As impressive as the Kia EV9 is, a growing number of owners are experiencing serious battery pack issues and enduring long waits for repairs. It will be a huge concern for Kia, particularly given that several other EVs from the broader Hyundai Group have also suffered serious powertrain-related faults in recent years.

Reports from EV9 owners have been swirling online since at least last year, and a UK writer from The Verge, who just so happens to own an EV9, has experienced them firsthand. It started with a small issue, where the 12-volt battery was drained, and he was unable to unlock the car. To get it up and running, he had to access the frunk manually and then hook up a booster to the battery. As it turns out, this fault would soon be the least of his worries.

Review: Kia’s 2026 EV9 Earth Gets The Hard Part Right And Stumbles On The Obvious One

Several weeks later, he says the SUV’s battery would suddenly jump from 82 percent to 100 percent charge when plugged into his home AC charger. The EV’s estimated driving range at 100 percent also plummeted. After purchasing an OBD-II scanner, he discovered that when the Kia displayed 100 percent charge, it was actually only holding 71 kWh, despite having a 99.8 kWh pack. The scanner revealed that some of the pack’s 38 individual modules were dead.

Long Waits For Battery Replacements

A Kia dealership soon verified the issue and confirmed the SUV would need to have the high-voltage battery pack replaced. It’s been entered into Kia’s battery repair program, available through the eight-year warranty for the batteries in the UK, but there’s no clear timeline for when it will be repaired.

The Verge writer says he’s spoken with more than a dozen other EV9 owners in the country who have had similar problems, and some have been unable to continue driving their vehicles while waiting for a new battery. He says at least one has seen their EV9’s range drop to just 30 miles (48 km). Numerous owners in the US have also complained about battery pack failures, indicating this could be a global issue.

Widespread Faults Across Hyundai’s EV Lineup

For years, EVs from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have also suffered failures of the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). The automaker stayed quiet about the problem for a long time before finally acting in 2024, recalling every e-GMP-based EV sold in the US. That didn’t resolve things. Owners continued reporting faults, and Hyundai eventually extended warranties for electric vehicles with ICCU-related problems.

At this stage, no recall has been issued for battery pack failures in the EV9. However, if more owners start experiencing problems and these reports receive greater media coverage, the South Korean car manufacturer may be forced to act.

Nissan has scrapped plans to build electric drive axles at a factory near its Sunderland home in the UK, even after committing roughly $65 million to the project it announced just last year. The about-face is the latest piece of collateral damage from a company trying to drag itself out of a deep financial hole.

The EV drive units, which package the motor, inverter, and reducer into a single assembly, were going to be built by Nissan’s JATCO subsidiary at the Sunderland site, which opened last year. The UK government had thrown in a £12 million ($16 million) grant to help get things moving, and the facility was on track to bring in 183 new hires, although only 20 have actually been brought aboard so far.

Read: Nissan’s Cuts In Europe Could Make Space For A Chinese Roommate

The initial plan was for the factory to produce up to 340,000 EV drive units each year and it would have joined other facilities that JATCO operates in Mexico, China, and Thailand. According to Nissan, the reversal comes as part of the RE:Nissan revival plan, which aims to turn around the company’s dire economic situation. Nissan is now reviewing whether the plant can be adapted to build other types of powertrains instead.

Fighting Falling Sales

Nissan’s EV business in Europe is having a rough run too. Nikkei Asia reports that Ariya sales fell 44 percent in the 2025 fiscal year compared to the year before. Leaf sales cratered by 99 percent, though that figure comes with an asterisk: the old car has been retired and replaced by a more affordable new crossover. Nissan is banking on the new Leaf to become its top-selling EV in the region.

The company says there will be no immediate job losses among the 20 staff working at the site while it assesses whether the plant can be adapted to produce other powertrains. Despite the expensive change in plans, a government spokesperson says it will continue to support the brand.

“The UK automotive industry is vital to the North East,” they told the BBC. “That’s why, through our Modern Industrial Strategy, we’re delivering nearly £1bn of DRIVE35 capital and R&D funding to strengthen manufacturers and local supply chains in the region.”

There is virtually no segment of the automotive market BYD does not want to dominate, and its latest model, the Ti7, is its first seven-seater outside of China. The new model is going global to take on the likes of the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Land Rover Defender 110.

Read: This Chinese SUV Is Part Lexus, Part Land Rover, And A Dash Of G-Class

Unveiled last year in Thailand through the Fangchengbao brand, and since confirmed to be landing in the UK as a BYD-branded model, the Ti7 looks very similar to the B5 and B8 models that Fangchengbao already sells in China. The key difference sits underneath. Those two ride on a ladder frame, while the Ti7 is a unibody, much like the current Land Rover Defender. That trade likely costs it some hardcore off-road credibility against the B5 and B8 but should sharpen its on-road manners.

Bigger Than The Defender 110, Just

The Ti7 stretches 5,146 mm (202.5 inches) long, 1,995 mm (78.5 inches) wide, and 1,865 mm (73.4 inches) tall, riding on a 2,920 mm (114.9-inch) wheelbase. That makes it longer and slightly narrower than a Defender 110, which is the comparison BYD probably wants to put in your head.

When it launches in the UK, it will be the first model from the Chinese brand to feature its DM-p powertrain, comprising a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, a pair of electric motors, and a 35.6 kWh LFP battery. Total power should be above 600 hp, and BYD is quoting a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.8 seconds and an all-electric driving range of 79 miles (127 km).

The Chinese Can Do Rugged

Back home, Fangchengbao also offers the Ti7 as a full EV, though Europe is not yet on the invite list for that one. The Chinese electric version comes either as a 402 hp rear-driver or an all-wheel drive twin-motor with 691 hp. Buyers there can choose between a 92 kWh and a 105.7 kWh battery.

Visually, the Ti7 looks quite nice. The front end includes a pair of narrow split LED headlights, small black air intakes, and a blacked-out bumper. It also includes squared-off wheel arches, chunky wing mirrors and door handles, a panoramic glass roof, and a spare wheel carrier positioned on the tailgate.

The cabin is similar to other models from the BYD family and includes a large central infotainment screen, a digital instrument cluster, and a chunky four-spoke steering wheel. There are also two wireless smartphone chargers, plenty of soft-touch leather materials, and ambient lighting.

Skoda has just unveiled its long-awaited, entry-level electric Epiq SUV, some two years after it was first showcased to the world. With the potential to outsell other popular Skoda EVs, including the Enyaq and Elroq, the new Epiq looks fun, has solid specs, and most importantly, is affordable.

Underpinning the Skoda Epiq is the VW Group’s familiar MEB+ platform. Depending on the market, three versions will be offered: 30, 40, and 55. The two base models use a 37 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery and can be configured with either a 114 hp or a 133 hp motor, both driving the front wheels exclusively. By comparison, both the base Enyaq and Elroq are rear-wheel drive.

Read: Skoda’s Most Dramatic Concept Just Became Its Most Sensible Production Car

Driving range for the Epiq 35 and 40 models is capped at roughly 190 miles (306 km). The main difference between the two is that the 35’s charging speeds are limited to 50 kW at a DC charger, while the 40 boosts this to 90 kW.

Sitting at the top of the range is the Epiq 55. It uses a larger 52 kWh NMC battery supporting a driving range of 272 miles (438 km) and peak DC charging speeds of 105 kW, allowing the battery to be charged from 10-80 percent in around 25 minutes. The Epiq 55 also sports a more powerful front-mounted motor with 208 hp.

One common complaint among Skoda’s current electric SUVs is that they don’t offer a one-pedal driving mode. This has been solved with the Epiq. The SUV has also been designed to be reasonably aerodynamically efficient, with a drag coefficient of 0.275.

Cute And Fun Looks

Visually, the Epiq immediately stands out from other existing Skoda models and looks all the better for it. It features a sharp front fascia with a blacked-out lower grille and aggressive headlights and DRLs. Black body cladding extends across the wheel arches, down the sides, and fills the rear bumper. Skoda will offer six different paint options for the Epiq.

A Normal Skoda Cabin

As for the cabin, it shares a lot in common with the Enyaq, Elroq, and other Skoda models. There’s a familiar 13-inch infotainment display on the dashboard, as well as a two-spoke steering wheel. While physical controls are few and far between, there are some physical toggles positioned below the central air vents for important vehicle patrols. As with other Skodas, umbrellas are also hidden in the door panels, like a Rolls-Royce.

What About Prices?

Then there’s the all-important price. In Europe, the Epiq will start at €25,900 ($30,000) for the base Epiq Essence 35, bringing it to price parity with the similarly-sized combustion-powered Kamiq. In the UK, prices start at £24,950 ($33,400) for the Epiq SE L 40, as the base 35 model won’t be sold there. Prices increase to £27,700 ($37,100) for the SE L 55 and Edition 40, then to £30,450 ($40,800) for the Edition 55, and finally to £31,450 ($42,100) for the First Edition 55.

There’s a new electric vehicle king in the United Kingdom and it’s not one that you’d expect. Quite the opposite as BYD has taken the podium.

More: BYD Sold 700,000 Electrified Cars Last Quarter And Still Lost More Than Half Its Profit

Citing data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), BYD said they have sold 12,754 EVs through April and that gives them over 7% of the market share. This makes the Chinese firm the “UK’s largest electric vehicle brand” and places them ahead of rivals such as BMW, Tesla, and Volkswagen.

BYD went on to note they’ve also “become the best-selling EV brand among private buyers.” This is a notable achievement since the company’s vehicles don’t qualify for government subsidies. The electric vehicle grant provides discounts of up to £3,750 ($5,079) for certain vehicles including the Ford Puma Gen-E, Nissan Leaf, and Mini Countryman Electric.

The automaker credited its success to a diverse lineup of vehicles that includes everything from the £18,675 ($25,290) Dolphin Surf to the £47,025 ($63,682) Sealion 7. The latter features an 82.5 kWh battery pack that provides a WLTP combined range of 300 miles (483 km), although higher-end variants have more advanced powertrains.

BYD UK’s Bono Ge said, “With fuel prices remaining high, more drivers are turning to electric vehicles as a smarter and more economical choice. We are delighted to see the UK EV market grow by 22% year-on-year, and even more proud that BYD has become the UK’s leading EV brand in a little over three years.”

Year-to-date BYD sales are up 124% to 26,396 units, which puts the brand ahead of a number of European automakers including Citroen (12,142), Cupra (15,171), and Dacia (10,250). The brand is also beating Fiat (2,320), Land Rover (25,313), Mini (18,814), and Renault (23,645) – among others.

UK Sales April 2026

* Includes all types of powertrains. Source SMMT

Around the world carmakers are u-turning on their plans to go big – or even all-in – on EVs, and Lotus is no different. The Geely-owned brand is developing hybrid versions of its Emeya sedan and Eletre SUV, but until they arrive, dealers have to focus on finding homes for the electric versions. And they’re offering huge discounts.

The UK’s Autotrader website currently has 15 brand new, unregistered examples of Lotus’s Porsche Taycan rival up for sale at prices that’ll bring tears to the eyes of anyone who paid full price for one of the EVs when they first became available in 2024.

Related: The Rarest Emira Coming To America Has A Name From The Dark Side

Most of the really crazy deals are on the flagship Emeya R, whose 905 hp (918 PS / 675 kW) bi-motor setup gets the emissions-free sedan to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 2.8 seconds. The biggest saving we could find was on a Kaimi Grey car at Endeavour Lotus West London. Originally priced at £140,105 ($189,330), it’s now up for £89,950 ($121,550). That’s a 40 percent (£50,155 /$67,900) haircut.

Not far away in Hatfield, another dealer has two new Rs price well below list, one of them promising a £43,755 ($59,130) saving. And a couple of hours away to the north east of the capital, Endeavour Lotus Colchester has a cut the price of another four Emeya Rs by similar amounts.

New Car, But An Old Badge

Technically, the R is an obsolete model, Lotus having now switched up its base, S, R grade structure for 600 and 900 names that reference the power outputs. But the powertrains themselves are carried over unchanged, so these heavily discounted Rs we’ve found look great value next to a new £129,990 ($175,660) 900 Sport or £139,990 ($189,180) 900 Carbon.

And if you’re determined to have your Emeya in the current trim, dealers are offering some healthy savings on those too, including £15,000 ($20,300) off a brand new 603 hp (612 PS / 450 kW) Emeya 600 GT, which should cost £95,000 ($128,400) with options.

Hybrids This Year

Lotus is working on a hybrid Emeya, which is expected to match the spec of the bizarrely-named Lotus For Me, the new Chinese-market petrol-electric version of Lotus’s new Eletre SUV. Combining a 2.0-liter combustion engine, twin-motor 900-volt electrical system and a 70 kWh battery, the Eletre hybrid makes 939 hp (952 PS / 700 kW), and should arrive in Western markets – minus the silly name – this year. the Emeya hybrid shouldn’t ber far behind.

Would these big savings tempt you into an Emeya, would you rather wait for the hybrid, or skip the Anglo-Chinese Taycan rival altogether?

Endeavour Lotus/Autotrader UK

Later this year, Bentley will launch its very first EV. The new model, a mid-size SUV expected to be dubbed the Barnato, will slot below the Bentayga and arrive in the US in 2027. In addition to all the development of the vehicle itself, building an EV also prompted a rather unusual change at Bentley’s Crewe factory.

To get ready to start manufacturing the Barnato, Bentley has designed new workwear for those who’ll be working with electrostatically protected areas of the plant. According to Bentley, the new pieces of clothing include carbon fiber in their construction, not in an effort to reduce weight, but instead to dissipate static electricity.

Read: Bentley Just Told Us What The Barnato SUV Will Cost, Sort Of

The British automaker hasn’t mentioned working with external clothing suppliers for the new kit, but notes it focused on using specific materials and construction methods to reduce environmental impact. When the clothing is ready to be replaced, Bentley will recycle every single piece, which will then be repurposed into new items.

Several photos released by the company show workers posing in the new clothing. They may be smiling, but we suspect they were eager to actually get back to the job of building cars, not pretending to look busy for the camera.

A Bentley With VW Tech

Bentley’s second SUV is an important vehicle for the brand. It will launch at a time when EV sales are contracting in the United States, but rising in Europe, and it remains to be seen how receptive Bentley buyers will be to an electric SUV.

With that being said, the electric Rolls-Royce Spectre has established itself as their second-best-selling model after the Cullinan, meaning there’s a good chance those shopping for a Bentley will also appreciate the smoothness and quietness of an electric powertrain.

Underpinning the Barnato will be the same PPE platform as vehicles like the Audi A6 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan Electric, and Cayenne Electric.

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