China’s EV retail sales fall as exports lift wholesale volumes

China’s September EV market split between weakening domestic demand and export-supported wholesale growth. Volkswagen also renewed its electric SUV offering and reported almost 150,000 orders for four entry-level models, while another ID.4 recall imposed charging limits on affected US owners.

Key developments

China’s sales measures diverge

Preliminary CPCA figures put September new-energy vehicle retail sales down 12% year on year, while estimated wholesale sales reached a 2026 high of 1.67 million, supported by exports. Tesla China’s wholesale sales rose 5% to 95,366, also a year-to-date high, as export growth offset declining domestic deliveries.

Export growth is supporting factory sales even as demand from buyers in China weakens.

Oct 9–10 · CnEVPost · CnEVPost · CnEVPost

ID.4 owners face charging limits

Volkswagen recalled another 22,524 ID.4 vehicles in the US over fire risk. Owners of affected vehicles should limit charging to 80% until a final solution is available.

The charging restriction reduces affected owners’ usable range while they await a remedy.

Oct 9 · electrive

ID. Tiguan replaces ID.4 and ID.5

Volkswagen unveiled the ID. Tiguan, starting at €42,695 and arriving in early 2027 as the replacement for the ID.4 and ID.5. It offers up to 600 km of range, drivetrains producing up to 220 kW and towing capacity of up to two tonnes.

Volkswagen’s next electric SUV gives buyers a new option for longer trips and towing.

Oct 9 · Volkswagen Newsroom · electrive · Electrek

Entry-level Volkswagen orders build

Volkswagen reported almost 150,000 combined orders for the CUPRA Raval, Volkswagen ID. Polo, Škoda Epiq and Volkswagen ID. Cross. The four models are appearing together for the first time at the Paris Motor Show.

The orders show buyer interest in the group’s affordable EV range ahead of deliveries.

Oct 11 · Volkswagen Newsroom

New Teslas reportedly support home power

New US-built Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced on or after October 1, 2026, reportedly support vehicle-to-home operation. Some vehicles built as early as April may also have the upgrade available.

Compatible vehicles could serve as home power sources rather than only drawing electricity from the home.

Oct 11 · Electric Vehicles Archives

Tesla adds truck charging in Georgia

Tesla opened eight Semi Megacharger stalls south of Atlanta and six outside Savannah, rated up to 1.2 MW per stall. Savannah hosts Pilot’s first Megacharger station, with a dozen more Pilot stations under construction.

Electric trucks gain public high-power charging access at two more Southeast locations.

Oct 9 · InsideEVs · Electrek

CATL secures Aito battery agreement

CATL signed a long-term strategic agreement with Seres, with Aito continuing to use CATL batteries throughout its lineup. Total annual battery capacity is set to exceed 20 GWh after completion of a joint project.

The planned capacity provides battery supply for future Aito vehicle production.

Oct 11 · CnEVPost

Citroën targets a €15,000 electric 2CV

Citroën unveiled an electric 2CV concept previewing a European-built production car. The company is targeting a €15,000 starting price and a 2028 market launch.

If achieved, the price would give European buyers another lower-cost route into EV ownership.

Oct 11 · InsideEVs · Electrek

Maextro braking test raises safety concern

Independent testing reportedly found that the $150,000 Maextro V800 minivan’s brake-pedal bracket could not survive a 62-mph emergency braking situation.

A bracket failure during emergency braking could compromise occupants’ ability to stop safely.

Oct 11 · InsideEVs

Larger Seagull opens for pre-orders

BYD opened pre-orders for the second-generation Seagull ahead of a launch this year. The replacement is 425 mm longer than its predecessor; pre-order prices have not been announced.

The size increase changes the package offered by BYD’s most affordable EV.

Oct 9 · CnEVPost · Electrek

Also this week

Models and orders

• Geely Galaxy launched the Cruiser 700 off-road SUV, securing more than 10,000 firm orders in its first 12 minutes. CnEVPost

• Audi opened UK orders for the A2 e-tron from £32,200 on the road, with customer deliveries expected from early 2027. electrive

• Kia expects its $30,000 EV3 crossover to become its best-selling electric vehicle in the United States. InsideEVs

• Mitsubishi showed the ASX VR-e electric hot hatch with 459 hp, all-wheel drive and a stated 0–60 mph time of 3.9 seconds. Electrek

European production

• Xpeng completed G9L trial production in Austria ahead of its global premiere in Paris, making it the company’s fourth model assembled locally in Europe. CnEVPost

Swapping and charging

• Nio completed 1.2 million battery swaps during a holiday week in China, while its Guangdong network reached 500 stations and more than 17 million cumulative swaps, about 13% of its China total. Electrek · CnEVPost

• The four-year EV4EU project concluded after developing a bidirectional CCS charging prototype and open-source software for charging-point operators, with four demonstrations exploring power-system flexibility. electrive

• EV Realty announced an Inland Empire site for an electric semi-truck charging hub in Southern California. Electrek

What to watch

• Watch for the second-generation BYD Seagull’s launch and pricing before the end of 2026.

• Watch for the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan’s arrival in early 2027.

• Watch for the first UK Audi A2 e-tron customer deliveries, expected from early 2027.

• Watch for a final remedy for the recalled US ID.4 vehicles; timing has not been announced.