Daily EV news · US · 10 July 2026
EV Charging
Ford extends Power Promise free home charger scheme to July 2026 for Mustang Mach E buyers
Ford has extended its Power Promise programme, offering new 2025 Mustang Mach E buyers or lessees a free Level 2 home charger with standard installation until the end of July 2026, or a 2,000 dollar price reduction alternative. The scheme, launched in October 2024, covers installations up to 60 amp circuits and 80 feet of wiring through third party provider Qmerit, though excludes underground line work or panel upgrades. Only the Mustang Mach E now qualifies after F 150 Lightning inventory dried up nationwide.
Why it matters
The extension signals Ford's continued push to lower home charging barriers for retail EV buyers, potentially driving residential charger installation volumes for contractors working with Qmerit. The 2,000 dollar cash alternative also highlights competitive pressure to reduce upfront EV ownership costs in the US market.
Electric Vehicles
Rivian expands market reach as Xiaomi scales up and $14,000 compact EV targets US market
A new podcast episode examines three developments in the EV sector: Rivian's market expansion efforts, Chinese tech firm Xiaomi's increased production ambitions, and the potential US arrival of a $14,000 compact electric vehicle. The discussion covers competitive positioning across US and global markets, highlighting the growing diversity of EV offerings from established manufacturers and new entrants alike.
Why it matters
The emergence of ultra-affordable EVs in the US market could accelerate charging infrastructure demand in urban and budget-conscious segments, whilst Rivian's expansion and Xiaomi's scaling signal intensifying competition that may drive CPOs to diversify their network strategies to serve varied vehicle types and price points.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz US sales jump 121 per cent in Q2 as ID.4 drops 6 per cent
Volkswagen sold 1,249 ID.Buzz electric vans in the US during Q2 2025, up 121 per cent year on year from 564 units, outpacing Ford's E-Transit (293 units) by more than four times. The carmaker skipped the 2026 model year but introduced a 2027 refresh in April, including a Tourer camping variant due at dealerships next month. Meanwhile, ID.4 electric SUV sales fell 6 per cent to 1,867 units in the same quarter.
Why it matters
The ID.Buzz's triple digit growth signals rising commercial and fleet interest in electric vans, a segment critical for last mile logistics and municipal procurement. The ID.4's decline and production hiatus for a major refresh may create short term supply gaps for public sector EV programmes relying on affordable electric SUVs.
GM developing BEV-N platform with first vehicles due late 2028 or early 2029
General Motors is working on a new dedicated EV architecture called BEV-N, according to GM Authority, with the first production vehicle expected to be the next generation Chevy Equinox EV rolling off the line in late 2028 or early 2029. The platform will succeed GM's current BEV3 architecture, which underpins models including the Chevy Equinox and Blazer EVs and the Cadillac Lyriq. No technical specifications have been disclosed, though the new platform is expected to exceed the current Equinox EV's EPA estimated 319 mile range.
Why it matters
A new GM platform arriving in 2028 to 2029 signals potential shifts in charging infrastructure requirements and procurement timelines for networks serving GM fleet customers and dealerships. The platform's anticipated range improvements may influence power delivery specifications for charging sites targeting next generation GM vehicles.
Audi EV sales struggle in US market
Audi is experiencing weak electric vehicle sales in the United States, according to recent reports. The German premium brand's EV lineup is failing to gain traction with American consumers despite the broader market's shift towards electrification. This underperformance comes as other premium manufacturers compete for market share in the growing US EV segment.
Why it matters
Sluggish EV adoption from established premium brands like Audi may slow workplace and destination charging infrastructure investment in segments targeting luxury vehicle owners. For CPOs and site hosts, understanding which EV brands are gaining traction helps inform charging network planning and capacity decisions.
Grid & Energy
UNIGRID ships first sodium-ion home batteries to Europe, targets US by end 2026
California startup UNIGRID has installed its Na+Casa residential battery in European homes, with US rollout expected by the end of 2026 pending North American certification. The 9.25 kilowatt hour sodium-ion system is designed for a 25 year lifespan and eliminates thermal propagation risk, positioning it as an alternative to lithium-ion storage for solar-paired homes.
Why it matters
Sodium-ion chemistry sidesteps lithium, cobalt and nickel supply chains while promising longer asset life and lower fire risk, factors that could reshape procurement decisions for residential storage installers and utilities exploring distributed energy resources.
Policy & Market
NaaS Technology signs US$15 million related party EV data acquisition deal
NaaS Technology has entered into a US$15 million deal to acquire EV related data from a related party. The transaction was reported by The Globe and Mail. Specific details on the data assets involved and the identity of the related party were not fully disclosed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Related party transactions of this scale in the EV data space signal growing commercial value placed on charging and vehicle data, though the related party nature warrants scrutiny from potential partners and investors evaluating NaaS as a platform provider.
U.S. EV sales climb 14.2% quarter on quarter to 247,226 units in Q2, highest since federal tax credit ended
Electric vehicle sales in the United States rose 14.2% quarter on quarter to 247,226 units between April and June, the strongest quarterly result since the federal EV tax credit expired in September, according to Cox Automotive data released on Friday. Sales remained 20.5% lower than the same period a year earlier when the incentive was active, but the sequential growth signals market stabilisation after the policy change. Tesla led with 124,800 units sold in Q2, up 6.4% from Q1 2026 but down 9.6% from Q4 2025.
Why it matters
Recovering EV sales volumes suggest sustained demand for charging infrastructure despite the loss of federal purchase incentives, with state level programmes and new model launches now driving uptake. Charge point operators can expect steadier utilisation growth as the market finds a new baseline after last year's correction.