Driving the Volkswagen ID.Cross, VW overtake BYD in China, Mercedes-Benz VLE, VW ID.3 Neo, Renault Bridger and R-Space Concept, Honda Cancels Zero Series, Ford and ChargePoint announce partnership, Nevo Driving Experience in Kildare

Welcome back to the Nevo EV news podcast. If it's Tuesday, it must be Nevo EV news day. Happy St. Patrick's Day and this week's podcast

We're going to be chatting about what it was like driving the Volkswagen ID cross. We got an exclusive first drive

We also have the story about Volkswagen taking over BYD in its home country of China

Mercedes-Benz launched their luxurious people carrier the VLE

We have a name for the updated Volkswagen ID 3 the ID 3 Neo. We're gonna be chatting about that

Renault unveiled recently the Bridger concept, but also the or space concept

Which we look like it's going to be the electric a spass

Unfortunately Honda cancels its zero series that they were developing for the North America market and Nevo would have seen at the two most recent

CES shows

Ford Pro and Chargepoint make an announcement helping companies go electric and last but by no means least

We're going to be chatting about the Nevo driving experience regional event in Kildare in partnership with Bank of Ireland

For those who don't know my name is Derek Riley and on this podcast. We chat about all things electric vehicles

Nevo is Ireland's only dedicated EV platform and we'll be covering where we were this week

What we've been driving and what we've been doing between the podcasts if you haven't already subscribed or followed us wherever you're listening to

Please do so and if you enjoyed the episode, please leave us a rating and a comment

It really helps us out and it doesn't cost you anything

So before we get still to take our stock in we will have an ad break

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So a couple weeks ago we were in Amsterdam under embargo and the video was released yesterday on the channel about the Volkswagen ID cross

It is a covered drive, but that just means outside

It's got some camouflage on it

But inside and I was talking to Tim from Volkswagen in the video about everything that we could talk about

For the Volkswagen ID cross. So what is the ID cross? It's their electric T cross

It is a all-electric compact SUV offering attractive price in Germany starting at 28,000 euros

Irish prices yet to be confirmed

We're probably going to see it on in Irish dealerships towards the end of this year and it'll be coming in early

2027

It's the pure positive Andy mint design language

strong sense of quality and value

It will have three power outputs a 85 kilowatt a

99 kilowatt and a

155 kilowatt electric motors choice of three as well as two battery sizes 37 kilowatt hour and

152 kilowatt hour net fast charging it's looking at 10 to 80 percent in less than 25 minutes

so got to drive it a

Slightly bigger car than the I did than the T cross just because it's based on that MBB plus platform

And it's the front wheel drive version whereas the original IDs were all rear wheel drive

Suspension in the rear is torsion beam

So that means it's got a very large boot

475 litres great normal boot space

But also then underneath goes all the way under the one I was in had a Harman Kardon sound system

So there was a subwoofer in the boot. It can tow it can put

You can put back bicycles or e-bikes on the back of it as well. It has a vertical load

The rear is not the largest space is compact SUV, but it's it's got great height

Legroom for taller passengers may be

Compromised a small but just because of the size of the car that it is

Back in the front then we have physical buttons on the steering wheel

What did Tim say?

Listened to the feedback that people wanted feedback

We have a row of knobs and switches for the HVAC and we have a little little

knob for

Radio audio volume up down track on off

Two big screens one from front of the driver one in front of the infotainment from driver and from passenger

There's a very cute retro mode which reminds me of my grandfather's Volkswagen Derby

I was gonna say ID Derby Volkswagen Derby

Yeah, overall a really really nice car the full video will be linked in the description and you can see it over in the YouTube channel

There's a good

It's a 21 minutes of me chatting away to Tim

They've worked really well on the suspension sometimes torsion beam can be a bit bouncy in the rear, but that's not the case here

Brand itself we had an interesting conversation with some of the product people and they want to go back to what they called true Volkswagen

And it's just to do with what people expect from a Volkswagen and just that generation one ID stuff ID

3 ID forward a lot of haptics a lot of shiny black plastic a lot of more economical plastic

Wasn't really what Volkswagen buyers were used to now. It's selling don't get me wrong ID for Ireland's best-selling electric vehicle of all time and of this year

the

Has on the top trim and the ID cross that has massaging seats something you wouldn't normally get in this size and class of care

panoramic glass roof it has

Travel assist so it stops start

Speed time recognition, but also traffic like recognition

Couple different of levels that each trend will be the base level and then there'll be life and style levels higher above that

LED tail lights headlights

It's got this kind of whiskey glass design in the tail lights as mentioned

It's going to be on the MEB plus front wheel drive platform

So we will see other ranges for the standard range battery is

316 kilometers and then the larger long range battery will be

436 they haven't gone with a huge DC peak charging race

They've actually flattened the curve and it's a it goes really well deep into the pack. So

24 minutes is what they're saying

on the

27 minutes on a 90 kid 90 kilowatt DC for the smaller battery and standard battery and then 24 minutes on a

105 DC for the 52 kilowatt hour battery, but they're saying that you'll get it a lot a faster charge in a

Far much longer time rather than saying because that the concept. I think it was 135 kilowatt DC

So the peak speed isn't always the one you want

It's that how flattened that charging curve is it's also going to have vehicle to load technology, which is great to see

Looking forward to seeing when the design is unveiled in the upcoming weeks

We're going to be reporting live from that as well

So stay tuned to Nevo and across our socials sign up to our newsletter, etc, etc

But it was great to get a first drive in the Volkswagen ID cross

It's an important care for them that T cross is sells a lot and so

Stay tuned for more on that

Stay sticking with VW with the we have the story out of China that Volkswagen reclaimed top spot in China car sales

BYD falls to fourth as EV subsidies fades

So towards the end of last year the Chinese government pulled back on some of the subsidization of their new electric vehicles

Volkswagen group reclaimed car sales dominance in China the world's largest auto market for the first two months of 2026 with Toyota

Also regaining ground both overtaking local electric vehicle champion BYD and mid fading subsidies for greener cars

Volkswagen's Chinese joint venture with FAW and SAIC held a combined

13.9% share of the country's passenger car vehicle market

Followed by Geely at 13.8 and then Toyota which their joint venture with GAC and FAW

The data from the Chinese passenger car Association shows the legacy automakers come back in the market

We're have to be struggling to catch up with local rivals in EVs

It's come as the purchase tax exemptions on electric car expires in Beijing scales back

Subsidies for trading in electric vehicles as the subsidies fade hybrid EVs that Toyota specializing were shown to have steered some consumers away from PH EVs

Local automakers betting on budget electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have taken the biggest hits from the curtailed incentives

BYD which unseated VW is the biggest car maker in China and sales in 2024 held on to the crown last year

Felt a fourth place with your 7.1% market share in January February period with its overall sales posted the biggest drop since the pandemic

The biggest competitor to Tesla unveiled its first major battery upgrade in six years

With the to revive its sales in the home market where the shift towards value-driven auto

Away from bruising price wars as well in motion

VW has began mass producing its first co-developed with Chinese partner X-Ping and the German automaker said on Friday

It's set to launch 20 new EV models in China this year alone

So interesting to see when the subsidies move away

Where the actual market in China wants to go and Volkswagen claiming the number one spot

Next up then we have the Mercedes-Benz VLE

Up close a first design a first look at this new design. We've seen pictures

We don't know whether this is going to come to Ireland but as always on Nevo EV news

We like to bring a story from around the world in the electric vehicle space

America is the birthplace for their modern minivan and it remains home to several friendly family friendly options

But the debate what the debut of the 2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE class

Which will be sold in the United States for well-heeled families and chauffeurs alike will have a chance of driving something

That's considerably fancier than the Odyssey from Honda or the Sienna from Toyota

As you can see the uncle Steve's minivan the new

It's isn't your uncle Steve's minivan the new 2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE class. It's fully electric

We launched with two electric powertrains a

268 horsepower front-wheel drive and a

409 horsepower all-wheel drive version and they'll be marked to VLE 300 and VLE 400

There's 22 inch AMG monoblock wheels

They are offering sizes of 20 and 21 inch as well a large grill

There's we're seeing across some of the newer like the GLC etc

It's a luxurious nature three-pointed star emblem and in the North American market

They have the stand-up Mercedes-Benz along with the illuminated elements that's around the grill connect the headlights the brands three-pointed star motif appears in the

Daytime running lights again, we would have seen this in the GLC and in the CLA

The Mercedes will offer the VLE and three different trims including AMG line

And the wheel which features a sportier front end and black exterior trim

It will have a 115 kilowatt hour battery pack and should give over

370 miles arranged with DC fast charging speeds of

300 kilowatts it's based on the Mercedes modular van

EA platform the standard version is about

209 inches long so a couple of inches longer than most US specced minivans the VLE's

Available air suspension will allow the Vans ride height to be raised or lowered by 1.5 inches

I can be controlled by the driver's voice or the navigation system

Haven't really released pricing lets yet for the VLE in the markets that it's going to be delivered in

But it should be announced when it goes up on sale sometime this year. So

Interesting styling if those of you who are subscribed to the YouTube channel and would have seen the Hyundai

Staria that I would have saw at the Brussels Motor Show also the Ioniq 9 it has that full

Vertical across the top and down

Rear taillights the VLE is very much like that on the rear but on the front it is

Mercedes it is the new Mercedes very GLE with those three pointed stairs. I

Like it. It is if you're looking for practicality. We're starting to see these minivan MPV's

People carriers coming more often. So stay tuned for more of that

Next up. We have the updated ID. Three will be renamed the ID. Three Neo

Volkswagen's giving the ID. Three electric hatchback a new name when it gets its new look during its second midlife

Facelift due for full reveal in a couple of weeks

The revised car will be known as the ID. Three Neo a name that harks back to the ID. Three's codename when it was under development

First launched in 2020. The ID. Three has already had a facelift in 2023

Both videos up on the YouTube channel this year's refresh will focus on interior quality and revised exterior design as the sketches show

That I'm going to link in the description of this podcast

The revised car will feature an upgraded travel assist feature that includes traffic light detection that we would have talked about at the start

of the podcast on the Volkswagen ID cross physical buttons on the steering wheel moving away from touch controls that many

Users have found annoying the arrival of the Volkswagen ID. Three Neo also comes

coincides that a raft updates across the rest of the Volkswagen electric car range ID. Four five and seven

They can be ordered now using the new software features of the envision

Sorry, they can now be ordered with new software featuring an in vision infotainment system

Which includes an integrated app store for downloading audio video and game apps

It also supports a digital vehicle key

Accessing you accessible using your smartphone or smartwatch the ID for an ID file will get an upgraded drive system

With 190 PS as well as a new 58 kilowatt hour lithium ion phosphate battery

Which is increases the efficiency and range by up to 25 miles the new ID models will also get vehicle to low technology again

Like the ID cross capability capability to power external devices up to 3.6

So stay tuned for more on the Volkswagen ID three Neo

We've got some really interesting concepts and I'll put the link in the description

We will start off with the Bridger concept

Which is bold proportions a rugged look strong character Bridger concept redefines the urban SUV

So this is going to be going right up against the Volkswagen ID cross

Sharp lines elevate a ground clearance tailgate mounted spare wheel gives the Bridger looks like a little mini defender

And on the mistake of a look of an urban adventure

Compact on the outside yet remarkably spacious on the inside it offers 200 millimeter rear knee room and a generous 400 liter boot

So

Looks great if it comes. This is obviously all concept stuff from Renault

But all more MPVs when we have the or space lab

And if you move the or and put in an E

You get this bass, which is a car that we haven't had

Right-hand drive in the UK and Ireland for a long time

But whenever I go over to Renault trips in France sometimes, oh, it's on Spain in Portugal

They'll pick us up at the airport in the spaces. I'm like, this was such a great car

It's such a shame that we didn't get it in right-hand drive, but now we're getting the

Hopefully the electric version in it's the R spass concept or space concept, but hopefully it'll be the S spass

full electric VD

On board the our lab explores the onboard experience of tomorrow's car for living bright modular cabin with technologies and spaces

And to it will be adopted every moment of life

We've got a high-tech cockpit the brings on on new onboard experience

immersive shared intuitive and seamless all designed around the passengers and so you've got a

Very similar to the BMW IX3 bottom of the windscreen a full panoramic

Dash that goes coast to coast pillar to pillar. They're calling it the open or panorama

And you still have an infotainment screen in underneath that as well. It has the

Mad steering wheel, but I don't know. They're calling it a compact steering wheel

Let's see if that comes to fruition. Although we have been driving the Lexus OMG one-motion grip steering wheel with the

steer by wire technology and

The R spass

Lab explores new solutions and dedicated to safety of the passengers and other road users on board AI enhances the safety codes

What predictive features and personalized advice with the tactile alcohol detect they have an alcohol detection sensor

In that so yeah, I know on some European countries to have that

The interior of the R space lab adapts to different uses and induces an onboard experience is all very concepty

the passenger seat

Slides towards the second row making interaction with occupants easier at the rear three equally low-wild

White individual seats recline. So this looks like we're going to get three iso-fix potentially

panoramic screen-free

Windscreen going all the way back

Exceptional brightness amplified sensations all the lingo all the lingo

Multifunction front glove box can hold your digital tablet. Do we have this in the years ago in the Citroen?

If we remember the EC4 or you can have it as storing your bag or convert it into a footrest so you can

Recline back. So the Renault R spass or R space. I like to call it the R spass because it is a S spass

The R space lab link in the description. Have a look around and see if it's something of interest

We also have the news from Honda before we give you the news from Honda. Let's take a break

This is Sam and Pete from saying relevance and we are currently sponsored by Tui Sam

What is the one thing we always disagree about where to have lunch or what time we start recording actually the podcast the title of episodes even

I mean to be fair all of those but not what I was thinking. I was going for holidays

Oh, yeah, right holiday. So you and I have a slightly different vibe

But that's where Tui comes in our Tui has more options and more choice with hundreds of destinations worldwide

So we can find somewhere for you to chill and for me to get my adventure on which is perfect

Tui you pick it

They saw it booking T's and C's apply at all and out to protect it self praise is no praise

Except for people talking about their jobs online like what my barista taught me about B2B sales or how losing a pub quiz made me a better team player

Really?

Here indeed. We're more sure than tell our profiles help you showcase your skills and experience

So employers can focus on what you do not what you talk about because actions speak louder than buzzwords

Download the indeed app and start making the world work better for you today

Welcome back and we have the announcement that Honda loses

Honda on the 12th March announced that it has made the decision to cancel development and market launch of three electric vehicles

Models that have been planned for production in North America

This decision was made as part of the reassessment of the company's automobile electrification strategy due to various factors including recent changes in the business environment

Consequently Honda now expects to record losses in its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March

2026 resulting in the revision of previously announced forecast for the consolidated financial results of the fiscal year more details and background of the decision and revisions made

Are explained below

So setting a goal to realize carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by

2050 and due to a major policy change in the US seeking to accelerate the transition to EVs Honda undertook a major strategic shift towards the

popularization of EV based on the belief that EVs will be the optimal solution to really

Realize carbon neutrality, especially for small size mobility products including passengers from a long-term perspective

Honda has been making steady progress at the pursuit of EV adoption by leveraging its stable earnings based provided by existing glass of lean on

Hybrid vehicles businesses based on technologies and know-how amassed through the development of hybrid mallets over many years and

Motorcycle and financial services businesses with a solid customer base

However, the profitability of Honda automobile business is currently declining due to a couple of reasons the unfavorable impact of the changes in the US tariff policies

And a decline in competitiveness of Honda products in Asia due to the impact of the allocation of more resource to EV development

In addition, the automobile business environment surrounding Honda is undergoing significant changes and the outlook remains uncertain

Previously, it's stringent environmental regulations firmly implemented in the US and other countries Honda pursuit EV adoption with strong

determination that's striving for carbon neutrality

Is the responsibility Honda as a manufacturer of mobility products must fulfill in the future

However, in the US the expansion of the UAEV market has slowed down due to several factors including easing of fossil fuel regulations and the revision of EV incentives

Moreover in China with customers value more automobiles in shifting from hardware features such as fuel efficiency and

Cabin space to software based features. It will continuously advance according to customer preference

This has intensified the competition due to rapid emergence of the newer EV manufacturers

So I won't read the full thing, but you're getting the vibe

It is unfortunate

But Honda have stopped and are no longer pursuing and they were gorgeous

I have them up on the YouTube channel there from when we were over at CIS really really nice to see it

Last story before we cover the Nevo driving experience and partnership of Bank of Ireland is the four pro and charge point team

Up to boost commercial vehicle electrification through an innovative charging solution

Four pro has announced a strategic evolution of its charging offering designed to further ease the transition of electric vehicles for

Hardworking businesses ready to experience the up their uptown

Their uptime and running cost benefits the new collaboration with charge point will give forward pro commercial vehicle customers in Ireland access to an innovative

Home and depot or office charging with illustrated accelerated charger installation times advanced fleet functionality

To better manage charging activities and cost optimizing the productivity of their electrified fleets

More flexible and specially designed to help operators to get more from their full electrified transit lineup and the new Ranger

PHEV hybrid pickup and now new offering aims to support businesses of all sizes and they're on their electrification journey

We have John Manning as more Irish businesses look to electrify their fleets access to reliable and scalable charging infrastructure is crucial

Through this collaboration with charge point for pro customers in Ireland will have the access to charging solutions designed to support their transition to electric vehicles

While maintaining the productivity and uptime of their business rely on

So expert charging partners under a new model for pro will tap the deep expertise of leading external

Charging infrastructure providers fleet customers who need charging installation and related services at drivers homes or at their business depots and offices

Will be seamlessly referred to a network of expert third-party partners such as charge point in Ireland charge points customized

Scalable solution delivers fleet operators with operational visibility and improved efficiency said Rick Wilmer CEO of charge point

Electric fleets thrive when charging becomes intuitive reliable and seamlessly integrated into your daily operations

Together with for pro or for sporting every charging scenario to help fleet managers lower cost and streamline operations

The strategic shift aims to deliver accelerated charging and for installation getting businesses up and running faster a wider range of advanced fleet

functionalities including automated home charging reimbursement DC charging capabilities and sophisticated power management for both static and

Dynamic load management class leading fleet software solutions that empower fleet managers to control

Control charger access apply tariffs view all home and depot chargers and gain crucial insights into energy usage and costs and

Finally all commercial customers get access to the cutting edge hardware and software helping ensure future-proof charging solutions built for

Optimal uptime for pros role will evolve into a pivotal facilitator with charging services ensuring a smooth

Efficient customer journey with a streamlined referral process and clear communication

For pros carefully selecting partners known for strong customer service and user-friendly digital platforms for the direct provision of charging hardware

and software

Crucially charging records from for pro vehicles will be available with via Ford pro telematics

So fleet managers retain a single platform to manage their vehicles data

This specialized service will reduce administration for customers eating them free to concentrate on growing their business

Last but not least folks. We are just putting that reminder out again

The of the Nevo driving experience in partnership with Bank of Ireland will be taking place in the car race course on Sunday, April 26

In a couple of weeks

So if you're interested in coming along the tickets registration will be opening up in a couple of days

You can head over to Nevo dot e to book your ticket

And once you do you'll start getting emails in relation to booking your test drives as well

We had a phenomenal response as I talked about last week on the podcast in Cork

And so we can just see more and more people and with the

Circumstances at the moment as they are with the price of petrol and diesel more and more people are just looking to find out

And get educated on what's it like to go electric

So if you or some of you know it lives in the Kildare area near the current race course are gonna make the way over

That's Sunday the April 26th stay of the date and tickets will be available very soon

Thanks so much for listening to this week's podcast folks

Hopefully you're having a great Saint Patrick's Day. You're heading out to the parade wherever you are and we will talk to you next week

This is Sam and Pete from Saying Relevance and we are currently sponsored by Tooie Sam

What is the one thing we always disagree about where to have lunch or what time we start recording actually the podcast the title of episodes even

I mean to be fair all of those but not what I was thinking. I was going for holidays. Oh, yeah, right holiday

So you and I have a slightly different vibe

But that's where Tooie comes in our Tooie has more options and more choice with hundreds of destinations worldwide

So we can find somewhere for you to chill and for me to get my adventure on which is perfect

Tooie you pick it. They saw it booking T's and C's apply at all and out to protect it

Self praise is no praise except for people talking about their jobs online

Like what my breeze to talk me about B2B sales or how losing a pub quiz made me a better team player

Really here indeed. We're more sure than tell our profiles help you showcase your skills and experience

So employers can focus on what you do not what you talk about because actions speak louder than buzzwords

Download the Indeed app and start making the world work better for you today

Around about

Now this is usually the bit in the radio ad where you drift off you half listen your brain wanders home

Not to the house itself

But to what it could be that thing you'd be meaning to sort the room you always shut the door on the brown lampshade that came with

The house seven years ago and when you decide right today, we do

B&Q has everything you need to get started tools paints and yes, even the lampshade you can do it when you be and cue it

Driving the Volkswagen ID.Cross, VW overtake BYD in China, Mercedes-Benz VLE, VW ID.3 Neo, Renault Bridger and R-Space Concept, Honda Cancels Zero Series, Ford and ChargePoint announce partnership, Nevo Driving Experience in Kildare

About this episode

Volkswagen ID.Cross

Mercedes-Benz VLE

Volkswagen ID.3 Neo

Renault Bridger Concept

Zero Series

Ford Pro

ChargePoint

electric motor power outputs

fast charging (10 to 80 percent in less than 25 minutes)

torsion beam suspension

Harman Kardon sound system

Volkswagen ID.3

massaging seats

panoramic glass roof

Travel Assist

speed sign recognition

LED headlights and tail lights

front-wheel drive

MEB platform

battery range

charging curve

DC fast charging

vehicle-to-load technology

all-wheel drive

kilowatt hour

electric vehicle (EV) market launch cancellation

carbon neutrality

hybrid vehicles

US tariff policies

EV incentives

software-based features

commercial vehicle electrification

dynamic load management

DC charging

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