ev.news Briefly: EV3 For USA, Used Sales, EVgo & more | 12 Aug 2026
Aug 12, 10:24 PM
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➤ KIA PRICES 2027 EV3 IN US FROM $29,890
➤ BRITAIN'S USED EV SALES RISE 67% TO 110,761 IN SECOND QUARTER
➤ USED EV VALUES RISE 1.6% IN JULY, FOURTH STRAIGHT MONTHLY GAIN
➤ AUSTRALIAN EV SALES DOUBLE AS PETROL HITS $2.53 A LITRE
➤ EVGO OPENS 350KW FLAGSHIP CHARGING SITE IN DETROIT WITH MEIJER AND GM
➤ GERMAN INSURER REPORTS 12% OF PRIVATE CAR SWITCHES GO ELECTRIC
➤ SAMSUNG SDI BUYS GM'S 49.99% STAKE IN INDIANA BATTERY VENTURE
➤ TOKYO RAISES EV SUBSIDY TO 1.3 MILLION YEN PER VEHICLE
➤ FORMULA E SPLITS INTO TWO RACE FORMATS FROM 2026/27
➤ V ENGINEERING BUILDS 12.4KWH REPLACEMENT BATTERY FOR MCLAREN P1
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KIA PRICES 2027 EV3 IN US FROM $29,890
Kia will sell the EV3 in America starting at $29,890 for the Light front-wheel-drive model, with up to 321 miles of EPA-estimated range on the long-range version, five trim levels, and a standard NACS port for Tesla Supercharger access. The entry-level electric SUV offers front-wheel drive with 201 horsepower, all-wheel drive with 261 horsepower, or a GT variant at 288 horsepower, with AWD costing an extra $3,200 on most trims.
Kia will sell the EV3 in America starting at $29,890 for the Light front-wheel-drive model, with up to 321 miles of EPA-estimated range on the long-range version, five trim levels, and a standard NACS port for Tesla Supercharger access. The entry-level electric SUV offers front-wheel drive with 201 horsepower, all-wheel drive with 261 horsepower, or a GT variant at 288 horsepower, with AWD costing an extra $3,200 on most trims.
BRITAIN'S USED EV SALES RISE 67% TO 110,761 IN SECOND QUARTER
Britain's used EV market surged 67% to 110,761 sales in the second quarter of 2026, capturing a record 5.5% share of the used car market and claiming one in every 18 second-hand purchases. Electric cars nearly doubled their market penetration from 3.3% a year earlier as traditional petrol and diesel vehicles continued to dominate with 86.7% of transactions.
Britain's used EV market surged 67% to 110,761 sales in the second quarter of 2026, capturing a record 5.5% share of the used car market and claiming one in every 18 second-hand purchases. Electric cars nearly doubled their market penetration from 3.3% a year earlier as traditional petrol and diesel vehicles continued to dominate with 86.7% of transactions.
USED EV VALUES RISE 1.6% IN JULY, FOURTH STRAIGHT MONTHLY GAIN
Three-year-old battery electric vehicles in the UK gained 1.6% in value during July, marking their fourth consecutive month of growth since March and a cumulative 7% increase of roughly £1,500 per car. Fleet EVs like the Peugeot 208 Electric, Mercedes EQB, VW ID.4, and Tesla Model Y now sell within 14 days, positioning them as the fastest-selling used cars in the market.
Three-year-old battery electric vehicles in the UK gained 1.6% in value during July, marking their fourth consecutive month of growth since March and a cumulative 7% increase of roughly £1,500 per car. Fleet EVs like the Peugeot 208 Electric, Mercedes EQB, VW ID.4, and Tesla Model Y now sell within 14 days, positioning them as the fastest-selling used cars in the market.
AUSTRALIAN EV SALES DOUBLE AS PETROL HITS $2.53 A LITRE
Electric vehicle sales in Australia more than doubled in the second quarter of 2026 as unleaded petrol reached a record $2.53 per litre, making up one in five new cars sold. Market share for fully electric vehicles climbed from 12.25% to over 21% in the first half of 2026, driven primarily by fuel prices rather than policy.
Electric vehicle sales in Australia more than doubled in the second quarter of 2026 as unleaded petrol reached a record $2.53 per litre, making up one in five new cars sold. Market share for fully electric vehicles climbed from 12.25% to over 21% in the first half of 2026, driven primarily by fuel prices rather than policy.
EVGO OPENS 350KW FLAGSHIP CHARGING SITE IN DETROIT WITH MEIJER AND GM
EVgo opened a 350kW flagship charging station in Detroit with 12 CCS and NACS stalls beneath a canopy, capable of delivering a full charge in as little as 15 minutes and accommodating vehicles towing trailers through pull-through access. The site represents EVgo's vision for charging infrastructure, with the company expecting more than 100 flagship locations online by the end of 2026 after building nearly 2,400 stalls nationwide with GM's backing.
EVgo opened a 350kW flagship charging station in Detroit with 12 CCS and NACS stalls beneath a canopy, capable of delivering a full charge in as little as 15 minutes and accommodating vehicles towing trailers through pull-through access. The site represents EVgo's vision for charging infrastructure, with the company expecting more than 100 flagship locations online by the end of 2026 after building nearly 2,400 stalls nationwide with GM's backing.
GERMAN INSURER REPORTS 12% OF PRIVATE CAR SWITCHES GO ELECTRIC
German insurer HUK Coburg reported that 12% of private vehicle changes switched to battery-electric cars in the second quarter of 2026, more than double the pre-war rate of 6.3%, with 24% of licence holders citing fuel prices since the Iran conflict as motivation. Germany registered 368,000 new BEVs in the first half of 2026 (48% more than 2025) for a 24.8% market share, while Tesla's share among switchers jumped from 5.6% to 12.2% and German brands lost ground except in the used market.
German insurer HUK Coburg reported that 12% of private vehicle changes switched to battery-electric cars in the second quarter of 2026, more than double the pre-war rate of 6.3%, with 24% of licence holders citing fuel prices since the Iran conflict as motivation. Germany registered 368,000 new BEVs in the first half of 2026 (48% more than 2025) for a 24.8% market share, while Tesla's share among switchers jumped from 5.6% to 12.2% and German brands lost ground except in the used market.
SAMSUNG SDI BUYS GM'S 49.99% STAKE IN INDIANA BATTERY VENTURE
Samsung SDI has acquired General Motors' 49.99% stake in SynergyCells, the Indiana battery venture formed in 2024, citing slower-than-expected EV demand and pivoting the plant to produce cells and modules for energy storage systems rather than GM vehicles. The $3.5 billion venture will still open in 2026, though Samsung SDI and GM have signed a separate agreement to develop next-generation prismatic cells together for possible future EVs.
Samsung SDI has acquired General Motors' 49.99% stake in SynergyCells, the Indiana battery venture formed in 2024, citing slower-than-expected EV demand and pivoting the plant to produce cells and modules for energy storage systems rather than GM vehicles. The $3.5 billion venture will still open in 2026, though Samsung SDI and GM have signed a separate agreement to develop next-generation prismatic cells together for possible future EVs.
TOKYO RAISES EV SUBSIDY TO 1.3 MILLION YEN PER VEHICLE
Tokyo's metropolitan government raised its electric vehicle subsidy to 1.3 million yen per vehicle with no purchase limit, stackable with national incentives and bonuses for vehicle-to-load capability, charging equipment installation, renewable energy, and solar power usage. The scheme grades manufacturers by subsidy level—Toyota, Nissan, and Honda receive 400,000 yen while BYD receives only 100,000 yen in Tokyo—allowing buyers to potentially pay as little as 2.2 million yen for a 4.8 million yen Toyota bZ4X after stacking both subsidy tiers.
Tokyo's metropolitan government raised its electric vehicle subsidy to 1.3 million yen per vehicle with no purchase limit, stackable with national incentives and bonuses for vehicle-to-load capability, charging equipment installation, renewable energy, and solar power usage. The scheme grades manufacturers by subsidy level—Toyota, Nissan, and Honda receive 400,000 yen while BYD receives only 100,000 yen in Tokyo—allowing buyers to potentially pay as little as 2.2 million yen for a 4.8 million yen Toyota bZ4X after stacking both subsidy tiers.
FORMULA E SPLITS INTO TWO RACE FORMATS FROM 2026/27
From the 2026/27 season, Formula E will run two distinct race formats: the E-Prix Unleashed as a 30-minute sprint with high downforce and no mandatory pit stop, and the conventional E-Prix as a 45-minute race with low-downforce aerodynamics and compulsory pit stops. The split reflects the capabilities of the new GEN4 car, which features permanent all-wheel drive, up to 600kW output, and 0-62 mph acceleration in roughly 1.8 seconds.
From the 2026/27 season, Formula E will run two distinct race formats: the E-Prix Unleashed as a 30-minute sprint with high downforce and no mandatory pit stop, and the conventional E-Prix as a 45-minute race with low-downforce aerodynamics and compulsory pit stops. The split reflects the capabilities of the new GEN4 car, which features permanent all-wheel drive, up to 600kW output, and 0-62 mph acceleration in roughly 1.8 seconds.
V ENGINEERING BUILDS 12.4KWH REPLACEMENT BATTERY FOR MCLAREN P1
V Engineering, a McLaren specialist based in Berkshire, has developed Project Continuum, a replacement high-voltage hybrid battery for the P1 that stores 12.4kWh compared to the original 4.72kWh while weighing 23kg less and requiring no rewiring. Customer installations will begin in spring 2027 for cars across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, addressing the 2010-era battery's deterioration after approaching 16 years in service.
V Engineering, a McLaren specialist based in Berkshire, has developed Project Continuum, a replacement high-voltage hybrid battery for the P1 that stores 12.4kWh compared to the original 4.72kWh while weighing 23kg less and requiring no rewiring. Customer installations will begin in spring 2027 for cars across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, addressing the 2010-era battery's deterioration after approaching 16 years in service.