Swedish electric performance brand Polestar has delivered a remarkable turnaround in Q2 2025, selling 18,049 vehicles—a striking 38% year-on-year increase that signals strong recovery from 2024's challenging period. After facing declining sales throughout 2024, the company's multi-model strategy and robust European market performance have driven sustained growth, with first-half 2025 sales reaching 30,319 units (51% growth). While US sales dropped 56% amid fierce competition and consumer hesitancy around premium EVs, Polestar's European resilience, supported by targeted offers and strategic positioning, has offset global headwinds.
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German chemical giant BASF has officially commenced operations at its groundbreaking black mass production facility in Schwarzheide, marking a pivotal moment for European battery recycling. With an impressive annual capacity of 15,000 tons—equivalent to processing 40,000 electric vehicle batteries—this state-of-the-art plant positions Europe at the forefront of circular economy initiatives while addressing critical raw material dependencies.
BYD has cancelled night shifts and reduced output by at least a third at some Chinese factories as dealer inventory soars to 3.21 months - the highest among all brands. This marks the first major slowdown for the world's largest EV maker.
The Czech Republic recorded the fastest growth in electric vehicle registrations across the EU in early 2025, with a 111.7% year-over-year increase. Despite this surge, BEVs still account for just 5.5% of new car sales, placing the country below the EU average and highlighting the duality of its EV transition.
The American automotive industry faces pivotal changes on three critical fronts. Senate Republicans are proposing to eliminate CAFE fuel economy penalties, which would benefit GM and Stellantis—companies that have paid hundreds of millions in fines since 2022 for failing to meet efficiency standards. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers led by BYD are aggressively expanding into Europe, expecting to double sales despite EU tariffs targeting their vehicles. Tesla has simultaneously launched commercial robotaxi operations in Austin, Texas, with a $4.20 flat fee, though early safety incidents have already drawn federal regulatory scrutiny.
China's electric vehicle market is growing at a pace that could soon eclipse the entire U.S. auto industry. With more than 11 million EVs sold in 2023 and a rising share of exports flooding European roads, China’s influence is reshaping the global automotive landscape. As the EU considers trade barriers and local manufacturers face rising pressure, the continent stands at a strategic crossroads in the era of electric mobility.
Chinese autonomous vehicle pioneer WeRide has secured a groundbreaking partnership with Dubai's Road and Transport Authority and Uber to launch robotaxi pilot operations in the emirate later this year. Following successful commercial deployment in Abu Dhabi, the collaboration marks a pivotal step toward Dubai's ambitious goal of transforming 25% of all city journeys into autonomous trips by 2030. The phased rollout will begin with safety driver operations in late 2025, transitioning to fully driverless commercial services in 2026, as part of a broader $100 million expansion that will see WeRide's autonomous vehicles deployed across 15 additional cities globally.
Goodwood Reveal: Hyundai unleashes the IONIQ 6 N performance sedan with 641 horsepower, track-tuned aerodynamics, and torque vectoring technology – redefining electric driving dynamics for European enthusiasts at the Festival of Speed.
Chinese automaker Geely has officially unveiled its Leishen AI Hybrid 2.0 powertrain, achieving a groundbreaking 47.26% thermal efficiency that surpasses BYD's industry-leading DM-i system. The new platform integrates artificial intelligence algorithms to extend battery life by 15% while offering three distinct variants: the efficiency-focused EM-i with 2,100km range, the performance-oriented EM-P for all-wheel drive applications, and a hydrogen variant promising record-breaking 48.15% efficiency. Set to debut in the Galaxy A7 sedan and Galaxy M9 SUV during the second half of 2025, this advancement positions Geely at the forefront of the intensifying Chinese hybrid technology race, where software optimization is becoming as crucial as hardware development in the pursuit of sustainable mobility solutions.
Japanese battery manufacturer Envision AESC has suspended construction of its $1.6 billion facility in South Carolina designed to supply battery cells for BMW's next-generation electric vehicles. The company cited "policy and market uncertainty" linked to the Trump administration's plans to eliminate federal EV tax credits and dismantle Biden-era clean energy programs. The project was set to create over 1,600 jobs and produce 30 gigawatt-hours of advanced battery cells annually for BMW's upcoming Neue Klasse platform. This marks the latest in a series of billion-dollar clean energy project cancellations across America, with Atlas Public Policy reporting more cancellations in Q1 2025 than in the previous two years combined.
