Author: Shaun Williams

LS-L&F Battery Solutions (LLBS), a joint venture between LS Group and L&F, has completed construction of its battery precursor material plant in Gunsan, South Korea, marking a key step toward reducing the nation’s reliance on Chinese battery materials. Trial production has begun at the new facility located in the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex in North Jeolla Province. The plant will produce precursors — intermediate compounds made from nickel, cobalt, manganese, and aluminium — used to manufacture cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries. According to LLBS, the new facility completes a domestic value chain for battery materials, enabling production “from nickel…

At Busworld in Brussels, Iveco Bus introduced the eDaily LE, a fully electric, low-entry version of its Daily transporter. Designed for urban mobility, the new model accommodates up to 27 passengers, including 13 seated, and aims to meet the growing demand for sustainable public transport in cities. The eDaily LE measures 7.6 metres in length, making it significantly shorter than standard 12-metre city buses and well-suited for narrow urban streets. Iveco says the model was developed to support the energy transition of transport operators seeking to reduce emissions while maintaining passenger comfort and accessibility. See also: DLL And Iveco Group…

BMW reported global deliveries of 102,864 fully electric vehicles in the third quarter of 2025, marking the sixth consecutive quarter in which the German automaker achieved six-figure EV sales. The figure represents a 0.6% decline compared with the 103,440 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) delivered during the same period last year, according to the company’s statement. The result places BMW ahead of its premium rival Mercedes-Benz in battery-electric sales, though slightly below its own performance in the first half of the year, when it delivered 109,516 and 111,027 BEVs in the first and second quarters, respectively. Despite the dip, BMW’s cumulative…

Iveco Bus has secured a contract to supply 129 fully electric eDaily minibuses to Azienda STRAde Lazio (ASTRAL) for public transport operations across rural and suburban routes in Italy’s Lazio region, excluding Rome. The €49 million framework agreement is being co-financed by the European Union under the Cohesion Project Italy 2021–2027, with €38.6 million allocated to ASTRAL. The order will be fulfilled in partnership with local dealer Romana Diesel and bodybuilder Indcar. The first 80 vehicles are expected to be delivered by September 30, 2026, while the remaining units will be supplied within the 48-month duration of the agreement. See…

Nissan said it will launch a new, lower-priced LEAF B5 electric vehicle in Japan in early 2026 as part of its efforts to compete with more affordable models from BYD, Hyundai, and other automakers in the domestic market. The LEAF B5, set to debut in February 2026, will feature a smaller 55 kWh battery and be “priced more affordably for a wider range of customers,” Nissan said in a statement. The new model follows the company’s introduction of the LEAF B7, which goes on sale in Japan later this month, with deliveries scheduled to begin in January 2026. See also:…

Formula E’s co-founder and chief championship officer Alberto Longo has called on motorsport to focus on closing decades of missed opportunities for women rather than creating separate female-only championships, as the racing world grapples with persistent gender inequality. “I firmly believe that if women are competitive, they should race against men, not have their own championship,” Longo told Reuters on Wednesday, contrasting Formula E’s approach with Formula One’s F1 Academy — a support series dedicated to female drivers. Instead, Longo said the solution lies in nurturing talent from an early age through Formula E’s FIA Girls on Track programme. “Fifty…

General Motors has unveiled a new version of its affordable electric vehicle, the Chevy Bolt, featuring an upgraded lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery built on the company’s Ultium platform, faster charging capabilities and a refreshed interior, the U.S. automaker said on Tuesday. The new Bolt, revealed at an event for owners at Universal Studios Hollywood, marks the return of one of GM’s most popular EVs after production ended in 2023. The company had previously said the model would be reintroduced using its next-generation Ultium technology, which also underpins other GM EVs such as the Equinox and Blazer. See also: Chevrolet…

Honda’s dominant position in Vietnam’s motorbike market is coming under pressure as the government accelerates a transition to electric vehicles, a move that is expected to benefit domestic manufacturer VinFast, according to industry data and consumer surveys. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in July issued a directive banning fossil-fuel-powered motorbikes from central Hanoi within 12 months, with the restrictions set to expand citywide by 2028. The measure is part of efforts to curb severe air pollution in the capital, which frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities. See also: VinFast Plans 150,000 Battery-Swapping Stations For Electric Two-Wheelers In…

Qnovo, a California-based battery software company, announced on Monday a strategic partnership with Sonatus, a provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) and AI solutions, to enhance the speed and flexibility of deploying battery intelligence systems in electric vehicles. The collaboration was unveiled at The Battery Show North America and is designed to cut integration timelines for automotive manufacturers from months to days. Under the partnership, Qnovo’s Health & Safety Diagnostics (HSD) platform will be integrated with Sonatus AI Director, creating a combined solution capable of predicting battery faults with 98.7% accuracy. The companies said the integration allows deployment of advanced battery…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand under Geely Holding, unveiled the interior of its refreshed Zeekr 001 on Friday, showcasing a luxurious “Starry Sky Concert Hall” cabin concept that emphasizes digital innovation and premium comfort. The updated model will be officially launched on October 11, with deliveries commencing the same day. The 2025 Zeekr 001 introduces major upgrades to its powertrain and interior configurations, while retaining much of its exterior design. The centerpiece of the cabin is a 16-inch 3.5K rotating central screen, up from 15.05 inches, complemented by a 13.02-inch digital instrument cluster, 8-inch rear control display, and a…

Tesla has extended the driving range of several Model 3 variants in Europe following the adoption of new, higher-density battery cells supplied by South Korea’s LG Energy. The update follows a similar enhancement in China last month, where Tesla introduced LG’s new 5M battery cell in locally produced Model 3 vehicles. See also: Tesla Q3 Deliveries Hit Record 497,099 Units, Driven by U.S. Demand Ahead of Tax Credit Expiration The improved cells offer higher energy density, allowing the vehicles to achieve longer driving ranges without major design changes to the battery pack. According to Tesla’s website, the European-market Model 3…

Rivian said its upcoming R2 SUV, due in 2026, will feature a redesigned emergency door release system following concerns that its current approach could make passenger exits more difficult during emergencies. The decision comes after safety advocates criticized the 2024 redesign of Rivian’s R1 lineup, where the rear manual release was relocated behind an unlabeled panel, requiring passengers to remove a cover and pull a cord. Critics said the placement risked trapping occupants, particularly children or older passengers, if a crash or power failure occurred. See also: Rivian R2 Battery Pack Uses Fewer, Larger Cells Than R1 Models The company…

South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom has rolled out its first fleet of electric vehicles, deploying 20 light delivery vehicles and trucks across its Distribution and Generation divisions. The initiative forms part of Eskom’s plan to electrify its entire fleet by 2035. The company said it intends to purchase an additional 100 EVs in the “near future” but did not disclose which manufacturer supplied the initial batch. Eskom recently signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with BYD South Africa, supporting the launch of the BYD Dolphin Surf in the country. See also: South Africa Allocates 1 Billion Rand to Boost New…

Norway set two new milestones in September as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) made up 98.3% of all new passenger car sales, the highest monthly share ever recorded in the country, while BEVs also accounted for 95% of sales in the first nine months of the year. Figures from the Norwegian Road Administration (OFV) showed 14,084 new BEV registrations in September out of a total of 14,329 new passenger cars. Only 245 cars registered during the month had a combustion engine or hybrid drive. Diesel cars made up just 105 units, or 0.7% of sales, while petrol hybrids and plug-in hybrids combined…

South Korea’s Ministry of Environment is considering a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, a move that would align the country with the European Union’s planned phaseout of combustion-engine cars. The proposal is part of discussions to meet South Korea’s national greenhouse gas reduction target for 2035, under its commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement. The ministry outlined four emissions reduction scenarios at a recent public forum, targeting cuts of between 48% and 65% in the transportation sector compared to 2018 levels. See also: South Korea’s EV Market Reaches Record 18.4% Share in August…

Pioneer Power Solution said it has secured a $725,000 order from the City of Long Beach, California, for its e-Boost® mobile electric vehicle charging system. The city will deploy a 250kW e-Boost Mobile “Stretch” unit to support its Battle Motors electric sanitation trucks and other medium- and heavy-duty public works vehicles. Delivery is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025, the company said. The ‘Stretch’ model integrates ChargePoint chargers and modular power units, designed to provide the performance of a permanent installation with the flexibility of mobile deployment. Pioneer Power said the system enables municipalities to expand EV fleets without…

Vanderhall Motor Works said on Friday it has begun customer deliveries of its Brawley GTS, an all-electric off-road vehicle featuring a quad-motor system, premium enclosed cabin, and an estimated range of up to 140 miles. The Brawley GTS is equipped with a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery and a four-motor powertrain producing up to 404 horsepower. The system provides instant torque for handling steep climbs and diverse terrains, supported by regenerative braking and energy management features. The model, which seats four adults, includes a fully enclosed cabin with heating, air conditioning, and heated seats. “Any off-road purists tired of blaring motors…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Co expects exports to contribute about a fifth of its global sales next year, as improved logistics and new model launches help the Shenzhen-based company expand its international footprint, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday. The automaker forecasts between 800,000 and 1 million deliveries outside mainland China in 2025, compared with projected total sales of 4.6 million units, the newspaper said, citing Li Yunfei, BYD’s general manager of branding and public relations. “We estimate that the proportion of our overseas sales would hit 20 per cent this year,” Li said in a media…

Buick, a brand under General Motors, has launched the Electra L7 extended-range sedan in China, setting a limited-time starting price of RMB 169,900 ($23,820) as it looks to strengthen its foothold in the world’s largest EV market. Deliveries are set to begin on October 20. The Electra L7, built on the Xiao Yao Super Architecture, measures 5,032 mm in length with a 3,000 mm wheelbase, positioning it in the mid-to-large sedan segment. It features Buick’s “Zhen Long” extended-range electric system, which pairs a 1.5-liter engine acting as a generator with a 252 kW electric motor. The vehicle can accelerate from…

Lincoln Electric, best known for its welding equipment, has expanded into the electric vehicle sector with the launch of the Velion, a portable 50 kW DC fast charger aimed at stranded drivers and fleet operators. The company presented the unit as a compact and durable mobile solution for delivering quick charging in remote or emergency situations. The Velion is designed to help tow truck operators, construction fleets, and municipal agencies provide on-the-spot charging when vehicles cannot return to fixed charging infrastructure. The company compared the unit to carrying a red gas can for stranded drivers, except designed for electric cars.…