Author: Shaun Williams

European and UK carmakers could receive additional time to meet electric vehicle supply-chain requirements as Brussels considers delaying tariffs linked to rules of origin. The proposed changes are intended to ease pressure on manufacturers that remain heavily dependent on imported battery components and materials. The European Commission is consulting industry representatives on options to postpone the 10% tariff that would apply to most vehicles from January 1, according to people familiar with the discussions cited by the Financial Times. The UK is also supportive of delaying the measures, although formal negotiations are expected to begin after the EU-UK summit scheduled…

Electric vehicle motors developed in China, Europe and the United States share broadly similar designs, but differ in material choices, component construction and cooling technologies, according to a study by Germany’s RWTH Aachen University. Researchers from the university’s Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) examined 115 electric motors from 80 vehicles covering model years 2019 to 2025. Published in the journal Energies, the study, titled Review and Benchmarking of Electric Motor Product Design and Manufacturing Technologies from the Chinese Market, focused on Chinese drivetrains and compared them with European and US designs. https://evmagz.com/rwth-aachen-launches-project-to-improve-axial-flux-motor-production/ The researchers found few fundamental…

Horizon Aircraft has completed all platform and system Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) for its full-scale Cavorite X7 demonstrator, advancing development of its hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The Canadian aerospace company said the completion of the reviews allows it to release the aircraft’s designs for manufacturing while addressing the remaining action items identified during the process. The PDRs were overseen by a panel of aerospace specialists, which concluded that Horizon’s design approach is sufficiently mature to proceed to detailed design once the outstanding items are closed. Horizon said it conducted the reviews with a stronger focus on future…

Proterra has partnered with Danfoss Editron to develop pre-integrated electrification solutions for manufacturers of heavy-duty equipment and specialty vehicles. Announced on November 10, the collaboration combines Proterra’s battery systems with Danfoss Editron’s electric powertrain components to simplify the development of battery-electric vehicles. The companies have already integrated and validated their respective technologies, allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to start vehicle development with a coordinated battery and drivetrain package rather than sourcing and integrating individual components from multiple suppliers. According to Proterra, the approach is designed to reduce engineering costs and shorten development timelines for manufacturers transitioning their equipment to electric…

Daimler Buses has unveiled the second-generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, introducing a dedicated electric vehicle platform, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and higher charging capabilities as part of its next phase of electric bus development. The new city bus is scheduled to enter production in 2028, with the manufacturer positioning it as the flagship of its European urban transport portfolio. Presented as a near-production prototype in Munich, the successor marks a major departure from the current eCitaro, which shares its underlying platform with the combustion-engine Citaro. The new generation will use an architecture developed specifically for battery-electric buses, supporting seven vehicle configurations…

California has reopened its Zero-Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) incentive programme, making at least $55 million available to help school districts purchase electric school buses and install charging infrastructure. The second funding round combines incentives for vehicles and charging equipment through a single application process. Funding will be distributed to eligible local educational agencies on a first-come, first-served basis. The programme is jointly funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC), with Catalyst Mobility, formerly known as CALSTART, responsible for administering the grants. Applications Open in November The pre-application period began on November…

Infineon Technologies has produced its first functional silicon carbide (SiC) power devices using 300-millimeter wafers under real production conditions at its facility in Villach, Austria. The development marks a step towards scaling semiconductor manufacturing for electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and other power electronics applications. The German semiconductor manufacturer said it processed the larger wafers using existing production equipment that can also handle conventional silicon wafers. Infineon described the achievement as a first for the semiconductor industry, although it has not yet announced a timetable for commercial-scale 300 mm SiC production. Larger Wafers Could Increase SiC Chip Output Moving from 200…

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are now displacing approximately 1.2 million barrels of oil per day worldwide, equivalent to around 1.2% of global oil consumption, according to a new analysis by European clean transport organisation Transport and Environment (T&E). The figure represents more than a fivefold increase from the 215,000 barrels per day displaced in 2021. T&E published the analysis ahead of COP31, the United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Antalya, Türkiye. The findings highlight the growing role of vehicle electrification in reducing oil demand, improving energy security and cutting transport emissions, despite fluctuating climate commitments and two major energy…

French charging infrastructure operator Greenspot plans to install Kempower fast-charging systems at 30 retail locations across France by the end of 2027. Each site will feature four charging points supplied by a central 200 kW power unit. The standardised configuration consists of one Kempower Power Unit connected to two Dual Satellites. Available power is dynamically distributed among vehicles using the chargers. The systems are primarily designed for supermarkets and other retail locations with medium-sized car parks. According to Kempower, the installations can connect to France’s commercial electricity tariff, known as tarif jaune, without requiring a dedicated transformer station. This is…

BMW North America has introduced a public charging package for customers purchasing or leasing selected 2027 model-year electric vehicles in the United States. The programme provides $500 in charging credits and a complimentary one-year IONNA membership with discounted charging rates. The offer applies to the 2027 BMW i5, i7 and iX3. It includes $300 in credits for the BMW ChargingNetwork and an additional $200 specifically for use at IONNA stations. Charging Credits and Membership Benefits The BMW ChargingNetwork provides access to more than 180,000 public charging points across the US through the My BMW app. Its network includes operators such…

Joby Aviation has received additional funding from the U.S. Air Force to advance its autonomous flight programme, bringing the service’s total commitment to nearly $37 million and increasing the ceiling of the company’s operational testing contract to $50 million. The award was issued through AFWERX, the Air Force unit responsible for supporting innovation and technology development. The funding will support further development of Joby’s autonomous flight software, system integration and expanded operational testing in the Pacific. The programme is intended to help the military develop autonomous airlift capabilities for future logistics operations, particularly in environments where conventional supply routes and…

Lyft reported revenue of $1.82 billion for the third quarter of 2026, an increase of 8% year over year, as the company’s rideshare platform recorded its highest quarterly levels of Active Riders, completed Rides and Gross Bookings. Gross Bookings reached $5.62 billion, up 17% from $4.78 billion in the third quarter of 2025. The company also reported Adjusted EBITDA of $203.9 million, an increase of 47% from $138.9 million a year earlier. However, Lyft recorded a net loss of $9.7 million, compared with net income of $46.1 million in the prior-year quarter. The result included a $117.9 million impact from…

Harbinger has raised $240 million in a Series D funding round to expand its electrification business and increase manufacturing capacity for its medium-duty vehicle platform. The financing was co-led by Tiger Global, Capricorn’s Technology Impact Fund and Ridgeline, the Garden Grove, California-based company announced on November 5. The latest investment brings Harbinger’s total funding to more than $650 million since its founding in 2021. Funding to Support Business Expansion Harbinger plans to use the proceeds to expand across several markets, including commercial vehicles, energy storage systems, power generation, autonomous driving software and defense applications. The company develops all-electric and hybrid…

ZF has developed a compact electric drive system capable of motor speeds of up to 30,000 revolutions per minute (rpm), with production targeted for 2030. The company said the High Revolution Drive is designed for high-volume passenger cars and combines an electric motor, power electronics and transmission into a single 3-in-1 system. Compared with a comparable ZF SELECT drive operating at 18,000 rpm, the new system is nearly 25% smaller and lighter and requires 50% less magnet mass, according to the company. High-Speed Motor Enables a More Compact Design The High Revolution Drive is designed for vehicles with drive outputs…

Toyota Motor North America has appointed Mark Templin as its next president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2027. He will succeed Ted Ogawa, who is returning to Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan as a Senior Fellow, the company announced on November 5. Hiroshi Nambu, currently president of TMC’s Business Planning & Operation division, will replace Templin as TMNA’s chief operating officer. The leadership changes form part of a broader transition in Toyota’s North American management. Ogawa Concludes Leadership Tenure After Nearly Seven Years Ogawa will remain president and CEO of TMNA through December 31, 2026. He will…

BMW Group reported a 10.6% year-on-year decline in third-quarter 2026 profit before tax to €2,083 million, while fully electric vehicles accounted for 20% of its global deliveries. Including plug-in hybrids, electrified models represented 27.4% of deliveries during the period. Group revenue fell 5.8% to €30,452 million, while total vehicle deliveries declined 6.3% to 551,075 units, BMW said on November 4. The company recorded a Group profit-before-tax margin of 6.8% and an Automotive segment EBIT margin of 3.4%. For the first nine months of 2026, BMW delivered 1,707,802 vehicles, down 4.9% year on year. Profit before tax over the same period…

Kia America recorded a 112% year-on-year increase in electrified vehicle sales in October 2026, reaching a new monthly record as demand for its battery-electric and hybrid models continued to grow. Hybrid sales alone increased 114%, also setting a monthly record, the company announced on November 3. The results contributed to Kia America’s overall October sales of 80,008 vehicles, up 16% from 69,002 units a year earlier. The automaker said October marked its sixth consecutive month of record-breaking sales. Kia EV3, EV6 and EV9 Sales Increase Kia recorded higher sales across its battery-electric vehicle lineup during October. The EV9 registered 1,406…

Range Rover plans to discontinue the Evoque and Velar in 2027, ending production of its two most affordable models as the brand prepares to introduce the all-electric Range Rover GT. Martin Limbert, Range Rover’s managing director, confirmed the decision in an interview with Autocar. The company does not have direct replacements planned for either SUV, with the GT expected to assume the entry-level position in its future lineup. End of the Evoque and Velar Introduced in 2011 and 2017, respectively, the Evoque and Velar expanded Range Rover’s customer base by offering lower-priced alternatives to the larger models. For the 2026…

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has introduced a new Clean Trucks Program combining technical assistance and financial incentives to help commercial fleet operators replace older diesel trucks with fully electric vehicles. The initiative includes $3 million for a Clean Fleet and Freight Concierge Service and approximately $935,220 in funding through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The programme is intended to address two barriers to commercial vehicle electrification: the upfront cost of purchasing electric trucks and the technical requirements involved in transitioning fleet operations away from diesel. Technical Assistance for Small and Medium-Sized Fleets Through the Clean Fleet…

Jungheinrich has introduced its next-generation EFG MB and EFG MC electric counterbalance forklifts to the Asia-Pacific market, expanding its material-handling portfolio with models designed for different warehouse, logistics and industrial applications. The new forklifts are part of the company’s EFG M series, which offers load capacities ranging from 1.6 to 3.0 tonnes. The lineup includes a three-wheel configuration for operations requiring greater manoeuvrability and a four-wheel version designed for heavier handling tasks and improved stability. Two Configurations Cover Different Handling Requirements The three-wheel EFG MB is available with load capacities between 1.6 and 2.0 tonnes, targeting warehouse environments where operating…