EDTA EV Report January 2026

Top Story

EV adoption nears tipping point in many countries

Electric vehicle adoption is nearing a tipping point in major markets like the EU and China and possibly the US, driven by falling battery costs and technological advancements, per research published in Nature Communications. China leads as the largest EV market due to a mature supply chain, accessible models and dense charging infrastructure, with Norway setting the global benchmark, with EVs accounting for over 90% of new vehicle sales. The EU has varied adoption across member states, while there is steady, but slower growth in the US.

Full Story: AZO Cleantech (1/12)

Technology

Porsche Engineering taps AI to boost EV range

Porsche Engineering has developed an AI-driven approach to optimize soft switching in electric vehicle inverters. By using AI to predict the optimal moments for switching, the system adapts to constantly changing loads and ensures transistors are activated with minimal losses. The process enables full soft switching, reducing power loss and increasing an EV's range by up to 9% in certain operating ranges.

Full Story: Electrive (Germany) (1/9)

GWM's twin-turbo V-8 bucks China's EV trend

GWM's four-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine, unveiled at CES 2026, marks a significant investment in large-displacement internal combustion technology amid a Chinese market shift toward electrification. The in-house developed engine uses advanced features such as Miller cycle operation, twin turbochargers and a robust cooling system, emphasizing durability and high performance. With an estimated 500 horsepower, the V-8 is engineered for premium off-road and performance vehicles, starting with the upcoming Tank 800 luxury SUV.

Full Story: Autoblog (1/9), CarNewsChina (1/6), Car and Driver (1/8)

Policy

GM prioritizes flexibility to navigate regulatory landscape

The General Motors global headquarters at Hudson's Detroit in Detroit, Michigan, US, on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. CEO Mary Barra discussed GM's heritage and innovation for the future. Photographer: Jeff Kowalsky/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(Bloomberg/Getty Images)

General Motors CEO Mary Barra says electric vehicles remain "the end game" despite the Trump administration's rollback of fuel economy regulations and elimination of a $7,500 EV tax credit. Barra also stressed the importance of maintaining flexibility as US fuel economy and emission regulations shift, highlighting that GM is balancing investment in hybrids and EVs to stay responsive to changing government policies.

Full Story: Yahoo/Reuters (1/12), The Drive (1/13)

Infrastructure

Study: Range anxiety persists for Americans

A Deloitte study has found that Americans are more concerned about the range and charging time of electric vehicles than they are about price. The study found that 47% of respondents cited range as the top concern, followed by 44% who cited charging time and 40% who cited overall cost.

Full Story: InsideEVs (1/8)

Voltpost, EVSE scale up lamppost EV charger

Voltpost is scaling up its Air lamppost EV charger, designed for quick installation on existing streetlights, through a partnership with EVSE. The charger can be installed in a few hours, making it ideal for dense urban areas where traditional EV charger installation is slow and costly. EVSE's AutoCoil retractable cable system is a key feature, protecting the cable from damage.

Full Story: Electrek (1/9)

Supply Chain

Trump's rare earth initiatives boost US green tech

President Donald Trump's initiatives to reduce reliance on China for rare earth minerals have spurred a surge in US venture capital investment, with more than $628 million invested in 2025. That's a year-over-year increase of nearly 3,000% and represents 90% of global funding in the area. The trend bodes well for US green technologies, but China continues to dominate the global rare earth market, controlling over 90% of refining capacity.

Full Story: Bloomberg (1/15)

Energy and the Environment

US automakers adding energy storage to their lineup

US automakers are increasingly entering the energy storage market amid declining electric vehicle sales, using existing battery production capabilities to meet rising electricity demand. Ford Motor and General Motors have announced investments in energy storage, following Tesla's lead with its Powerwall and Powerpack products. Ford is converting a Kentucky battery factory for energy storage and GM has partnered with Redwood Materials to use old and new EV batteries for energy storage.

Full Story: CNBC (1/15)

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