Volkswagen, XPENG’s co-developed car model set for production in 2026

Lexus Korea has begun pre-orders for the 8th-generation All-New ES, marking the first time the ES lineup will include a battery electric vehicle (BEV) model. The new ES will be launched in South Korea on October 13, with both hybrid and BEV versions offered. The BEV lineup will include the front-wheel-drive ES 350e and all-wheel-drive ES 500e. The ES 350e has a certified combined driving range of 478 km on a single charge under South Korean standards, while the ES 500e features Lexus’ DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system.

[Solid-State Battery: Nine Departments' 15th Five-Year Plan Incorporates Automotive Solid-State Batteries into Specialised Standards System, Accelerating Supply of Cutting-Edge Technology Standards] On 9 September 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and eight other departments issued the 15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry (MIIT Joint Regulation Letter [2026] No. 305). In the task of "continuously improving the standards system," the Plan specifies the ongoing establishment and refinement of specialised standards systems for automotive chips, automotive software, automotive artificial intelligence, automotive solid-state batteries, and low-carbon development of automobiles. In the task of "accelerating the supply of cutting-edge cross-disciplinary standards," it further proposes accelerating the formulation of frontier technology standards for automotive artificial intelligence, cockpit-driving integration, solid-state batteries, distributed electric drive, fully active suspension, integrated driving units, and chassis fusion control. The Plan does not establish a separate special clause for the industrialisation of solid-state batteries; the relevant arrangements primarily focus on standards taking the lead, providing regulatory support for subsequent technological breakthroughs and large-scale application.

[Solid-State Battery Expert Voice: Wan Gang Calls for Deeper R&D and Industrial Application of All-Solid-State Battery Technology, Accelerating Large-Scale Application of Hybrid Solid-Liquid Batteries] On September 3, 2026, at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Power Battery Conference, Wan Gang, Honorary Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, systematically elaborated on the development path of power battery technology. He pointed out that it is necessary to strengthen basic research and technological innovation in new material system power batteries, focusing on key issues such as next-generation high-specific-capacity cathode and anode materials and high-stability electrolytes. Wan Gang proposed a three-tier advancement strategy: "deepen R&D and industrial application of all-solid-state battery technology; accelerate R&D and large-scale application of hybrid solid-liquid battery technology; continue to optimize and improve liquid batteries, and encourage the R&D and application of new-type sodium-ion batteries and others.