

News
BMW exec expresses reservations on electric car battery costs: ‘It’s a nightmare’
BMW board member Klaus Frölich recently expressed his reservations about the costs of batteries in electric cars. In a recent statement, the 58-year-old senior BMW executive noted that electric vehicles would “never” be less costly than cars powered by fossil fuels.
Frölich, who played a part in the development of the company’s electric mobility initiatives like the BMW i3, noted that the culprit for the costs of EVs will always be their batteries. The senior executive stated that lithium-ion cells that can store the standard 1 kWh unit of electrical energy cost around €100 to €150 ($114 to $172). Thus, in electric vehicles with battery packs that are 90-100 kWh, the cost of the battery alone would always be incredibly high.
“It’s very simple. You can produce whole cars, only with the cost of the battery,” he said.
Frölich further elaborated, stating that the costs of lithium-ion batteries would likely remain costly, even if they are being produced in large quantities. The senior BMW exec notes that cobalt, in particular, would probably keep battery prices high, since it is a crucial ingredient of lithium-ion battery cells. That said, Frölich stated that BMW is nonetheless working to secure low prices for cobalt until 2030.
“When everybody wants to have cobalt, the prices of cobalt will not go down, they will go up. So, it’s a nightmare that an electrified vehicle will cost the same as a combustion-engined car,” he said.
While Klaus Frölich’s latest remarks could easily be dismissed as criticism from an electric car skeptic, the executive is anything but an EV naysayer. Over the years, Frölich has played a key part in the development of BMW’s green vehicles like the i3 and the faster, more attractive i8. Just last year, Frölich spoke during BMW’s 2017 Tech Workshops, where he discussed the German legacy automaker’s plans for an electrified future, at one point even noting that “electro-mobility is the new normal” for the carmaker.
In a way, Frölich’s recent statements might be coming from firsthand experience. BMW, after all, is currently starting to adopt a Tesla-like approach in the development of its vehicles’ battery cells. During the unveiling of the iNEXT concept vehicle, BMW announced that it had developed its own battery cells, which, in turn, will be utilized by its upcoming electric cars and hybrid vehicles. BMW has partnered with Chinese battery maker CATL to manufacture its cells.
BMW’s adoption of an in-house approach to battery cell design and production was likely pushed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s initiatives earlier this year. Back in March 2018, Merkel’s government took particular notice on German automakers such as Daimler, BMW, and Volkswagen and their dependence on Asian companies for the battery needs of their electric cars. Addressing the carmakers last June, Merkel urged the legacy automakers to start catching up. Considering Frölich’s recent statements, though, BMW might be learning that battery technology is not very easy to master.
Tesla, for its part, continues to refine its battery tech. The electric car maker’s batteries have used less cobalt over the years, and Elon Musk has announced on Twitter that the company is aiming to use no cobalt at all in the future. During the 2018 Annual Shareholder Meeting, Musk further mentioned that Tesla is closing in on a cost of $100 per kWh at the pack level.
“We think at the cell level probably we can do better than $100/kWh maybe later this year depending upon stable commodity prices. With further improvements to the cell chemistry, the production process, and more vertical integration on the cell side, for example, integrating the production of cathode and anode materials at the Gigafactory, and improved design of the module and pack, we think long-term we can get below $100/kWh at the pack level,” he said.
News
Tesla UK sales see 14% year-over-year rebound in June: SMMT data
The SMMT stated that Tesla sales grew 14% year-over-year to 7,719 units in June 2025.

Tesla’s sales in the United Kingdom rose in June, climbing 14% year-over-year to 7,719 units, as per data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The spike in the company’s sales coincided with the first deliveries of the updated Model Y last month.
Model Y deliveries support Tesla’s UK recovery
Tesla’s June performance marked one of its strongest months in the UK so far this year, with new Model Y deliveries contributing significantly to the company’s momentum.
While the SMMT listed Tesla with 7,719 deliveries in June, independent data from New AutoMotive suggested that the electric vehicle maker registered 7,891 units during the month instead. However, year-to-date figures for Tesla remain 2% down compared to 2024, as per a report from Reuters.
While Tesla made a strong showing in June, rivals are also growing. Chinese automaker BYD saw UK sales rise nearly fourfold to 2,498 units, while Ford posted the highest EV growth among major automakers, with a more than fourfold increase in the first half of 2025.
Overall, the UK’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) demand surged 39% to to 47,354 units last month, helping push total new car sales in the UK to 191,316 units, up 6.7% from the same period in 2024.
EV adoption accelerates, but concerns linger
June marked the best month for UK car sales since 2019, though the SMMT cautioned that growth in the electric vehicle sector remains heavily dependent on discounting and support programs. Still, one in four new vehicle buyers in June chose a battery electric vehicle.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes noted that despite strong BEV demand, sales levels are still below regulatory targets. “Further growth in sales, and the sector will rely on increased and improved charging facilities to boost mainstream electric vehicle adoption,” Hawes stated.
Also taking effect this week was a new US-UK trade deal, which lowers tariffs on UK car exports to the United States from 27.5% to 10%. The agreement could benefit UK-based EV producers aiming to expand across the country.
News
Tesla Model 3 ranks as the safest new car in Europe for 2025, per Euro NCAP tests
Despite being on the market longer than many of its rivals, the Tesla Model 3 continues to set the bar for vehicle safety.

The Tesla Model 3 has been named the safest new car on sale in 2025, according to the latest results from the Euro NCAP. Among 20 newly tested vehicles, the Model 3 emerged at the top of the list, scoring an impressive 359 out of 400 possible points across all major safety categories.
Tesla Model 3’s safety systems
Despite being on the market longer than many of its rivals, the Tesla Model 3 continues to set the bar for vehicle safety. Under Euro NCAP’s stricter 2025 testing protocols, the electric sedan earned 90% for adult occupant protection, 93% for child occupant protection, 89% for pedestrian protection, and 87% for its Safety Assist systems.
The updated Model 3 received particular praise for its advanced driver assistance features, including Tesla’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, which performed well across various test scenarios. Its Intelligent Speed Assistance and child presence detection system were cited as noteworthy features as well, as per a WhatCar report.
Other notable safety features include the Model 3’s pedestrian-friendly pop-up hood and robust crash protection for both front and side collisions. Euro NCAP also highlighted the Model 3’s ability to detect vulnerable road users during complex maneuvers, such as turning across oncoming traffic.
Euro NCAP’s Autopilot caution
While the Model 3’s safety scores were impressive across the board, Euro NCAP did raise concerns about driver expectations of Tesla’s Autopilot system. The organization warned that some owners may overestimate the system’s capabilities, potentially leading to misuse or inattention behind the wheel. Even so, the Model 3 remained the highest-scoring vehicle tested under Euro NCAP’s updated criteria this year.
The Euro NCAP’s concerns are also quite interesting because Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised, which is arguably the company’s most robust safety suite, is not allowed for public rollout in Europe yet. FSD Supervised would allow the Model 3 to navigate inner city streets with only minimal human supervision.
Other top scorers included the Volkswagen ID.7, Polestar 3, and Geely EX5, but none matched the Model 3’s total score or consistency across categories. A total of 14 out of 20 newly tested cars earned five stars, while several models, including the Kia EV3, MG ZS, and Renault 5, fell short of the top rating.
Elon Musk
Why Tesla’s Q3 could be one of its biggest quarters in history
Tesla could stand to benefit from the removal of the $7,500 EV tax credit at the end of Q3.

Tesla has gotten off to a slow start in 2025, as the first half of the year has not been one to remember from a delivery perspective.
However, Q3 could end up being one of the best the company has had in history, with the United States potentially being a major contributor to what might reverse a slow start to the year.
Earlier today, the United States’ House of Representatives officially passed President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” after it made its way through the Senate earlier this week. The bill will head to President Trump, as he looks to sign it before his July 4 deadline.
The Bill will effectively bring closure to the $7,500 EV tax credit, which will end on September 30, 2025. This means, over the next three months in the United States, those who are looking to buy an EV will have their last chance to take advantage of the credit. EVs will then be, for most people, $7,500 more expensive, in essence.
The tax credit is available to any single filer who makes under $150,000 per year, $225,000 a year to a head of household, and $300,000 to couples filing jointly.
Ending the tax credit was expected with the Trump administration, as his policies have leaned significantly toward reliance on fossil fuels, ending what he calls an “EV mandate.” He has used this phrase several times in disagreements with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Nevertheless, those who have been on the fence about buying a Tesla, or any EV, for that matter, will have some decisions to make in the next three months. While all companies will stand to benefit from this time crunch, Tesla could be the true winner because of its sheer volume.
If things are done correctly, meaning if Tesla can also offer incentives like 0% APR, special pricing on leasing or financing, or other advantages (like free Red, White, and Blue for a short period of time in celebration of Independence Day), it could see some real volume in sales this quarter.
You can now buy a Tesla in Red, White, and Blue for free until July 14 https://t.co/iAwhaRFOH0
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 3, 2025
Tesla is just a shade under 721,000 deliveries for the year, so it’s on pace for roughly 1.4 million for 2025. This would be a decrease from the 1.8 million cars it delivered in each of the last two years. Traditionally, the second half of the year has produced Tesla’s strongest quarters. Its top three quarters in terms of deliveries are Q4 2024 with 495,570 vehicles, Q4 2023 with 484,507 vehicles, and Q3 2024 with 462,890 vehicles.
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