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Residual Value Outlook 2026: What’s Next for Europe’s Used Vehicle Markets?

For the last few years, used-car markets across Europe have been under pressure, and the second half of 2026 is shaping up to be just as unpredictable. However, in this webinar, you’ll get a clear, data-backed view of where residual values are heading, and why. What’s Driving Europe’s Residual Value Movements in the Second Half of the Year? Behind every shift in used-car pricing is a web of macroeconomic pressures, supply-demand imbalances, and powertrain-level dynamics that are constantly evolving. In 2026, that complexity has only deepened.  Meanwhile, the UK used-car market, one of Europe’s largest and most distinctive, is following its own trajectory.  In this session, our valuations experts walk through the latest residual value forecasts, the macro forces behind the numbers, and what it all means for vehicle value retention across the markets you operate in.  VIEW THE ON DEMAND WEBINAR Meet our experts Hear directly from our specialists with hands-on experience across European used-car markets, residual value modelling, and automotive pricing forecasts Who This Webinar Is For This session is designed for automotive industry professionals whose work is directly shaped by used-car values, vehicle depreciation, and market pricing dynamics: Finance, insurance, and risk analysts   Fleet, leasing, and residual value managers   OEMs  Pricing and product managers   Portfolio and remarketing managers   Industry executives and business analysts   Key Takeaways A clear view of the European used-car market conditions: Understand depreciation pressures, supply dynamics, and demand signals determining vehicle value retention across key European markets.  The latest residual value forecasts, straight from the source: Get the most up-to-date RV projections and used-car pricing outlook, explained by the experts.  A focused look at the UK used-car market: Dig into one of Europe’s largest and most unique automotive markets, its depreciation trends, pricing dynamics, and what they signal for the broader region.  The market will remain uncertain for some. Yet, by watching this webinar, you can gain a sharper understanding of the forces shaping residual values and used-car price movements in the second half of 2026, and what they mean for the decisions you’re making right now.  Webinar Recap: What you missed The full webinar recap is now available. Watch the recording below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTFCTM9QVnk

Insights

Electrified powertrains make important step in UK registration results

This content previously appeared on the Autovista24 website. Electrified and internal-combustion engine (ICE) powertrains split the UK new-car market after the first quarter of the year. But after another month of improvement, is the country’s current growth sustainable? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the market. The UK’s new-car market posted its strongest March result since 2019, as the country’s plate-change period helped boost overall volumes. According to the latest data from the SMMT, 380,627 new cars made their way to customers last month. This was an increase of 6.6% compared to 2025, equating to an extra 23,524 units, according to Autovista24 analysis. March is one of two important months for the UK market, the other being September. During these times, new registration plates are released, making deliveries more attractive. In March, new ‘26’ plates were released, with ‘76’ plates due in September. In 2025, March was the strongest month of the year, accounting for 17.7% of the annual registrations total. With the SMMT highlighting that current geopolitical changes are likely to impact the market, the same pattern may occur in 2026. Across the first quarter of the year, UK registrations are up by 5.9%, with 614,854 units delivered to customers. This is an improvement of 34,352 passenger cars, according to Autovista24 calculations. Record results in the UK March was the best month on record for electrified vehicles, according to the SMMT. This category includes full hybrids (HEVs), battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). A total of 196,059 units were delivered in the month, a 23.1% increase year on year. Electrified volumes were also above ICE figures for the first time this year. The UK reports its ICE figures differently from other markets. Mild-hybrid powertrains are merged with their respective petrol and diesel counterparts, rather than being included with HEV figures. The electrified market overtook the petrol and diesel group for the first time in September last year. However, it slipped behind once again at the start of 2026. March’s strong result may be the start of a period of dominance for the powertrain group. After three months of the year, electrified passenger cars had overtaken ICE, thanks to their performance in March. With 307,652 registrations, the group was just 450 units ahead of the combined petrol and diesel performance. This was enough for a 50% market share. BEVs continue to improve BEVs were the second-best-selling powertrain type in the UK last month. With 86,120 deliveries, they made up 22.6% of the market. The figure was a record total for all-electric registrations, with volumes increasing 24.2% compared to March 2025. March also saw the first year-on-year improvement in BEV market share of 2026. The technology’s hold rose by 3.2 percentage points (pp) to 22.6%. However, this was some way behind the required share in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. This is emphasised further by the powertrain’s performance in the first quarter of the year. Deliveries have improved by 14.5%, with 137,614 units taking to the road. However, the market share of 22.4%, while 1.7pp higher year-on-year, is 10.6pp below the mandated target. For 2026, vehicle manufacturers are required to ensure that 33% of their passenger cars registered in the UK are zero-emission models. Yet, the overall market has failed to meet the target in the first two years of the mandate. Calls for review into UK transition At the recent SMMT Electrified conference, chief executive Mike Hawes highlighted how the market had changed since the ZEV mandate was first proposed. At the start of 2026, battery costs were more than 30% higher than expected, according to the SMMT. Furthermore, the industry body said that industrial energy prices are around 80% above 2021 levels. Additionally, it also noted how public charging can cost over 140% more than five years ago.  Moreover, the SMMT has also highlighted that the current geopolitical situation, which is impacting oil prices, may spark interest in electric vehicles (EVs). Yet with a risk of higher energy prices and supply-chain costs, the increased cost of living could undermine consumer confidence. These geopolitical changes have added urgency to the automotive market’s calls for a rapid review of the ZEV transition. The SMMT has pointed to other markets, which have amended their plans to reflect current market realities. While the UK government holds firm, however, carmakers are having to invest heavily in both development and discounting to meet ZEV mandate targets. ‘Delays to a review of the UK transition will put the country in an uncompetitive position, undermining consumer choice, investment and, ultimately, the pace of decarbonisation,’ the industry body said in a statement. PHEV popularity grows While the debate about the electric transition continues, the UK’s PHEV market has been gathering strength. March saw the powertrain continue its run of strong results, with a 46.9% improvement year on year. This equated to 15,856 more units, based on Autovista24 analysis. In total, 49,671 units made it to customers in the month, giving the technology a 13% market share. This is up by 3.5pp compared to a year prior. The PHEV market has been boosted by the popularity of the Jaecoo 7, which hit the country’s market in February 2025. The Chinese brand has been building momentum, and was the most popular model in March. With 10,064 units registered in the plate-change month, it accounted for 20.3% of total PHEV deliveries. In the first quarter, PHEVs have seen volumes increase by 46.5% compared to the same period in 2025. With 78,666 units, this offered the powertrain a 12.8% slice of the market, up 3.6pp. Again, the Jaecoo 7 has helped this growth, with 19.8% of the PHEV market. The SUV held second in the best-seller table, behind the Ford Puma. Combining PHEV and BEV figures, the EV market saw a 31.7% rise in March, with 135,791 units. This was enough for a 35.7% market share, a rise of 6.8pp year on year. After three months, EV figures had improved by 24.4%, with 216,280 deliveries. The powertrain group took a 35.2% hold of total registrations. ICE remains strong While electrified models continue to see volume increases, deliveries of petrol and diesel cars suffered in monthly registration figures. Despite this, petrol remained the dominant force in the UK market during March. The fuel type saw 165,997 units delivered to customers, a drop of 6.1% compared to the same month last year. Having seen a rare increase in volumes during February, this result was a return to a regular trend of decline. Yet the powertrain still held 43.6% of the market. While this was a drop of 5.9pp, petrol remained 21pp ahead of its nearest challenger, BEVs. Registrations of petrol-powered cars declined by 3.5% in the first quarter, with 276,689 units. Despite this, the technology still held 45% of the market, a 4.4pp drop. Diesel popularity continued to wane, with March seeing figures fall by 11.4% to 18,571 units. This was only good enough for a 4.9% share of the market, down from the 5.9% recorded a year prior. Between January and March, diesel deliveries totalled 30,513 units, down 9.8%, equating to a share of just 5%. Combining the powertrains, ICE registrations dropped 6.7% in the month with 184,568 units. This was good enough for a 48.5% share of total deliveries, falling behind the electrified market for the first time in 2026. This means that after the first quarter, both ICE and electrified groups shared a 50% hold of the UK new-car market. With 307,202 registrations, the combined petrol and diesel grouping suffered a 4.2% delivery decline year-on-year. HEV pulls ahead in UK hybrid race HEVs continued to be the third-best powertrain in the UK during March. Its 60,268 registrations were enough for a 7.3% increase compared to the same period last year. However, its 15.8% market share was up just 0.1pp compared to March 2025. After the first quarter, the powertrain has seen a 6.2% rise in volumes, with 91,372 deliveries. This was good enough for a 14.9% slice of overall new-car registrations. Yet with stronger growth for PHEVs and BEVs, the powertrain’s market share only rose by 0.1pp year on year. The unit gap between HEVs and PHEVs has risen, thanks to the better volume total in March for full hybrids. But with plug-in hybrids increasing in popularity, the technology could close the gap in the coming months.
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Automotive package proposes new internal-combustion engine sales after 2035

This content previously appeared on the Autovista24 website. The European Commission’s automotive package proposes new internal-combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles could be sold past 2035 in the EU. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus unpacks the news and what it means for the region’s automotive industry. The European Commission’s automotive package has opened the door to greater CO2 emissions flexibility for carmakers. The proposal comes following pressure from member states and big automotive players. Under current rules, all new cars and light-commercial vehicles (LCVs) sold in the EU would need to emit zero CO2 from 2035 onwards. Instead, the automotive package published today considers the possibility of technological neutrality. What is in the automotive package? From 2035 onwards, carmakers will only need to cut vehicle CO2 tailpipe emissions by 90%, compared with 2021 figures. The companies will need to make up for the remaining 10% by using low-carbon steel made in the EU, or from e-fuels and biofuels. ICE-powered models, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), mild hybrids (MHEVs), and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) will still be available to purchase. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen vehicles will also be available. The 2030 target could also be more flexible, with a ‘banking and borrowing’ scheme between 2030 and 2032. This means manufacturers could get three years to reduce their CO2 emissions by 55% compared with 2021. The Commission acknowledged the slower progress of the electric LCV market. It suggested the 2030 CO2 target for LCVs will be reduced from 50% to 40%. The automotive package also sets mandatory zero and low-emission vehicle share targets for corporate fleets. These will be set at the member state level to reflect differing levels of market maturity, according to the Commission. The total number of corporate vehicles registered by large companies will then be passed back to the Commission. The Commission has also updated its car labelling rules, which provide CO2 and energy performance information to consumers. This will now include electric energy consumption and the range of electric vehicles (EVs). The scope of these labels will also be increased beyond new vehicles. New LCVs, used cars and used vans will also be covered. Further automotive measures in the EU The package also proposes the use of what the Commission is calling ‘super credits’. Carmakers will be able to earn these by selling small and affordable electric cars made within the EU. The hope is that this will incentivise the introduction of smaller EVs. The Commission also stated a €1.8 billion battery booster could accelerate the development of a local battery value chain. Of this, €1.5 billion is earmarked to support European battery cell producers with interest-free loans. The omnibus proposal could bring savings for businesses and national administrators to €706 million, according to the Commission. This is broken down into €655 million in compliance costs and €51 million in administrative costs. Alongside the Commission’s other omnibus measures and simplification initiatives, administrative savings could climb to €14.3bn per year. This should help local carmakers concerned about the cost of electrification and the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. Support for automotive package ‘Innovation. Clean mobility. Competitiveness. This year, these were top priorities in our intense dialogues with automotive sector, civil society organisations and stakeholders,’ said European Commission President von der Leyen. ‘Today, we are addressing them all together. As technology rapidly transforms mobility and geopolitics reshapes global competition, Europe remains at the forefront of the global clean transition,’ she outlined. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, highlighted that Europe’s automotive industry is a cornerstone for the region’s economy. He stated that it contributes 7% towards EU gross domestic product and provides nearly 14 million jobs.   ‘With today’s automotive package, we are strengthening the sector’s competitiveness introducing flexibility into the CO₂ standards for cars and vans and a technology-neutral framework. We are also creating demand for cleaner corporate cars and vans, reinforcing EU manufacturing and supply chains,’ he said. Germany’s automotive body, the ZDK, came out in full support of the automotive package. It called the proposal necessary and overdue in the step towards a more realistic European climate policy. ‘We offer highly efficient combustion engines, namely the 48-volt mild-hybrid engine, which provides a climate protection benefit when fuelled with carbon-neutral fuel. This technology is one of the options for complying with future CO2 fleet regulations,’ said ZDK president Thomas Peckruhn. ‘Specifically, emissions measurements at the exhaust must account for fuel origin. Carbon-neutral fuels should be excluded from the balance. If in the future only pure electric vehicles are demanded, these offerings will naturally disappear from the market without complicated regulations and high penalties,’ he added. Proposal creates concern The proposal also drew criticism. Green group Transport and Environment (T&E) said reversing the phase-out of ICE sends a confusing signal to the automotive industry and consumers. It calculates the 90% CO2 target could result in 25% fewer BEV sales in 2035 than under the current target. It welcomed the introduction of national electrification targets for large company fleets. However, it claimed that these will not be ambitious enough to drive greater uptake for the sector.   ‘The EU has chosen complexity over clarity. Breeding faster horses could never have halted the ascent of the automobile,’ said William Todts, executive director at T&E. ‘Every euro diverted into PHEVs is a euro not spent on [B]EVs while China races further ahead. Clinging to combustion engines will not make European automakers great again,’ he commented. ‘While China accelerates, Europe is hesitating, and hesitation is not a strategy. Changing the rules midway through the game undermines business confidence after companies have already committed capital and built factories around a 100% trajectory,’ said Chris Heron, secretary general of E-Mobility Europe. ‘But once the dust has settled, we are confident the core of the 2035 framework will still matter more for the market than today’s exemptions. The world’s transition to EVs is irreversible, shaped by cost and efficiency,’ he added.
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The Automotive Update: Chinese carmakers excel in UK and emissions talks continue

This content previously appeared on the Autovista24 website. Which Chinese carmakers are excelling in the UK? What is the latest on the EU emissions targets for 2035? What upcoming events should you know about? Tom Geggus, editor of Autovista24, discusses the week’s news in The Automotive Update podcast. In this episode, Autovista24 explores how Chinese brands are making their mark in the UK. Then, as discussions continue around the EU’s CO2 emissions plans for 2035, what are industry associations saying? Finally, find out about two exclusive Autovista Group events that are just around the corner. Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. Chinese brands prove strong September saw a strong result for the UK’s new-car market, with a 13.7% year-on-year improvement in volumes. Of the 312,891 cars delivered, 12.4% came from Chinese brands. These carmakers are establishing a foothold in the UK. New entrants are building their customer base, providing alternatives to well-established marques, and challenging their market positions. BYD had its best-ever month in September, with registrations up 880.1% year on year. In total, it delivered 11,271 new cars, according to data from the SMMT. This places it close to brands such as Volvo, Peugeot and Vauxhall. The Seal U DM-i was its most popular model in the month, accounting for 66.8% of BYD’s total. This makes it the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model in the year to date, according to the carmaker. Omoda and Jaecoo, brands from the Chinese manufacturer Chery, also had a very strong month, with 10,812 combined registrations. This comes just over a year after the launch of Omoda, with its petrol-powered 5, and all-electric E5. It is also around eight months after the Jaecoo J7 PHEV made it to market. Jaecoo was the more popular brand, with 6,489 registrations, while Omoda picked up 4,323 deliveries. MG, owned by SAIC Motor, had its best September on record. In total, it secured 14,577 registrations, making it the UK’s eighth-most-successful brand, ahead of established marques such as Nissan, Peugeot, Skoda, Vauxhall and Renault. The carmaker attributed this success to its hybrid lineup, including the HS, ZS and MG3. Discussions on emissions Discussions around the EU’s CO2 emissions targets for 2035 are ongoing. ACEA has proposed that the Commission consider easing its rules for cars, vans and trucks. According to Reuters, the industry body recommended longer compliance periods, as well as greater acceptance of hybrids and alternative fuels. ACEA highlighted the difficulties of cutting vehicle CO2 emissions by 100% come 2035, particularly with lower demand and a lack of EV charging infrastructure. The association recommended that the 2030 targets be set on an average between 2028 and 2032. It suggested small EVs be given a super credit, while PHEVs and range-extended electric vehicles play a bigger role.  However, Transport and Environment calculated that suggested loopholes to the EU’s CO2 rules would halve the bloc’s ambition of selling only zero-emission cars in 2035. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held discussions with industry bodies and trade unions to discuss the country’s automotive sector. These talks covered the competitive and adaptive pressures on carmakers, including electrification, digitalisation and international competition.  While committing to German and European climate targets, there was also support for alternative fuels as well as a flexible and realistic frameworks.  Residual value trends Autovista Group’s latest webinar: The road ahead: Residual value trends and the next market shift, will air on 14 October at 09.30 BST / 10.30 CEST. Autovista24 journalist Tom hooker will discuss major used-car market valuation trends with a panel of Autovista Group experts. This includes Dr Anne Lange, product director, valuation apps, Robert Madas, regional head of valuations, and Javier Salgado, director of valuations and forecast experts. Register now for The road ahead: Residual value trends and the next market shift. It will begin at 09.30 BST / 10.30 CEST on 14 October 2025. Also, the winners of the Residual Value Award will be announced on 15 October. The honours recognise cars with leading value retention rates across eight categories, using Autovista Group data from 17 European countries.

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The Automotive Update: Rare earth restrictions and the European used-car landscape

This content previously appeared on the Autovista24 website. How have rare earth restrictions impacted automotive manufacturing? What happened to European used car residual values (RVs) in May? What is the German government’s latest strategy for supporting carmakers? Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus breaks down the latest industry trends in The Automotive Update podcast. In this week’s episode, a look at the wider implications of recent rare earth material restrictions. Also, a deep dive into the fortunes of the European used-car market and the impact on RVs. Plus, an exploration of Germany’s new-car market performance, and what new tax breaks could mean for companies’ electrification. China’s rare earth element restrictions China's new export restrictions on seven rare earth elements are significantly impacting the global automotive sector. Controlling over 90% of the world's processing capacity for these essential materials, Beijing now requires export licenses, Reuters reports. This stems from the ongoing trade dispute with the US. These events have sparked urgent diplomatic activity, according to Reuters. Supplier production lines have suffered down due to these restrictions, Reuters states. Further impact is expected as inventories become further depleted. Components critical to both internal-combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs) are affected. Ford temporarily halted production of the US-based Explorer SUV in Chicago, and Suzuki paused output due to component shortages. Meanwhile, BMW confirmed some supplier impact, and Mercedes-Benz is reportedly advising its suppliers to stockpile rare earths as a precaution. Bosch and ZF both said bottlenecks were affecting its suppliers. Meanwhile, Autoliv has set up a task force to deal with the restrictions, but does not expect a halt to production in the coming weeks. Used-car demand drops in Europe Used-car demand fell sharply across major European markets in May, reversing gains seen in April and putting pressure on RVs. Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria all recorded month-on-month drops in dealership sales of two-to-four-year-old vehicles. Most markets also experienced significant year-on-year declines. The UK was the only major country to avoid a monthly fall in its sales volume index (SVI). Year-on-year used-car demand in Spain saw the biggest drop according to the SVI, while Germany experienced a significant decline. These figures highlight growing pressure in the used-car market, with a weakening trend likely to continue, weighing on RVs. German new-car market upswing Germany's new-car market showed a modest recovery in May, with registrations up 1.2% year-on-year. This marks the first upswing since October 2024. Amid positive private and commercial sales, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) drove growth. This helped push the combined EV market to a 27.5% share in the year to date. ICE vehicles continued to lose market share in May, with both petrol and diesel models experiencing further declines. In contrast, hybrid powertrains, made up of full and mild hybrids, performed strongly, recording their best month of the year so far. To support further electrification, the German government has introduced new tax incentives, which have been welcomed by the country’s industry bodies. Despite this, there have been calls for broader reforms, including lower charging-related taxes, and the expansion of charging infrastructure.

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The Automotive Update: European Commission launches new action plan

This content previously appeared on the Autovista24 website. The European Commission unveils a new automotive action plan, Trump exempts some manufacturers from tariffs, and carmakers launch mass-market models. Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry explores the week’s biggest news stories. A new European battery recycling project has big targets, Mercedes-Benz receives an important approval for automated vehicle testing, while an AI start-up expands its presence in Germany. Listen to these stories in the latest edition of The Automotive Update podcast from Autovista24. Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. European Commission takes action The European Commission has launched its new Industrial Action Plan for the EU’s automotive sector. The report covers several areas, designed to improve the region’s automotive market and make it more competitive globally. The biggest talking point from the new plan is the increased flexibility on compliance for the latest CO₂ emissions targets. If adopted, the amendment will extend the compliance period from one year to three, meaning targets will be assessed in 2025, 2026 and 2027. This allows carmakers to compensate for exceeding the fleet average limits in one or two of these years by overachieving in the remaining time. Making ZEVs more attractive The report also outlines plans to accelerate the uptake of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in corporate fleets, with a separate document on this subject. The Commission plans to make ZEVs more attractive through fiscal policy. This will be achieved either by reducing corporate benefits on traditional powertrain vehicles, or improving the treatment of zero-emission models. There are also opportunities to boost rental fleet uptake by increasing the number of charging points at airports. Other areas highlighted by the action plan include legislation to make it easier for automotive third parties, such as repairers and insurance companies, to access vehicle data. Proposals are also in place to increase the market’s competitiveness and supply-chain resilience, especially when it comes to battery manufacturing. In addition, the Commission also wants to grow the level of skilled workers in the industry. Some OEMs, such as Stellantis, welcomed the announcement of the plan. ‘The flexibility introduced regarding CO₂ targets, with an extended compliance period, is a meaningful first step in the right direction to preserve the competitiveness of our sector while remaining faithful to the targets and committed to electrification,’ the company said in a statement. ‘It is now important that the proposed targeted amendment be turned into law quickly. This initiative, together with further support to targeted purchase and fiscal incentives, cheaper green energy and investment into charging infrastructure, can be a real accelerator in the ramp up towards electrification,’ added Stellantis. Trump’s tariff exemption US President Donald Trump will exempt some carmakers from his plans to enforce tariffs of 25% on all goods coming from Mexico and Canada, which began this week. The tariff exemption is for cars made in North America that comply with the continent's existing free trade agreement, according to the BBC. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president had supported a one-month exemption to the tariffs for the car industry after pleas from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. The three carmakers have supply chains that stretch across North America.  The free-trade deal was negotiated by Trump in his first term as president. It outlines rules for how much of a car must be made in each country to qualify as duty-free. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that carmakers would have to increase vehicle prices if they are subjected to the 25% tariffs.   ‘All carmakers will be impacted by these tariffs on Canada and Mexico,’ said John Bozzella, who heads the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents most major manufacturers in the US. New European models Volkswagen has revealed the affordable ID. Every1 concept car. The model is planned to retail at €20,000 and is an entry-level battery-electric vehicle that will go into production in 2027. The production version of the ID. Every1 will be the first model in the entire Volkswagen Group to use a fundamentally new software architecture. This allows the model to be equipped with new functions throughout its entire life cycle. The carmaker says it plans to unveil nine new models by 2027, including four electric vehicles (EVs), based on the new architecture. Meanwhile, Audi revealed the new A6 Avant. According to the marque, the model is more dynamic, efficient and digital than ever. It features the company’s mild-hybrid plus system and an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.25, giving it improved performance. Volvo launched its ES90 model this week. It is the first Volvo car featuring 800-volt technology, enabling a longer range and faster charging. The ES90 can add 300 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes at 350 kW fast charging stations. It has a total driving range of up to 700 kilometres, under the WLTP testing cycle. MG has teased its upcoming S5 EV, an electric SUV due to arrive in Spring 2025. It is built on the carmaker’s Modular Scalable Platform. According to the company, the model also features a reimagined premium cabin. European autonomous advancements Mercedes-Benz has received approval for special marker lights as part of its automated driving tests in Germany. This authorisation is valid nationwide for testing purposes and is initially limited until July 2028. The turquoise exterior lighting, now permitted by special exemption, indicates to other road users whether the conditionally automated driving function is activated. This also allows traffic authorities and police to recognize the system status more easily. Furthermore, it can be used to determine whether the driver is allowed to engage in other activities if the function is being used. The exemption, granted by the Stuttgart Regional Council, is initially valid for testing purposes. Insights gained from this initial phase can contribute to shaping the legal framework that will later enable series production. Meanwhile, AI autonomous technology company Wayve is extending its global footprint in mainland Europe. The business is launching an on-road testing and development hub in Germany. The company is also deploying a new test-vehicle fleet. The testing and development hub will focus on improving Advanced Driver Assistance System features. This includes lane change assistance and advancing automated driving capabilities for future production-ready solutions. Improving battery recycling BeyondBattRec, a new EU project, has brought 12 partners together to work on innovative battery recycling technologies under the leadership of Aalborg University. The project was launched at the end of 2024 and will run for four years. The aim is to recover 95% of critical metals from electric vehicle batteries. This includes cobalt, nickel and copper. It also wants to improve the scalability of industrial applications. Furthermore, the participants are also aiming to reuse over 70% of the battery weight, reduce CO₂ emissions by 50% and recover 95% of non-metallic parts.

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