Daily EV news · Global · 3 November 2026
Electric Vehicles
BYD Atto 3 Evo compared with Renault Scenic E Tech as Renault updates its battery and range
A French-language comparison puts the facelifted BYD Atto 3 Evo, whose specification now matches its rivals, against the Renault Scenic E Tech. Between writing and publication, Renault presented an updated Scenic whose top version moves from an 87 kWh to an 89 kWh battery, with WLTP range rising from 625 to 642 km and consumption unchanged. The article says charging also differs on the new version, but the excerpt does not give the figures.
Why it matters
Two of the main compact electric SUV rivals in France are changing their specifications, and the Scenic's charging behaviour is changing with its battery. Procurement and CPO teams should watch for the detailed charging figures, as they affect how these vehicles use sites.
Market overview points to fully electric heavy duty trucks reshaping freight across highways, construction and urban delivery
A market commentary piece says fully electric heavy duty trucks are replacing diesel drivetrains with battery propulsion across highways, construction sites and urban delivery networks. It cites cut tailpipe emissions, lower operating costs and quieter performance as the main benefits. The excerpt gives no market size, growth or deployment figures, so it reads as a general overview with a global scope.
Why it matters
Growing heavy duty electric adoption across several duty cycles points to future demand for depot and on route high power charging, though this piece offers no numbers to size it. Treat it as a directional signal and look for quantified fleet and order data before shaping procurement or site plans.
Yamaha unveils 2027 NMAX E, a 125cc-equivalent electric scooter with a fixed 3.5 kWh battery and Type 2 AC charging
Yamaha has unveiled the 2027 NMAX E, an electric version of its NMAX sport scooter, positioned in the A1 class alongside 125cc combustion scooters rather than low-speed urban models. It uses a 6.7 kW nominal (7.5 kW peak) motor with 33.3 Nm of torque and a fixed 3.5 kWh lithium-ion battery rated for up to 104 km on the WMTC Class 1 cycle. An onboard 800W charger accepts a household outlet or an AC Type 2 public charging station, with a full charge from 0% to 100% taking around 5.5 hours.
Why it matters
A mainstream manufacturer choosing a fixed battery with Type 2 AC charging, rather than swappable packs, points to more electric two-wheelers relying on public and workplace AC points. Operators and procurers of AC infrastructure should note the slow 800W charge rate, which suggests long dwell times rather than fast turnover.
Fiat adds Topolino Dolcevita with sliding soft top as standard, from £9,495
Fiat has launched the Topolino Dolcevita, bringing the full length sliding soft top to its permanent range for the first time after it was previously limited to special editions. Orders are open at £9,495 on the road, while the rest of the Topolino range starts at £8,995. The Topolino is Fiat's equivalent of the Citroen Ami and is classed as a quadricycle rather than a full electric car, with a top speed of 28mph.
Why it matters
Quadricycles are a small, low speed niche, so the direct effect on public charging demand is likely to be limited. It does show manufacturers widening entry level urban EV choice, which CPOs working in dense city areas may want to keep an eye on.
YouTuber converts dead BMW i3 Rex into homemade electric mini pickup for under $8,000
Content creator Michael Pick turned a non-running BMW i3 into a mini truck with a waterproofed wooden cargo bed, spending less than $8,000 including the used car, which he bought sight unseen at an online auction. He set a budget cap of $10,000 and a target of more than 300 miles of total range, choosing the i3 Rex because its small two-cylinder petrol engine recharges the battery rather than driving the wheels. Pick says a full charge costs him $4 if he runs fully electric, according to coverage on The Cool Down citing MotorBiscuit.
Why it matters
The project shows price-sensitive drivers who find electric pickups too expensive are turning to low-cost conversions, a signal of unmet demand for affordable electric utility vehicles. For CPOs and fleet buyers, it points to a niche of small-battery, range-extender vehicles that may charge at home or on low-cost public chargers rather than needing high-power sites.
BMW plans navigation-guided SAE Level 2 urban driving assistance from 2027, starting in Germany
BMW has announced navigation-guided, partially automated driving functions for cities from 2027, starting in Germany, using active route guidance via BMW Maps to help with turns, urban lane changes, right-of-way situations and roundabouts. Combined with BMW Motorway and City Assistant, the assisted driving would run from motorway to countryside to city, but it remains SAE Level 2, so drivers stay responsible and must monitor traffic. The hardware is standard in the latest iX3 and iX4 and all variants of the X5, 3 Series and 7 Series, with later models similarly equipped and functions delivered by software update, as reported on 3 November 2026 and compared with Tesla's FSD (Supervised), also Level 2.
Why it matters
Software-delivered driver assistance on standard hardware points to more connected, navigation-aware EVs reaching the road, which is a signal for CPOs and procurement teams to watch in how route guidance and charging-stop planning develop. The article excerpt gives no charging-specific details, so any impact on charging demand or network integration remains unconfirmed.
Aion UT small electric hatchback arrives in the UK priced at £28,885 P11D
A first drive by Simon Harris reports that the Chinese built Aion UT small hatchback has reached the UK, with a P11D price of £28,885, a range of 268 miles and economy of 3.8mpkWh. The review says it drives adequately but offers little excitement, with light steering and a comfort focused ride. Its pitch to corporate buyers rests on generous dimensions, high equipment levels and a robust aftersales package.
Why it matters
Another new Chinese brand targeting company car lists suggests more small electric hatchbacks entering UK fleets, which adds to future demand for workplace, depot and public charging. A 268 mile range and 3.8mpkWh efficiency are the figures to weigh when planning charging provision for these drivers.
Grid & Energy
Octopus Energy signs MoU with CATL's Ampace to develop next generation smart home batteries
Octopus Energy and Xiamen Ampace Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore smart home energy storage that pairs high-performance hardware with intelligent software. The work will draw on CATL and Ampace research into sodium-ion technology, high-density cell designs and ultra-long lifecycle systems, combined with Octopus's software platform, smart tariffs and Virtual Power Plant capabilities. The collaboration will initially explore opportunities across European markets where Octopus has retail energy offices, according to the announcement.
Why it matters
Connected home batteries that charge when energy is cleanest and cheapest and export at peak times add to the flexibility pool that charging operators and fleet depots compete with and can partner with. Lower cost chemistries such as sodium-ion could also reshape the economics of paired storage at charging sites, though the MoU is exploratory and commits to no products or volumes yet.
Octopus Energy · CATL · Ampace · Source