EV battery leader CATL is gearing up for sodium-ion batteries in 2026
CATL is already dominating the global electric vehicle battery market, but now the company is saying sodium-ion batteries will be widely available by the end of 2026.
New California law will target the parents of child e-bike riders
Another year and another set of e-bike restrictions. California riders are about to see some notable changes, as several new e-bike and electric motorcycle laws are set to take effect next week. Beginning January 1, 2026, a package of safety-focused regulations will officially go live, aimed at addressing the rapid growth of electric micromobility across the state.
China is running out of critical battery material: here are the countdowns
We talk a lot here at Electrek about the exponential growth of electric vehicles and the massive strain that puts on the battery supply chain. Literally, the majority of that demand and production comes from China.
But there is a massive difference between processing materials and actually having them in the ground.
A new image from a gigantic materials mining and recycling company in China, gives us a sobering look at the reality of their domestic reserves. The data suggests that China’s own supply of the most critical battery metals isn’t just running low; in some cases, it’s already gone.
Volkswagen’s new entry-level EV may not be so cheap after all
The ID. Polo is arriving in 2026 as the first of a new family of entry-level Volkswagen EVs. It was initially expected to start at 25,000 euros ($30,000), but that may no longer be the case. At least, not right away.
Tesla’s 4680 battery supply chain collapses as partner writes down deal by 99%
A major link in Tesla’s 4680 battery supply chain has just snapped. South Korean battery material supplier L&F Co. announced today that the value of its massive supply deal with Tesla has been slashed by over 99%, signaling a catastrophic drop in demand for the automaker’s in-house battery cells.
This is arguably the strongest evidence yet that Tesla’s 4680 program, and the vehicle that relies on it, the Cybertruck, is in serious trouble.
Lucid (LCID) EVs show up in record numbers as year-end push heats up [Video]
A record 27 car carriers were spotted at Lucid Motor’s (LCID) manufacturing plant, loaded with Gravity and Air models ready for delivery as the year-end push heats up.
Last call: check out these EVs before they’re gone for good in 2026
A lot of mainstream auto media coverage right now is pushing the idea that some EVs are “dying.” What we’re really seeing is a wave of end-of-cycle, first-generation vehicles making way for their next-gen replacements — and, historically, that’s when buyers get the best deals.
If that’s what you’re after, these are the EVs you should be looking at right now.
E-quipment highlight: Zamboni 552AC electric ice surfacer
In the world of professional hockey, the only thing that might be more iconic than the legendary Stanley Cup might be the Zamboni – the mighty ice-smoothing machines that keep the rink fast, flawless, and game-ready. And, thanks to battery power, today’s Zambonis can do the job more quietly, cleanly, and efficiently than ever.
And then there was one: Nikola workforce down to a single employee
Nikola’s story of fraud, deception, and political intrigue is almost over – the bankrupt company that promised a revolution in hydrogen- and battery-powered heavy trucking has seen its workforce shrink from 874 to a single remaining employee.
Samsung SDI shifts US focus from EVs to BESS solutions
In what appears to be significant strategic pivot, Samsung SDI will begin supplying prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems under a fresh US contract worth more than 2 trillion won (~$1.35 billion). The move will see the company shift US EV battery production lines to ESS output ahead of 2027.