America's Losing Its EV Edge. Here's Why Europe Has To Race Ahead

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🌟 Editor's Note

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This Week’s Big Charge

💡 A Tale Of Two Car Markets

As you read this, I’m getting ready to head to Europe for the International Mobility Show Germany, or IAA Munich, as it’s better known. There are a lot of electric-vehicle debuts at Europe’s biggest motor show that I’m quite excited to cover. Many automakers and tech companies will host events in Munich over the weekend, but the show itself starts Monday.

And back home in America, the vibe around electric mobility—or at least, the outlook in the short term—could not feel more different right now.

🇪🇺 What We’re Expecting From Europe’s Automakers

• BMW will unveil the iX3, which, despite sounding like another electric version of an existing car, feels more like something from Rivian or Tesla than what it’s released so far.

• The iX3 has 400 miles of range, bidirectional charging, a zonal architecture and up to 230 miles of range in 10 minutes of fast-charging. (Check out my write-up and video tour at InsideEVs.)

• Mercedes-Benz is expected to debut a direct electric competitor, likely called the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology, that also has next-generation range, charging and software.

• Polestar will unveil the Polestar 5, a high-tech electric sport sedan that could rival the best at both performance and charging—a potential Porsche Taycan competitor. 

• Renault will debut a new electric compact car, possibly the new Clio, which is a top-seller in gas form.

• Audi will show off a TT- and R8-inspired two-seater that probably previews an electric sports car it’ll develop alongside Porsche. (This design has been controversial, but I like it.)

• But I’d argue the biggest stuff is coming from Volkswagen: two new, affordable small EVs, the ID. Polo and ID. Cross. I’m also hoping to learn more about the VW ID. Every1, which should cost below $22,000 and has software and electrical architecture co-developed with Rivian.

You get the idea. Lots of new EVs coming out, all with vastly better technology than we’ve seen before, and at all kinds of price points—including pretty cheap ones.

Now, let’s check in on the headlines back home in America.