Author: Shaun Williams

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) registered in Europe in 2024 emitted an average of around six times more CO₂ under real-world driving conditions than official figures indicated, according to a new analysis by environmental organisation Transport & Environment (T&E). The analysis uses data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) and highlights a widening gap between laboratory test results and emissions recorded during everyday driving. T&E reported that the difference was approximately fivefold for vehicles registered in 2023. The discrepancy also affects running costs. According to T&E, drivers of PHEVs sold in 2024 incurred an average of €680 in additional annual fuel…

Zero Motorcycles says its Zero DS has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by an electric motorcycle without recharging, covering 436.5 kilometres on a single battery charge. The ride exceeded the previous reported record of approximately 311 kilometres, achieved by a Verge TS Pro in 2025, by 125.8 kilometres. The company said the attempt involved three standard Zero electric motorcycles travelling through the French-Italian Alpine region towards the Mediterranean coast. Three Motorcycles Exceed Previous Record All three motorcycles surpassed the previous distance, according to Zero Motorcycles. Louis Renaud rode a Zero SR/S for 350 kilometres,…

Lancia has unveiled the new Gamma SUV at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, introducing a flagship model with a choice of mild-hybrid petrol and fully electric powertrains. The electric lineup includes three variants, topped by the all-wheel-drive Gamma HF Integrale. Despite the international launch, Lancia has not announced plans to sell the Gamma in Germany. The brand is focusing on markets including Italy, France, Spain and the Benelux countries. Design and Interior The new Gamma measures 4.67 metres long, 1.89 metres wide and 1.63 metres high. Its sloping rear, split roof spoiler and aerodynamic design contribute to a claimed drag…

The Kia EV2 has received a five-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), according to an assessment published on October 12, 2026. The electric small SUV was evaluated across four categories: safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection and post-crash safety. It scored 74% for safe driving, 66% for crash avoidance, 86% for crash protection and 89% for post-crash safety. The assessment covers the Kia EV2 Long Range Front-Wheel Drive variant, with the rating also listed as valid for the model range’s tested configurations. Crash Protection The Kia EV2 scored 86% in crash protection. Its frontal…

TomTom has expanded its E-Mobility Suite with Electric Vehicle Management, a self-service platform designed to help automakers integrate new electric vehicle variants into navigation, range calculation and charging planning within minutes rather than months. The Dutch navigation technology company said the platform allows manufacturers to register vehicle variants using basic specifications, including battery capacity, charging connectors, dimensions and weight. Each vehicle then receives a digital identity that can be used across TomTom’s services. The shared data foundation is intended to reduce the need to integrate the same vehicle separately across different applications. Automakers can use the information for in-car infotainment…

Lucid plans to open its first three retail and service locations in France in the first quarter of 2027, marking the start of a broader expansion of its sales and aftersales network in the country. The company aims to establish more than 16 partner locations across France by the end of 2027. The first three sites are in the final stages of planning, according to Lucid. Orders for its vehicles are expected to open in the first quarter of 2027, while customers can currently register reservations through the company’s French website. Retail and Service Network The initial three locations will…

China will reduce the export value-added tax (VAT) rebate rate for new energy vehicles (NEVs) from 13% to 9% starting April 1, 2027, under a policy announced by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on Monday. The four-percentage-point reduction will lower the tax refunds available to exporters, potentially putting pressure on Chinese automakers’ overseas profitability. The adjustment covers battery-electric and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles, electric buses and electric truck tractors. The applicable rebate rate will be determined by the export date recorded on the customs declaration. Existing export consumption tax rebate and exemption policies will remain unchanged…

Alpine has unveiled the A310 Vision, a one-off design study commemorating 55 years of the original A310 sports car. Presented at the Paris Motor Show 2026, the concept combines styling elements from the historic model with design ideas intended for the brand’s electric performance vehicles. Alpine introduced the original A310 in 1971 as a more comfort-oriented four-cylinder sports car alongside the rally-focused A110. The model later gained a V6 engine in 1976, while its wedge-shaped profile and distinctive front-end design became defining features of the nameplate. The A310 Vision revisits those characteristics without serving as a preview of a confirmed…

Stellantis and Wayve have demonstrated supervised hands-free driving on development versions of the Fiat 500e and Maserati Grecale, with both vehicles progressing from technology integration to road testing in less than four weeks. The vehicles use Wayve’s AI Driver software integrated with Stellantis’ STLA AutoDrive platform. The system is designed to support Level 2++ driving assistance, including supervised hands-free driving in urban and highway environments. A North American launch is planned for 2028. The two vehicles were presented at Wave by Vento in Turin, Italy. Their development follows an earlier integration of the technology into a Jeep Grand Cherokee in…

Unplugged Performance has introduced a $6,093 Range Booster Package for 2024 and newer Tesla Model 3 vehicles, combining four aerodynamic and chassis upgrades intended to improve driving efficiency. A 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive fitted with the package averaged 238.9 watt-hours per mile (Wh/mi) during a 2,871-mile journey from Southern California to New York City. The trip was completed using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, with all charging stops made at Tesla Superchargers, according to the company and the driving team. The same vehicle averaged 248.4 Wh/mi during an earlier cross-country trip before the upgrades were installed.…

Geely Auto’s Galaxy brand has expanded into the rugged off-road SUV segment with the launch of the Cruiser 700, also known as the Zhanjian 700. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle combines traditional off-road styling with electrified powertrains, high system output and a cabin equipped for family travel and outdoor activities. Built on Geely’s GTA architecture for new energy off-road vehicles, the Cruiser 700 features a five-seat layout and multiple powertrain configurations, including two-wheel drive and triple-motor four-wheel drive. Depending on the variant, its combined system output reaches as high as 830 kW, while its maximum claimed CLTC combined range is…

Euro NCAP’s 2026 vehicle safety assessments have highlighted differences in how manufacturers design controls for essential driving functions, with physical buttons and switches receiving particular attention under the organisation’s updated testing protocols. The latest results cover the Audi Q7, Kia EV2 and XPENG X9. All three vehicles earned five-star overall safety ratings, although their performance in the driving-control assessment varied. Euro NCAP’s findings indicate that the availability and placement of physical controls can influence how easily drivers operate essential functions without navigating touchscreen menus. Physical Controls Affect Driving-Control Scores Under Euro NCAP’s Safe Driving assessment, essential functions such as indicators,…

TRATON Group sold 78,900 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of 10% compared with the same period last year, according to preliminary figures released on 12 October. The company attributed the increase primarily to higher customer demand in the United States. For the first nine months of 2026, total sales reached 230,400 vehicles, up 3% from 224,500 units in the corresponding period of 2025. All-electric vehicle sales totalled 770 units in the third quarter, down 6% year on year. However, sales for the January-to-September period increased by 29% to 2,670 units, compared with 2,070 in the previous…

The Volkswagen Group delivered approximately 6.01 million vehicles worldwide in the first nine months of 2026, down 9% from 6.60 million in the same period last year. Despite the overall decline, demand for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) gained momentum in Europe, where deliveries increased during the third quarter and electric models accounted for around 40% of the Group’s order book. The automaker delivered 678,700 all-electric vehicles globally through September, a 5.4% decrease from 717,700 a year earlier. However, European BEV deliveries increased by 12.1% to 586,100 units over the nine-month period, with third-quarter deliveries rising 19.6% year on year to 209,100…

E.ON Drive Infrastructure is taking over the former BP Pulse public fast-charging network in the Netherlands, comprising 79 locations and 370 charging points. The network will operate under the Essent brand, expanding the Dutch energy supplier’s services into public fast charging while E.ON Drive Infrastructure retains ownership and responsibility for the charging infrastructure. Under the arrangement, charging stations will display the Essent brand alongside the notice “Operated by E.ON Drive”. Essent will manage customer-facing marketing and communications, while E.ON Drive Infrastructure will handle investment, installation, operation and maintenance. Fast-Charging Network Includes 79 Locations Most of the acquired sites are situated…

Scania has unveiled a new generation of its Touring coach, introducing the company’s Super powertrain, revised aerodynamics and updated driver and passenger features. The model, first launched in 2009, is also prepared for Euro 7 emissions requirements, while a battery-electric version is planned as a future addition to the lineup. Scania says the updated Super powertrains can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by 8% to 10%, extend in-service lifespan by 25% and simplify maintenance. The manufacturer has not announced a launch date for the electric Touring. Super Powertrain and Euro 7 Readiness The new Touring incorporates Scania’s Super powertrain technology,…

BMW is expanding its Neue Klasse electric vehicle lineup with the new iX4, a sporty SUV coupé positioned between the iX3 and the upcoming larger iX5. The model will be offered in three all-wheel-drive variants, with the range starting at €70,900. The BMW iX4 40 xDrive and iX4 50 xDrive will be available to order ahead of the planned market launch in March 2027. The high-performance iX4 M60 xDrive is scheduled to open for orders in January 2027, bringing a maximum system output of 450 kW and a claimed driving range of up to 777 km. Three All-Wheel-Drive Variants All…

Hyundai Motor Group presented its multi-pathway electrification strategy at the Aachen Colloquium on 6 October 2026, outlining development across battery-electric vehicles, hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Manfred Harrer, President and Head of the group’s R&D Division, highlighted the integration of engineering and artificial intelligence as an important part of the company’s approach to future vehicle development. Four Powertrain Pathways Address Different Requirements Hyundai Motor Group is pursuing several powertrain technologies rather than relying on a single solution for all markets. The strategy reflects differences in customer requirements, vehicle applications and the pace of electrification across…

Ionity is installing centralised contactless payment terminals at selected charging parks across Europe, using units designed to resemble birdhouses. The terminals allow drivers to pay by debit or credit card for charging sessions at multiple charging points without requiring a separate payment terminal at every charger. The rollout is part of Ionity’s efforts to retrofit older charging locations to meet the European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) requirements. One Payment Terminal Serves Multiple Chargers The centralised terminals, which Ionity calls “Birdhouses”, are intended for older charging stations where retrofitting individual chargers with payment terminals is difficult. https://twitter.com/electricfelix/status/2101973285864972658 Drivers paying…

Winduction, a spin-off from ETH Zurich, has developed an inductive charging system designed to supply electricity to electric buses through their wheels at bus stops. The technology could allow operators to use smaller batteries and reduce vehicle weight, with a pilot project planned for 2028. The system transfers energy from a charging plate embedded in the road surface to a coil integrated into a specially developed bus tyre. When a bus stops above the plate, a magnetic field transfers energy into the vehicle’s battery. Charging System Transfers Energy Through Bus Wheels Unlike conventional inductive charging systems that use a receiver…