Episode Details

It's EV News Briefly for Tuesday 14 April 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily

MERCEDES-BENZ GIVES EQS ITS BIGGEST UPDATE https://evne.ws/3QDQc1x

NISSAN CONFIRMS ELECTRIC JUKE FOR EUROPE IN 2027 https://evne.ws/4myW2gS

EUROPE EV SALES HIT MARCH RECORD https://evne.ws/4sqOs97

KIA CONFIRMS EV1 FOR 2027 https://evne.ws/3Q715c8

FRANCE PREPARES THIRD EV SOCIAL LEASING ROUND https://evne.ws/48ko6yH

FRANCE TIES ELECTRIFICATION TO ENERGY SECURITY https://evne.ws/4swljta

US SOLAR SURGE DEEPENS COAL DECLINE https://evne.ws/4dRChyN

VOLVO TRUCKS PUSHES ELECTRIC HEAVY HAULAGE FURTHER https://evne.ws/3Q9YRbZ

2026 EQS ADDS RANGE AND 800V CHARGING https://evne.ws/3Qb1uu2

MERCEDES-BENZ GIVES EQS ITS BIGGEST UPDATE

The updated Mercedes-Benz EQS is the most comprehensively overhauled version since the car's 2021 launch, with more than a quarter of its components newly developed or reworked, headlined by a new 800V architecture enabling 350 kW DC charging and a WLTP range of 926 km (575 miles) on the EQS 450+. Key new technologies include steer-by-wire — a first for a German production car — bidirectional charging, silicon oxide-graphite anodes pushing usable battery capacity to 122 kWh, a rear two-speed gearbox, and 385 kW regenerative braking, with a new entry-level EQS 400 starting at around £80,500 in the UK.

***

NISSAN CONFIRMS ELECTRIC JUKE FOR EUROPE IN 2027

Nissan has revealed the third-generation Juke as a fully electric model, built at its Sunderland factory and going on sale exclusively in Europe in 2027, based on the CMF-EV platform shared with the new Nissan Leaf. The EV Juke will run alongside a continuing petrol version due to uncertainty around EV adoption, and is expected to offer up to 622 km (386 miles) of WLTP range with the larger 75.1 kWh battery option, though official specs have not yet been confirmed.

***

EUROPE EV SALES HIT MARCH RECORD

European BEV and plug-in hybrid registrations hit a monthly all-time high of nearly 540,000 units in March 2026, up 37% year-on-year, driven partly by sharp fuel price rises following the disruption of shipping routes at the start of the Iran war in late February. Global EV registrations also rose 3% to over 1.7 million in March, though China bucked the trend with a 14% fall in BEV sales after the end of purchase tax exemptions and trade-in subsidies.

***

KIA CONFIRMS EV1 FOR 2027

Kia has confirmed a 2027 launch for its most affordable EV yet, expected to wear the EV1 badge, targeting the segment occupied by the BYD Dolphin and Renault 5 EV with European pricing expected around €25,000 (~£21,200). Built on the 400V E-GMP platform, it will offer two battery options — 42.2 kWh and 61 kWh — and is also set to replace Kia's last entry-level combustion car, the petrol Picanto.

***

FRANCE PREPARES THIRD EV SOCIAL LEASING ROUND

France will launch its third social EV leasing round in June, maintaining a quota of 50,000 contracts aimed at helping low-income households switch to EVs, with Prime Minister Lec