Author: Shaun Williams

Kia’s electric van, the PV5, has entered the Guinness World Records after covering more than 430 miles (693 km) on a single charge while carrying its maximum payload. The record was achieved by the PV5 Cargo L2H1 model in Frankfurt, Germany, on September 30, 2025, showcasing the vehicle’s efficiency and endurance under real-world conditions. Powered by a 71.2 kWh battery, the PV5 Cargo completed 12 loops of a test route that simulated typical city driving, including traffic lights, intersections, and roundabouts, with a total elevation gain of 1,200 feet (370 meters). The electric van drove continuously for 22 hours and…

Smart, the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, has officially introduced its first hybrid model — the Smart #5 EHD — in China, marking a major step in the brand’s expansion beyond all-electric vehicles. The Smart #5 EHD SUV was unveiled at a launch event in Hangzhou on Tuesday, with a limited-time discounted starting price of RMB 169,900 ($23,930). The introductory price reflects a RMB 20,000 reduction, or about 10.5%, from the RMB 189,900 pre-sale figure announced a month earlier. Smart is offering the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in four trims, with official guide prices ranging from RMB 189,900…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Avatr Technology, jointly backed by Changan Automobile, CATL, and Huawei, has unveiled an updated version of its Avatr 12 sedan equipped with four LiDAR sensors. The new model, named Avatr 12 4-LiDAR Edition, replaces the 2025 Avatr 12 introduced in May. The Avatr 12 4-LiDAR Edition maintains a starting price of RMB 269,900 ($38,020), though a limited-time RMB 10,000 discount brings the effective price down to RMB 259,900. The vehicle’s four LiDAR units — three long-range sensors and one high-precision solid-state unit — provide 360-degree perception coverage with centimeter-level accuracy, enhancing the sedan’s advanced driver-assistance capabilities.…

Stellantis announced a major collaboration with NVIDIA, Uber Technologies, Inc., and Foxconn to jointly develop and deploy Level 4 (driverless) autonomous vehicles for global robotaxi services, marking a significant step forward in its autonomous mobility strategy. The initiative builds on Stellantis’ growing presence in the autonomous vehicle space, following its recent agreement with Pony.ai to test self-driving vehicles in Europe. Together, the partnerships aim to position Stellantis as a leading player in the transition toward safe, efficient, and sustainable driverless transportation. See also: Stellantis and Pony.ai Partner to Develop Autonomous Robotaxi Solutions in Europe Under the collaboration, each partner will…

The Government of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup to collaborate on large-scale urban projects and green mobility initiatives. The partnership targets a riverfront real estate development, gradual electrification of more than 30,000 vehicles, and the establishment of an electric bus network and supporting charging infrastructure. VinFast, Vingroup’s automotive unit, will provide vehicles to support Kinshasa’s plan to replace over 300,000 fossil-fuel vehicles with electric alternatives. The company manufactures electric cars, buses, motorbikes, and scooters—including battery-swapping models—and will assist in the operation of electric Bus…

Amazon-owned robotaxi company Zoox has started allowing a limited number of passengers to hail rides in its fully autonomous, four-passenger vehicles across parts of San Francisco. The company confirmed to The Standard that these initial riders—friends and family of Zoox employees—are being invited off a waitlist to experience the service and provide feedback. The operating zone for these test rides includes portions of SoMa, the Mission, and the Design District, areas where Zoox has been testing its steering-wheel-free and driverless vehicles since November. The rides are currently free of charge as the company continues to collect data and improve user…

Stellantis is recalling nearly 25,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid vehicles in the United States after an over-the-air software update caused some vehicles to lose power or become inoperable, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall affects 24,238 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models from the 2023 to 2025 model years. Stellantis said the faulty update, issued on October 10, may disrupt communication between the Telematics Box Module and the Hybrid Control Processor, potentially leading to a sudden loss of drive power or rendering vehicles immobile. See also: Jeep Unveils 2026 Grand Wagoneer as U.S.…

A U.S. subsidiary of Chinese battery maker Gotion has scrapped plans to build a $2.4 billion facility in Michigan to produce electric vehicle battery materials, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) confirmed on Thursday, according to a report by Reuters. The project, first unveiled in October 2022, had been expected to create 2,350 factory jobs but faced mounting political backlash over its Chinese ownership. The MEDC said that none of the $125 million in state grants allocated to the project were ever disbursed. However, the state will seek repayment of another $23.6 million that had already been used for property…

Tesla has introduced new 3.99% APR financing on its most affordable 2026 Model Y Standard, expanding low-interest options to include the entry-level version of its popular electric crossover. The move is aimed at boosting accessibility for cost-conscious buyers, but there are a few key details to note. Previously excluded from Tesla’s promotional financing offers, the Model Y Standard now qualifies for the same 3.99% APR for 72 months that’s available on the vehicle’s premium trims. The new rate, down from 5.14%, translates to a typical monthly payment of around $599, effectively lowering total financing costs by roughly $1,500 on a…

Electric vehicle maker Lucid is facing growing criticism from customers who allege they were hit with unexpected and excessive end-of-lease damage charges for their vehicles, with complaints spreading across online forums in recent months. Lucid Financial Services, which manages the company’s leasing program in partnership with Bank of America, reportedly relies on third-party inspection firms to assess returned vehicles. These inspections have become a source of frustration for some lessees, who claim minor wear and tear has resulted in bills amounting to thousands of dollars. See also: Lucid Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Inconsistent Lease Return Charges In one recent case…

Caterpillar has introduced the updated D6 XE hybrid dozer, a medium-class machine featuring an electric drive system that the company says makes it the most advanced hybrid dozer on the market. The machine operates more like an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) than a traditional hybrid, using a Cat C9.3B diesel engine to generate electricity for motors that drive the tracks directly. The system delivers instant torque, precise controls, and 35% better fuel efficiency compared to the diesel-only D6T, significantly reducing emissions and operating costs. See also: Caterpillar Unveils Next-Generation CAT 793 XE Electric Truck at Newmont’s Cripple Creek Mine According…

Autonomous driving technology company Nuro said on Thursday that Co-Founder Dave Ferguson has been appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer, joining fellow Co-Founder Jiajun Zhu in leading the company’s next stage of global growth. Ferguson previously served as Nuro’s president. “As Nuro enters its next phase of growth, this is the right moment to evolve our leadership structure,” said Zhu. “This change reflects how we’ve been leading together for years, and I’m extremely excited to continue driving Nuro forward with Dave.” See also: Nuro Secures $203 Million Funding Round at $6 Billion Valuation https://twitter.com/nuro/status/1980983686079357161 The pair said in a joint statement that…

Italy has introduced a new round of state-backed incentives to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, offering up to €11,000 for private buyers and €20,000 for small businesses purchasing fully electric models. Applications for the program are now open, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security announced. Under the scheme, private individuals can receive up to €11,000 toward the purchase of a new electric passenger car, while small businesses are eligible for up to €20,000 for light commercial vehicles. See also: Stellantis Cut Nearly 10,000 Jobs in Italy Over Four Years, Union Says Applicants must scrap an older combustion-engine…

Astara Auto Finland, the official importer of Kia vehicles in the country, has introduced an unusual promotional item for new Kia EV4 buyers — an air freshener that smells like petrol and motor oil. The initiative aims to make the transition to electric mobility “safe and familiar” for longtime combustion engine drivers. Developed in collaboration with Finnish perfumer Max Perttula, the scent blends the aroma of heavy motor oil with subtle petrol notes. Perttula explained that “the light hint of gasoline brings a long-lasting but subdued tone to the fragrance. Any more and the fragrance would have transformed into a…

Tesla has brought the Model S and Model X back to Europe after a brief absence, introducing subtle upgrades aimed at improving comfort, efficiency, and overall refinement. The refreshed versions of the two luxury electric vehicles are now available for order, with first deliveries expected in November. The Model S starts at €109,990, while the Model X is priced from €114,990. Both vehicles retain their signature designs, with exterior changes limited to new 19-inch or 21-inch wheels and updated ambient lighting inside the cabin. The Model X’s third-row seating has been reconfigured to provide better shoulder room, enhancing comfort for…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the automaker plans to expand electric vehicle production, driven by anticipated demand for autonomous driving. The announcement came as Tesla released its Q3 2025 financial results on Wednesday. Over the past five years, Tesla’s production strategy has shifted. The company initially targeted 20 million vehicles annually by 2030 but currently has a production capacity of less than 3 million vehicles, of which approximately 60% is utilized. Lower-than-expected demand has also prompted Tesla to reassess plans for new factories, including a previously proposed gigafactory in Mexico. See also: Tesla Prepares Broad Rollout of Full Self-Driving v14.2…

Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit, Waymo, has begun manual testing of its self-driving vehicles at Newark Liberty International Airport, taking a step toward introducing its robotaxi service to one of the main airports serving the New York City area. The testing phase, conducted with human safety drivers, is being carried out in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The move underscores Waymo’s ongoing effort to expand its autonomous ride-hailing operations beyond its current markets in the United States. See also: U.S. Regulator Opens Probe into Waymo Robotaxis Over School Bus Incident Waymo has been steadily growing…

Toyota has opened orders for its upgraded 2026 bZ electric SUV, which introduces more driving range, new styling, a built-in NACS port for access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, and a starting price below $35,000 — more than $2,000 less than the outgoing model. Replacing the bZ4X, Toyota’s first all-electric SUV, the 2026 bZ is available in two trims — XLE and Limited — and priced from $34,900. See also: Toyota Launches Right-Hand-Drive bZ3X Electric SUV in Hong Kong, Its Most Affordable Model Yet The XLE FWD variant is equipped with a 57.7 kWh battery that delivers up to 236 miles…

Aptiv PLC has introduced its eighth-generation radar system, a major step forward in advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) performance and perception technology. The new Gen 8 radar aims to enhance range, resolution, and object classification accuracy, offering vehicle manufacturers greater capability to advance toward fully software-defined, autonomous mobility. The system features a suite of hardware and software improvements designed for complex driving environments, including enhanced 4D perception and extended detection range. Aptiv said the new radar architecture supports artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications, enabling more robust automation in urban and highway scenarios. See also: Aptiv Raises Annual Profit…

Ford has reiterated its commitment to becoming carbon neutral globally by 2050, emphasizing steady progress in reducing emissions across its operations, supply chain, and vehicle lineup. The automaker first announced its carbon neutrality target in 2020 and says it remains firmly on track through a combination of technological innovation and renewable energy adoption. See also: Ford Unveils 2026 Mustang Mach-E California Special with Distinctive EV Styling Speaking during New York Climate Week, Bob Holycross, Ford’s Vice President and Chief Sustainability, Environment and Safety Officer, said the company is accelerating its journey toward its 2050 goal through initiatives such as its…