Author: Shaun Williams

Bosch Engineering has introduced a new 800-volt electric drive system for agricultural machinery at Agritechnica 2025, offering up to 188 kW of continuous power and designed for both fully electric and hybrid applications. The drive system integrates the Bosch SMG230 electric motor and a high-efficiency inverter featuring silicon carbide (SiC) power modules. The motor supports system voltages ranging from 400 to 850 volts, delivering 188 kW of continuous power and approximately 250 Nm of torque, with short-term peaks reaching 550 Nm. Bosch said the 800-volt design enhances power density, providing up to 80 kW more output than comparable 400-volt systems…

At COP30 in Belém, the Traton Group and Volkswagen Truck & Bus announced the launch of the e-Dutra corridor, Brazil’s first zero-emission freight route connecting Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The initiative unites logistics companies, infrastructure providers, and government partners under a joint effort to decarbonize heavy-duty transportation in one of South America’s busiest freight corridors. Volkswagen Truck & Bus, one of the key initiators of the project, recently completed the first electric truck trip along the 800-kilometre route between Resende and Sorocaba in partnership with the LOTS Group. The journey used existing charging infrastructure to evaluate the corridor’s…

Xpeng has unveiled the X9 Ultra, a high-performance all-electric variant of its X9 MPV, according to new filings published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The model features cutting-edge hardware, including three in-house Turing AI chips that deliver a combined 2250 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of computing power. See also: Xpeng P7+ Electric Sedan Surpasses 85,000 Deliveries Since Launch Two of the chips will power Xpeng’s VLA large model for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), while the third supports the VLM intelligent cockpit model, providing enhanced responsiveness and personalized in-car interaction. The X9 Ultra will be offered…

BYD aims to sell between 1.5 million and 1.6 million vehicles in overseas markets in 2026, according to a report from Citi that cited a recent meeting with the Chinese automaker’s management. The target represents strong double-digit growth from BYD’s expected 2025 overseas sales of 900,000 to 1 million units, Citi said in the report, as quoted by Reuters. The expansion will be largely driven by the introduction of new models across global markets. See also: BYD Reaffirms Focus on LFP Batteries, Highlights Safety and Reliability Citi noted that BYD’s overseas sales are becoming more regionally balanced, with Europe, North…

Chery’s premium automotive brand Exeed is set to further expand its ET lineup with a new model, the ET7 SUV, according to the latest filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The ET7 was listed in MIIT’s newest catalog of vehicles awaiting sales approval, released on November 11 for public comment. Feedback will be accepted through November 17. Inclusion in this catalog represents the final major regulatory step before a vehicle can be sold in China. The ET7 appears under four model codes — SQR6501BEVE0Y3, SQR6500BEVE0YB, SQR6500REEVE0YA, and SQR6500REEVE0Y7 — with production slated for Chery’s Wuhu facility…

The U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market has experienced a steep sales decline following the expiration of the federal $7,500 EV tax credit, but consumer enthusiasm for electric cars remains strong, according to the latest resources for November 2025. October marked the first full month without the federal incentive, and the effect was immediate—EV sales fell by 53%, dropping from 12.9% of total new-vehicle sales in September to just 6% in October. The report attributed part of this decline to an “artificial sales spike” in September, as many buyers rushed to complete purchases before the credit expired. Analysts described the current…

Heliox, a subsidiary of Siemens, has introduced the 44 kW V2G DC charger in the United States — an all-in-one fast-charging system featuring full vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality. Designed for electric truck and bus fleets, the charger enables operators to optimise energy use, reduce costs, and contribute to grid stability through bidirectional energy transfer. Delivering up to 44 kW of power, the Heliox V2G system supports both networked and standalone operation and complies with ISO 15118-20 and SAE J2847 standards to ensure interoperability with a broad range of present and future electric vehicles. See also: Siemens Expands eMobility Charging Portfolio with…

Toyota is delaying its plan to build an electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture, citing slower global demand for EVs, according to a report by the Nikkei newspaper. The company plans to revisit the project next year and make adjustments if market conditions improve. This marks the second postponement of the project. Fukuoka Governor Seitaro Hattori said the delay was confirmed after a meeting with Toyota President Koji Sato. See also: Toyota Introduces 2026 Crown Signia With Two-Tone Design and Hybrid Efficiency The battery plant, initially slated to begin operations in 2028, no longer has a confirmed…

Loblaw and FortisBC have launched British Columbia’s first commercial trial of a hydrogen-powered Class 8 truck, marking a step toward decarbonizing long-haul freight. The long-term pilot, unveiled at Loblaw’s Marine Drive distribution centre in Vancouver, brings together government and industry partners to evaluate hydrogen’s potential in large-scale transport. The hydrogen-powered vehicle, a Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell model leased from HTEC, began regular delivery operations in mid-October. It has been transporting groceries between Vancouver and Squamish as part of efforts to study real-world performance, refuelling times, and operational efficiency. The findings will help determine hydrogen’s role in future logistics planning across…

Great Wall Motor (GWM) is set to begin pre-sales of its all-electric Ora 5 SUV in China on November 12, offering a maximum CLTC range of 580 km. The model will be the first electric SUV under GWM’s Ora brand and will compete with vehicles including BYD’s Atto 3, which offers a 510 km range, and GAC Aion’s Y Younger with 430 km. The Ora 5 maintains Ora’s signature rounded retro design, featuring oval headlights, conventional door handles, and multi-spoke wheels. A lidar unit mounted on the roof supports advanced driver-assistance functions, while air vents are added to both sides…

Blink Charging announced it will transition to a contract manufacturing model for its electric vehicle charging hardware as part of its BlinkForward strategy, aiming to reduce costs, enhance scalability, and accelerate innovation. The move allows Blink to leverage the expertise of established manufacturing partners while retaining in-house control over product design, software integration, and quality assurance. The company said the shift is expected to lower overhead and speed up deployment of charging solutions as demand for EV infrastructure grows. See also: Blink Charging Chosen by Karbon Homes to Power EV Infrastructure Across 34,000 Properties in Northern England “This move sharpens…

GAC Group and Huawei Digital Power have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to deepen collaboration on electric vehicle (EV) innovation, the companies announced on Thursday. The partnership focuses on enhancing the range, charging efficiency, and overall driving experience of new energy vehicles (NEVs). Both companies plan to collaborate across powertrain systems, vehicle design and manufacturing, as well as sales and service operations, with the shared objective of developing competitive EVs and advancing the broader industry ecosystem. GAC Group, one of China’s leading listed automakers, brings experience in vehicle manufacturing, platform development, and quality management. Huawei Digital Power contributes expertise in…

Electric vehicle infrastructure provider Weev has entered into a partnership with British Gas to deliver home EV charger installations across Northern Ireland, with Weev serving as the exclusive installation partner for the UK energy supplier in the region. British Gas, one of the UK’s largest energy providers, supplies energy and services to more than ten million homes and businesses. Through the collaboration, homeowners in Northern Ireland will have access to reliable domestic charging installations carried out by Weev’s team of local engineers and installers. The companies said the partnership combines British Gas’ nationwide expertise with Weev’s regional experience to expand…

bp pulse has opened a new electric vehicle charging hub located 1.5 miles from Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, marking a key milestone in its U.S. network expansion and deepening its partnership with Hertz to support airport and rideshare electrification. The site features 40 ultrafast DC fast-charging bays capable of delivering up to 150 kW, designed to serve airport travelers, rideshare drivers, and local EV owners. Amenities include covered canopies and free Wi-Fi, with a promotional charging rate of $0.01 per kWh available on November 12, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. “This is another example of how…

Zeekr has unveiled the updated Zeekr X compact SUV, offering longer driving range, improved performance, and lower prices to stay competitive in China’s fast-evolving electric vehicle (EV) market. The refreshed model now starts at RMB 145,800 ($20,460) after limited-time incentives, marking a RMB 3,200 ($470) or 2.15 percent reduction from its predecessor’s RMB 149,000 base price. The new base variant of the Zeekr X features a 61.47-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, providing a CLTC range of 530 kilometers, up from the previous model’s 49-kWh pack and 420-kilometer range. See also: Zeekr Group Delivers Record 61,636 Vehicles in October,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker WM Motor is reportedly preparing to unveil a new model this month, marking a potential step toward reviving its operations after declaring bankruptcy earlier this year. According to local media outlet Lanjinger, the company may host an event to debut the model later in November as part of its broader relaunch efforts. WM Motor hinted at its return earlier today on Weibo, writing, “Good news is coming soon. Stay tuned.” Sources cited by Lanjinger said the relaunch will encompass several areas, including new product introductions, expansion of service networks, and renewed cooperation with suppliers. Although the…

After two years at Polestar, Lutz Stiegler is returning to Volvo Cars, where he will serve as Head of Architecture Strategy and join the company’s extended management team. The German engineer will report directly to Michael Fleiss, Volvo’s Chief Strategy and Product Officer. Volvo has not made an official announcement about Stiegler’s appointment, and his LinkedIn profile still lists him as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at Polestar. However, Polestar’s website now names Gerry Yang as the company’s new CTO as of October 2025. Yang has been with Geely’s External Collaboration Institute since 2021 and previously coordinated technology collaboration between Geely…

The Traton Group has introduced a group-wide Green Finance Framework to promote the financing and refinancing of battery-electric commercial vehicles. The framework is designed to attract investors specifically interested in supporting projects related to electric commercial vehicles and their wider ecosystem. The initiative covers Traton’s full value chain, including vehicle development, production, charging infrastructure, and financial services, with the goal of advancing sustainable commercial transport. Traton’s major European subsidiaries, MAN and Scania, are included under the framework. See also: Traton Unifies R&D Operations Across Brands to Accelerate Modular Electric Vehicle Development Christian Levin, CEO of Traton Group and Scania, said:…

Gridserve has started building the UK’s first public charging hubs for electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) as part of its Electric Freightway initiative, marking a key milestone in the decarbonisation of the country’s freight transport sector. The first two of seven planned hubs are now under construction, with five more to be announced in the coming months. The Electric Freightway programme aims to give fleet operators across the UK access to reliable charging infrastructure for heavy-duty transport. It is partly funded by the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.…

PowerCo Canada, the battery subsidiary of Volkswagen, has begun construction on its new electric vehicle battery gigafactory in St. Thomas, Ontario — a project expected to become Canada’s largest battery manufacturing site. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2027 with an annual production capacity of up to 90 gigawatt-hours (GWh). The company said foundation work is underway on three major buildings covering roughly 79,000 square metres, with Canadian contractor Magil Construction handling the work. In total, the project will use 46,000 square metres of formwork, over 32,000 cubic metres of concrete, and approximately 4,850 tonnes of reinforcing steel.…