Articles by Leon Poultney, EVs correspondent

Leon has been navigating a world where automotive and tech collide for almost 20 years, reporting on everything from in-car entertainment to robotised manufacturing plants. Currently, EVs are the focus of his attentions, but give it a few years and it will be electric vertical take-off and landing craft. Outside of work hours, he can be found tinkering with distinctly analogue motorcycles, because electric motors are no replacement for an old Honda inline four.

Articles by: Leon Poultney

Volvo’s cars will be the first to get Google Gemini’s ‘conversational’ AI – and I think the in-car tech has massive potential

By Leon Poultney published 23 May 25

The introduction of Google Gemini will hopefully reduce the temptation for drivers to resort to picking up a smartphone.

Xiaomi's new Tesla-rivaling SUV has a cockpit-style panoramic windshield display and can charge in just 12 minutes

By Leon Poultney published 23 May 25

More interior space, more range and more tech than a Tesla Model Y... if it is priced right, the Xiaomi YU7 will prove a real problem for Musk.

The Nissan Micra returns as an EV – but it borrows way too much from the Renault 5 E-Tech for my liking

By Leon Poultney published 21 May 25

Nissan's famous Micra returns... but not as you know it. The affordable city car has been given the EV treatment and is based on the Renault 5.

I’ve driven the new Ford Capri – and it proves that nailing the retro-inspired EV brief isn’t easy

By Leon Poultney published 17 May 25

I've driven the new Ford Capri – and it sadly feels like an exercise in slapping a familiar badge on the back and paying lip service to a few design cues.

Volkswagen says 'mind-blowing' electric GTI EVs are coming – here's what to expect and what I want to see

By Leon Poultney published 16 May 25

Volkswagen puts fun back on the menu with plans to launch an "entire family" of GTI models in the coming years – here's what we could see.

A steering wheel and interior of an Aston Martin car showing Apple CarPlay Ultra

Apple CarPlay Ultra finally rolls out – here are 4 things you need to know about its Aston Martin debut

By Leon Poultney published 15 May 25

This is as close to the Apple Car as we will get for now

Android Auto is getting a big Gemini upgrade soon – and also a slightly baffling media controls change

By Leon Poultney published 15 May 25

Gemini will likely prove a big hit with multi-tasking drivers, but the media button refresh might not be so welcome.

An in-car view of a steering wheel showing Harman's Ready Aware tech flagging alerts and driving info

Harman’s new in-car tech could give you Waze-like alerts – without the need for human helpers

By Leon Poultney published 14 May 25

Waze-style traffic warnings could be heading to all connected vehicle infotainment systems if Harman has its way.

Mercedes-AMG just teased its 1,000bhp Porsche Taycan Turbo GT rival – and it'll need to dip deep into its performance past to beat it

By Leon Poultney published 12 May 25

Mercedes-AMG just teased its first electric ‘super sedan’ – and the large, imposing four-door fastback is on track to challenge the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.

I've driven the retro-inspired Renault 4 E-Tech and it's just as fun as the R5... but with added practicality

By Leon Poultney published 11 May 25

Renault continues its retro run with the canvas-roofed Renault 4 E-Tech and the chunky SUV is just as cheeky as the R5.

Physical buttons are making a comeback in cars, thanks to new safety guidelines – but I'm bracing myself for more annoying user experiences

By Leon Poultney published 10 May 25

Your next car may well have more physical buttons and switches, as EuroNCAP cracks down on distracting touchscreens.

Tesla launches cheaper Model Y in the US, but confirms it's ditched the Cybertruck's promised range extender

By Leon Poultney published 8 May 25

Model Y gets a cheaper entry-level version in the US, but it's not good news for range-hungry Cybertruck owners.

Two photos of a concept stretchable in-car display from LG

Forget foldable phones – LG's 'stretchable' in-car display can grow physical buttons when you need them, and I can't stop watching it

By Leon Poultney published 7 May 25

LG’s innovative new 'stretchable' touchscreen display has been designed for cars and can miraculously come to life with a physical dial and buttons. But does it make sense in the real world?

Jeep signals the end of an era for gas guzzling off-roaders, as all-new compass goes hybrid or electric only

By Leon Poultney published 6 May 25

As American as apple pie, Jeep is turning its back on thirsty gas engines in favor of electric and hybrid tech.

I’ve driven the Porsche Macan EV – and it shows why the classic brand should stick to its electric guns

By Leon Poultney published 4 May 25

Recent reports suggest Porsche could be scaling back its electric-only goals, but my experiences with the Macan EV suggest that that'd be a real shame.

First Slate Auto and now Isuzu – why electric pick-up trucks could be the next big EV battleground

By Leon Poultney published 30 April 25

Demand for electrified commercial vehicles is picking up, as Isuzu becomes the latest of many to announce electrified workhorses for next year.

The Citroen Ami sheds its doors and roof for one of the simplest and cheapest EV experiences around

By Leon Poultney published 30 April 25

Citreon's cute quadricycle just got a beach-ready makeover.

Two hands holding a steering wheel with Mercedes-Benz steer-by-wire tech

Mercedes' new steer-by-wire tech is the next big EV trend – and I'll begrudgingly accept that it's the future

By Leon Poultney published 28 April 25

Is this the beginning of the end for steering wheels? Mercedes says its all-electric EQS saloon will be the first production model to have steer-by-wire tech.

The 5 most exciting new EVs from the Shanghai Auto Show 2025 that could launch globally

By Leon Poultney published 28 April 25

The Shanghai Auto Show is now a major fixture on the automotive calendar, as 'legacy' automakers hope to compete with fierce competition from China.

Slate Auto's affordable electric pick-up truck is everything the Tesla Cybertruck isn't – and could be a big hit

By Leon Poultney published 25 April 25

Low-cost, all-electric pick-up could prove next year's biggest hit automotive hit in North America.

MG and Zeekr show us the future of electric SUVs – and it includes the return of pop-up headlights

By Leon Poultney published 23 April 25

The Shanghai Auto Show proves that Zeekr and MG have both ends of the electric SUV spectrum covered.

CATL unveils its new battery tech that charges in five minutes, offers huge range but doesn’t cost a fortune

By Leon Poultney published 22 April 25

CATL joins the five-minute fast-charging club with latest battery tech, but also offers more affordable options for future EVs.

I've driven the ultra fast-charging Zeekr 7X – and it shows Chinese EVs are still better at premium design than driving experiences

By Leon Poultney published 19 April 25

Slick tech, great looks and a comfortable drive, the Zeekr 7X is here to compete with the premium players.

Tesla really wants you to buy its Cybertruck, with huge discounts and perks thrown in to clear its growing inventory

By Leon Poultney published 18 April 25

Tesla is offering big discounts and free lifetime charging with new Cybertruck, but it's likely not enough to save its steel.

Big Tesla update brings 5 new features to its EVs, but not everyone will get them

By Leon Poultney published 16 April 25

An over-the-air software update adds a host of new features to Tesla cars.

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