Welcome back to another edition of Electro Beat, where we provide a quick summary of all you have missed in the EV world over the past month! Keep reading for battery tech innovation, easier EV charger installations, the smallest EV in Japan, and so much more!
Let’s get plugged in…
The UK government has just removed a key barrier to home and business EV charging: drivers and site owners no longer need to apply for planning permission to install an electric vehicle chargepoint.
The change, announced by the Department for Transport in late May, is aimed at making the switch to electric driving easier, cheaper and better for everyone.
Previously, installing a chargepoint could involve lengthy and expensive planning applications — especially in conservation areas or at business premises. Now, those requirements are gone for most home and workplace installations.
Estimated savings: The government says this cut in red tape could save drivers up to £1,100 on average in planning costs.
While the UK’s EV infrastructure has come a long way, charging access remains one of the biggest challenges - particularly for people without driveways or those living in rented properties.
This latest update is great news for:
Homeowners with a driveway - no more planning applications for private chargers
Businesses and workplaces - easier installation of destination chargers
Retail and leisure sites - faster rollout of public chargers in car parks and near amenities
Yes! If you rent or live in a flat and have access to on-street parking, you may be eligible for a government grant of up to £350 to help with installation costs. Apply here.
Generally, planning permission has now been removed - but local rules may still apply in certain sensitive areas. Always check with your local council if unsure.
You're still eligible for government grants, but you'll need your landlord’s permission. Campaigners are also pushing for better legal rights for renters and leaseholders.
Big things are happening in the world of electric vehicle batteries. In 2024, global battery pack prices dropped by 20%, marking the sharpest year-on-year fall in nearly a decade. That’s not just good news for manufacturers - it signals that EVs are becoming more affordable, more advanced, and more accessible.
And it’s not just about price. As technology evolves and production scales up, batteries are getting longer-lasting, faster to charge, and greener to make. In short: better.
Battery pack prices hit $139/kWh on average (down from $175 in 2023)
LFP batteries are booming- now nearly 50% of the market thanks to low cost and long life
Raw material prices have eased, especially lithium
More gigafactories = more competition, innovation, and scale
Encouragingly, fully electric vehicles now have cheaper battery packs per kWh than plug-in hybrids, helping tilt the market further toward 100% electric.
China continues to lead on cost and scale, but others are catching up:
Still dominates, with around 80% of global cell production
Pushing next-gen tech like silicon anodes
Output surged by 50%, with Korean firms ramping up local production
Steady 10% growth, with strong public-private investment
LFP batteries are also finding a firm foothold in Europe, now making up 90% of new EV battery growth in the region. The US is slightly behind here but gaining ground.
Battery tech isn’t just getting cheaper - it’s getting smarter.
One standout from recent months: a silicon-based battery developed by South Korea’s Pohang University of Science and Technology. In early testing, it achieved the equivalent of 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) on a single charge.
That kind of range isn’t hitting the roads tomorrow - but the science is promising. These batteries store far more energy than today’s lithium-ion packs, without compromising charge times or cycle life. If commercialised, they could be a major leap forward for EVs, especially in colder climates or long-distance use cases.
A fresh report from Germany’s ADAC confirms what many electric car drivers have long believed: electric cars are more reliable than fuel-powered ones.
But the ADAC isn’t just guessing. It handled 3.6 million breakdowns last year, giving it a mountain of data to work with. And with more EVs hitting the road and getting older, there was finally enough breakdown information to compare them directly to fuel cars, and electric cars came out on top.
According to Handelsblatt, electric cars registered between 2020 and 2022 averaged just 4.2 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. Fuel cars? A much higher 10.4 per 1,000. That’s a big gap, and it busts the myth that electric vehicles are more likely to leave you stranded.
Interestingly, half of electric car breakdowns were due to one simple thing: the 12V battery dying (the same battery that runs your lights and locks, not the big one that powers the car). That’s also true for about 45% of fuel car breakdowns. Tesla, for example, now gives a warning when it’s time to replace the 12V battery, a small update that makes a big difference.
Beyond that, electric cars had fewer issues in nearly every category: electrical systems, engine management, lighting, you name it. And while we don’t yet have decades of data on electric cars, their simpler drivetrains suggest fewer long-term problems ahead. Fuel-powered engines come with a lot of moving parts that can fail over time, whereas electric cars don’t have any of these parts to begin with.
In short, electric cars aren’t just better for the planet, they’re also less likely to leave you stranded. Just keep an eye on that little 12V battery.
India has announced its new locked-in electric vehicle (EV) policy aimed at drawing big global automakers into its market.
Here’s the deal: For five years, companies can import electric cars priced at $35,000 or more at a reduced customs duty of just 15%. In return, they must invest at least $486 million (about ₹4,150 crore) to set up EV manufacturing in India.
Manufacturing must start within three years of approval. Automakers also need to hit local sourcing targets: 25% within three years and 50% within five. This push for domestic value addition (DVA) is designed to boost local jobs and build out India’s EV ecosystem.
These cars can be brought in as completely built units (CBUs), meaning they’re made abroad and shipped in ready-to-sell. But the lower import tax only applies to a limited number and time frame.
Announced earlier in March 2025, this move is part of a larger strategy to speed up India’s transition to electric vehicles while encouraging foreign investment. Tesla is already making moves in India, scouting locations and setting up teams.
Experts say success will depend on strong execution, better financing options, charging infrastructure, and local talent development. Still, this policy is a big step forward for India’s green transport ambitions.
In a market dominated by giants like Toyota and Nissan, a tiny newcomer is quietly making a big impact. The mibot mini EV, developed by Japanese startup KG Motors, is capturing the imagination of drivers - and racking up thousands of orders - thanks to its ultra-affordable price tag and city-friendly size.
Priced at just ¥1 million (around $7,000), the mibot is a compact, single-seat electric vehicle designed for short-distance city driving. It boasts:
Range: up to 100 km (62 miles)
Top speed: 60 km/h (37 mph)
Size: Just 2.5 metres long - smaller than many golf carts
It may not match the range of full-size EVs, but that’s the point. In a country with narrow streets and dense urban areas, bigger isn’t always better.
“Seeing so many big cars travelling Japan’s narrow streets, that’s where this all began for me.” - Kazunari Kusunoki, CEO of KG Motors
Japan’s EV market has been slow to take off, with traditional brands like Toyota leaning into hybrid tech. But things may be changing.
KG Motors has already received 2,250 orders, outpacing Toyota’s 2024 EV sales in Japan. For context, Nissan’s Sakura, the best-selling EV in the country, starts at ¥2.5 million ($17,000). The mibot? Just ¥1 million.
And it’s not just for Japan. Out of the first 3,300 units planned, 3,000 are headed for international markets by March 2027.
While kei cars dominate Japan’s streets, EVs have been slower to catch on. But with rising urban congestion and growing demand for affordable electric options, the mibot could be the spark that changes that.
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