It's EV News Briefly for Friday 27 February 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.
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FORD MAKES MACH-E FRUNK A $495 OPTION
Ford has removed the front trunk from the standard equipment list on the 2026 Mustang Mach-E, citing low usage among owners, and now charges $495 to unlock access to the under-bonnet storage space that has been part of the car's appeal since its 2021 launch. The move fits a broader industry trend of unbundling previously standard features, but risks a backlash on perceived value — particularly given the frunk already lost roughly half its original five cubic feet of space when a heat pump was added in 2024.
HYUNDAI TARGETS BODY-ON-FRAME PICKUP BY 2028
Hyundai is developing a midsize body-on-frame pickup truck targeting a ~2028 launch, with CEO José Muñoz committing to the project at last September's investor day and Australian COO Gavin Donaldson confirming it will be a distinct vehicle from Kia's unibody Tasman — designed to compete with the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. Trademarked "IONIQ T7" branding hints the truck may sit under Hyundai's electric sub-brand, and the same platform could underpin a rugged SUV previewed by the Crater Concept at the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show.
POLESTAR ENERGY ADDS GRID REWARDS IN GERMANY, FRANCE
Polestar is expanding its smart charging programme to Germany and France, joining Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK, with German owners on an Intelligent Octopus tariff able to cut home charging costs by up to roughly 50% per session and save around €300 annually by shifting charging to cheap, low-carbon off-peak windows. A key differentiator is that the programme now runs car-controlled charging directly through the Polestar 2 and Polestar 4 via the in-house app, removing the need for a compatible smart wallbox — and Polestar has also activated V2G and V2H capability for the Polestar 3 in California.
RIVIAN JOB POSTING POINTS TO 48V PLATFORM
A Rivian engineering job listing has surfaced that explicitly names a 48V DC architecture — a first for the company in any public-facing document — calling for someone to design vehicle topologies spanning 12V, 48V and 120/230V AC systems for an active, undisclosed vehicle programme. When read alongside recent postings for steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering and Level 4 autonomy roles, the listing points toward a next-generation platform that could combine all four technologies; a 48V system is notable because it delivers the same power as 12V at one-quarter the current, enabling lighter, cheaper wiring harnesses
VOLVO PLANS 2027 EX30 UPDATE WITH V2L
Volvo is planning a 2027 EX30 refresh that adds vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability and a new 148 hp entry-level powertrain via an over-the-air software update requiring no dealer visit, alongside a reworked touchscreen interface. The cheaper motor — pairable with either a 51 kWh or 69 kWh battery for up to 251 miles of WLTP range — could push the UK entry price toward £30,000, narrowing the gap to rivals like the Alfa Romeo Junior and Mini Aceman, though UK availability has not been confirmed.
UK EXTENDS HOME CHARGER GRANT TO 2027
The UK government has extended its Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant to March 2027 and is raising the maximum contribution from £350 to £500 from 1 April 2026, with the grant covering renters, flat owners and homeowners without driveways — groups previously locked out of cheap home charging. The extension complements a separate £600 million public charging fund, with ChargeUK noting the UK public charging network has reached 88,500 chargepoints, but underscoring that most drivers rely on a blend of home and public infrastructure.
MERCEDES BABY G GAINS HYBRID OPTION
Mercedes-Benz has reversed its EV-only plan for the smaller "Baby" G-Class, adding a hybrid variant that will use the CLA's turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit from Horse Powertrain producing 188 hp, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with an integrated electric motor. Both the battery-electric and hybrid versions will feature four-wheel drive as standard on a bespoke platform, with BEV production pencilled in for 2027 and the hybrid expected to follow — and Mercedes insisting the smaller model will match the full-size G-Class for off-road capability.
LEAKED PRICING LIFTS 2026 GEELY EX5 RANGE
Industry guide Redbook has leaked Australian pricing for new Extended Range variants of the 2026 Geely EX5 — AU$41,990 for the Complete and AU$45,990 for the Inspire, each AU$1,000 above current equivalents — though Geely Australia has not officially confirmed figures, specs or an on-sale date. The Extended Range models swap in a larger 68.4 kWh LFP battery (up ~14% from 60.22 kWh), pushing WLTP-rated range to 475 km and 450 km respectively, gains of 45 km over standard versions.
MEXICO TIGHTENS AIR RULES AND PUSHES ELECTRIC TRUCKS
Mexico is combining tightened air quality monitoring under the Ministry of Health with a push to electrify its medium- and heavy-duty fleet, which makes up roughly 25% of the vehicle fleet but generates more than half of all transport-related emissions. Electric truck sales have surged 800% over three years with 25 brands now offering more than 60 commercial EV models in Mexico, while new import rules cap used diesel commercial vehicles at engines no older than 10 years — closing a significant back door for ageing, high-emission trucks.
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