GM unveils new ‘groundbreaking’ EV battery tech, aims to be first to market Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/gm-unveils-new-%E2%80%98groundbreaking%E2%80%99-ev-battery-tech-aims-to-be-first-to-market General Motors expects to pioneer a new “groundbreaking” EV battery technology that the automaker says will reduce costs and boost profitability of its largest electric SUVs and trucks. GM is targeting the new batteries and chemistry inside them — called lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells — to be used in full-size electric vehicles such as its Chevrolet Silverado and Escalade IQ beginning in 2028. The new batteries use more-prevalent, less-expensive minerals like manganese instead of larger amounts of cobalt and nickel that are currently used in EV batteries from GM and other automakers. Different EV battery chemistries impact everything from the range and safety of EVs to energy efficiency and charging capabilities, among other needs. “LMR unlocks the premium range and performance at an affordable cost,” said Kurt Kelty, GM vice president of battery, propulsion and sustainability, during a media event at the automaker’s tech and design campus in suburban Detroit. “It’s a game-changing battery for electric trucks.” GM’s first-to-market expectations come after crosstown rival Ford Motor earlier this month announced its intention to launch what it similarly called “game-changing” LMR batteries before 2030. LMR batteries have been around for decades, but they’ve historically offered a far shorter lifespan, according to Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at auto advisory firm Telemetry. It’s a problem GM believes it has solved with its LMR batteries, which are being developed in partnership with LG Energy Solution. Ultium Cells, a GM and LG Energy Solution joint venture, plans to start commercial production of LMR prismatic cells in the U.S. by 2028, with preproduction expected to begin at an LG Energy Solution facility by late 2027. LMR prismatic cells Prismatic cells references the form, or shape, of the square battery cells. They’ve historically been used in hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, followed more recently by EVs. GM, for several years, has been using rectangular “pouch” cells in the U.S., while also also utilizing cylindric cells in China. GM says it first started researching manganese-rich lithium-ion battery cells in 2015, accelerating the technology development in recent years. GM expects the new prismatic LMR batteries and supporting technologies to cut hundreds of pounds from its large EVs. The new battery packs will have 50% fewer parts as well as a significant reduction in the number of modules, or cell cases, inside the vehicles’ battery packs, GM said. The average cost of battery packs for EVs dropped 20% to $115 per kilowatt-hour in 2024, according to a BloombergNEF battery price survey released in December. Abuelsamid, a former engineer turned analyst, estimates GM’s packs with LMR prismatic batteries are likely around a cost of $80 to $90 per kWh. That compares with at least $125 per kWh for GM’s current batteries, he said. GM declined to disclose whether vehicles with LMR batteries will be profitable upon launch. The Detroit automaker said nearly 50% of its current EVs in the first quarter were variable profit positive, meaning they generated enough revenue to cover their production costs. ‘Next step’ Kelty described LMR as the “next step” in GM’s EV plans. The automaker has sunk billions of dollars into electrification as part of an ongoing, yet scaled back, plan under GM CEO Mary Barra. In 2021, Barra said GM would exclusively offer EVs by 2035, investing $35 billion between 2020 and 2025. The company has since said customer demand — which has been slower than expected — will dictate its EV plans. It also has not disclosed its total EV investment thus far. GM believes the LMR batteries will assist in lowering barriers for consumer adoption of EVs. Most notably, concerns around cost and range. Other hurdles, such as charging infrastructure and consumer education, remain. GM aims to offer more than 400 miles of range in an electric truck while achieving significant battery pack cost savings compared with today’s EVs.

Chinese EV battery giant CATL aims to raise US$4bil in Hong Kong IPO Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/chinese-ev-battery-giant-catl-aims-to-raise-us%244bil-in-hong-kong-ipo Chinese EV battery giant CATL aims to raise US$4 billion in its Hong Kong listing scheduled for May 20, said a statement filed to the bourse today, making it the largest IPO expected in the city so far this year. A global leader in the sector, CATL produces more than a third of all electric vehicle (EV) batteries sold worldwide, working with major brands including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen. The company is already listed in Shenzhen, and its plan for a secondary listing in Hong Kong was announced in a December filing with the stock exchange. According to a prospectus filed today, CATL will offer approximately 117.9 million units priced at up to HK$263 per share for total expected proceeds of HK$31.01 billion. The listing is set to take place next Tuesday. Cornerstone investors, including Sinopec and Kuwait Investment Authority, agreed to buy shares worth HK$2.62 billion, the prospectus shows. Founded in 2011 in the eastern Chinese city of Ningde, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) was initially propelled to success by rapid growth in the domestic market. But the world’s largest EV market has more recently begun to show signs of flagging sales amid a broader slowdown in consumption. The trends have fuelled a fierce price war in China’s expansive EV sector, putting smaller firms under huge pressure to compete while remaining financially viable. But CATL continues to post solid performances, with its net profit jumping 32.9% in the first quarter. Funds raised from a secondary listing could be used to accelerate CATL’s overseas expansion, particularly in Europe. The battery giant is building its second factory on the continent in Hungary after launching its first in Germany in January 2023. In December, CATL announced that it would work with automotive giant Stellantis on a US$4.3 billion factory to make EV batteries in Spain, with production slated to begin by the end of 2026. ‘Military-linked company’ Earlier analysts said CATL’s float could be a blockbuster initial public offering that could boost Hong Kong’s fortunes as a listing hub. Hong Kong’s stock exchange is eager for the return of big-name Chinese listings in hopes of regaining its crown as the world’s top IPO venue. The Chinese finance hub saw a steady decline in new offerings since Beijing’s regulatory crackdown starting in 2020 led some Chinese mega-companies to put their plans on hold. In a list issued in January by the US defence department, CATL was designated as a “Chinese military company”. The US house select committee on the Chinese Communist Party highlighted this inclusion in letters to two American banks in April, urging them to withdraw from the IPO deal with the “Chinese military-linked company”. But the two American banks – JPMorgan and Bank of America – are still on the deal. Beijing has denounced the list as “suppression”, while CATL denied engaging “in any military related activities”. According to Bloomberg, CATL plans to make the deal as a “Reg S” offering, which doesn’t allow sales to US onshore investors, limiting the company’s exposure to legal risks in the US.

Chinese Car Sales Soar 153% in Indonesia as Japanese Brands Lose Ground Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/chinese-car-sales-soar-153%7C-in-indonesia-as-japanese-brands-lose-ground Chinese automotive brands are rapidly gaining ground in Indonesia, recording a 153 percent year-on-year increase in vehicle sales during the first quarter of 2025 -- even as the overall market declined by nearly 5 percent, according to the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo). Chinese carmakers sold 20,672 units between January and March, up from 8,148 in the same period last year. In contrast, national car sales fell 4.7 percent, from 215,160 to 205,160 units. Chinese brands now command 10 percent of the Indonesian auto market, a sharp increase from just 3.83 percent a year earlier. The key to their success? Electric vehicles (EVs) -- a segment still underdeveloped among Japanese manufacturers. Japanese Brands Losing Ground Aside from Toyota, nearly all major Japanese brands posted declining sales: Daihatsu: -23.9% to 34,999 units Honda: -20.4% to 22,336 units Suzuki: -20.4% to 14,174 units Mitsubishi: -15.6% to 21,692 units Isuzu: -13.7% to 5,911 units Toyota defied the trend with a 5 percent increase to 68,955 units, maintaining its lead with a 33.6 percent market share. Japanese automakers overall now hold 85.6 percent, down from 91.7 percent in Q1 2024. BYD Leads EV Charge Chinese EV giant BYD made a powerful debut in Indonesia in July 2024 and has quickly become the top-selling EV brand, moving 5,718 units in Q1 2025. Its premium electric minivan, the Denza 9, sold 2,524 units in just a few months, challenging Toyota’s dominance in the luxury MPV segment. With a starting price of Rp 950 million and access to generous EV tax incentives (2% vs. 40% for hybrids and ICEs), the Denza 9 has earned the nickname “Alphard killer.” Meanwhile, fellow Chinese brand Chery reported a 187 percent surge to 4,399 units, also driven largely by EV sales. Wuling, despite its early market entry and local manufacturing, posted a 12.1 percent decline to 4,795 units. Consumers now have access to a wide range of Chinese auto brands including Aion, MG, Geely, Jetour, BAIC, and Haval. “Chinese brands aren’t growing the market -- they’re eroding the market share of Japanese automakers,” said industry analyst Yannes Martinus Pasaribu. EV Momentum in Indonesia EVs now account for 4.9 percent of total car sales in Indonesia, up from 1.7 percent in 2023, largely driven by competitively priced Chinese models with futuristic designs and high-tech features. “Chinese cars are 15–20 percent cheaper, and their production models are far more efficient than their Japanese, Korean, or European counterparts,” Yannes said. “The success of Denza 9 proves Chinese brands are no longer limited to budget segments.” China now dominates the Indonesian EV market with a 90 percent share, followed by South Korea at just 6 percent, he noted. “Chinese cars are no longer secondary options -- they’re emerging as potential market leaders,” Yannes said. Japanese Automakers Bet on Hybrids Despite strong EV growth, Japanese carmakers continue to push hybrid technology as a more practical choice for Indonesian consumers. Astra International, the official distributor for Toyota, Daihatsu, and Isuzu, is holding off on expanding its EV lineup. “Hybrid is the most realistic solution for Indonesian mobility,” said Henry Tanoto, Director at Astra. “We plan to introduce hybrid variants for our mass market segment soon.” Astra currently offers 15 hybrid models, and Henry emphasized the group’s resale value advantage and after-sales ecosystem. “EV buyers still have concerns -- charging access and resale value remain barriers. Many still see EVs as a secondary vehicle,” he added. Hybrid cars, on the other hand, have wider geographic adoption, including in satellite cities, not just urban centers. In Q1, Astra sold 110,812 vehicles across its brands, securing a 54 percent market share.

V-Green to build 63k EV chargers in Indonesia Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/v-green-to-build-63k-ev-chargers-in-indonesia V-Green, a developer of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, has signed agreements with four partners to deploy approximately 63,000 charging ports for VinFast EVs in Indonesia by the end of 2025. This initiative represents a notable increase from the company’s previous targets. The agreements involve collaboration with Chargecore, Chargepoint, Amarta Group, and CVS. They will contribute a total of US$300 million to develop EV charging infrastructure across several Indonesian regions, including Jakarta, Bali, and Kalimantan. The first charging stations are scheduled to begin operations in June 2025.

Geely’s electric vehicle US delisting is shrewd Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/geely%E2%80%99s-electric-vehicle-us-delisting-is-shrewd Sometimes a U-turn is necessary. China's Geely Auto (0175.HK), opens new tabis offering, opens new tab to take electric-vehicle unit Zeekr (ZK.N), opens new tab private less than a year after the company's debut in New York. Absorbing the $6.4 billion entity will help Geely group founder Li Shufu extract synergies from his auto empire in an opportunistically timed deal. The buyout proposal announced on Wednesday offers cash of $25.66 per Zeekr American Depositary Receipt, equivalent to a roughly 14% premium to the previous day's closing price. Geely Auto shareholders welcomed the deal; its Hong Kong-listed stock rose some 5% the following morning. They have multiple reasons to cheer on the transaction. The broader Geely group and Li together hold multiple marques, from Volvo Cars (VOLCARb.ST), opens new tab to Lotus Technology as well as suppliers and even a satellite specialist. At least eight of those businesses are listed. As well as adding complexity, different brands risk cannibalising each other’s markets and resources. In September, Li called for, opens new tab greater focus and efficiency. The outlay looks manageable too. As Geely Auto, Li and Zeekr CEO An Conghui own more than 80% of the target company's stock, Geely would need to pay out just $1.3 billion to buy back the remainder. Geely Auto's net cash position should cover this. Its total spend could be even less if some investors opt instead for newly issued shares in the offeror. The deal is affordable by other metrics too. It values Zeekr at 0.4 times estimated revenue for 2026, according to analyst estimates gathered by Visible Alpha – less than half the average for peers Nio (9866.HK), opens new tab, Xpeng (9868.HK), opens new tab and Li Auto (2015.HK), opens new tab. Although the offer is 22% above Zeekr's IPO price, the shares were trading as high as $32 a piece in mid-March. Here, Li may be able to thank U.S. President Donald Trump. The deteriorating Sino-American relationship may have weighed on Zeekr's stock. It is one of only a handful of large U.S.-listed Chinese entities that do not have a listing in China or Hong Kong to fall back on should American lawmakers succeed in pressuring, opens new tab the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to delist Chinese companies. Li will bear one big cost, however. Zeekr’s abrupt change of strategic direction may leave investors wary of similarly sudden moves in the future. That could undermine his credibility when he attempts other listings, such as ride-hailing group CaoCao’s planned Hong Kong IPO, opens new tab. For now, the Chinese auto tycoon is seizing the day.

California sues Trump administration over blocked funds for EV charging Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/california-sues-trump-administration-over-blocked-funds-for-ev-charging California and a coalition of 16 states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Wednesday, saying it had unlawfully blocked $5bn in congressional funds allocated to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The states allege that an executive order by President Donald Trump directing federal agencies to stop releasing money appropriated for EV infrastructure under former president Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is unlawful. It is the latest in a series of legal challenges by Democratic-led states against orders by the administration that they claim are illegal. The order, which was issued on Trump’s first day in office, resulted in the Federal Highway Administration freezing more than $300mn in funding that had been allocated to California, costing jobs and dismantling a critical emerging technology industry, according to the lawsuit.    Rob Bonta, California’s attorney-general, on Wednesday accused the president of illegally stripping away billions of dollars of federal funding for EVs and working to “roll back environmental and climate change protections”. “California will not back down, not from Big Oil, and not from federal over-reach,” he said in a statement.     California Governor Gavin Newsom, regarded as a potential Democratic presidential contender, is positioning himself as a leader in opposition to the Trump administration. California has filed 19 lawsuits since Trump’s inauguration. Earlier this week, Newsom joined with 16 other Democratic governors in legal action against the administration aimed at blocking the federal government’s move to freeze new wind energy developments across the country. Last month it was one of a dozen states that challenged the legality of Trump’s sweeping tariffs, claiming they are unconstitutional because Congress has not granted him the authority to raise taxes on imports. In a statement, Newsom said Trump’s action withholding funds for EV charging was “yet another gift to China — ceding American innovation and killing thousands of jobs”. “Instead of hawking Teslas on the White House lawn, President Trump could actually help Elon [Musk] — and the nation — by following the law and releasing this bipartisan funding,” Newsom added.  California is a leader in clean energy tech among US states and has the highest ownership of EVs in the country. More than 2mn zero emission vehicles have been sold in the state — about 34 per cent of total US sales, according to the California state government. The US Department of Energy did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Lucid partners with KAUST to boost EV technology and autonomous driving Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/lucid-partners-with-kaust-to-boost-ev-technology-and-autonomous-driving Lucid Group, a US-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has partnered with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to advance EV technology and autonomous driving capabilities. This partnership aims to leverage KAUST's supercomputing capabilities to shape the future of EVs. Lucid Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said: “KAUST’s world-class research infrastructure and talent has the potential to further boost our technology leadership in many dimensions incl. our ADAS and AD roadmap—bringing cutting-edge innovation from the lab to the road. “This collaboration also strengthens our global R&D footprint bringing additional resources to bear in our efforts to continue as a leader in EV powertrain, battery systems, advanced materials, and software-defined vehicle platforms." The collaboration will focus on designing and prototyping next-generation components and systems. Winterhoff added: "As this partnership demonstrates, we continue to strengthen our collaboration with the Kingdom and are fully committed to working together to help achieve their vision to become a global centre for mobility innovation.” The partnership will include the integration of various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, and chemical engineering. It will also explore advancements in materials science, focusing on high-performance metallic and polymer-based composites, heat-reflective glass coatings, innovative laminates, and alternative materials to optimise vehicle efficiency and durability. Lucid SVP of product and chief engineer Eric Bach added: “Access to high-performance computing at this level is truly transformative. It dramatically enhances our ability to develop advanced fluids, materials and alloys, simulate real-world physics for crash safety and structural optimisation, model fluid dynamics and thermal transfer, analyse electromagnetic flux, and accelerate AI training for digital twin technology, autonomous systems, and large language models. "We’re deeply grateful for this opportunity and excited about the breakthroughs it will drive across our engineering and AI initiatives.” Research and development activities will be conducted at KAUST’s advanced laboratories in King Abdullah Economic City. Last month, Lucid expanded its Arizona footprint by acquiring a manufacturing plant in Coolidge and a Phoenix facility, both formerly owned by the bankrupt Nikola. "Lucid partners with KAUST to boost EV technology and autonomous driving" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.

VinFast secures $190 million loan for its EV plant in Indonesia Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/vinfast-secures-%24190-million-loan-for-its-ev-plant-in-indonesia VinFast has signed a long-term syndicated loan agreement to finance the construction of its electric vehicle assembly plant in Indonesia. VinFast announced on May 2 that the agreement, with the state-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) and PT Bank Maybank Indonesia Tbk (Maybank), will provide critical long-term funding to support VinFast's global expansion strategy and expand its production capabilities. The company noted that this underscores its strong reputation and growth potential to major partners in Indonesia. Under the terms of the agreement, BNI will be the lead arranger of the financing and will handle the underwriting for the syndicated loan of $110 million. The loan is intended to finance the construction of PT VinFast Automobile Indonesia's electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant. Of the total syndicated loan facility of $110 million, BNI will finance $90 million, with the remainder to be provided by Maybank. Moreover, the parties will proceed with an additional $80 million extension facility. VinFast and BNI executed an MoU in March for collaborative investment, development, and provision of financial solutions to bolster VinFast's green ecosystem in Indonesia. This initiative aims to facilitate a seamless green transition for Indonesian consumers, enabling easier adoption of EVs. Agung Prabowo, director of wholesale and international banking of BNI said, "This financing highlights BNI's commitment to Indonesia's green transition. We have faith in VinFast's vision and their dedication to innovation, as well the significant potential of the EV industry. The role of financial institutions in channelling investment capital towards this sector will be a crucial in driving Indonesia's progress towards achieving a green and sustainable economy." Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, said, "We are honoured to receive the support of Indonesia's leading financial institutions, BNI and Maybank. We firmly believe this will be a vital catalyst for VinFast's expansion in Indonesia, where our manufacturing facility will deliver smart, eco-friendly mobility solutions, while creating jobs and supporting the growth of Indonesia’s EV industry." In July last year, VinFast broke ground on its EV assembly plant in Subang with operations planned to commence in the second half of this year. This strategically positioned facility is projected to become a pivotal manufacturing hub for VinFast's EVs, serving both Indonesian and export markets, while simultaneously bolstering the local automotive industry's supply chain.

Indonesia’s EV revolution held hostage by ‘preman’ gangster problem Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/indonesia%E2%80%99s-ev-revolution-held-hostage-by-%E2%80%98preman%E2%80%99-gangster-problem From China’s BYD to Vietnam’s VinFast, foreign EV investors in Indonesia are reportedly facing disruption from shadowy local enforcers In Indonesia, the dream of becoming Southeast Asia’s electric vehicle powerhouse is colliding with an age-old nemesis: preman organised crime groups. These shadowy enforcers, long the scourge of street vendors and small businesses, are now accused of disrupting a US$1 billion factory by Chinese EV maker BYD – a project hailed as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic future. The allegations, which surfaced last month, spotlight a deeper tension in Indonesia’s modernisation push: can the government root out the deep-seated gangsterism that has thrived for generations under the protection of powerful backers? Preman, with their alleged ties to political elites and law enforcement, can trace their origins back to the Dutch colonial era, when local enforcers were used to extract wealth for the colonisers. Today, they have become an entrenched force in the country’s economic and political fabric. The allegations surrounding disruption at BYD’s factory came to light on April 20, when Eddy Soeparno, deputy speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly, publicly raised concerns after a visit to a BYD assembly plant in Shenzhen, China. “There was a problem related to premanism that disrupted the construction of BYD’s facilities [in Indonesia]. I think the government needs to be firm in handling this problem,” Soeparno said. The problem is not limited to BYD, however. Vietnamese EV maker VinFast, which is building a US$200 million facility in the same industrial complex as BYD in Subang, West Java, has reportedly faced similar challenges. “VinFast has also reported that there have been disruptions [by preman], but I have helped [them] by communicating with the [leaders of the] local area,” said Moeldoko, chairman of the Indonesian Electric Vehicle Industry Association and chief of presidential staff under former president Joko Widodo. “Ironically, we need job opportunities. There are people who come and give us [job] opportunities but they are messed up by others. This is not right.” Soeparno warned that preman threatened Indonesia’s economic ambitions, including the government’s goal of achieving 8 per cent growth. But by acting against such gangsters “Indonesia will send a strong signal to the business world that the government does not tolerate the cowboy actions of thugs,” he said. Officials from both BYD and VinFast have played down the claims. “So far, the entire process of preparation and construction of the factory has gone well,” Luther Panjaitan, a spokesman for BYD Motor Indonesia, told CNN Indonesia. Meanwhile, a VinFast representative told Bloomberg Technoz that construction on the Vietnamese company’s Subang factory “has been running smoothly according to the schedule that has been set”, with operations expected to begin in October. “The development also continues to pay attention to local laws, including maintaining good and responsible relations with the surrounding community,” the representative said. A legacy of power and protection For Ian Wilson, a senior lecturer at Australia’s Murdoch University who wrote the book The Politics of Protection Rackets in Post New-Order Indonesia, the issue of preman interfering with major investments is far from unexpected. “When a big company was going to move into an area [in Indonesia], one of the things they’d normally do is they would meet the local strongmen and they would engage with them,” he said. “It seems it was either an oversight or they weren’t advised accordingly, because [gangsterism] is normal stuff in Indonesia.” Wilson explained that companies often paid off preman or offered them jobs as security guards or cleaners. But dealing with these groups becomes more complicated when they are part of powerful mass organisations, known locally as ormas. “If they’re a big [organisation] … they could be linked to politicians or political parties, where they feel they can be more assertive or more bullish,” he said. Often when you get a new government, these groups will push and shove a bit, and see how far they can get away with things Ian Wilson, researcher of Indonesian politics “Often when you get a new government, these groups will push and shove a bit, and see how far they can get away with things, as relationships always get recalibrated after a new government comes into power.” The role of preman was particularly pronounced under the 32-year dictatorship of Suharto, when they were centralised under his command. “In the past, entrepreneurs knew they had to solve problems by simply coming to Suharto,” said Sugeng Teguh Santoso, chairman of Indonesian Police Watch, an independent watchdog based in Jakarta. But now, power is more fragmented. “Mass organisations have bargaining power,” he said. “The military is not the only powerful force; now we have the [national] police, the municipal police, and influential public figures. This even distribution of power can trigger territorial conflicts [between gangs].” One lucrative reason ormas targeted large businesses, Sugeng said, was to control industrial waste management – a sector worth “hundreds of billions” of rupiah. “There is a lot of money circulating behind mass organisations that rely on mob power,” he said. “That’s why people become members of ormas, so they can get money quickly.” “[Premanism] is deeply embedded in clientelism and patronage politics, at a level that goes beyond law and order,” Wilson said. “[Indonesian politics] is all about deal-making. Anyone can make a deal with anyone because there’s no ideological obstruction, and it goes from the top all the way to the bottom.” For a nation vying to become a leading EV manufacturing hub, the question is: can the government curb the preman without cutting a deal?

EV share of new car registrations reaches 97 per cent in Norway Source: https://evlife.sg/blog/ev-share-of-new-car-registrations-reaches-97-per-cent-in-norway In April, 10,942 new electric cars were registered in Norway - slightly fewer than in March, but around 900 more electric cars than in April last year. The means that 97 per cent of all new registrations in the country were electric cars. The 10,942 new electric cars in April are 250 fewer new registrations than in March 2025, a nearly constant level. The difference is that there was a small ‘hybrid high’ in March, with a total of 13,304 new cars registered, making for an electric car market share of 84.1 per cent. In April 2025, on the other hand, 11,286 new cars were registered in Norway across all drive types, according to the road information authority OFV. This means that 97 per cent of all new cars are purely electric, and April once again significantly exceeded the previous annual average of 92.3 per cent. After the first four months, the OFV registered 42,882 new registrations in the Norwegian statistics – 28 per cent more than in the same period last year. The growth of the overall market was therefore driven by electric cars (apart from the aforementioned ‘hybrid high’ at Toyota). However, this ‘hybrid high’ also had a political background: on 1 April, a tax change came into force that made hybrids significantly more expensive, which led to over 1,200 new registrations of plug-in hybrids in March. In April, with the new tax rate, there were only 56 new PHEVs. “This clearly shows how the government’s tax policy is affecting car sales,” said OFV Director Øyvind Solberg Thorsen. The OFV figures also show that companies and industry are increasingly focussing on electric cars when purchasing new company cars. This also means that only 344 non-electric cars were newly registered in April – we have already mentioned the 56 plug-in hybrids. In addition, there are 98 full hybrids, 25 petrol cars (with a 0.2 per cent market share) and 165 new diesels with a 1.5 per cent market share (after 3.2 per cent in April 2024). Fuel cell cars are not very widespread in Norway and are not listed separately in the OFV’s new registration statistics In view of these figures, it is of course obvious that the model statistics are dominated by electric cars. So far, however, individual hybrid models (especially from Toyota) have repeatedly made it into the top ten. According to the OFV, all car models in the top 30 list were purely electric for the first time in April. A non-electric car only appeared in 39th place. “We’ve never seen us have to go so far down the list of new car sales before something other than electric cars appears,” confirms Solberg Thorsen. With the start of European deliveries of the Juniper facelift, the best-selling model was the Tesla Model Y with 869 new registrations and a market share of 7.7 per cent. It was followed by the VD ID.4 (724) and the Toyota bZ4X (697), two other models that have been in demand in Norway for months. However, the electric Toyota only just made it onto the podium: with 696 new registrations, the OFV registered just one vehicle less of the VW ID.7. The ID.3 also did well with 620 new registrations. Behind them, the gap is somewhat wider: the Nissan Ariya (423), Skoda Enyaq (356), Volvo EX30 (343), BMW iX1 (293) and Ford Explorer (291) complete the top ten. However, it should be noted that the Enyaq is currently undergoing a model change to a facelift, which may have a short-term impact on new registrations. The best-selling electric car from a Chinese brand in April was the Xpeng G6 with 185 new registrations. According to the OFV report, Chinese manufacturers have achieved a total market share of around twelve per cent in the current year. The Model Y is also ahead for the year, with 3,656 new registrations – still in first place, but 31.4 per cent less than in 2024. This could be a sign that many people now consider other brands to be just as interesting and have just as much to offer in roughly the same price segment, says Solberg Thorsen. In the period from January to April, however, the Toyota bZ4X followed in second place with 2,984 vehicles, ahead of the ID.4 (2,617).