Carla Westerheide

Norway's battery-electric car share increased to 97.6% in July despite overall passenger car registrations remaining almost unchanged year-on-year. Toyota led the monthly brand rankings, while Xpeng climbed to third place on the back of strong model demand.

The Hyundai Kona Electric has been upgraded to the highest band of the UK's Electric Car Grant, making it eligible for the full £3,750 incentive. The decision follows a review of the model's environmental supply chain credentials.

EVgo and Brixmor Property Group are expanding their partnership with more than 500 additional DC fast charging stalls at shopping centres across the United States. The rollout will bring EVgo chargers to at least 90 Brixmor properties, covering more than a quarter of the real estate company's portfolio.

The Philippines has introduced a new incentive programme worth up to 60 billion pesos (about €852 million) to attract electric vehicle manufacturing. The scheme offers investment and production incentives for locally built electric passenger and commercial vehicles and their components.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has introduced a new 58 kWh battery for the ID. Buzz Cargo in the UK. The update increases WLTP range to 218 miles (351 km), raises power output to 140 kW and adds vehicle-to-load capability and new software features across the model range.

India has approved 6,562 public EV charging points under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, though none had been installed by the end of July. However, the programme has also supported more than 2.65 million electric vehicle sales.

New York City will expand its PlugNYC network with 600 new curbside charging points for electric vehicles over the next three years. At the same time, the agency has launched an online portal allowing residents to provide feedback on proposed charging locations.

Factorial Energy and Dutch battery specialist Tulip Tech have entered a strategic partnership to commercialise solid-state and lithium-metal batteries for drones. The goal is to accelerate the commercial deployment of solid-state and lithium-metal batteries in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Battery-electric vehicles continued to drive the UK's transition to electric mobility in July, posting record market shares in both the passenger car and light commercial vehicle segments. But the SMMT says both markets remain below the trajectory required by the UK's ZEV mandate.

Kempower has completed its first UK EV charging project financed through leasing partner DLL. The installation at a Bedfordshire forecourt features eight fast-charging points and is intended to lower the upfront investment required for independent charging operators.