ev.news Daily: Walmart DC Charging Passes 1,000 Stalls, BYD Bring Atto 8 To Europe & Leapmotor Prepare Renault 5-Fighter | 13 Oct 2026
ev.newsShow Notes
WALMART DOUBLES US FAST-CHARGING STALLS PAST 1,000 Walmart has doubled its US fast-charging network in roughly four months, reaching more than 1,000 stalls across 120 locations, with CCS and NACS chargers rated at up to 400 kW. The retailer was America's second-largest installer of new fast-charging ports in the second quarter, behind Tesla, establishing itself as a significant charging operator rather than simply hosting third-party equipment. BYD ATTO 8 BRINGS NINE-MINUTE FLASH CHARGING TO EUROPE BYD has unveiled the seven-seat Atto 8 electric SUV for Europe, featuring a 115 kWh Blade battery capable of a claimed 10–97% charge in nine minutes using dedicated Flash chargers, with two powertrains offering up to 405 miles of WLTP range. Arriving in early 2027, the SUV's charging capabilities depend on BYD's ambitious infrastructure rollout, targeting 3,000 European Flash charging stations by the end of 2027, while pricing and charging performance on conventional public chargers remain unknown. LEAPMOTOR B03 SETS UP A RENAULT 5 CHALLENGE FOR 2027 Leapmotor will introduce its B03 electric supermini to the UK in early 2027, targeting the Renault 5 and Volkswagen ID Polo with an expected price in the low £20,000s, a 53 kWh battery and 242 miles of WLTP range. Its 145 kW motor delivers 0–62 mph in 7.6 seconds, while 133 kW DC charging enables a claimed 10–80% recharge in 21 minutes, with a spacious 405-litre boot strengthening its practicality credentials. VOLKSWAGEN'S EV ORDERS RISE AS GLOBAL SALES FALL Volkswagen Group's global vehicle deliveries fell 9% to 6.01 million during the first nine months of 2026, with battery-electric deliveries declining 5% to 678,700, reflecting particularly severe weakness in China and the US. European EV demand tells a different story, with third-quarter electric deliveries rising 20%, EVs representing approximately 40% of the European order book and nearly 150,000 orders secured for forthcoming affordable electric models. XPENG G9L ARRIVES IN EUROPE WITH AUSTRIAN ASSEMBLY Xpeng has launched its six- or seven-seat G9L electric SUV in Europe, priced from €74,990 in France, offering up to 591 km of WLTP range and a claimed 10–80% charge in just 11.7 minutes using compatible high-power chargers. Trial assembly began at Magna Steyr's Austrian factory on 7 October, potentially reducing exposure to European tariffs on Chinese-built EVs, although full production and delivery dates remain unconfirmed. OMODA 4 HEADS TO BRITAIN — BUT THE EV COSTS MORE Chery-owned Omoda has unveiled its compact Omoda 4 crossover for UK introduction in 2027, with the initial petrol-hybrid version expected to cost under £25,000 and a fully electric variant following at approximately £27,000. The EV is reportedly equipped with a 61 kWh battery offering around 248 miles of range, although final specifications, charging performance and the range test cycle remain unconfirmed. FIAT REVEALS FOUR-SEAT MULTIPLINA FOR 2028 Fiat has unveiled the Multiplina, a four-seat electric microcar inspired by the original 1950s Multipla, with sales planned for 2028 and a body measuring less than three metres long. Positioned above the two-seat Topolino, it will comply with Europe's L7 heavy-quadricycle regulations, although Fiat has yet to reveal battery capacity, range, performance or charging specifications. LANCIA GAMMA OPENS ORDERS WITH 740-KM ELECTRIC CLAIM Lancia has opened European orders for its new Italian-built Gamma fastback crossover, offering hybrid and electric powertrains, including a Long Range EV claiming more than 740 km of range, although a final certified figure has not been established. Built on Stellantis' STLA Medium platform, the range also includes a 375 hp all-wheel-drive HF Integrale capable of 0–100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, while battery specifications, charging speeds and market-specific prices remain undisclosed. LI AUTO PUSHES EUROPEAN I6 LAUNCH INTO 2027 Chinese manufacturer Li Auto has postponed its European debut until
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