Author: Shaun Williams

Hyundai Motor has ended production of its i10 city car for the UK and European markets after an 18-year run, marking the phase-out of one of its best-selling internal combustion engine models as the company pivots further toward electric vehicles. The Hyundai Motor i10, first launched in Europe in 2008, sold more than 3.3 million units globally, including over 370,000 in the UK. Known for its affordability and compact design, the model was particularly popular in Europe, though sales have weakened in recent years as buyers shifted to newer and more efficient alternatives. UK dealers still have inventory available, but…

Xiaomi has revealed its new Electric Scooter 6 Lite on one of its official global websites, signalling a potential international rollout of what is expected to be the most affordable and lightest model in the company’s latest e-scooter lineup. The Electric Scooter 6 Lite is positioned as the entry-level product in Xiaomi’s new Electric Scooter 6 series, which also includes higher-end models such as the Electric Scooter 6 Max. The appearance of the product on Xiaomi’s global site suggests the company plans to offer the model across multiple markets, although no launch date or pricing details have been confirmed. According…

Driivz, an electric vehicle charging software company owned by Vontier, has appointed Shiri Levi-Laor as chief executive officer, the company said. Levi-Laor succeeds Andrew Bennett, who moved into the role of group president of convenience retail at Vontier in October 2025. Levi-Laor joined Driivz in early 2025 as chief operating officer and brings around 20 years of experience in enterprise software and technology leadership. Her previous roles include senior positions at SAP, Salesforce and Amdocs, where she worked across product development, operations and customer-focused functions. Driivz provides cloud-based software platforms for EV charging operations, covering areas such as energy management,…

Luminar founder and former chief executive Austin Russell has agreed to accept an electronic subpoena seeking information stored on his mobile phone, according to a court filing on Tuesday in the company’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Under the agreement, Russell has seven days to file a motion to quash or formally object to the subpoena. If he does not do so, he will have 14 days to comply, the filing said. The development follows a dispute earlier this month in which Luminar’s lawyers accused Russell of evading service of the subpoena by turning away process servers at the gate of his…

The performance-oriented Lotus Eletre electric crossover is expected to see its Canadian price fall by around 50% following Canada’s decision to sharply reduce tariffs on a limited number of Chinese-made electric vehicles, according to Lotus Technology. Canada announced on January 16 that it would lower tariffs on up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs annually to a most-favoured-nation rate of 6.1%, down from 100%. The move followed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China and represents a significant shift in Canada’s EV trade policy. See also: Canada to Allow Limited Imports of Chinese EVs at Reduced Tariffs Under Deal With Beijing The…

Decathlon has introduced a new version of its Stilus Off Road 29-inch Hardtail Electric Mountain Bike in several European markets. The latest iteration closely mirrors the previous model that went on sale in early 2025, with only minor visual changes and a higher recommended retail price. The 2026 Stilus Off Road Hardtail appears technically unchanged from its predecessor, which is no longer available through Decathlon’s online stores. The most noticeable difference is cosmetic, with the updated model featuring blue Stilus branding on the aluminum frame instead of the light yellow accents used previously. See also: Decathlon Launches Van Rysel E-GRVL…

Electrify America has been recognised by the Business Intelligence Group with a 2026 BIG Innovation Award for its large-scale deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across its U.S. electric vehicle charging network. The award acknowledges Electrify America’s rollout of more than 170 BESS units nationwide, a move aimed at enabling Hyper-Fast charging in areas where grid capacity is limited. The systems allow charging stations to operate independently of real-time grid constraints by storing electricity during periods of low demand and discharging it during peak usage. See also: WS Development, Electrify America to Deploy Fast EV Charging at U.S. Retail…

Rad Power Bikes has introduced the RadWagon 5, the fifth generation of its electric cargo bike lineup. The new model arrives as the company continues to adjust its operations, bringing hardware updates focused on range, braking, and onboard electronics. The RadWagon 5 is built around an aluminum frame rated for a maximum payload of 375 lbs (170 kg). It features a full-suspension setup for a cargo e-bike, including an RST Guide front fork with 45 mm of travel, aimed at improving comfort on uneven urban roads. Braking is handled by Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, an upgrade over earlier generations. Power…

The all-electric smart #5 has been named Euro NCAP’s Best in Class for Safest Large SUV of 2025, following the organisation’s annual comparison of vehicle safety performance. Euro NCAP said the smart #5 achieved a five-star rating in tests published in September and recorded the highest weighted overall score among large SUVs assessed in 2025. Best in Class awards are determined by combining results across four areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road users and safety assist systems. See also: Smart Expands to 39 Markets in 2025, Prepares Two New Models for 2026 According to Euro NCAP data,…

LAND Moto has unveiled the District ADV, a lightweight electric dual-sport motorcycle designed for both street and off-road use, marking the company’s entry into the adventure motorcycle segment. The Cleveland-based manufacturer said the street-legal District ADV weighs about 240 pounds and is powered by a newly developed electric drivetrain delivering up to 345 newton-metres of torque. The model is priced from $11,200, with standard production deliveries scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026. See also: Talaria Launches Komodo Electric Dirt Bike With 32 kW Peak Power The District ADV debuts LAND’s redesigned “Enduro Evolution” powertrain, which uses an…

Sensata Technologies has launched its STEV series of high-voltage contactors for battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, expanding its electrification portfolio with components designed to scale across passenger and commercial vehicle platforms. The STEV series is intended to serve as a common switching solution for a wide range of powertrain architectures, from plug-in hybrid passenger cars to Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. Sensata said the contactors are designed to manage critical high-voltage switching tasks between the battery pack and systems such as inverters and onboard chargers. High-voltage contactors play a central role in electric vehicle architectures, opening and closing circuits thousands…

Stellantis leasing subsidiary Leasys has signed a new financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to accelerate the rollout of battery-electric vehicles across Europe, as part of a broader push to support clean transport and reduce emissions. Under the agreement, the EIB will provide a €300 million credit facility, matched by an equal investment from Leasys, bringing total funding for the “Pan-European Clean Fleet Transport” project to €600 million. The financing will support the deployment of around 24,000 zero-emission vehicles in 10 European countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. See also: Stellantis Says Future Europe Investments Depend…

Global sales of electric vehicles rose to 20.7 million units in 2025, up 20% from the previous year, according to a new report by market research firm Rho Motion, marking the largest annual increase on record for the sector. The total represents an increase of 3.6 million vehicles compared with 2024, exceeding the 3.5 million-unit rise recorded a year earlier and indicating continued acceleration in absolute sales growth. Rho Motion said electric vehicle sales have now increased year on year for more than a decade. See also: India Electric Car Sales Rise 77% in 2025 as Public Charging Network Expands…

Suzuki has entered the UK salary sacrifice market with its first fully electric model, the e VITARA SUV, expanding access to the vehicle through tax-efficient employee schemes alongside new Motability pricing. The Japanese automaker said eligible employees can now obtain the e VITARA through gross salary deductions, benefiting from income tax savings at either the 20% or 40% rate. The move comes as demand grows for electric vehicles offered through workplace schemes, supported by low benefit-in-kind (BiK) taxation for zero-emission cars. See also: Suzuki Extends £3,750 Self-Funded EV Grant and Low-Rate Financing to March 2026 Under the Motability scheme, Suzuki…

Mazda has delayed the debut of its first model based on its planned proprietary electric vehicle platform, pushing the launch of the “Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture” back by several years from its original target, according to a report by Britain’s Auto Express. The Japanese automaker first unveiled the platform in 2021 as part of a technology roadmap extending to 2030, with an initial market introduction scheduled for 2025. That timeline was later revised to 2027, but Auto Express reported that Mazda now expects the platform to reach production no earlier than 2028, citing an internal company presentation, though still before…

Talaria has launched its Komodo electric dirt bike in the global market, expanding its lineup with a higher-powered model aimed at off-road and trail riding enthusiasts. The Komodo is equipped with a motor delivering up to 32 kilowatts of peak power and 754 Nm of peak torque, according to the company. Talaria said the setup enables a top speed of 105 km/h (65 mph). Power is supplied by a 96-volt, 45-ampere-hour battery with a capacity of 4.3 kWh, providing a maximum claimed range of up to 115 km (71.5 miles) when ridden at a steady speed of 45 km/h. See…

Luminar has agreed to sell its lidar business to Quantum Computing Inc. for $22 million, subject to higher bids that may emerge before a court-imposed deadline of 5:00 p.m. CT on Monday, according to bankruptcy filings. The lidar sensor maker, which sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December, said the proposed transaction would require approval from a U.S. bankruptcy judge in the Southern District of Texas. Luminar has already disclosed plans to sell its semiconductor subsidiary to Quantum Computing Inc. in a separate deal valued at $110 million. See also: Volvo Ends Luminar Contract as Financial Strains Deepen at Lidar…

Segway is positioning its Xaber 300 electric dirt bike as a more accessible entry in the growing U.S. electric off-road market, with pricing and features designed to appeal to riders seeking alternatives beyond high-end, niche models. The Xaber 300 is expected to start at $5,299, with availability planned for the spring or summer of 2026. At that price point, the model sits between entry-level electric bikes and premium electric race machines, reflecting Segway’s effort to broaden options for riders exploring electric off-road riding. See also: Segway Launches E3 Pro Electric Scooter With Bigger Battery and Extended Range Electric dirt bikes…

Neolix has unveiled an expanded portfolio of autonomous logistics vehicles and software, introducing a new X1 final-feet courier alongside an AI-powered fleet management system as the company scales commercial deployment of self-driving delivery services. The Chinese autonomous logistics company said the updated RoboVan portfolio spans final-feet, last-mile, middle-mile and intra-city distribution, supported by what it describes as mapless Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving technology and centralized fleet orchestration software. Neolix said its global fleet has grown to more than 16,000 deployed autonomous vehicles, operating across multiple logistics use cases. See also: Neolix Raises Record $600 Million to Bolster Global Expansion…

Astemo, the electric drivetrain joint venture between Hitachi and Honda, said it has developed a new motor for battery-electric vehicles that eliminates the use of rare earth materials, as automakers look to reduce exposure to concentrated supply chains. The motor is based on synchronous reluctance technology, an alternative to the permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) widely used in electric vehicles today. Astemo said the design is still at a development stage and is not expected to reach series production before the end of the decade. See also: Astemo Americas to Invest $95 Million in New Michigan Headquarters PMSMs are currently…