taycan to SSP Sport from the Volkswagen Group mothership..."

The Bentley Continental GT is a very fancy and fast car made by Bentley. It is built on the same basic design as the Porsche Panamera.

Car

Porsche Macan

"... the most to you Porsche fans. But a bit like the Macan and the KN, you can still get them in petrol and..."

The Porsche Macan is a small, fancy SUV that drives like a sports car. It's good for people who want a nice car that can carry more stuff and passengers. Some versions still use regular gas engines, not electric ones.

Company

SK Battery America

"Okay, let's talk about SK Battery America, cutting 958 jobs in commerce, Georgia. That's 37% of the workforce."

SK Battery America makes batteries that power electric cars like the Ford F-150 Lightning. They had to let many workers go because fewer people are buying electric cars right now.

Car

Ford F-150 Lightning

"...t the factory that makes cells for the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Volkswagen ID4, Hyundai's and Kia's as well..."

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an electric pickup truck that doesn't use gas. It's based on a very popular truck and can do many jobs while being better for the environment. People talk about how its batteries are made and how to charge it.

Car

Volkswagen Id4

"...ells for the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Volkswagen ID4, Hyundai's and Kia's as well. Georgia Senator Jo..."

The Volkswagen ID.4 is a small electric SUV that many people can buy. It helps make electric cars more common and easy to use. People talk about it when comparing electric trucks and SUVs.

Concept

software-defined vehicle

"Volvo has positioned the all electric EX60 as Europe's first truly software-defined vehicle. Engineering chief Anders Bell called it massively pivotal and a new era for the brand."

A software-defined vehicle is a car that uses computer programs to control how it works. This means the car can get better or change by updating the software instead of changing parts.

Car

EX60

"...n the news. Volvo has positioned the all electric EX60 as Europe's first truly software-defined vehicle..."

The Volvo EX60 is a new electric SUV that uses a lot of computer software to work better and get updates without going to a shop. It's one of the first cars in Europe to do this. People talk about it because it's very modern.

Car

Mercedes-Benz Mercedesbenz Glc

"this week, tells me an embargo was lifted with some of the media giving some first impressions of the vehicle that goes up against the BMW X3, a Mercedes-Benz, GLC, Volvo Motors, Volvo Batteries, Volvo Software, Volvo Platform, SPA3 and all the major systems under their roof."

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a fancy small SUV that is comfortable and has nice features inside. It competes with other similar cars from BMW and Volvo. People talk about it when sharing first thoughts about new cars.

Car

Bmw X3

"...ressions of the vehicle that goes up against the BMW X3, a Mercedes-Benz, GLC, Volvo Motors, Volvo Batte..."

The BMW X3 is a small, fancy SUV that is comfortable and fun to drive. It competes with other similar cars from Mercedes and Volvo. People talk about it when comparing nice SUVs that many families like.

Term

SPA3 platform

"...Batteries, Volvo Software, Volvo Platform, SPA3 and all the major systems under their roof..."

The SPA3 platform is the basic design and parts that Volvo uses to build their new electric and hybrid cars. It helps the cars work better and share parts.

Car

ES90

"...t some of the Volvo stuff with EX30 and EX90 and ES90, some of it has been compromised because of the G..."

The Volvo ES90 is a big electric SUV that is fancy and uses no gas. It is part of Volvo's new electric car family. Some people worry that it might have some problems with its software or features.

Car

Volvo EX90

"...lized that some of the Volvo stuff with EX30 and EX90 and ES90, some of it has been compromised because..."

The Volvo EX90 is a big electric SUV that is very safe and uses new technology. It's one of Volvo's most important electric cars. Some people worry about certain parts not being perfect yet.

Car

Polestar 3

"...Polestar's are affected by that as well, like the Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4. The ones that we get are pro..."

The Polestar 3 is a fancy electric SUV made by the same people who make Volvo cars. It uses only electricity to run and is very modern. Sometimes there are problems with getting parts or making enough cars.

Car

Polestar 4

"...ted by that as well, like the Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4. The ones that we get are probably a generation a..."

The Polestar 4 is a stylish electric SUV that looks sporty and uses only electricity. It's a newer car from the same company that makes Volvo electric cars. Sometimes there are delays or problems getting the cars made.

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