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Škoda Peaq: The Czech Brand’s Biggest Electric Swing Yet

Škoda has never been shy about building sensible cars for sensible people. But every so often, even the most pragmatic brand wants a flagship—something that says, yes, we still do spreadsheets, but we can dream a little too. Enter the Škoda Peaq, the Czech automaker’s upcoming electric, seven-seat SUV and, if all goes according to plan, its most ambitious model to date.

Confirmed for a full reveal this summer and scheduled to go on sale by the end of the year, the Peaq is the production version of the Vision 7S concept first shown in 2022. Back then, it looked like Škoda had let its designers drink an extra espresso and locked the accountants out of the room. Now, that concept is heading for showrooms—with only a modest trimming of its wilder edges.

Think of the Peaq as an electric Kodiaq. Big, upright, family-focused, and unapologetically practical—but powered entirely by electrons and positioned at the very top of Škoda’s lineup. In size and intent, it’s aimed squarely at the small but growing club of seven-seat electric SUVs, lining up against vehicles like the Peugeot e-5008 and Mercedes-Benz GLB. And while it’s not pretending to be a luxury status symbol, it will flirt with higher price territory than Škoda has ever dared before.

That alone makes the Peaq interesting.

A New Peak for Škoda

The name “Peaq” (yes, pronounced like peak) isn’t subtle. Škoda openly admits this is its range-topper, a statement car meant to showcase where the brand is headed in the electric era. According to Martin Jahn, Škoda’s board member for sales and marketing, the Peaq represents a deliberate elevation of the brand—without abandoning its core values.

“With the Vision 7S, we entered new territory for Škoda,” Jahn said, pointing to the company’s new “Modern Solid” design language. “Now we are bringing this innovative vehicle concept to life.”

Translation: this is Škoda trying to look bolder, tougher, and more future-facing—while still leaving enough room inside for kids, dogs, luggage, and that one IKEA run you definitely didn’t plan.

Design: Concept Car, But Make It Real

The Vision 7S introduced Škoda’s Modern Solid design language, which has since trickled down to newer models. Expect the Peaq to stick closely to the concept’s chunky proportions, squared-off shoulders, and clean surfacing. It won’t look soft or anonymous, and that’s a good thing. Seven-seat SUVs have a habit of blending into parking lots like beige wallpaper.

Underneath, the Peaq will ride on Volkswagen Group’s familiar MEB platform—the same architecture that underpins the Enyaq, Elroq, and a small army of VW Group EVs. That means proven hardware, flexible battery options, and packaging that prioritizes interior space over flashy performance numbers.

Don’t expect supercar acceleration or Nürburgring lap times. Do expect a flat floor, generous legroom, and a third row that actual humans can use without resentment.

Price: New Territory, Same Philosophy

Škoda hasn’t announced pricing yet, and Jahn carefully avoided pinning down an aspirational number. What we do know is that the Peaq will sit above the Enyaq, which currently starts just under £40,000. That alone pushes Škoda into a price bracket it hasn’t traditionally occupied.

Still, don’t expect EV9 or Volvo EX90 money. Škoda is betting that it can undercut more premium seven-seat EVs while offering comparable space and everyday usability. Jahn summed it up neatly: Škoda may not be the cheapest option, but it wants to be the best value for the money—just on “a different level than before.”

In other words, the Peaq won’t be cheap, but it should feel like you got more than you paid for. That’s very on-brand.

Why the Peaq Matters

Seven-seat EVs are still rare. Most electric SUVs stop at five seats, leaving larger families—or people who just like options—scrambling for alternatives. Škoda sees that gap as an opportunity, and the Peaq is designed to fill it with unapologetic practicality.

Jahn previously called the car Škoda’s “new highlight,” describing it as “beautiful from the outside, very practical from the inside.” That’s marketing speak, sure—but it also neatly summarizes what Škoda does best when it’s at the top of its game.

If the Peaq delivers on its promise, it won’t just be Škoda’s biggest and most expensive EV. It’ll be proof that the brand can move upmarket without losing its soul—and that family-focused electric cars don’t have to be dull, overpriced, or both.

The Peaq isn’t trying to be flashy. It’s trying to be smart. And in today’s crowded EV landscape, that might just be the boldest move Škoda could make.

Source: Škoda

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Leasys and the EIB Put €600 Million Behind Europe’s Electric-Fleet Future

If Europe’s EV transition sometimes feels like it’s moving at the pace of a cautious left-lane camper, Leasys and the European Investment Bank just dropped their right foot. The Stellantis–Crédit Agricole-backed leasing specialist has signed a hefty new financing agreement with the EIB aimed squarely at accelerating zero-emission mobility across the continent—and it comes with numbers big enough to make even the most jaded auto exec look up from their spreadsheet.

The deal centers on a €600 million clean-transport push. Half of that—€300 million—comes as a credit line from the EIB, with Leasys matching it euro for euro. The money will fund the rollout of roughly 24,000 zero-emission vehicles spread across 10 European countries, including major automotive battlegrounds like Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.

This isn’t about halo cars or concept-stage promises. It’s about fleets—the quietly powerful force shaping what Europe actually drives every day. Rental and leasing companies refresh their vehicles frequently, which means decisions made here ripple through the used-car market and onto city streets faster than most consumer-driven EV incentives ever could.

Leasys is positioning the project as a cornerstone of its broader push toward cleaner mobility, with a focus on making EVs easier to access for both businesses and private customers. In practical terms, that means more electric cars showing up in corporate fleets, rental lots, and subscription services—exactly where skeptics often get their first real exposure to EV ownership without long-term commitment.

The environmental upside is significant. According to the companies, the new fleet’s emissions performance will beat current market averages by a wide margin, translating to cleaner air, less urban noise, and a measurable dent in transport-related CO₂ output. Just as importantly, the initiative supports Europe’s wider clean-mobility supply chain, helping normalize EV adoption across multiple markets rather than concentrating it in a few early-adopter capitals.

“We are proud to strengthen our collaboration with the EIB through an agreement that accelerates the deployment of a modern, competitive and fully electric fleet across Europe,” said Leasys CEO Andrea Bandinelli. “This financing enables us to respond more effectively to the growing demand for zero-emission mobility from businesses and private drivers across our markets.”

From the EIB’s side, the logic is refreshingly pragmatic. “Rental and leasing companies, which manage millions of vehicles and regularly refresh their fleets, are uniquely positioned to drive the electrification of Europe’s vehicle fleet,” said EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, calling support for companies like Leasys a direct path toward the EU’s broader low-carbon goals.

In other words, while governments debate regulations and automakers juggle product timelines, this is where the EV transition quietly gains traction—one fleet order at a time. It may not make the same noise as a new performance EV launch, but in terms of real-world impact, €600 million worth of electric cars rolling into daily service might be the most powerful upgrade Europe gets this year.

Source: Stellantis

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Porsche Brings Its Electric Obsession to the Water at boot Düsseldorf 2026

If you’ve ever looked at a marina and thought, this place could use more Weissach energy, Porsche agrees. When boot Düsseldorf 2026 opens on January 17, the German sports-car maker will once again blur the line between asphalt and open water—this time with an all-new electric boat and a pair of battery-powered SUVs that make a compelling case for performance without pistons.

The headline act is the Frauscher x Porsche 790 Spectre, a clean-sheet electric sports boat developed around the high-voltage architecture of the fully electric Porsche Macan. This isn’t a branding exercise with a crest slapped on the side. The 790 Spectre is engineered from the keel up to integrate Porsche’s EV know-how, marking the next phase of Porsche and Austrian boatbuilder Frauscher’s increasingly serious collaboration.

To underline just how literal that relationship is, Porsche will park a specially customized Macan Turbo Electric next to the boat. The SUV mirrors the watercraft’s exterior finishes and interior details, courtesy of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. It’s a rolling mood board—proof that Porsche’s bespoke division is more than happy to match your driveway to your dock.

But the Macan isn’t the only EV doing the heavy lifting. Making its German debut at the show is the new Cayenne Electric, fresh off its world premiere in November 2025. Porsche’s second fully electric SUV promises the brand’s familiar performance edge wrapped in genuine everyday usability. The spec that matters here? A towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, which makes the Cayenne Electric a surprisingly logical partner for a sizable sports boat. Yes, an electric Porsche that can tow your weekend toy to the water—without a drop of fuel involved.

Porsche’s presence at boot Düsseldorf isn’t just symbolic. The company returns as the show’s official mobility partner, running a shuttle service throughout the event. Think of it as a rolling reminder that Porsche’s EV strategy isn’t confined to racetracks or charging curves—it’s about integrating performance into every corner of an enthusiast’s lifestyle, whether that corner happens to float.

At Düsseldorf, Porsche isn’t just selling cars or boats. It’s selling the idea that the electric future can be fast, functional, and—importantly—fun, no matter which direction the horizon happens to be.

Source: Porsche

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