Author: Shaun Williams

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…

Kia unveiled sporty GT variants of its EV3, EV4 and EV5 electric models at the Brussels Motor Show 2026, expanding its performance-oriented lineup alongside the world premiere of the smaller EV2. The new GT versions are based on Kia’s 400-volt electric architecture and feature all-wheel drive, positioning them below the brand’s flagship 800-volt GT models such as the EV6 GT and EV9 GT. Those larger models, built on the high-voltage version of Kia’s E-GMP platform, offer significantly higher outputs of 478 kW and 374 kW respectively, with rear-biased drivetrains. See also: Kia Unveils Entry-Level EV2 Compact SUV for Europe With…

Oregon has introduced a new state-level incentive program offering rebates of up to $120,000 per vehicle to support the electrification of business and public-sector fleets, stepping in after the federal Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit under Section 45W was discontinued. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) said it has launched the Zero-Emissions Rebates for Oregon Fleets Program to help offset the higher upfront costs of battery-electric vehicles compared with conventional gasoline or diesel models. The program provides rebates across light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicle categories, with total funding capped at $17 million. See also: XCharge North America Deploys Oregon’s…