The European Union’s plan to completely ban the sale of carbon-emitting vehicles starting in 2035 has affected automakers’ new product planning and sparked significant controversy. Recently, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius sharply criticized the policy in a media interview, warning that if implemented as scheduled, Europe’s auto market could face a “head-on crash.” The EU is set to conduct a formal review of the plan, ensuring that debate will intensify.

As the AI wave sweeps across the globe, energy demand is growing rapidly. Meanwhile, the electric vehicle industry has continued to expand in recent years. When EV batteries reach the end of their usable life, these retired batteries may become a new solution to meet the energy demands of the AI sector. Led by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, Redwood Materials is working to repurpose these used EV batteries to build the largest second-life energy storage system in North America—an advancement in battery recycling technology.

Nissan recently announced the cancellation of its plan to build its first electric vehicle battery plant in Kitakyushu, Japan. Meanwhile, Toyota is also planning to postpone the construction schedule of its battery plant in the Shin-Matsuyama Coastal Industrial Zone near Kanda Port in Fukuoka Prefecture. These developments represent not only strategic adjustments for the two major automakers but also deal a significant blow to Japan’s broader industrial policy. At a time when the global EV industry is developing at high speed, Japan’s original plan to accelerate the construction of a domestic battery supply chain — aimed at preserving the international competitiveness of its auto industry — is now facing serious challenges.

On 21st April 21, at its inaugural CATL TECH DAY, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) unveiled three groundbreaking battery technologies: the Second-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery, the Naxtra (Sodium-ion) Battery, and the Freevoy Dual-Power Battery. These innovations not only reaffirm CATL’s global leadership in battery technology but also mark major advancements in charging efficiency, extreme temperature adaptability, and multi-chemistry integration. Each of these technologies offers stark contrast to current mainstream solutions and has the potential to reshape the trajectory of the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

As electric vehicles (EVs) gradually become the mainstream choice in the modern automotive world, some have predicted that the end of the internal combustion engine (ICE) is just around the corner. However, recent moves by major automakers suggest a different trend: electrification is not the only future solution, and the internal combustion engine is far from exiting the stage of history. The powertrain transition is now at a critical turning point.

BYD recently unveiled its Super e-Platform, with the most eye-catching feature being its megawatt-level flash charging technology, capable of replenishing 400 km of range in just five minutes. This charging speed is nearly identical to the time it takes for a traditional gasoline car to refuel at a gas station, making it a game-changer in the increasingly competitive EV market.

In recent years, the global electric vehicle (EV) market has been experiencing steady growth. However, the European market is facing significant challenges. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), EV market share in Europe declined by one percentage point to 13.6% in 2024. Although it rebounded slightly to 15% in January 2025, the growth rate remains limited. Despite the continuous release of new EV models by European automakers, consumer adoption has not met expectations. How is the EU addressing these challenges?