ev.news Briefly: Geely In Canada, ID.4 Recall, Rivian & more | 11 Oct 2026

It's ev.news Briefly for Sunday 11 October 2026, only todays headlines and nothing else, in just 4 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

GEELY PLANS CANADIAN LAUNCH AS US MARKET STAYS SHUT

Geely plans to enter Canada in 2027, establishing dealerships and service operations following an agreement between Ottawa and Beijing allowing limited Chinese EV imports, while US tariffs and restrictions continue to block Chinese manufacturers. With Geely's Chinese domestic sales down 23% and exports up 169% in the first nine months of 2026, international expansion is increasingly important, although Canadian launch models and sales dates remain unconfirmed.

VOLKSWAGEN TELLS 22,524 ID.4 OWNERS TO LIMIT CHARGING

Volkswagen is recalling 22,524 US ID.4 electric SUVs from model years 2023–2026 over a potential battery fire risk linked to charging above 80%, instructing affected owners to restrict charging while engineers investigate. Although Volkswagen estimates just 0.1% of recalled vehicles have the defect, it has not identified the root cause or developed a permanent remedy, leaving owners with reduced usable battery capacity and potentially shorter driving ranges.

RIVIAN BRINGS GHOSTBUSTERS INTO ITS EV SOFTWARE

Rivian has launched a Ghostbusters-themed Halloween software update for its R1S, R1T and R2 vehicles, featuring themed displays, sounds, lighting effects and an arcade game, accompanied by a promotional film starring Bill Murray and a specially modified Ecto-R1 SUV. Available until 2 November, the update demonstrates how software-defined vehicles allow manufacturers to introduce new experiences and seasonal features to existing cars without physical modifications.

ZEEKR 9X HYBRID CLAIMS 10–80% CHARGING IN 9.5 MINUTES

Zeekr has presented its €119,500 9X plug-in hybrid SUV in Germany, featuring a 55.1 kWh battery, claimed 179 km electric range and 900-volt architecture capable of 330 kW peak DC charging, potentially delivering 10–80% charging in just 9.5 minutes. The six-seat SUV uses a petrol engine exclusively as a generator, with European deliveries expected between December 2026 and early 2027, although its charging performance and technical specifications still await final European approval and real-world verification.

FORD SAYS CAMERA FAULTS CHANGED ITS NEXT EV PLATFORM

Ford CEO Jim Farley says recurring camera faults and disputes between suppliers convinced the company to bring more vehicle software development in-house, rather than relying on multiple companies to diagnose and resolve problems. Ford's forthcoming Universal Electric Vehicle platform introduces a 48-volt zonal electrical architecture and integrated software designed to simplify over-the-air updates, reduce repair complexity and give Ford greater control over vehicle reliability.

EU ASKED TO LET TRUCK FLEETS SHARE DEPOT CHARGERS

The International Road Transport Union and Transport & Environment are urging the EU to introduce a semi-public charging category that would allow electric truck operators to share privately owned depot chargers without becoming fully public charging providers. The proposal could reduce infrastructure costs for smaller hauliers, improve utilisation of existing grid connections and accelerate truck electrification, although regulatory changes and simpler planning and funding arrangements would be required.

CHERY LAUNCHES UK APPROVED USED SCHEME WITH BATTERY CHECKS

Chery has introduced a UK approved-used programme covering an initial 110 vehicles across 100 dealerships, offering comprehensive inspections, at least two years of warranty protection and battery-health certificates guaranteeing a minimum 90% state of health for qualifying hybrids. Having sold more than 39,000 vehicles in Britain, Chery hopes the scheme will strengthen buyer confidence, support residual values and establish a credible second-hand market alongside its growing new-car business.

DONUT LAB STILL HAS NO VERIFIED PRODUCTION BATTERY

Nearly nine months after claiming its solid-state battery was approaching production, Finnish company Donut Lab has still not provided an independently verified commercial battery demonstrating its extraordinary promises of 400 Wh/kg energy density, five-minute charging, 100,000 cycles and exceptional thermal safety. Independent tests have supported some individual prototype characteristics, including 409 Wh/kg energy density, but different cell versions were tested and no production battery has been independently examined to establish whether all the claimed properties can coexist in a commercially viable product.

MCLAREN PLANS MORE HYBRIDS AS SUPERCAR EVS RETREAT

McLaren is reportedly preparing a hybrid V6 coupé for 2027 and a hybrid V8 SUV for 2028, reinforcing the supercar industry's preference for electrified combustion engines rather than fully electric powertrains. With Ferrari reducing its 2030 pure-electric ambitions and Lamborghini already embracing hybrids, McLaren CEO Nick Collins says the company will build an electric supercar when customers demand one, signalling that full electrification remains a longer-term prospect for the segment.