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Japanese automaker Subaru is shifting its focus and resources to produce electric vehicles. Subaru announced a new electrification plan Wednesday, calling for eight EV models by 2028 and a 50% BEV sales share by the end of the decade.

Subaru updates EV strategy

A day after a report claimed Toyota would begin building a new three-row Subaru electric SUV at its manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, in 2025, Subaru is now stepping up to the plate.

Subaru’s president and CEO, Atsushi Osaki, announced the new electrification plans Wednesday after releasing its quarterly results.

Osaki drastically adjusted the automaker’s strategy, calling for a 50% BEV share, or 600,000 unit sales in 2030. In the US, its largest market (roughly 70% of sales), Subaru is now aiming to sell 400,000 EVs in 2028.

This is a big difference compared to Subaru’s previous plans of 40% EV and hybrid share (combined). Rather than 60% ICE sales, Subaru now aims for a 50/50 BEV to HEV mix.

Subaru plans to begin in-house EV production in 2025, adding dedicated EV production lines around 2027. In the US, Subaru will begin EV production around 2027.

Subaru-EVs
Subaru electrification plan update (Source: Subaru)

The growth will be supported by a 1.5 trillion yen ($10.4 billion) investment by around 2030, including 250 billion yen previously announced for domestic production reorganization.

Subaru plans to introduce four electric SUVs by the end of 2026 (including the Solterra) and another four new EV models by the end of 2028, for a total of eight.

Subaru-EVs
Subaru electrification plan update (Source: Subaru)

The automaker’s sole EV, the Subaru Solterra, is built by Toyota (who owns 20% of Subaru) and rides on its e-TNGA platform, the same one used for the bZ4X electric SUV.

Toyota assembles both electric vehicles at its Motomachi assembly plant in Japan. Subaru has sold 3,730 Solterra EVs in the US this year through July, roughly 1% of total sales.

Subaru-EVs
2023 Subaru Solterra electric SUV (Source: Subaru)

Earlier this week, Subaru and Panasonic announced they had begun talks to supply next-gen cylindrical lithium-ion batteries from the latter half of the 2020s. The plans include a dedicated EV plant in Gunma, Japan.

Electrek’s Take

The move comes after Toyota and other Japanese automakers recently announced similar plans to boost competitiveness as the industry shifts to EVs.

Toyota revealed a series of new innovations to boost competitiveness in the EV era, including a dedicated platform, next-gen batteries that will increase range and drive down costs, design enhancements, and manufacturing improvements to optimize efficiency.

The Japanese government is increasing support for battery tech with 330 billion yen ($2.3 billion) in subsidies to avoid falling further behind. Toyota is expected to receive nearly 120 billion ($847 million) to fuel its EV battery tech strategy.

With Toyota building dedicated EV assembly and battery manufacturing capacity, Subaru will get a foot in the door. But, the next few years will be critical for Subaru to maintain its position in its biggest, most profitable market.

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Report: Ferrari were SO impressed by the Xiaomi SU7, they bought one

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Report: Ferrari were SO impressed by the Xiaomi SU7, they bought one

With its tire-blistering acceleration and record-setting performance, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been getting attention throughout the auto industry, impressing everyone who’s seen it. That “everyone” now seems to include the OG supercar brand, itself.

CarNewsChina posted pictures from a Weibo user that reportedly show a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra exiting the storied Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. According to a Chinese blogger going by 西米露在博洛尼亚 (which seems to translate to “Sago Dessert in Bologna”), the prancing horse brand is actively benchmarking the Chinese hypercar for its own upcoming EV.

The SU7 Ultra was definitely coming from inside Ferrari’s facility. After verification, we learned this specific vehicle was officially purchased by Ferrari for testing, and the development of their next-generation electric platform.

西米露在博洛尼亚

Yet another Chinese auto blogger, 苏黎世贝勒爷, claims that Ferrari representatives visited Xiaomi headquarters last year, allegedly to discuss the joint development of next-generation high-performance EV motors.

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra made its debut last year, promising 1,548 hp, sub 2.0-second 0-60 mph times, and a top speed well over 200 mph – all at a price lower than a Tesla Model S Plaid or Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. The car sold out almost immediately after it was unveiled, racking up some 50,000 orders almost overnight.

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The new electric benchmark


Xiaomi SU7 Ultra at Fiorano; via Weibo user Piniluoshan.

In the automotive world, “benchmarking” is a process in which car companies systematically tear down each others’ competitive products to compare everything from sound insulation, vehicle ride and handling, component materials, and even manufacturing methods against their own or against other industry leaders. The goal is to evaluate performance, cost, quality, and other key metrics, effectively figuring out “where they stand” in the market.

If Ferrari really did buy an SU7 to benchmark it against their own upcoming electric supercar, it’s more than just a curiosity – it could mean that the highest tiers of automotive innovation have shifted from West to East. Maybe forever.

Featured image via Xiaomi; sources throughout the post.


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Chevy teases new Bolt w/NACS, front fascia redesign, rear brake lights

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Chevy teases new Bolt w/NACS, front fascia redesign, rear brake lights

We’re finally getting our first teases of the upgraded 2027 Chevy Bolt, built on GM’s battery/motor platform formerly known as Ultium. So far, so good for the vehicle, which will be revealed later this Fall.

Chevy took to social media today to tease the 2027 Chevy Bolt, saying, “You asked, we listened. The #ChevyBolt is back and better than ever. More this fall. 👀”

Chevy ended the original Bolt program with the 2023 model, which was loved by a loyal group of customers (including myself). Some of the major gripes, including charging speed and rear brake lights, already look to be addressed. Also, a new more aggressive fascia is debuting.

Electrek’s take

GM has done an incredible job keeping the 2027 Bolt under wraps. It will be the first GM vehicle with a native NACS port after the Cadillac Optiq-V, which we spied in Seattle last week.

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Hopefully, the new Bolt will have improved charging speeds over and above the 54kW that previous Bolts adhered to. One possible downgrade is that the old Bolt’s amazing wireless CarPlay/Android Auto system will likely be replaced by GM’s move to Android’s built-in experience. For a few years, the Chevy Bolt was the most affordable long-range EV, and it won our 2022 Electrek car of the year for its versatility and price.

I would, of course, like to see the new Bolt as a hot hatchback, but GM CEO Mary Barra has hinted that it will likely take more of the EUV’s SUV form factor. Things like AWD options, SuperCruise, pricing, power and range are yet to be revealed, but stay tuned to Electrek for the latest on Bolt developments.

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Tesla tops another ADAS test, Hyundai tops range tests, and Texas gets BESS

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Tesla tops another ADAS test, Hyundai tops range tests, and Texas gets BESS

On today’s test-acular episode of Quick Charge, it’s a new day and a new Chinese ADAS test for Tesla to conquer – but this one’s got a LOT more pedestrian carnage to parse through! We’ve also got some great e-bike deals from Retrospec and a bladder-busting Hyundai.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec – the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure! To that end, we’ve got a pair of Retrospec e-bike reviews followed up by the updated Hyundai IONIQ 6 with nearly 350 miles of range from its updated long-range battery. With that, Hyundai now has the longest range Korean EV on the market, while Texas is adding megawatts of battery energy storage to beef up its troubled grid, and it’s doing so faster and cheaper than ever before.

PlusQuick Charge listeners can get an extra 10% off the price of their next awesome e-bike by using code ELECTREK10 at retrospec.com!

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

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New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.


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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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