Latest news and stories about electric vehicles in technology in Portugal for expats and residents.
A surge in copper theft from electric vehicle charging cables has led to over 100 recorded incidents by the GNR, with industry experts suggesting the actual figure is significantly higher. The vandalism is concentrated in Lisbon and Setúbal, prompting legal action against perpetrators.
Public electric vehicle charging costs significantly exceed domestic rates, with 10 kWh often costing over 4 euros compared to the 14-20 cents per kWh typically found in home contracts.
There are cars that enter Portugal on tiptoes and others that arrive and poke the neighbour's doorbell. The Nio ET5 Touring Long Range is clearly in the second group, and the first reaction of anyone who sees it parked by the kerb is always the same: “wait, isn't that...
Plug-in hybrid vehicles emit up to five times more CO2 in real-world driving conditions than calculated by the European Union (EU), according to a study.
Germany will be one of the first European markets to receive electric vehicles from the Chinese company. Xiaomi highlights this as the first step towards a commercial and service network in Europe.
Xiaomi has signed preliminary agreements with eight German dealership groups to establish a sales and service network for its electric vehicles in Europe. The Chinese tech company plans to begin automotive sales on the continent in 2027, with Germany as one of the first markets.
Pedro Galhardas, managing partner of Roland Berger in Portugal, who holds a degree in economics and an MBA in management, has a long career in strategic consulting within the energy and infrastructure sectors in Spain, Brazil, Mexico, and Angola, as well as executive experience at Galp and Accenture in digital transformation projects. What will the automotive industry look like in 2040? The study...
Porsche claims a power output of 1034 hp for its Taycan Turbo GT, but the registration with German authorities indicates only 223 hp. Is this fraud or is it a common issue across all electric vehicles?
An analysis of 500,000 tests concludes that, at 150,000 kilometres, the average capacity loss is around 10%. Hyundai and Kia lead; Tesla is in the middle of the table.
The new member of the Swedish-rooted Polestar family, the Polestar 4 SUV, has been available for order since the beginning of September, confirming its status as the brand's best-seller. Based on the Polestar 4 Coupé, the SUV version offers greater cargo capacity while maintaining the base design and performance. The main change in this new model compared to the previous one is the chassis tuning, aimed at enhancing sporty driving dynamics. The company, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, with Chinese capital, currently has four models in its range: the Polestar 2, Polestar 3, Polestar 4, and Polestar 5. The Polestar 4 SUV, which is now available for pre-order, is expected to reach the market during the final quarter of this year. Meanwhile, the successor to the Polestar 2 will arrive in early 2027, the compact Polestar 7 SUV is expected in 2028, and the Polestar 6 roadster is also planned. These vehicles are manufactured in North America and Asia, with the Polestar 7 set to be produced in Europe, specifically in Kosice, Slovakia.
Chinese car manufacturer BYD, the world's largest seller of electric vehicles, saw a 30% profit increase between April and June, marking its first rise in five quarters amid a weak domestic market that has made exports a priority. According to calculations based on accounts filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the company recorded a net profit of approximately 8.241 billion yuan (about 1.057 billion euros) in the second quarter. Overseas sales grew by 33.9%, accounting for 52.6% of the total, while sales in China fell by 30.7%. Analysts suggest that BYD's quarterly profit could provide a boost to the Chinese automotive sector as companies increasingly look to international markets to offset domestic price wars and overcapacity. In response to new tariffs in the US and Europe, manufacturers like BYD are opting to open local factories to bypass trade barriers. Meanwhile, the Portuguese company Greenvolt has partnered with BYD to launch one of the largest battery projects in Europe, as BYD aims for global leadership in production and sales by 2030.
A test drive review of the entry-level Xpeng model available in the Portuguese market.
Ford is preparing to launch a new compact SUV for the European market, which will be produced in Valencia, Spain. However, it is the result of an unusual agreement and will be a Ford on the outside and Chinese on the inside.
There are brands with reasonable goals and others that are too optimistic. Dacia, which wants to grow, remain cheap and skyrocket its electric vehicle offering, seems too optimistic. But is it possible?
It was only a matter of time before someone tried to solve the biggest anxiety of electric vehicle users with a seductive promise: to completely eliminate the need for charging stations. The proposal comes from California via the startup Dart Solar, which has introduced a modular and retractable solar panel system for roofs. Demonstrated on top of a Tesla, it is designed to turn any electric car into a self-charging unit, even while in motion. The idea of using solar radiation to power electric cars is not new, but it has historically hit physical limits regarding surface area, weight, and cost. Dart Solar claims it can bypass this issue with a telescopic structure that attaches to conventional roof racks. When retracted, the system is about 1.5 metres long, but it can extend to about 4.5 metres over the bodywork, an opening or closing operation that the company guarantees takes just 10 seconds. In terms of specifications, the company announces a capacity ranging from 500 to 2000 Watts, depending on the number of interconnected modules—a modular assembly scheme that the brand compares to Lego bricks. According to data provided by Dart Solar, a base 500W configuration is capable of generating between 2000 and 2500Wh per day, which translates into a recovery of about 32 kilometres of daily range under ideal solar exposure conditions. The energy transfer method avoids deep electrical interventions in the vehicle: the solar panels send the generated electricity to a combiner box housed in the structure's rails, which in turn charges a portable power station. It is to this intermediate battery that the car's standard charger is connected, effectively functioning as a large-scale power bank in continuous flow. The system is designed to work both while the car is parked and while it is moving. When parked, the number of panels expands further, allowing for a greater number of photovoltaic cells to be exposed to sunlight. When in motion, the panel opening is reduced so that it does not exceed the limits of the car's roof, thus sacrificing potential energy output for safety reasons. It remains to be seen to what extent the promise holds up in real-world daily use. Although the appeal of recovering energy at zero cost while the car is driving or parked in the sun is undeniable, adding a bulky structure to the roof penalises the vehicle's aerodynamic coefficient (drag coefficient), an element that manufacturers take particularly into account when designing electric cars precisely to optimise range. This is not to mention the aesthetic change that such a modification represents for the car.
VW was the first European brand to invest seriously in EVs and is now preparing to replace its first generation with a second, more efficient and advanced one, with the ID. Tiguan replacing the ID. 4.
Volvo is already among the manufacturers with the longest range on the market, with 810 km in the EX60, but is expected to launch models with solid-state batteries in 2027 that promise to reach 1000 km between charges.
We are at the end of the 'silly season' with new model presentations starting in September. Meanwhile, brands are showcasing their best work, such as the Chinese brand Zeekr, with a digital ecosystem in its new generation of connected vehicles. The brand explains that connectivity 'plays a fundamental role in extending the brand's technological experience beyond the vehicle,' emphasizing that the car becomes 'an intelligent platform permanently connected to its user.' This ecosystem includes intelligent navigation, digital vehicle access, and remote software updates. Everything is managed through an app that serves as an access point to the digital ecosystem, allowing the owner or driver to manage the vehicle via smartphone. Owners can also share vehicle access with family or friends, creating a simple car-sharing system. The Zeekr app allows for real-time vehicle tracking, trip history, and monitoring of tire pressure or faults. Available on iOS and Android, the system ensures software updates and broader market reach. The connectivity experience features advanced navigation solutions, including electric charging planning, intelligent assistance, and next-generation infotainment, all of which can be voice-controlled.
A new collaboration between Iberdrola, bp pulse and Electromaps aims to increase the availability and accessibility of electric vehicle charging stations across Portugal.
BYD reaches a milestone of 3,200 plug-in hybrid vehicle sales in the Portuguese market, highlighting the technology driving this consumer interest.
After announcing the end of the electric 718 Cayman and Boxster, Porsche has reversed its decision and admitted that the battery-powered two-seater sports cars will proceed after all. This was confirmed by the CEO.
The Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology has a habit of revealing images of new models that manufacturers intend to register. This time, he made public the first photos of the new Smart #2.
Technology is advancing rapidly, and the new Zeekr 9X is proof of that. This new luxury SUV from the Chinese brand features a Super Hybrid system combining two electric motors with a combustion engine, delivering 897hp. Thanks to its 900V architecture, the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 9.5 minutes. Developed in Gothenburg, the six-seater vehicle features yacht-inspired design, a 17-inch OLED ceiling screen, and a 47-inch augmented reality display for the driver. The hybrid powertrain allows for a total range exceeding 700km, with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.1 seconds. It is expected to reach the national market in early 2027.
Dongfeng has introduced a cutting-edge charging solution at its Global Innovation Center in China, capable of delivering up to 1500kW per charging point, with potential for future expansion to 2400kW. The modular system supports currents up to 1500A and a voltage range of 150V to 1000V, boasting an efficiency of 96.7%. Additionally, the company revealed the iDS-300SN, its first 1000V electric propulsion system, and announced plans for a new generation of ultra-fast chargers with integrated energy storage, offering power outputs ranging from 720kW to 2400kW.
The first electric car manufactured in Portugal will feature seats with integrated textile heating systems and headrests with high-quality sound systems and decorative lighting. The BEN is one of the main achievements of the Be.Neutral mobilizing agenda under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). The solutions for the car seat of this...
China is the birthplace and launch market for the new Leapmotor A05 electric vehicle, which is represented in our region by Stellantis. The Chinese manufacturer aims to introduce a compact hatchback featuring advanced technologies, including some typically reserved for the premium segment. Known specifications include a 510km electric range, pending WLTP homologation, with dimensions of 4.175 meters in length and 1.560 meters in height. The styling is described as clean, following the design language of other Leapmotor models. Connectivity is a key strength, alongside comprehensive safety technologies, aligned with the goal of 'democratising intelligent electric mobility'. Pricing outside of China has not yet been announced. In Portugal, the brand currently markets the B01, B10, C16, C10, C11, C01, and T03 models. Based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Leapmotor has a notable track record in automotive technology, including the first mass-produced Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) battery integration technology and the industry's first 'four-in-one' centrally integrated electronic and electrical architecture.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revised upwards its forecast for global electric vehicle sales this year, estimating growth of around 10%, which will bring the share of these vehicles in global car sales to 29%.
The new electric model from Mercedes-Benz will be unveiled for the first time globally during the 2026 Portugal Invitational event.
The interest in electric vehicles has surged in Portugal, positioning the country as the second most electrified market across Europe.
