BRIEFLY: Tesla, Polestar, Nissan & more | 03 Oct 2025
EV News Daily - Technology and Business of EVs
Martyn Lee
4.8 • 749 Ratings
🗓️ 3 October 2025
⏱️ 4 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily
Tesla opened US orders for the refreshed Model Y Performance just ahead of the federal EV tax credit deadline, with deliveries set for December 2025 and a price that includes complimentary options such as premium colors, a tow hitch, and lifetime Premium Connectivity. This enhanced value package aims to justify the price premium and offers buyers a feature-rich, high-performance electric SUV.
The 2026 Polestar 3 sees a major upgrade with an 800V electrical system, boosting charging speeds to 350 kW and improving overall efficiency by 6%. These enhancements, paired with a powerful new rear motor and a top-tier NVIDIA central computer, are available to all existing customers via retrofit, ensuring the brand’s flagship SUV delivers cutting-edge EV technology.
Nissan is reallocating its US production focus after pausing plans for local EV assembly, directing efforts towards hybrid SUVs that suit current market trends. The company remains committed to EVs by continuing Leaf sales from Japan and considering US hybrid production while monitoring future demand.
The new Tesla Model Y Performance will support bidirectional charging, adding both vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-home capabilities through a future software update. This practical feature gives owners reliable backup power and portable electricity, further enhancing the Model Y's appeal as a versatile family EV.
Tesla raised US lease prices for all models following the expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, and industry analysts predict sales may slow with the reduced affordability. Despite market shifts, Tesla's purchase prices remain steady, and the company continues to lead in EV innovation and technology.
Tesla’s deliveries in China have dipped despite pricing incentives and the introduction of new models, but global Q3 deliveries were strong, supported by robust demand in the US. The company remains agile in responding to regional trends, maintaining competitiveness with regular product updates and market-specific offerings.
Norway reached a new milestone in September, with EVs accounting for 98.3% of all new car registrations, reflecting strong government policy and consumer enthusiasm. Tesla saw standout growth, recording its highest monthly sales in over two years and helping Norway further its world-leading electrification efforts.
NextStar Energy, a Stellantis and LG joint venture, has completed Canada’s largest battery plant in Windsor, capable of supplying 450,000 EVs annually and supporting more than 2,500 jobs. The factory is fully approved for safe operation and will play a pivotal role in North America's transition to electric vehicles.
Analysis shows that while the US federal EV tax credit has ended, fossil fuels still receive hundreds of billions in government support annually, far outstripping historical EV subsidies. This context highlights the ongoing need for policy equity as the market shifts toward cleaner transportation solutions.
The Affordable Clean Cars Coalition has grown to 13 state governors united in expanding access to cost-effective EVs and supporting domestic automakers. The group's collaboration focuses on lowering barriers for consumers and maintaining state authority under the Clean Air Act to accelerate vehicle electrification.
Rivian demonstrated the resilience of its upcoming R2 SUV with a successful water-fording test, underscoring its capability before production starts in 2026. These rigorous trials ensure the vehicle meets high durability standards, aiming for a base price around $45,000.
4SB Mobility will showcase swappable battery technology at Fleet & Mobility Live, giving UK fleet operators a hands-on look at how rapid swaps—completed in as little as two minutes—can enhance EV usability. The system can even retrofit existing EVs, improving range flexibility and future-proofing fleet investments.
Archer Aviation’s Midnight eVTOL achieved a 7,000-foot altitude in testing, successfully demonstrating its power and potential for urban mobility solutions. The milestone is a positive development toward eventual FAA certification, with the aircraft now tested at speeds exceeding 150 mph and distances over 50 miles.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | It's EV News briefly for Friday, October 3rd, Everything EV in less than five minutes. |
| 0:04.6 | If you haven't got time for the full podcast, we'll get you up to speed. |
| 0:07.5 | Tesla has opened US orders for the refreshed Model Y performance ahead of the federal tax credit, which expired three days ago. |
| 0:14.6 | They opened orders just hours before the expiration. |
| 0:17.5 | If anybody got in with an order, assigned order, some money down. |
| 0:22.1 | They can now wait to take delivery of that vehicle and still get all of the tax benefits, $7,500 off that vehicle. |
| 0:28.6 | More Tesla news in a moment. First of all, though, Polestar 3 gets a big upgrade, just like the |
| 0:34.2 | Volvo EX90 did. So moving to the 800-volt electrical system, charging speeds of |
| 0:39.7 | 350 kilowatts, amazing new internal compute power, available to all existing customers via |
| 0:45.8 | retrofit as well. Nissan is pausing its US EV plans. Nissan is echoing what some people have |
| 0:52.6 | been saying recently with the expiration of the federal tax credit that they don't believe the US is competitive market for them anymore. |
| 1:01.5 | So the plans to make those vehicles in Canton are now scrapped. |
| 1:05.4 | Other car makers, the Pure Play EV makers, the Teslers, the rivians of the world, say, hey, get rid of the tax credit and it'll shake out the tree. It'll bring the, the cream will rise to the top. And |
| 1:15.1 | Nissan is one of those that have said, well, without the free money, we don't think we're as |
| 1:20.1 | compelling. And so pausing their EV production plans, focusing on hybrids. Model Y performance, |
| 1:26.9 | back to the Model Y news by Tesla news, has |
| 1:29.1 | bidirectional charging. So, you know, seen it on the cyber truck, obviously, but now coming |
| 1:33.6 | to the world's most popular EV, this is a bigger deal. Starting with the Model Y performance, |
| 1:38.5 | we've known that the onboard systems could do bi-directionality for a while, yet it'll be |
| 1:46.4 | confirmed or rather enabled through and over-the-air update before the end of the year. Tesla is already raising its lease prices after the |
| 1:51.0 | tax credit ends, maybe $70 to $100 on top of the prices from the beginning of the week. You know, |
| 1:57.4 | the overall price, list price, cash price stays the same, but the least price |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Martyn Lee, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Martyn Lee and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.