BRIEFLY: Sony/Honda, MG, EV Vans & more | 25 Mar 2026

It's EV News Briefly for Wednesday 25 March 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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AFEELA EV PROGRAMME SCRAPPED
Sony Honda Mobility has scrapped its Afeela EV programme after Honda's broader EV strategy reassessment — which included a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) — left the joint venture with no viable route to market. The Afeela 1, priced from $89,900 with deliveries planned for late 2026, has been cancelled alongside a second model targeting 2028, with California reservation holders receiving full refunds.
MG TEASES SOLIDCORE BATTERY
MG Motor has opened a third European engineering centre in Frankfurt and unveiled SolidCore, a semi-solid-state battery cell using a manganese-based cathode, semi-solid electrolyte shield, and graphite anode — claiming improvements in safety, range, durability and cold-weather performance without providing specific figures. MG claims to be the first automaker to mass-produce a semi-solid-state battery, though the distinction from a similar cell already in China-market MG4s since December 2025 remains unclear; SolidCore is expected in European EVs by end of 2026.
EV CAR/VAN CONVERSIONS FROM RENAULT AND VOLVO
Renault has revealed an electric Twingo van conversion developed for EDF, doubling load capacity from 360 to 797 litres via a removable rear seat, mesh bulkhead, and cargo cage — though the concept remains unlikely to reach UK sale. Volvo UK is already in market with the EX30 Cargo, a fleet-only compact van offering 1,000 litres of capacity, 390kg payload, and a top dual-motor variant producing 423bhp with a 0–62mph time of 3.6 seconds.
AUSTRALIAN FUEL SHORTAGES SPREAD WITHOUT SUPPLY LOSS
Panic buying — not supply disruption — has left over 500 petrol stations across Australia short of at least one fuel grade, with New South Wales worst affected at 289 sites, including 164 diesel-dry locations pushing diesel prices above $3 per litre. Authorities have not declared a national fuel emergency or introduced rationing, with Victoria's Energy Minister confirming the strain is entirely driven by consumer behaviour rather than any import disruption.
VAUXHALL ASTRA FACELIFT STARTS AT £29,995
The facelifted Vauxhall Astra starts at £29,995 across mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full EV variants in both hatchback and Sports Tourer estate, with the PHEV's battery growing from 12.4kWh to 17.2kWh for 52 miles of official electric range and a BiK rate of 10% — undercutting the Golf eHybrid by £6,490. The Astra Electric uses a 154bhp motor with 55.4kWh usable battery, 281 miles of quoted range, and 100kW DC charging covering 20–80% in around 30 minutes.
UK PLEDGES £1 BILLION FOR FLEET ELECTRIFICATION
The UK government has committed £1 billion to commercial fleet electrification, with the Zero Emissions Truck and Van scheme covering up to 40% of purchase costs — reaching £81,000 for the heaviest electric trucks and £5,000 for vans, though reduced from a previous maximum of £120,000 for trucks over 26 tonnes. A separate £170 million uplift to the Depot Charging Scheme allows businesses to reclaim up to 70% of depot charging installation costs, capped at £1 million per application.
SK SIGNET STARTS TEXAS BUILD OF 400-KW CHARGER
SK Signet has begun production of a 400-kW all-in-one DC fast charger at its Texas facility, using silicon carbide electronics to achieve 96.5% conversion efficiency while reducing its physical footprint by up to 54% versus its predecessor. A