XPeng Motors unveils P7+ in Paris alongside pre-sale pricing, stresses commitment to Europe
Four days after XPeng Motors first unveiled its new P7+ EV, hailed as the “world’s first AI car,” the Chinese Automaker showcased it to the European public during the Paris Motor Show. Following the event, pre-sales of the P7+ began in China, and XPeng shared initial pricing.
As we recapped last week during the initial unveiling in China, XPeng Motors’ ($XPEV) P7+ is a new AI-centric evolution of XPeng Motors flagship sedan, the P7. That model has already made its way to new markets in Europe alongside the G9 SUV and G6 compact.
Today’s latest progress milestone dates back to February 2024, when spy images emerged of a new camouflaged BEV from XPeng that appeared to have ditched LiDAR in favor of pure vision cameras, similar to Tesla’s approach with FSD/Autopilot.
After confirming this past summer that the vehicle name and that it would, in fact, not come equipped with LiDAR, XPeng set a date to officially unveil the P7+ to the public in China. That event, held last week in Shenzen, offered plenty of updates on the XPeng P7+, including battery sizes and range estimates, but we still didn’t know the pricing.
At the time, XPeng said it would unveil the new model to Europe during the Paris Motor Show, and that additional event took place today alongside a start of pre-sales.
XPeng P7+ presale pricing kicks off lower than the Model 3
XPeng Motors used the annual Paris Motor Show as a platform to not only showcase its latest BEV technology but also reinforce its commitment to selling its vehicles in Europe and continue its quest to become a globally recognized automaker.
Similar to its event in China last week, XPeng emphasized its new AI technology and pure vision camera systems, which it calls its “AI Hawkeye Visual Solution,” to deliver a new “three-in-one” BEV that kicks off a new future for the automaker in which additional models will utilize similar AI-centric features.
Hawkeye vision features two 8M cameras in the front and rear of the P7+, as well as millimeter-wave radars and ultrasonic radars, which combine to deliver ADAS driving performance comparable to its previous approach that relied on costly LiDAR systems and HD map coverage.
The result is an intelligent driving system that operates using clearer, more accurate, and longer-range vision and perception, allowing the EV’s in-car computer to function effectively in all lighting conditions on the road. Per XPeng chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng:
XPENG believes the future of the automotive industry is rooted in technology, with AI and autonomous driving set to be the next revolution. Technology must benefit the user. XPENG cars today assist drivers with advanced ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), and in the near future, they will make autonomous decisions, becoming a driver’s companion or a mobile butler, revolutionizing the mobility experience for our global customers. XPENG will continue investing in R&D to expand our vehicle portfolio and bring innovative smart technology to a world with zero accidents, zero traffic congestion, and zero emissions.
Before digging into the presale pricing of the new P7+, XPeng shared several highlights of its technology as a roadmap to future implementations across its BEV portfolio:
- Advanced ADAS standard on all lineups, with no fees or subscriptions, constantly evolving through over-the-air (OTA) updates.
- XPENG AI Hawkeye Visual Solution, powered by end-to-end AI large models, which enhances the understanding of time and space in surrounding environments while improving precision, range, and color resolution.
- The spacious interior surpasses the average SUV, with space for 33 carry-on suitcases (with the rear seats folded down).
- A standard 800V high-voltage SiC platform from XPeng G9 and G6 delivers ultra-fast charging and energy consumption of 11.6 kWh/100 km – better than competitors in its segment.
While unveiling the new model in Paris, XPeng Motors stressed its commitment to European expansion despite recently imposed tariffs on Chinese-built EV imports. The automaker currently sells three models mentioned above in several markets overseas, including Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal.
The P7+ will soon join its BEV siblings in Europe as XPeng has promised further expansions to new markets. Lastly, XPeng officially opened pre-orders of the P7+ in China and shared initial pricing, which is relatively low given the size and scope of its technology.
The XPeng P7+ pricing starts at RMB 209,800 ($29,610), which is RMB 22,100 ($3,120) less than the starting price of a Tesla Model 3 in China. While it will only cost Chinese customers RMB 99 to secure a pre-order of the P7+, pricing could go down even further when the model officially launches next month, making it an even more affordable and exciting new EV on the horizon.
We will keep you updated as we learn more about the XPeng P7+ and its pricing. Until then, you can view the new model up close in the video from XPeng below. Or if you’re at the Paris Motor Show, you can see it in person at XPeng’s booth in Hall 6.
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![India's Waaree to double its solar module output at its Texas factory [update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Waaree-Energies-Texas.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
India’s Waaree Energies doubled Texas production in April to counter US solar tariffs – now it’s investing hundreds of millions more.
May 15, 2025: Waaree Solar Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Waaree Energies, has announced that it will invest an additional $200 million in battery energy storage. This raises Waaree’s total US solar and storage investment to $1.2 billion.
This expansion is expected to create 300 to 500 jobs over the next few years, adding to the 1,500 jobs it already announced.
Dr. Amit Paithankar, whole-time director and CEO of Waaree Energies, said that “our decision to invest was primarily driven by the significant market potential in the energy sector.”
Despite tariff headwinds, Waaree is doubling down on its US expansion, drawn by the country’s massive energy demand and the surge in AI and data center development, both of which require steady, large-scale power. The company points out that solar is the “cheapest source of power and the fastest to commission,” making it a smart choice for scaling quickly.
April 16, 2025: It’s adding another 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar module manufacturing capacity at its Brookshire factory, bringing the site’s total to 3.2 GW. The company didn’t indicate a timescale for when the capacity increase would be complete. The move is part of its strategy to reinforce its “larger strategy of de-risking its global footprint.”
The company first announced it would open the Texas factory in December 2023, its first footprint in the US. Its original plan was to have an initial capacity to manufacture 3 GW of solar modules annually by the end of 2024.
Waaree plans to invest up to $1 billion to scale its annual solar panel production to 5 GW in Texas by 2027, which would make it one of the largest solar panel factories in the US.
Previous to manufacturing in Texas, the Mumbai-headquartered company, which is India’s largest solar module manufacturer, already supplied Indian-made solar panels to the US. But the US’s new reciprocal tariff on solar modules imported from India is 26%, adding to the existing 14.5% Section 201 tariff, bringing the total to around 40%.
“At a time when the world is redefining the rules of global trade, we’re not waiting for the dust to settle – we’re building through it. … The strength of our US order book is a testament to the trust we’ve built, and this expansion is a signal – we’re here, we’re growing, and we’re deeply invested in powering America’s energy future,” said Dr. Amit Paithankar, whole-time director and CEO of Waaree Energies.
Read more: Texas just shot its wind + solar boom in the foot on purpose
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BYD is about to launch another low-cost electric car, but this one’s a little different. It’s BYD’s first kei car. You know, those tiny vehicles that dominate Japan’s city streets? BYD’s mini EV was just spotted out in public, giving us our first real look at the upcoming kei car.
BYD’s first mini EV was spotted in public
Last week, rumors surfaced that BYD was developing its first kei car, which would compete with top-selling models from Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, and other Japanese brands.
Kei cars, or “K-Car,” as they are sometimes called, are a class of ultra-compact vehicles that cannot be longer than 3.4 meters (134″). To put that into perspective, BYD’s smallest EV currently, the Seagull (called the Dolphin Mini overseas), is 3,780 mm (148.8″) long.
The mini vehicles are ideal in Japan because they are so small, making it easy to get around tight city streets. They are also more affordable and efficient than larger vehicles.
BYD’s mini EV was spotted for the first time during a road test this week by IT Home (via CarNewsChina), revealing a familiar look. You can see it has that boxy, compact look of a typical kei car with sliding side doors.
According to reports, BYD is developing a new platform for the model. It will reportedly include a 20 kWh battery, good for 180 km (112 miles) WLTC range. By using its in-house Blade LFP batteries, BYD is expected to have a cost advantage.
BYD’s upcoming mini EV is expected to start at around 2.5 million yen, or about $18,000. That’s about the same as the Nissan Sakura (2.59 million yen), Japan’s best-selling EV last year.
Last year, around 1.55 million kei cars were sold in Japan, accounting for roughly 40% of new vehicle sales. Honda’s N-Box was the top-selling kei car (EV or gas) for the third straight year.
As Nikkei reported, some are already calling BYD’s electric kei car “a huge threat.” A Suzuki dealer said, “Young people do not have a negative view of BYD. It would be a huge threat if the company launches cheap models in Japan.”
BYD already sells several electric cars in Japan, including the Atto 3 SUV, Dolphin, and Seal. Last month, the company launched the new Sealion 7 midsize electric SUV, starting at 4.95 million yen ($34,500).
Source: Sina, CarNewsChina
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TORONTO — Canada has quietly become a global leader in digital assets.
Canada was among the first countries to enact rules for crypto, starting with anti-money laundering guidelines in 2014. The country has repeatedly evolved its regulatory guidance in recent years, while U.S. lawmakers remain stuck in gridlock — even with a pro-crypto White House and a Republican-controlled Congress.
That regulatory clarity has made Toronto a launchpad for blockchain growth, and Wall Street is taking notice.
Robinhood‘s recent acquisition of Canadian crypto firm WonderFi, owner of Bitbuy and Coinsquare, plugs it into Canada’s established user base.
“Canada is a very attractive market for us,” said Johann Kerbrat, Robinhood’s crypto chief. “It’s projected to be more than 30 million users using crypto here in Canada, with revenue projections of about $900 million in 2025.”
The company’s decision to spend just under $180 million to buy WonderFi, which has one of the longest-standing crypto licenses in the country, is a direct bet on that growth.
Galaxy Digital, the digital asset investing giant founded by Mike Novogratz, is headquartered in New York but listed in Canada because it couldn’t go public in the United States. After being among the first to launch spot bitcoin ETFs in the U.S., Galaxy will finally debut on the Nasdaq on Friday.
DeFi Technologies, a Canadian player focused on being the Strategy of Solana, is also planning a U.S. listing.
“A lot of companies have started on the Toronto Stock Exchange and are trying to uplist into the Nasdaq,” said Ondo Finance CEO Nathan Allman. “I think we’re going to see more of that.”
At Consensus 2025 in Toronto, one of the world’s largest crypto conferences, JPMorgan, Ondo, and Chainlink announced a $100 billion bet on blockchain with a new platform to tokenize real-world assets.
The two firms say the new offering allows treasuries to be tokenized and settled using blockchain, combining JPMorgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments network with Ondo’s blockchain infrastructure.
“It’s really the first time that there’s been this interoperability between a bank’s permissioned blockchain environment and a public blockchain,” Allman said.
Crypto dealmaking has shown signs of life in recent months, as the United States has shifted its regulatory approach under President Donald Trump.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Federal Reserve have eased restrictions on banks handling crypto, rolling back prior guidance that required pre-approval for digital asset activities.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has also taken a significant step by rescinding its restrictive accounting bulletin, which had forced companies holding crypto assets for clients to record them as liabilities. The new approach aligns crypto custody with traditional financial instruments.
At the same time, the SEC has launched a new Crypto Task Force, inviting public input on how to better regulate digital assets.
“They want large enterprises like Citi to have a seat at the table,” said Ryan Rugg, global head of digital assets for Citi’s Treasury and Trade Solutions division. “They’re asking for our opinion, where I think in the past, it was not quite the case.”
The booking of Eric Trump, the president’s son and a leader of the newly-formed American Bitcoin, as a headline speaker, highlighted the growing presence of the U.S. in the crypto arena. The firm made waves when it launched in March, and already intends to go public through a merger with Gryphon Digital Mining.
“It’s important to remember: Most countries are totally neutral on blockchain,” said Dan Morehead, CEO of Pantera Capital. “The U.S. had a fairly antagonistic stance on blockchain which made it difficult for companies to get bank accounts, made it difficult for companies to go public.”
He said he believes many companies that would have gone public a few years ago will hit U.S. markets in the next six months.
“There’s obviously tremendous appetite in the public markets,” he said.
Israel-based crypto and stock trading platform eToro went public on Wednesday after pricing above its expected range. Shares soared nearly 29% on its first trading day.
The advancements in the U.S. aren’t without setbacks. A first-of-its-kind stablecoin regulation bill failed to advance in the Senate after Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about national security, while others expressed concerns about the president’s ties to crypto.
Still, the payment giants are charging ahead.
Mastercard announced Thursday that it’s partnering with Moonpay to let customers use debit cards to transact using their stablecoin balances.
PayPal announced Wednesday that it’s partnering with artificial intelligence platform Perplexity to enable chat-powered shopping. PayPal’s senior vice president of blockchain, crypto, and digital currencies told CNBC at Consensus 2025 that he sees a future where customers could transact in AI chats with their PayPal stablecoins or other crypto holdings.
“We are trying to make sure that PayPal and Venmo are the gateway product to get more people into crypto,” said Jose Fernandez da Ponte, PayPal’s senior vice president of blockchain, crypto, and digital currencies. “A lot of people get into crypto through us, and that leads us to continue to add tokens.”
While PayPal leans on accessibility and payments, Robinhood is doubling down on tokenization and staking to capture both retail and institutional users.
“This debate here in the U.S. is really important — it shows that we want to embrace the technology instead of just regulating it and turning it off like it was before,” Kerbrat said, describing his appearance at an SEC roundtable under new chair Paul Atkins.
The company sees blockchain technology as a way to transform everything from stocks to private equity markets and real estate into digital tokens that can be traded instantly.
“We think at Robinhood that it is actually the future, and we can bring a lot more traditional assets on-chain using tokenization,” Kerbrat added.
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