ev.news Briefly: IONNA, Walmart, Zeekr & more | 18 Aug 2026
Aug 23, 12:16 AM
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➤ IONNA AND WALMART PRESSURE FAST-CHARGING PRICES
➤ ZEEKR TO LAUNCH 8X AND 9X IN AUSTRALIA
➤ LI SHUFU LEAVES GEELY AUTO CHAIR
➤ LEIPZIG PREPARES FOR NEUE KLASSE
➤ SPARKCHARGE EXPANDS UK ENERGY NETWORK
➤ FEDERAL PACKAGE TARGETS HEAVY EV BARRIERS
➤ ŠKODA ADDS V2L AND CAMP MODE
➤ BEACHMAN TARGETS OLD BIKES FOR ELECTRIC CONVERSION
➤ BRISBANE RIVER E-SCOOTERS STAY UNDERWATER
It's ev.news Briefly for Tuesday 18 August 2026, only todays headlines and nothing else, in just 4 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.
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IONNA AND WALMART PRESSURE FAST-CHARGING PRICES
Walmart is expanding its own network with Electrify America, ABB and 400-kW Alpitronic NACS/CCS chargers offering Walmart+ members 10% off, while automaker-backed Ionna targets 30,000 US and Canadian ports by 2030 with stores and restrooms. Paren data shows Ionna averages $0.37/kWh, the cheapest of 17 networks and about 40% below Tesla and Electrify America's $0.56, though home charging still dominates at more than 90% of sessions and $0.18/kWh.
Walmart is expanding its own network with Electrify America, ABB and 400-kW Alpitronic NACS/CCS chargers offering Walmart+ members 10% off, while automaker-backed Ionna targets 30,000 US and Canadian ports by 2030 with stores and restrooms. Paren data shows Ionna averages $0.37/kWh, the cheapest of 17 networks and about 40% below Tesla and Electrify America's $0.56, though home charging still dominates at more than 90% of sessions and $0.18/kWh.
ZEEKR TO LAUNCH 8X AND 9X IN AUSTRALIA
Zeekr will add the 9X and 8X luxury plug-in hybrid SUVs to its all-electric Australian range from late 2026 into 2027, after passing 10,000 local sales in under two years. The three-row 8X targets the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport below A$100,000 with 900-volt charging, while the 9X moves upmarket at around A$150,000 with six-seat luxury and Naim audio; both are heavy, road-focused monocoque vehicles rather than off-roaders.
Zeekr will add the 9X and 8X luxury plug-in hybrid SUVs to its all-electric Australian range from late 2026 into 2027, after passing 10,000 local sales in under two years. The three-row 8X targets the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport below A$100,000 with 900-volt charging, while the 9X moves upmarket at around A$150,000 with six-seat luxury and Naim audio; both are heavy, road-focused monocoque vehicles rather than off-roaders.
LI SHUFU LEAVES GEELY AUTO CHAIR
Li Shufu has resigned as chairman of Geely Automobile after 40 years, with An Conghui succeeding him on 18 August 2026 and Li becoming honorary chairman for life while remaining controlling shareholder and chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding. Gan Jiayue becomes CEO as the group shifts from family-centred management toward professional systems, targeting two-thirds of sales outside China and 5% market share by 2030 across Europe, the Americas and Southeast Asia.
Li Shufu has resigned as chairman of Geely Automobile after 40 years, with An Conghui succeeding him on 18 August 2026 and Li becoming honorary chairman for life while remaining controlling shareholder and chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding. Gan Jiayue becomes CEO as the group shifts from family-centred management toward professional systems, targeting two-thirds of sales outside China and 5% market share by 2030 across Europe, the Americas and Southeast Asia.
LEIPZIG PREPARES FOR NEUE KLASSE
BMW halted Leipzig production for a five-and-a-half-week summer shutdown in which over 2,000 contractors replaced 240 hydraulic lifting tables, installed 160 body-shop robots and swapped roughly 1,500 tonnes of steel to handle Neue Klasse underbodies integrating the battery and powertrain. BMW spent a low three-digit million sum on top of nearly €2 billion over five years, though it has not named which models Leipzig will build, as new i3 production began in Munich this month.
BMW halted Leipzig production for a five-and-a-half-week summer shutdown in which over 2,000 contractors replaced 240 hydraulic lifting tables, installed 160 body-shop robots and swapped roughly 1,500 tonnes of steel to handle Neue Klasse underbodies integrating the battery and powertrain. BMW spent a low three-digit million sum on top of nearly €2 billion over five years, though it has not named which models Leipzig will build, as new i3 production began in Munich this month.
SPARKCHARGE EXPANDS UK ENERGY NETWORK
SparkCharge is bringing its US distributed energy model to the UK, serving autonomous fleets, construction and industrial sites that cannot wait for adequate grid connections. Founded by CEO Joshua Aviv and already operating across North America, the company will combine AI-optimised software, battery storage and on-site generation under new UK managing director James Taylor.
SparkCharge is bringing its US distributed energy model to the UK, serving autonomous fleets, construction and industrial sites that cannot wait for adequate grid connections. Founded by CEO Joshua Aviv and already operating across North America, the company will combine AI-optimised software, battery storage and on-site generation under new UK managing director James Taylor.
FEDERAL PACKAGE TARGETS HEAVY EV BARRIERS
Australia has committed $400 million to heavy-vehicle reforms targeting charging barriers, automated permits, curfews and weight limits, announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers after a Productivity Commission report found road-freight productivity had stalled for over a decade. The Commission estimated wider access for high-productivity and zero-emission trucks could add up to $4 billion to GDP annually, with electric trucks currently under 1% of Australian heavy-vehicle sales.
Australia has committed $400 million to heavy-vehicle reforms targeting charging barriers, automated permits, curfews and weight limits, announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers after a Productivity Commission report found road-freight productivity had stalled for over a decade. The Commission estimated wider access for high-productivity and zero-emission trucks could add up to $4 billion to GDP annually, with electric trucks currently under 1% of Australian heavy-vehicle sales.
ŠKODA ADDS V2L AND CAMP MODE
Škoda has added Vehicle-to-Load bidirectional charging, which powers external devices via a 230V boot socket, and an app-activated Camp Mode that maintains overnight cabin temperature with at least 30% charge. The new Peaq will also offer a Relax Package with AGR-certified massaging seats, electric leg rests and Sonos audio, plus a Wellbeing app, ventilated Phone Box and up to four 45W USB-C ports.
Škoda has added Vehicle-to-Load bidirectional charging, which powers external devices via a 230V boot socket, and an app-activated Camp Mode that maintains overnight cabin temperature with at least 30% charge. The new Peaq will also offer a Relax Package with AGR-certified massaging seats, electric leg rests and Sonos audio, plus a Wellbeing app, ventilated Phone Box and up to four 45W USB-C ports.
BEACHMAN TARGETS OLD BIKES FOR ELECTRIC CONVERSION
Beachman Bikes is seeking broken motorcycles for electric conversion, building on founders Ben Taylor and Steve Payne's first prototype, a modified 1979 Kawasaki KZ200 completed in 2020, and a production run of 30 bikes on a 1970s 125cc platform. Having sold the 45 mph '64 as a Class II e-bike, the company is moving to pedal-free low-speed motorcycles in Canada and plans to end US e-bike sales next year to become a moped and motorcycle manufacturer.
Beachman Bikes is seeking broken motorcycles for electric conversion, building on founders Ben Taylor and Steve Payne's first prototype, a modified 1979 Kawasaki KZ200 completed in 2020, and a production run of 30 bikes on a 1970s 125cc platform. Having sold the 45 mph '64 as a Class II e-bike, the company is moving to pedal-free low-speed motorcycles in Canada and plans to end US e-bike sales next year to become a moped and motorcycle manufacturer.
BRISBANE RIVER E-SCOOTERS STAY UNDERWATER
August low tides exposed dozens of dumped Lime, Neuron and Beam e-scooters in the Brisbane River, including 24 near the CBD, with Ocean Crusaders having collected around 150 in the past year and storing the waterlogged batteries privately. Water experts warned that lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese could accumulate in sediment and harm macroinvertebrates, while the council caps operators at 7,100 devices and reportedly earned just over AUD$5m last financial year.
August low tides exposed dozens of dumped Lime, Neuron and Beam e-scooters in the Brisbane River, including 24 near the CBD, with Ocean Crusaders having collected around 150 in the past year and storing the waterlogged batteries privately. Water experts warned that lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese could accumulate in sediment and harm macroinvertebrates, while the council caps operators at 7,100 devices and reportedly earned just over AUD$5m last financial year.