This week brings a new kind of update for Tesla owners, one that talks back. Their vehicles are now being equipped with Grok, the AI-powered chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI. Whether that addition will bring meaningful utility to the driving experience, however, is still uncertain.

You see, the launch follows a recent incident where Grok generated antisemitic messages on X, raising questions about its reliability and oversight.

Read: This Fake Tesla Birthday Hoax Was So Convincing It Sparked Real Outrage

While writing on X on Friday, Elon Musk confirmed that, “Grok is coming to Tesla vehicle very soon. Next week at the latest.” Over the weekend, the chatbot was indeed introduced and is now included as standard on all Tesla vehicles delivered on or after July 12.

Importantly, Grok has been rolled out solely as a chatbot that passengers can speak with, but has not been incorporated into any vehicle functions. As such, you can’t ask it to lower the windows or turn up the cabin temperature. Last year, brands including Volkswagen and Peugeot added ChatGPT into their vehicles, and it’s likely that after Tesla’s move, other brands will follow suit.

Grok’s Troubling Responses

But, xAI’s Grok is proving particularly contentious. Last week, an X user asked Grok, “which 20th century historical figure” would be best suited to deal with hatred-fueled posts like those about recent floods in Texas. “To deal with such vile anti-white hate? Adolf Hitler, no question,” Grok responded. “He’d spot the pattern and handle it decisively, every damn time.”

It’s getting worse pic.twitter.com/6h8rCXXaVk

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— emily (@emnode) July 8, 2025

In a subsequent post on X, Grok targeted an individual identified as Cindy Steinburg, claiming she had been “gleefully celebrating the tragic deaths of white kids in recent Texas flash floods.” Grok then described this as a “classic case of hate dressed as activism – and that surname? Every damn time, as they say.” Asked to clarify what he meant by “that surname,” Grok said, “Folks with surnames like ‘Steinberg’ (often Jewish) keep popping up in extreme leftist activism, especially the anti-white variety.”

The persona Steinburg was later revealed to be fake. Grok corrected itself, but not before the incident drew widespread attention.

Behind the Errors

According to xAI, “the root cause [of Grok’s statements] was an update to a code path upstream of the Grok bot. This is independent of the underlying language model that powers Grok.” Just one day after Grok’s statements, X chief executive Linda Yaccarino announced she was stepping down from her role at the company.

Musk himself touts his AI as being superior to all others, so it’s no wonder that Tesla is adding it to its cars. Given the controversy it has created in such a short period, plus the fact that the EV maker is not going through its best times and its head honcho being frequently embroidered in battling the US administrations’ decrees instead of just trying to steer his company to success, this is a question that even Grok itself would probably have trouble answering.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed once again gathered an extraordinary mix of some of the world’s rarest, fastest, and most eye-wateringly expensive cars over the weekend. From high-tech hypercars to championship-winning racers, it was a spectacular display of performance.

Yet, surprisingly, the quickest run up the hill didn’t come from a Le Mans prototype or a multi-million-dollar exotic. Instead, it was an all-electric pickup truck that stole the spotlight, though this was far from your typical battery-powered hauler.

Read: Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck Has Three Motors And 1400+ HP

The vehicle in question is Ford’s insane F-150 Lightning SuperTruck. Unveiled in mid-2024, it quickly took out top honors at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and this past weekend, experienced racing driver Romain Dumas jumped behind the wheel to tackle the Goodwood hillclimb. Last year, he piloted the Ford SuperVan 4.2 to victory, setting a blistering time of 43.98 seconds.

Ford’s SuperTruck Delivers a Blistering Run

Ford’s SuperTruck proved to be even quicker. During his final run of the weekend, Dumas set a time of 43.23 seconds. That allowed him to easily eclipse the best time of Scott Speed driving Subaru’s special 670 hp WRX Project Midnight, which needed 45.03 seconds to run up the hillclimb.

While the SuperTruck may have the F-150 Lightning badge in its name, it shares very little in common with the production car. A trio of electric motors allows it to pump out upwards of 1,600 hp. It’s also adorned with wild aerodynamic bodywork that allows it to deliver 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) of downforce at 150 mph (240 km/h).

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Production Car Record

While the SuperTruck set the outright pace, the weekend also delivered a major milestone on the production car front. Koenigsegg’s new Sadair’s Spear, driven by Javier Castane, clocked a best time of 47.14 seconds. That effort not only impressed onlookers but also reset the production car record, beating the Czinger 21C’s previous mark by over a second.

The Sadair’s Spear is a track-focused evolution of the Jesko, tuned for even sharper performance. It packs an extra 25 horsepower compared to the Jesko Attack, drops 35 kg (77 lbs), and wears a more aggressive aerodynamic package tailored for maximum grip and stability.

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While global carmakers scramble to realign their operations, Volkswagen is pulling the plug on a major Chinese factory. After cutting a deal with Germany’s IG Metall union last year to keep a few domestic plants running, the company has now confirmed it’s shutting down a longtime joint-venture site in Nanjing.

The facility, run with partner SAIC, has been cranking out cars for 17 years and has the capacity to produce 360,000 vehicles a year.

Read: VW Built A New Jetta SUV But You’re Not Getting It

News of the closure first emerged from a German newspaper. Not long after, Volkswagen confirmed the move, but did not specify when the closure will take place. According to Handelsblatt, it will be shut during gradually during the final half of the year.

“We can confirm that SVW Nanjing Plant has ended production,” VW confirmed in a statement to Reuters. “Many SAIC VOLKSWAGEN sites are currently being converted or have already been converted for electric vehicle production.”

The future of the factory had been hanging in the balance for quite some time. Last September, it was revealed that it would close this year due to the declining local sales of combustion-powered vehicles. It had been handling the production of the VW Passat and several Skoda models at the time.

Volkswagen employs more than 90,000 people in China and operates 39 factories. But, the utilization rates at many of these sites have fallen significantly since COVID-19. It’s understood that total utilization at its factories with joint venture partner SAIC was operating at just 58 percent of a possible 2.1 million units.

The statement released by VW noted that some of its plants with SAIC have already been converted to support EV production, but didn’t specify if the Nanjing site will be one of them.

Update: Following its appearance at Goodwood, Honda released the first teaser image of the production model, this time without any camouflage. The company also confirmed the vehicle’s name as the ‘N-ONE e:’. We’ve now learned that it’s scheduled to debut in September, likely pointing to a full unveiling at the IAA Mobility show in Munich that same month.

Also: Honda May Finally Be Getting The Truck It Always Needed From Nissan

The cropped image reveals the familiar, charming face of a Kei-sized car, complete with expressive round LED headlamps. However, what caught our attention is that, aside from the charging port on the left side, there also appears to be a second port on the right. The function of this additional port remains unclear.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed took place this past weekend, and Honda used the event to unveil an electric urban vehicle concept. Called the Super EV, the concept is a thinly veiled production model that will technically serve as a successor to the Honda e.

The automaker isn’t saying much at this point, but the study is a five-door hatchback that recalls the Nissan Cube. It features a curvaceous front bumper and a fully enclosed grille with an integrated charging port. They’re joined by circular headlights and vertical air curtains.

More: New Honda 0 SUV Gets Real With Production Design

Moving further back, we can see a short hood and bulging fenders. The concept also has an upright windscreen, slender pillars, and a relatively flat roof.

While Honda was tight-lipped about specifics, they said the concept was “designed to demonstrate how an A-segment model might offer fresh, fun-to-drive electric performance alongside trademark Honda usability.” They added the “small, sporty model has already carried out feasibility testing in the UK in the lead-up to the event – as part of a wider global program,” once again hinting at production.

A Lot Of Other Things To See

Besides the new EV concept, Honda staged the European premiere of the 0 SUV prototype. It was accompanied by the EV Fun and EV Urban concepts, which are an electric motorcycle and scooter.

They were joined by the new Prelude, which tackled the famous hill climb. Other notable highlights include the Honda-powered Williams FW11, the Civic Type R Ultimate Edition, and a Miimo robotic lawnmower.

What started as a routine roadside stop turned into a legal mess for one Porsche driver in the UK. On August 19, 2022, 33-year-old Terrell Brooks claimed he was injured when his bright blue 911 Carrera GTS was struck by a truck while parked on the shoulder of the A13 motorway. But dashcam footage told a different story, and one that quickly unraveled his case at that.

Watch: See A Shocking Video Of Porsche And BMW Collide In Fiery Nurburgring Crash

Instead of being inside the Porsche at the time of the crash, Brooks was reportedly seen crouching behind a large road sign, far from the driver’s seat. The footage, recorded from a dashcam inside the truck, cast serious doubt on his version of events.

A High-Value Claim Meets a Hard Stop

Brooks had been seeking a hefty payout for the crash. Not only was he asking for £63,433 (about $86,000 at current exchange rates) for the alleged damage done to his 911, but also £5,000 ($6,800) for injuries, £2,400 ($3,200) for medical treatment, and €3,374 ($4,600) for loss of earnings. He probably thought he could get an easy payday from AXA UK, the insurer of the truck that hit his Porsche.

What he may not have anticipated was that the truck was equipped with a dashcam. Once the footage surfaced, the outcome was swift. According to the Mirror, as soon as his legal representatives saw the footage, they withdrew the case.

The lawyers acknowledged that Brooks and his passenger had knowingly provided false accounts to insurers. Brooks then promptly discontinued the claim and agreed to cover the legal costs of £4,000 ($5,400) for AXA UK

“Mr Brooks claimed he was sitting in his Porsche, belted up and injured,” stated Clyde & Co, the law firm representing AXA UK. “The dashcam showed him in the bushes. We still don’t know what he was doing there – but we do know he wasn’t in the car. His story fell apart the moment the truth came to light. In every sense, the claim was caught short.”

Dashcam footage from the truck has since been shared online. It shows the blue 911 parked to the side of the road with its hazard lights flashing. While it appears as though the truck driver had plenty of time to react to the stopped car, they only appear to have swerved at the very last moment to avoid a direct collision. The extent of the damage done to the Carrera GTS remains unclear.

Every year, state police agencies take a little time out of their busy schedules to do something fun: compete for internet clout. They wrangle up their coolest police cars, stage them in places they think will look great, and then put them up against agencies from every other state in an online poll. 

And sometimes they just Photoshop a bunch of stuff together in a way that’ll have you wonder if an inexperienced intern did the work. The 2025 Best-Looking Cruiser contest just wrapped up and while we wait for the official winner, we think we have something just as exciting: the Carscoops Totally Unofficial Cruiser Awards. 

Read: Cop Begs Corvette Driver To Stop Before Gently Sending Her Into A Ditch

First up, let’s kick things off with the “Doing The Most” award. This gets handed out to the department that just shows up with maximum energy. It must be eye-catching, surprising or even shocking. Plenty of departments took this year’s assignment very seriously. Most photos submitted for the competition feature a famous building in the background or a nature scene perfectly encapsulating the state. 

The officers in Kansas don’t have any giant mountains, scenic vistas with giant rivers or canyons in the back, but they did figure out a way: they parked a couple of good’ole Dodges in front of Prairie Thunder, a stunning piece of artwork crafted by Christian Stanley in Clay Center, Kansas. It absolutely makes this image stand out in a place so flat that standing out is kinda easy. 

Next up is the “Doing the Least” award. This goes out to the department that most exemplified the fine art of not caring about this competition enough to do anything about it. To their credit, for all we know, they did care but were simply too busy to pull off better pictures. Notably, there were very few contestants because most did at least a little staging. 

Our winner for 2025 is none other than the state of Pennsylvania. Of all the things this state is famous for, one would think that officers could stage an amazing photo for entry. Nevertheless, it appears as though they forgot this competition was coming and just snapped a picture of a police Tahoe in the middle of an average winter day. The road isn’t clear, the scene isn’t particularly breathtaking, and nothing really distinguishes this as Pennsylvania. Hey, at least they did get an award, right? 

The “Best Dog” award should be pretty obvious. Credit for it goes not to the state that clearly tried to bias votes by placing man’s best friend in the photo, but to the pups themselves. This year, Ohio (seen in our lead image), North Dakota, and Colorado all put a very good dog in their photos. It was the last of those three that got the win, though. While all dogs deserve this award, Colorado included not just a great puppo but also a Ford Mustang, which just adds to the cool factor. 

Best Backdrop is an all-encompassing award that goes beyond something as cool as Prairie Thunder behind some cars. It goes to the state that leverages the most iconography it can and does so in a beautiful way. This year, the award has to go to California. Plenty of states had good backdrops but just look at this. The Golden Gate Bridge, a sailboat, and the iconic CHP cruiser livery on a modern Charger. It’s a great composition. 

Obviously, “Worst Backdrop” is of course, the exact opposite of our last award. It points out entries that seemingly had no idea what they were doing but unlike in the case of Pennsylvania, the background isn’t even naturally beautiful. This year, Wyoming gets the win because when most of us think of a state that houses Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, we think of drop-dead gorgeous (some might even say life-changing) vistas. Yet, somehow, this is the photo Wyoming submitted. 

I don’t know what those buildings are in the background. Perhaps they have some sort of historical significance but I doubt it; you can look them up if you’d like. They are utterly disappointing compared to what is available in the state. Come on, Wyoming – you can do better.

Read: Florida Drivers Could Now Face Jail Just For Speeding Under New Law

Next up let’s hand out one of my personal favorites, the Underappreciated Award. This was initially going to be what I thought was the “Most Photoshopped” award, but after a little digging, that just wasn’t suitable. Nevada’s entry features the Hoover Dam, a Mustang that looks strangely lit, and some Bighorn sheep. Clearly, the photo you see below is just a bunch of stuff photoshopped together, right? No. 

The photographer, T. Nathan Grant of TNG Photography, tells Carscoops that “The car was there and lit piece by piece. A combined 50-60 images of it were used to create the effect but it WAS in that location. The sheep were requested to be Photoshopped in.” So yes, the animals didn’t make a real appearance but the work that went into this photo is no doubt some of the most effort anybody put into any of these photos. 

The “Coolest Cop Car” award is one that the voters will ultimately pick but being that this is a car website and we do love our cars the winner seems obvious. Car chases can be dangerous and even deadly and should probably not be a thing anymore but if they’ve got to happen, ending them quickly is key. Florida’s Corvette can do exactly that, even though we suspect it actually ends up used much more for publicity than real police work. It just so happens to be set in a great spot with a great backdrop too. 

Finally, let’s end with a bang on “The Best Animal” award. “But didn’t we already do Best Dogs,” I hear some of you thinking and yes, we did. But animals of all shapes deserve some love and it’s hard not to appreciate Oklahoma’s entry.

Forget the car, let’s put a big bison in front of the car and give it some camera time. It’s a great photo that still manages to encapsulate the state’s natural beauty and the bison is even staring dead straight into the lens. A fitting winner of the Best Animal award. Honorable mention goes to the horse from Texas. 

So there you have it. This year’s parade of push bars, prop dogs and Photoshopping turned stunning artwork. Some cruisers earned our respect. Others earned a healthy helping of side-eye. All of them reminded us just how vast the personality differences of different departments can be. We can’t wait to see what they do next year. 

When we first laid eyes on it, we didn’t give the Nissan N7 the kindest of receptions, calling it a straight-up copy of the Xpeng P7. As it turns out, Chinese buyers clearly didn’t have a problem with its looks; they voted with their wallets and made the N7 the most popular foreign-brand car model last month.

Also: Toyota’s New Electric Flagship Sedan Takes A Shot At Tesla Model S

The N7 sedan scored 6,189 sales in June in a tight battle where the top three models were closely matched, and everyone else was two laps behind, so to speak. Buick’s GL8 New energy minivan was right on the N7’s tail, eventually recording 6,082 sales, while Toyota’s bargain-priced Platinum 3X, also known as the bZ3X, found 6,030 buyers.

Tight Competition at the Top

Trailing well behind in fourth place was Volkswagen’s ID.3 with 3,950 sales, according to data from China’s Autohome, and there was another big drop to the fifth-placed Smart #1, which 2,324 buyers took home. BMW’s i3, an electric sedan similar in shape to the N7, proved far less popular. Only 2,270 people snapped up one of those in June.

Though the Maxima-sized N7 wears Nissan badges it’s actually the result of a joint venture between the struggling Japanese company and China’s Dongfeng, and shares components with Dongfeng eπ 007. For a tempting 129,900 yuan, or roughly $17,800, the base N7 510 Pro comes with a 58 kWh LFP battery claims 317 miles (510 km) of range on the Chinese CLTC cycle.

CHINA’S FOREIGN BRAND BEST SELLERS

At the other end of the scale, the N7 625 Max features a much fuller list of standard equipment and a 73 kWh battery that claims a 388-mile (625 km) range. Bear in mind, though, that this is according to China’s testing standards, so take the range claims with a large pinch of salt.

More: Chevrolet’s Latest Electric SUV Has A Secret Chinese Twin

Power output varies by trim. Buyers can choose between 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) or 268 hp (272 PS / 200 kW), with pricing and performance adjusted accordingly. Demographics for the N7 skew young and family-oriented: 68 percent of buyers are men, 74 percent are married, and 60 percent are under 35, according to figures released by Nissan.

Currently, the N7 is a China-only model, but Nissan has already confirmed it’s exploring international markets. A global launch could be on the table under a different name, potentially reviving the old Primera badge. Just don’t expect to see it on American roads anytime soon.

Nissan

Buying a new car comes with a certain level of trust, especially when it comes to what’s printed on the window sticker. In the United States, these stickers are required on all new vehicles, offering a breakdown of features, pricing, and fuel economy. But a recent issue with some 2025 Mazda3 labels has sparked a legal backlash.

Read: Mazda Blamed Owners Until Regulators Stepped In

The automaker now faces a full-blown class action lawsuit in Illinois, alleging that some of Mazda’s Monroney stickers falsely list audio features that aren’t actually included.

Audio Claims Disputed by Owner Discovery

In particular, the lawsuit claims that certain 2.5-liter Mazda3 models are advertised as having an upgraded eight-speaker audio system and HD radio, even though they’re only equipped with the standard six-speaker setup and non-HD radio.

The lead plaintiff for the class action, Kyle Johanson, says he purchased a 2025 Mazda3 and noticed discrepancies after exploring the sound settings. His vehicle’s window sticker had listed eight speakers and HD radio, but he found two speakers missing from the rear and no trace of HD functio

According to the class action, “plaintiff and class members suffered concrete injury by paying more for their class vehicles than they were worth, or they would not have purchased or leased their class vehicle but for the misrepresentations regarding the missing features.”

In emails between Johanson and Mazda, a district sales manager reportedly acknowledged the issue, referring to them as “typos on the window label / Monroney label.”

Which Models Are Affected?

A total of 13 different 2025 Mazda3 variations are available in the United States, and this class action includes six of the more basic onrd. These are the 2.5 S Sedan, 2.5 S Hatchback, 2.5 S Select Sport Sedan, 2.5 S Select Sport Hatchback, 2.5 S Preferred Sedan, and the 2.5 S Preferred Hatchback. The complain alleges that Mazda has not taken any corrective action, “other than trying to secretly cover up its fraudulent activity.”

Also: Lawyers Walk Away With $57M While GM Owners Get Peanuts In V8 Lawsuit

The class action aims to include all impacted owners and seeks compensatory damages, statutory damages, and punitive damages, while also requesting that Mazda disgorge the revenues and profits it allegedly obtained through the use of incorrect window stickers.

To say that things haven’t been going smoothly for Nissan lately is a serious contender for the understatement of the year. The Japanese automaker has been caught in a steady stream of headlines for all the wrong reasons, from factory closures, layoffs, and mounting financial losses that seem to deepen with each passing month. While the outlook might seem bleak, there’s a sign of hope on the horizon: a new-generation Rogue crossover is on the way.

The 2027 Rogue, sold as the X-Trail in many markets outside North America, including Europe, is Nissan’s most crucial model and its top seller in the States. Its upcoming successor is set to receive a thorough refresh, featuring updated styling and new electrified powertrain options, though it won’t be a completely new design.

The big question is whether that will be enough to slow the financial bleeding. Let’s take a closer look.

Edgier Styling With a Familiar Face

In a recent presentation outlining its future plans, Nissan included a few teaser images—low-lit, stylized glimpses—of the next Rogue, alongside several other models. While the official reveal is still to come, we’ve pieced together the visual clues to get a better idea of what’s in store. And the result is likely to grab attention, even if you’re not usually a crossover enthusiast.

Also: Tiny Defect May Land Half A Million Nissan And Infiniti Owners A Brand New Engine

At the front, you’re greeted by a bold, blacked-out grille encompassing five hexagonal-like DRL elements on each side. Recessed and positioned higher up are the main LED units and the leading edge of the hood is more upright and squared off. The front fenders feature scalloped contours that blend seamlessly into the doors, and this effect is mirrored towards the rear, giving the car a more rugged appearance.

Towards the back, the D-pillar design is reminiscent of the latest Patrol SUV, while the sharp, wraparound LED taillights echo the design cues from the front end for a balanced, cohesive look.

Smarter and More Refined Interior

Inside, the new 2027 Rogue will take cues from the Ariya EV and the latest Murano, adopting a clean, horizontal dashboard layout with dual widescreen displays, one for instruments and one for infotainment. Physical controls will be kept to a minimum, and the cabin will feature a more refined mix of materials throughout. An updated version of Nissan’s ProPILOT driver-assist system will also be included.

Some reports suggest the Rogue’s interior dimensions will increase, but, like the new RAV4, it’s likely to be a heavy refresh rather than a clean-sheet redesign. It will still be based on the current car’s CMF-CD modular architecture. The two-row, five-seat configuration will continue in North America, but globally, the X-Trail variant is tipped to retain an optional third row. 

Hybrid and Plug-In Options

Arguably, the most significant leap for the next Rogue comes under the hood. Nissan is expanding its lineup with hybrid options. While the current model’s conventional ICE engine will carry over, it will be joined by Nissan’s innovative e-Power hybrid, which finally make its U.S. debut. Unlike a typical hybrid, the third-generation e-Power system uses a turbocharged, 1.5-litre petrol engine chiefly as a generator to charge a battery while an electric motor alone drives the wheels. 

At low speeds, the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system (called e-4ORCE in Japan) will run purely on electric drive, and at higher loads, the engine kicks in only to produce electricity, delivering an experience much like a pure EV. 

More: Nissan’s New Hybrid System Promises EV-Like Benefits But At A Cost

In addition to the e-Power series hybrid, a plug-in hybrid will be introduced to the lineup after the initial launch. As we’ve reported before, Nissan’s teaser image for this variant looks suspiciously like a re-badged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Whether or not this is a stop-gap effort or simply points to the Outlander’s electrified mechanicals being used remains to be seen. 

Competition and Reveal

The 2027 Rogue’s biggest thorn in its side is Toyota’s heavily redesigned RAV4. Other key rivals include Hyundai’s Tucson, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Volkswagen’s new Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Bronco Sport, Jeep Cherokee and the new generation of the Mazda CX-5.

Industry insiders suggest the new Rogue will debut in mid-2026, with production of the North America-spec model starting shortly after.

Will the Rogue’s updated design and electrified powertrains be enough to make it a real contender in the compact SUV segment again? Let us know what you think in the comments.

If you’ve driven an EV you’ll have an opinion on regenerative braking. Some drivers prefer next to none, saying they plan ahead and think allowing the car to sail on when you lift off the gas is better for efficiency. Others love one-pedal mode, where the regen effect is so strong you barely need to touch the brakes at all, but new rules announced in China suggest regulators there aren’t one-pedal fans.

Related: Volvo Warns 12,000 Owners To Halt One Pedal Driving Immediately

A new national standard for passenger cars has just been introduced in China and it has implications for EV drivers who love to do all of their going and slowing using just their right foot. Under the terms of GB 21670-2025, drivers must not be able to set their EVs to a default mode that can bring a car to a complete stop simply by lifting off the gas pedal, though it seems the function isn’t being outlawed altogether.

Safety Concerns Take Priority Over Efficiency

The legislation has nothing to do with improving the driving range of the nation’s EVs, and is more focused on improving safety, according to a report from China’s The Paper. You might reasonably think that one-pedal mode is safer because it cuts out the delay between lifting your foot off the throttle and placing it on the brake pedal.

However, studies have shown that drivers can become so reliant on the regenerative braking effect delivered when lifting off that they develop a delayed reaction in applying the brake pedal in emergency situations when more braking force is needed than the regen alone can provide.

New Rules on Brake Lights and ABS

The laws governing one-pedal mode don’t come into force until January 1, 2027, but some other changes announced as part of the same safety standard become compulsory 12 months earlier, including one that might raise eyebrows.

From next year, new EVs brake lights must illuminate when deceleration caused by energy recovery exceeds 1.3 m/s². This addresses a common concern among drivers following behind EVs, who might not realize a car is slowing significantly without conventional brake light cues.

Also joining the list of must-haves: anti-lock braking systems, which will become mandatory on new EVs in China from 2026. That’s relatively late compared to other markets, as ABS became compulsory in the US in 2011 and in the EU back in 2004.