[ARCHIVE] ev.news Briefly: Off-Peak Discounts, Heavy Haulin’ & more | 27 Sep 26

Oct 01, 10:34 PM
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➤ UK OFF-PEAK EV CHARGING COSTS 2.3P PER MILE IN NEW ANALYSIS
➤ VOLKSWAGEN OFFERS $12,500 TO CLEAR REMAINING US ID.4 STOCK
➤ VOLVO ELECTRIC TRUCK RANGE WINS INTERNATIONAL TRUCK OF THE YEAR 2027
➤ MERCEDES-AMG NEEDS REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START CHARGING AT TEST EVENT
➤ EXPLOREN PLANS MORE THAN 600 FAST CHARGERS ACROSS AUSTRALIA
➤ NEW ZEALAND REPORT FINDS CCS2 VEHICLE-TO-GRID SUPPORT LIMITED TO TRIALS

UK OFF-PEAK EV CHARGING COSTS 2.3P PER MILE IN NEW ANALYSIS
Carbon Brief estimates UK EVs charged overnight at home cost about 2.3p per mile, versus 20.1p for petrol and 21p for diesel, while charging at the domestic price cap costs around 7p per mile. The advantage depends heavily on access to home charging and off-peak tariffs, and although electricity prices and a planned 3p-per-mile EV tax from April 2028 will narrow the gap, EVs are still expected to retain a substantial energy-cost advantage.

VOLKSWAGEN OFFERS $12,500 TO CLEAR REMAINING US ID.4 STOCK
Volkswagen is offering US buyers and lessees $12,500 on remaining 2025 ID.4s until 2 November, after first-half 2026 sales fell 77.2% to 2,205 and production at its Chattanooga factory ended in April. The large incentive is intended to clear very limited stock while Volkswagen prepares a future North American replacement, expected to adopt the ID. Tiguan name but with no announced launch timetable.

VOLVO ELECTRIC TRUCK RANGE WINS INTERNATIONAL TRUCK OF THE YEAR 2027
Volvo’s FH Electric, FM Electric, FMX Electric and FH Aero Electric have won International Truck of the Year 2027, with judges highlighting improvements in range, efficiency, payload and suitability for different heavy-transport roles. Production of the next generation began in Gothenburg on 14 September, with the FH, FM and FMX Electric offering up to 470 kilometres of range and further production planned in Belgium.

MERCEDES-AMG NEEDS REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START CHARGING AT TEST EVENT
A Mercedes-AMG needed several attempts to establish communication with a charger during CharIN Testival 2026, illustrating the interoperability challenges created by technologies including Plug & Charge, bidirectional charging and megawatt charging. The controlled test does not show how common such failures are for consumers, but CharIN says compatibility, connector locking and vehicle-to-grid implementation still need improvement even as ISO 15118-20 standards mature.

EXPLOREN PLANS MORE THAN 600 FAST CHARGERS ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Exploren will invest A$30 million over two years to install more than 600 DC fast chargers across Australia, with many offering 200 kW or more alongside contactless payment and upgrades to existing sites. The expansion builds on the company’s acquisition of Engie’s Australian and New Zealand charging network in 2025, adding new hardware while also improving maintenance and ease of use across its existing network.

NEW ZEALAND REPORT FINDS CCS2 VEHICLE-TO-GRID SUPPORT LIMITED TO TRIALS
A New Zealand government-backed readiness report finds that CCS2 vehicle-to-grid support remains largely restricted to approved trials, with BYD and NordEast requiring individual vehicle approval and only StarCharge Halo and SigenStor EV DC chargers meeting the report’s stated requirements. Wider adoption could begin from mid-2027 if BYD introduces standard-warranty V2G support as planned, while current trials are already testing enhanced export payments of up to NZ$0.70 per kWh in grid-constrained areas.