Kia PH Brings EV3 to Shake Up Compact Electric Crossover Market

cleantechnica.com Sep 28, 2026

Kia PH Brings EV3 to Shake Up Compact Electric Crossover Market

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 28, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Kia Philippines launched the EV3 on September 21, pricing the subcompact at P1.898 million (≈$30,400). The model, offered only in a GL trim, sits below the EV5 and EV9 and features a 58.3 kWh battery that delivers 511 km under NEDC (≈430 km WLTP). Buyers receive a ₱30,000 discount, a free home charger, and five years of free maintenance. The EV3 uses a 400‑volt platform, a 204‑hp front‑wheel motor, and a 7.5‑second 0‑100 km/h sprint. It competes directly with BYD Atto 3 and upcoming Japanese compact EVs.

💡 Why It Matters

· The EV3’s entry reshapes the Philippine compact EV segment by offering a lower‑priced, high‑range alternative to Chinese and Japanese rivals, potentially accelerating local EV adoption.

Capsules Transport

Read full article on cleantechnica.com

XPENG VLA 2.0 vs. Tesla FSD in Amsterdam — Part 1: XPENG…

On September 11, a journalist became the first non‑XPENG person to ride in an L03 prototype equipped with the company’s XNGP VLA 2.0 system, followed by a Tesla Model 3 using Full Self‑Driving (FSD) on the same Amsterdam streets. The test, conducted under embargo, was arranged after XPENG messaged the writer while returning from IFA Berlin. Both vehicles were piloted by Longwen of XPENG’s Munich office; the journalist observed but did not drive. Amsterdam’s narrow, construction‑laden canals, heavy bicycle traffic and intermittent rain created a demanding environment for autonomous software. VLA 2.0 repeatedly anticipated hazards, maintained cautious gaps around construction and cyclists, and only hesitated in the most complex scenarios, offering a notably assertive driving style compared with human expectations.

💡 Demonstrating VLA 2.0’s ability to navigate Europe’s most cyclist‑dense, unpredictable streets puts XPENG in direct competition with Tesla’s FSD on a terrain where the latter has yet to prove dominance.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 28

Tone-Deaf Trillionaire Launches $200,000 Electric Car Into Sour US Market

Tesla is set to unveil its new $200,000 Roadster electric sports car on October 1, positioning the high‑priced model amid a U.S. affordability crisis that dominates the 2026 election cycle. The launch follows years of delays since the Roadster was first teased in 2017, and it arrives as Elon Musk, a trillion‑dollar billionaire and major Republican donor, faces criticism for promoting a luxury vehicle while many voters grapple with rising fuel costs and farm bankruptcies. Prospective buyers must pay a $5,000 reservation fee and a subsequent $45,000 wire transfer before the purchase is finalized. The event coincides with Saudi Arabia’s debut of its own electric cars, highlighting a stark contrast between markets where wealth‑driven automotive ambitions face little political scrutiny.

💡 The timing pits Musk’s personal brand against a nation‑wide cost‑of‑living squeeze, turning a product launch into a litmus test for his political influence and public perception.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 27

The Case For Buying A Used EV Just Got Loads Better

A UK study by BVRLA, analysing 47.4 million MOT tests, found high‑mileage used electric vehicles (EVs) fail less often than petrol cars. EVs maintain a steady 16 % failure rate beyond 60,000 miles, while petrol cars rise to 22–23 %. The data also show EVs stay on the road longer, with 94.6 % returning for a 15‑year MOT versus 88.1 % for petrol models. The findings suggest buyers can trust high‑mileage EVs for reliability and longevity.

💡 The study challenges the long‑held belief that high mileage predicts poor condition, giving used‑EV buyers a data‑backed confidence boost that could accelerate the shift to electric mobility.

en.sedaily.com · Sep 27

Hyundai Rotem Unveils 370 km/h Bullet Train for $3.6B Race

Hyundai Rotem unveiled a next‑generation high‑speed train at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, showcasing a 370 km/h prototype developed with Hyundai Motor. The exhibition booth featured a tunnel‑like diorama and virtual‑reality walk‑throughs, emphasizing a design inspired by traditional Korean hanok and hanbok that widens window seats and creates spacious interiors. Aerodynamic work, including a shark‑nose front and wheel covers, reduced drag by 36 % after 520 wind‑tunnel hours, enabling higher speed with lower noise and pressure waves. The train incorporates permanent‑magnet synchronous motors, route‑specific autonomous driving and hydrogen‑electric tram concepts, aiming for Genesis‑level refinement. Hyundai Rotem targets Korea Railroad Corp.’s KTX‑1 replacement program, a 5‑trillion‑won ($3.6 billion) contract for 49 trainsets, while also seeking overseas orders and aims to set a new global benchmark.

💡 By merging automotive design prowess with rail technology, Hyundai Rotem could redefine speed‑efficiency standards and shift competitive dynamics in the high‑speed rail market.

us.headtopics.com · Sep 27

Trump declares end to ‘EV mandate’ with new fuel economy standards

President Donald Trump signed new fuel‑economy standards that aim to reverse the Biden administration’s push for electric vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation is expected to approve the standards on Monday, extending them through 2031. Trump claims the rules will lower vehicle production costs and increase fuel spending, arguing they will reduce “waste” in car manufacturing and keep prices down for consumers. He cited support from major automakers, including General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, who have urged the administration to facilitate domestic production. The standards will replace the stricter emissions targets set under the previous administration.

💡 The shift signals a potential rollback of federal climate policy, reshaping the automotive industry's investment priorities and consumer pricing dynamics.

techcrunch.com · Sep 27

TechCrunch Mobility: AV companies pick their lanes

Autonomous vehicle firms are shifting from testing to commercial deployment through strategic partnerships and geographic focus. Wayve secured a Level‑2 collaboration with Mercedes‑Benz, expanding its presence alongside deals with Nissan and Stellantis, and has begun a robotaxi pilot with Nissan and Uber in Tokyo. Waymo concentrates roughly 80% of its 4,000 robotaxis in California and Texas, with a 49% recent surge in Texas. Aurora targets 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030, already aiming for 200 units this year. Zoox halted its Atlanta test fleet after safety‑driver gas‑exposure incidents, prompting an OSHA inquiry.

💡 These moves illustrate how AV companies are leveraging partnerships and regional hubs to accelerate real‑world adoption, while safety concerns underscore the regulatory scrutiny that will shape the industry’s growth trajectory.