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

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.

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.

Zeekr's new 007 GT looks like the ultimate family EV – with 10-minute charging and over 500 miles of range

By Leon Poultney published 16 April 25

Zeekr has launched a sleek, grand touring 'shooting brake' version of its 007 sedan available in China – and it should eventually go global, too.

Holy downforce! This fan-powered EV just became the world’s first to drive upside down – and it’s more than just a party trick

By Leon Poultney published 14 April 25

This is not a prank – the McMurtry Spéirling can really drive upside-down.

MG Cyberster/Maserati Grancabrio Folgore

These are the top four electric sports cars I’ve driven – and they show electrification doesn’t mean boring

By Leon Poultney published 12 April 25

The absence of an internal combustion engine shouldn't put you off electric thirlls.

The ultra-fast EV charging revolution could still be a way off, according to these early megawatt experiences

By Leon Poultney published 9 April 25

More expensive and more complicated, 1MW charging is still a long way off.

The Tesla Cybertruck’s range-extending battery pack has stealthily disappeared, suggesting the project might be dead

By Leon Poultney published 7 April 25

The Tesla Cybertruck's range-extending battery pack appears to have disappeared from its online store. Does this mean the end of its long-promised 500-mile range option?

I tested the Tesla Powerwall 3 – going off-grid feels good, but it's a long-term investment rather than a quick fix

By Leon Poultney published 30 March 25

Tesla's Powerall 3 is a giant battery pack for your house – I tried one in the UK's Lake District to see whether it's worth the painful initial investment.

I’ve driven the new Dacia Bigster – and it's the cult EV brand's best-value hybrid so far

By Leon Poultney published 27 March 25

The new Dacia Bigster is like its recent Duster model on steroids – here's what it's like to drive one.

An aerial view of an Instavolt Superhub for charging electric vehicles

Forget gas stations – EV charging Superhubs are using solar power to solve the most annoying thing about electric motoring

By Leon Poultney published 25 March 25

EV charging Superhubs are popping up across the globe – and these solar-assisted sites could help stamp out electric motoring pain points.

I’ve driven the Tesla Model 3, but Elon Musk is making it hard for us all to love the brand

By Leon Poultney published 22 March 25

Political leaning aside, the damage Musk is doing to the Tesla brand could prove irreversible.

Nissan EvolvAD Autonomous Drive on the road

I’ve tried Nissan’s latest advanced driverless technology – and it handles 60mph on rural roads better than most humans

By Leon Poultney published 16 March 25

Nissan has developed an autonomous driving system that can now handle the UK's unpredictable country roads. It took me out for a 60mph spin –here's what it's like to be a passenger.

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