EV Lease Rates Drop, Audi’s New EV Era In China and Italy Adds Major EV Subsidies | 20 Aug 2025

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Welcome back to EV News Daily, coming up today, EV lease rates drop.

Audi's new EV era in China, and Italy adds major EV subsidies.

Plus, stay tuned.

Later in the show, I'll tell you how far eight archer aviations, midnight electric vertical

takeoff and landing vehicle, traveled in its latest flight.

Well, good morning, good afternoon, maybe good evening.

Wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily, your trusted source of

EV information.

Wednesday, 20th of August, I'm Martin Lee.

I go through every EV story so you don't have to.

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Be like them and click on a link in the show notes.

Now, EV lease rates are dropping below gas cars.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB, starting at US$53,000, is now one of the cheapest SUVs to lease.

Some dealers offer monthly lease payments of US$352, including the down payment as

of July.

Three EVs are getting deep discounts, making their average leases cheaper than gas cars.

The average monthly lease payment for an EV, including down payment, is US$624 for gas.

That is US$617.

Now, both numbers seem huge to me, but I don't lease vehicles and I drive old cars

that we own.

So, but if that's kind of how you do your finances and you have your vehicle finance

and it's all kind of built into your budget, still seems like a lot of money to me.

But that is the average, the average lease payment, including down payment.

Lease offers vary by location, with some dealerships offering monthly payments under $100.

These low rates are to clear out old inventory before the new models arrive.

Many EVs on lots were built before the new tariffs, so automakers can discount them

and still make money.

Now, leases make up 75% of EV sales in the US, but we think that will drop almost

certainly, with the closure of the lease loophole and the federal tax credit and all the changes

happening on September 30th.

Some dealers are managing to offer extremely low lease rates.

There's a Volkswagen dealer in Boulder, Emich, or Emich, Volkswagen in Boulder, Colorado,

advertising an ID for, at, brace yourself, $39 per month.

If you've taken the family to McDonald's, you've probably spent more than $39

on a meal.

There's a countdown on its website showing the time left until the federal tax credit expires.

Nathan Nisa, who leads EVs and Energy Storage at Boston Consulting, said these discounts

are a strategy to keep customers loyal once a driver goes electric that don't often

go back to gas.

Leases are particularly useful in keeping the customer in-house.

I think the phrase is sticky in sales speak, but I'm no expert or salesman.

So I don't know.

Apparently, if you're leasing a vehicle, it keeps you sticky to the brand.

All right, let's move on.

There's a new era for Audi in China.

Audi and their partner SAIC just began sales of their first model, the Audi E5.

Now it's an Audi Audi.

So the company's called Audi, but the vehicle doesn't have four rings on the front.

It has AUDI in capital letters.

The Audi Audi E5, sport back in China, is a midsize electric sedan.

Prices start at $32,850 US equivalent.

The E5 sport back is smaller than a Tesla Model S, slightly built on the advanced

digitized platform from Audi and SAIC.

It's an 800 volt vehicle, single motor, rear wheel drive as the entry level,

or they'll do a dual motor version.

The dual motor E5 sport back comes with almost 600 kilowatts.

That's almost 800 horsepower, 0 to 62, 3.4 seconds.

A couple of battery sizes, or three actually, either 76, 83 or 100 kilowatt hour

battery packs.

The CLTC range is up to 478 miles, but that is on the China cycle.

A 10 minute charge, they say will add 230 miles of range.

The E5 sport back features advanced drive resistance using the roof mounted

lidar and the end-to-end solution called big model.

End-to-end big model, EBM solution from the Chinese company Memento.

So loads of technology for not a huge amount of money for the Audi Audi.

That is the new era of Audi beginning with their first model, the Audi.

That'll be the Audi Audi.

I still think it's a curious thing, but it's China only.

So who cares if the car's called the Audi Audi?

Now, let's talk a little bit about Italy launching a new

incentive program worth nearly 600 million euros.

That's about 700 million US equivalent for my listeners across the pond.

To boost electric vehicle adoption, the program offers individuals up to 10,000

euros and small businesses, 20,000 euros covering up to 30% of a new EV or

commercial EV.

The funding comes from the European Union.

The post-COVID recovery plan money is being spent on this.

Individuals or companies in large urban areas can apply.

The program is all about cutting emissions in cities.

To qualify for the subsidies, you must scrap a combustion vehicle up to Euro 5.

That's about what, 2015 or earlier?

Currently, battery electric vehicles make up 6% of new car sales in Italy as of

June, at least last time I saw, so a bit of work to do there.

Volkswagen plans a major EV expansion.

Volkswagen will launch 10 new models, both electric and combustion in three years.

The main focus will be the ID line, the ID1, ID2 and ID2X.

So they are front wheel drive entry level electric vehicles on the smaller version

of MEB, which is what sits underneath that platform, sits underneath the ID3,

ID4, the Scodders, the Coopers, etc.

Called the MEB entry platform.

The ID1 is coming in 2027, starting around 17,000 pounds or 20,000 euros.

It'll be the first to use new software that's been developed by Rivian,

part of that partnership.

The ID2 should debut sooner and will include a GTI version,

56 kilowatt hour battery on that.

And the ID2X, a high riding version, will probably be about a year after the ID2

arrives, the concept debuting in September.

Reports suggest Volkswagen might use names like the up, the polo, or the cross.

They might still be called the ID up, the ID cross, the ID polo, the ID golf.

I don't know, should they just draw a line underneath the ID naming?

It was a fresh start, I suppose, and people would say that there was a point

in time where Volkswagen needed a bit of a fresh start, a line in the sand.

And so I guess it did its job.

Now, for the first time since 2014, Chinese EV supply chain investments

outside China have surpassed those inside the country.

Well, it's taken 11 years to spend more money outside China than inside China.

But a July report from the US-based Rodium Group says that in 2024,

Chinese EV manufacturing investment at home dropped to $15 billion, equivalent.

And most new investments abroad went to battery production plants.

The report says investment in overseas vehicle assembly is growing.

Rodium says stricter regulations in the European Union are making entry harder

and will lead Chinese companies to build factories locally.

EV parts makers from China are active abroad as well, with eight deals over $100 million each.

The largest was from Gem, or GEM, if I'm meant to say that,

a Chinese battery materials company expanding in Indonesia.

OK, upcoming EVs are going to be debuting at the Munich Motor Show,

the IAAA show on September 9th to September 14th.

It all happens front-loaded at the beginning on the media days and stuff like that.

Here's what you can expect to see.

Audi will show the e-tron sports concept.

In other words, the new Audi TT, or TT2, or TT version 2, if you like.

There are rumors it may use a platform called the Mission R platform.

BMW will show off the Neue Klasse iX3.

It's the first one on Neue Klasse.

I'm so excited.

I think I sneakily suspect BMW have nailed it with this Neue Klasse platform.

IX3 is going to be very important.

Can't wait to see it.

Coupre will show the Reval, their version of the ID.

Two will debut.

It's going to be camouflaged, of course.

But Coupre will also reveal a show car concept that won't be produced.

But, you know, concepts are curious.

Hyundai will introduce the Ionic 2 on the 400-volt version of the EGMP platform.

Leap motor will show their B05, or B05.

We shouldn't call a car the B.O.

Sure, this is kind of derogatory.

But the B05, starting less than $30,000, will be well-equipped for its price, they say.

Of course, like the Leap Motor T3 and the C10 are pretty well-equipped for a little money.

Mercedes-Benz will launch the GLC, 800-volt family SUV.

That's probably going to be one of the standouts of the show.

I'm going to be talking loads about the new electric GLC.

Mercedes-AMG will reveal the GTXX, the purpose-built AMG electric vehicle.

With its axial flux motors.

Polestar will show the Polestar 5, a grand tourer, all-wheel drive, and big, big power.

Porsche will show off the Cayenne Electric on PPE platform.

And also that's what's on the McCann vehicles as well.

So McCann's selling very well.

McCann will sell more than Cayenne, you would think.

But Cayenne will be coming in electric form as well. Who else?

Oh, Skoda. I must mention Skoda.

They're going to present the Vision-O, a concept station wagon, a state car inspired

by the Octavia on the new SSP platform.

I had an Octavia estate VRS one back in the day.

It was a brilliant, useful vehicle.

Vauxhall or Opol will debut the Manta GSE concept car.

And Volkswagen will launch, as I mentioned, the ID2 in production form,

which let's see if it's going to be called the Polo, or the ID Polo, or something.

And of course, the ID2X we should see as well in a minute, couple of weeks to wait on that.

MG is on the news very soon.

Nissan, Leif and BYD Seal, you all coming up.

Stick around back in a moment.

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All right, welcome back to the podcast. Now let's talk about MG, MG

Motor in New Zealand specifically. They will launch the MGS5.

Later this month, the MGS5 uses the same platform as the MG4.

Got five star safety rating. It's selling pretty well over here.

Two battery options, 49 or 62 kilowatt hours. LFP packs.

Doesn't charge particularly quickly. 30 to 80 is the number they gave.

Oh, if it's not a 10 to 80 percent, you know, they're fudging it at 19

minutes, they say 30 to 80. In New Zealand, it'll start at $45,000 plus

on road costs for the Excite 49 and 55,000 for the Essence 62.

Actually, the MGS5 has a really slim battery pack compared to many.

And you do notice that in the vehicle.

Inside's pretty nice as well. It done a good job with that.

Now Nissan Leaf is leading the reliability study.

A new study by Warranty Solutions found that Nissan's Leaf is the most

reliable electric car in the United Kingdom based on warranty claim data.

Nissan's Leaf has the lowest claim rate of 3 percent, showing strong reliability.

Since its launch in 2010, they've sold over 700,000 Leafs worldwide.

In June, Nissan released the third generation Leaf.

A whole new look, not really a Leaf, it's more of a miniarrier.

Long driving range, better technology and proper battery management.

Hallelujah. But good to know that the little leaf, which we've looked at recently,

by the way, because you know, I've got to get rid of a 15 year old golf

that sits on the driveway that we never we never drive.

But it just went through its MOT and it passed.

Hallelujah. How did it do that?

But it did a couple of advisories on some bits that are getting a bit loose,

but otherwise brilliant. Right.

So I got a 12 month ticket on my golf.

I need to sell it now, right? With a 12 month MOT.

Good time to sell it.

There are still loads of people out there that like diesel cars.

And, you know, so what we're going to replace it with what I call the beach car,

the car that I don't get stressed out when half the beach comes home with me.

And so we were looking at a leaf because you can get a half decent leaf.

I mean, so my golf's worth maybe three thousand, three thousand, two hundred.

I'll list it at three and a half, probably and see what happens.

And maybe I'll get a leaf.

I've never owned a leaf. I love the leaf.

I've never actually owned one.

I had some Zoe's and stuff back in the day.

So maybe I'll finally finally pop me a leaf cherry.

Now, BYD are next in the news.

The BYD Seal U DMI has sold over 10,000 units in the UK in 10 months.

It's BYD's top seller and the leading plug in hybrid nationwide.

All Seal U DMI models use the plug in hybrid system,

mainly running on electric power.

The 1.5 litre petrol hybrid engine kicks in when needed.

Two battery options in that, either 18 or 26.6 kilowatt hours.

The front wheel drive boost and all wheel drive design versions

use the smaller battery, electric range about 50 miles on that.

The all wheel drive comfort model uses the bigger battery

and will do 77 miles on battery power alone.

Prices start under £40,000 for the Seal U DMI.

So it keeps it below the expensive vehicle supplement,

but not enough to get the new UK grant, but it's Chinese.

So it wouldn't anyway.

Oh, it's all to do with emissions, if you're new to the podcast.

I'm not just being anti Chinese.

It's because to get the UK government grant money, the full money,

you need to you would need to have low emissions

in how the vehicle is made.

And just the grid in China is always going to rule you out of that.

And it's been shipped halfway round the world.

Now let's move on.

Electrify Expo is North America's EV tech festival.

They're going to hold their first industry day.

It's going to be October 17th.

If you want to go, it's going to be on Long Island in New York

at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Industry Day is a single day event for anyone in the automotive,

energy, mobility, tech and governments, industries,

plus any media influencers, reviewers, content creators,

even just automotive enthusiasts and professionals can go along.

There'll be interviews with company leaders trying out new technologies

and new product launches.

They say that's interesting.

Nothing specific, talking policy and new product

vehicles available for review or test drives will be there as well.

That's brilliant. October 17th date for your diary.

Now, Can-Am has launched the 2026 Outlander Electric ATV.

So this is a utility vehicle, an ATV vehicle, really.

It uses the Rotax E-Power Power Pack,

also in Can-Am's Pulse and Origin motorcycles

and their SKIDUS as well.

8.9 kilowatt hour battery pack in this.

It'll tow, by the way, almost 2,000 pounds, 830 kilograms,

which is more than any other ATV out there.

The range, 50 miles, it will charge in less than an hour on a level two.

Got a little color display inside it, custom suspension,

low noise cooling system.

If you need one of these for, I don't know, on your land,

on your estate, off-road use, things like that.

ATVs, I mean, they just look cool, don't they?

However, it is 13,000 US dollars,

which is a lot of money for not a lot of vehicle,

but a very capable vehicle.

Now, moving on.

A recent DS automobile survey found that 75 percent of EV drivers

feel more relaxed than when they used to drive petrol or diesel cars.

Drivers say it's because EVs are quieter, have less vibration

and don't require gear changes.

These features help drivers feel better

and improve the driving experience, according to this survey.

Among people who feel stressed while driving combustion cars,

35 percent say they drive more poorly because of stress.

And so the driving can be stressful.

Things like tailgating being followed too closely, poor lane discipline,

problems from roadworks or traffic jams, an unfamiliar area can be stressful.

But they say that when talking to EV owners and drivers,

we have lower stress levels.

I like nothing more, by the way.

This time of year, nice warm weather.

The windows are down in the car nearly all the time.

It's just quiet.

And I do I do find myself driving more slowly when I'm driving an EV.

I just like what's the hurry?

It's quiet.

I can go quickly if I want to.

Pretty much, you know, an EV is going to be quicker off the line

than anything else.

And everyone just seems so, I don't know, stressed and in a hurry to get

somewhere sometimes.

I'm not holding up traffic for the sake of it.

Obviously you understand.

But what's the hurry sometimes?

Now, finally, Archer Aviation is one of the companies

working on EVTOL, electric vertical takeoff and landing.

Now, I've interviewed execs from Archer before on this podcast years ago.

They were, you know, convincing at the time.

And there's many EVTOL companies around the world.

Some have, unfortunately, no longer with us.

Some say EVTOL isn't needed, but I've been watching Archer.

And it's one of the ones that I mention occasionally on this podcast

because they seem they've got good investment, by the way, from big names.

And they seem to be cracking on, doing it slowly, pragmatically,

getting all of the things like the safety approvals, FAA certification.

They talked a lot about that.

Not about, hey, this EVTOL stuff will change the world.

And some of the rhetoric that comes out of these companies

or the Chinese companies, and they were just methodical.

And this is how we do it.

An aviation is very safe and it's a different proposition to automotive.

And but it's electric transport.

So I'm interested in it.

It just did its longest piloted flight.

They're aircraft called the Midnight and it did 55 miles in 31 minutes.

Top speed reached 126 miles an hour or 203 kph.

It was in California and they can even do 150 miles an hour, by the way, in this.

So EVTOL will obviously start at the top end of the market.

It'll obviously stop.

And, you know, they talked a lot about, oh, it opens up transport for everybody.

I understand that.

That's the PR line.

Of course, this will be very expensive at the beginning.

But if you're a CEO or a business, the kind of person that probably has

a private jet on the expense account and you can get from, you know,

the middle of a big Californian city to outside the middle of New York

to where you're getting with EVTOL, so electric vertical takeoff and landing.

Well, then you will pay for that because, you know,

time is the one thing you can't create more of if you've got plenty of money.

So of course, it will start at the top of the market.

The pilot for the test said throughout the 30 minute flight,

it was a consistent performance and predictable handling,

testing continues on speed and endurance, assessing flight profiles

for commercial use.

And that's probably where it's heading.

Maybe it'll start there.

There's a deal done with the UAE.

Maybe it'll start somewhere where regulations are different.

I don't know, but it certainly seems like an interesting use

of electric technology, doesn't it?

And that's your podcast for today.

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EV Lease Rates Drop, Audi’s New EV Era In China and Italy Adds Major EV Subsidies | 20 Aug 2025

Mercedes-Benz Mercedesbenz Eqb

E5 Audi E5

Tesla Model

Tesla Model S

ID. Id2

Volkswagen Id3

Volkswagen Id4

Volkswagen Golf

Audi Etron

Audi Tt

BMW Neue Klasse

iX3 (G08)

Chevrolet C10

Porsche Cayenne

Skoda Octavia

Opel Manta

Byd Seal

Nissan Leaf

Mitsubishi Outlander

About this episode

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