In a significant shift, the BMW Group has temporarily halted a £600 million investment aimed at transforming its Mini assembly plant near Oxford into an electric vehicle production hub. This decision comes as demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK market has weakened. Initially announced in 2023, the investment was intended to upgrade the Cowley plant and secure 4,000 jobs. However, the company is now reassessing the timeline for introducing battery-powered Mini production due to uncertainties within the automotive industry.
Details of the Decision and Its Impact
In the heart of England's rolling countryside, the historic Cowley plant has been central to Mini production for decades. Despite ongoing construction to modernize the facility, including a cutting-edge logistics center, BMW has decided to review its plans for producing electric Minis at this location. The German automaker has informed the UK government that it will no longer accept previously promised grants, opting instead to continue manufacturing internal combustion engine vehicles at the site for the time being.
The pause in investment raises questions about the future of the plant, which employs 4,500 people and is slated to transition fully to electric-only production by 2030. Originally, the £600 million project was set to commence in 2026, with plans to produce electric versions of popular Mini models. This initiative was part of a broader strategy to localize production rather than relying on overseas facilities, particularly in China. The previous Conservative government had negotiated a deal involving substantial taxpayer support to facilitate this move.
However, the current Labour administration has maintained the goal of banning new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, imposing strict quotas on manufacturers to meet electric vehicle targets. These quotas have escalated annually, with 28% of UK car sales required to be electric in 2023. Yet, consumer concerns over inadequate charging infrastructure and rising costs have dampened enthusiasm for EVs, leading to a decline in demand.
A Department for Transport spokesperson emphasized the government's commitment to supporting the automotive industry through these challenges, investing over £2.3 billion to promote the transition to electric vehicles. They also highlighted efforts to protect jobs while positioning the UK as a leader in clean energy technology.
From a journalist's perspective, this development underscores the complexities facing the automotive sector as it navigates the transition to sustainable technologies. It highlights the delicate balance between ambitious environmental goals and practical market realities. The pause in BMW's investment serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned policies must adapt to changing economic conditions to ensure long-term viability and success.
Automaker Polestar has announced a significant hardware upgrade for its electric SUV, the Polestar 3. The vehicle will receive an advanced Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processor, replacing the previous Xavier model. This powerful new chip will enhance various functionalities, including artificial intelligence features, safety technology, and battery management. Notably, existing owners of the 2025 Polestar 3 will also have access to this free upgrade, marking an unusual move in the automotive industry where post-sale hardware updates are rare. Volvo, Polestar's parent company, has also confirmed similar upgrades for its EX90 electric SUV. The enhanced computing power promises to bring more sophisticated capabilities to these vehicles.
The introduction of the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processor signifies a leap forward in automotive technology. Expected to arrive in dealerships during the latter part of 2025, the 2026 Polestar 3 will be the first model within the brand's lineup to feature this advanced chipset. The Orin processor is renowned for its superior performance, offering increased computational power compared to its predecessor. This upgrade is not just limited to newly manufactured units but extends as a complimentary update to current owners of the 2025 Polestar 3. Such a gesture underscores Polestar's commitment to customer satisfaction and technological advancement.
This development comes at a time when automakers are increasingly focusing on integrating cutting-edge technologies into their electric vehicles. The Orin processor, which will also power Volvo's upcoming ES90 sedan, is designed to support AI-driven features, advanced safety systems, and efficient battery management. For Polestar 3 users, this means enjoying enhanced driving experiences with improved responsiveness and reliability. Moreover, the shared SPA2 architecture between the Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 allows for seamless integration of these upgrades across both brands.
Manufactured in Charleston, South Carolina, the 2025 Polestar 3 offers a sportier two-row design compared to the three-row Volvo EX90. Equipped with an 111-kWh battery pack, it boasts up to 350 miles of range in its base rear-wheel-drive configuration. While the timeline for upgrading existing models has yet to be disclosed, Polestar assures customers they will be notified once the new chips are ready. Installation services will be available through authorized service centers operated by franchised dealerships, aligning with Polestar's unique business model that leverages dealership infrastructure without direct sales involvement.
As Polestar prepares to roll out these upgrades, the focus remains on delivering superior performance and innovative features to its customers. By extending this hardware upgrade to both new and existing models, Polestar demonstrates its dedication to staying ahead in the competitive electric vehicle market. The integration of the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processor promises to redefine the capabilities of the Polestar 3, enhancing user experience and setting new benchmarks in automotive technology.
A study conducted by a UK-based electric vehicle (EV) specialist has unveiled compelling evidence regarding the longevity of EV batteries. The research, which involved examining 300 vehicles with substantial mileage, revealed that these cars retained an impressive 90% of their battery capacity after covering 90,000 miles. Even more remarkably, vehicles that had traveled 130,000 miles still maintained 85% of their original battery performance. This data suggests that modern EVs are highly unlikely to experience significant battery degradation, even when driven extensively.
One of the key insights from this analysis is the accelerated mileage accumulation observed in the examined vehicles. These cars reached high mileages within short leasing periods—typically three to four years—compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which usually take about a decade to reach similar mileages. On average, ICE vehicles accumulate around 133,000 miles over their lifetime, with their batteries lasting between three to five years. In contrast, the robustness of EV batteries addresses one of the primary concerns buyers have when considering switching to electric vehicles. Beyond battery resilience, EVs offer numerous advantages such as reduced fuel costs, lower maintenance expenses, and zero tailpipe emissions.
The findings from this research underscore the environmental and economic benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles. Consumers can now feel more confident about the long-term reliability of EVs, particularly concerning battery lifespan. Moreover, the broader adoption of EVs contributes significantly to reducing air pollution and promoting cleaner transportation options. As governments and private entities continue to expand public charging infrastructure, the convenience of owning an EV will only improve, making it an increasingly viable and sustainable choice for drivers everywhere.