China's sweeping export controls on lithium battery technologies — enacted in July and October 2025 — have effectively erected a "technological iron curtain" around the global electric vehicle and energy storage industries. The new restrictions cover everything from advanced cathode materials and electrolytes to key manufacturing equipment, placing strict limits on what can leave the country.
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries—long praised for their affordability and safety—are gaining traction among Western automakers. As cost-conscious electric vehicles (EVs) enter the spotlight, global giants like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis are increasingly building out product lines centered on LFP battery technology.
A fatal crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan in the southwestern city of Chengdu has raised new questions about the safety of electronic car doors, after reports that the vehicle's doors failed to open following impact.
Long known for its disruptive innovations in electric vehicles, Tesla is now undergoing a deeper transformation, one that extends far beyond cars. As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries and geopolitical tensions disrupt global supply chains, Tesla's recent move toward lower-priced EVs signals a broader organizational pivot: a long-term strategy that places AI, robotics, and semiconductor self-reliance at the core of its future.
Tesla has rolled out new, lower-cost versions of its two best-selling vehicles—the Model 3 and Model Y—under the "Standard" badge, both starting under US$40,000. While the move helps fill a gap left by delays to Tesla's next-generation vehicle platform, it also underscores a deeper strategic pivot: away from hardware-centric upgrades and toward an intensified focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
In response to reduced U.S. electric vehicle incentives, Tesla has released more budget-friendly versions of its two most popular models. The updated standard trims of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV are now priced at US$36,990 and US$39,990, respectively. These new starting prices represent a 13% decrease for the Model 3 and an 11% reduction for the Model Y compared to their longer-range versions.
South Korea's once-dominant battery manufacturers are losing their footing in the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, as Chinese rivals surge ahead, driven by low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology, strategic pivots, and overwhelming production efficiency. New data shows Korea's three major battery makers—LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI—are ceding market share at an accelerating pace.
