Author: Shaun Williams

Toyota announced on Monday the start of sales for its e-Palette battery electric vehicle (BEV), designed for multi-use mobility services. The vehicle will be available from September 15 in Japan, the company said. The e-Palette features a spacious interior and large windows, allowing it to function as both a transport vehicle and a platform for services such as mobile stores or entertainment spaces. Toyota said the vehicle can support a variety of daily applications, including shuttle services during peak hours and commercial operations while stationary. See also: Toyota Unveils Official Images of bZ7 Electric Sedan Shead of China Launch Toyota…

Stockholm-based startup Standab has raised €3.6 million ($3.9 million) to expand its cross-brand charging network for e-bikes and e-scooters across Europe, with plans to enter 15 cities within a year. The company has developed a patented charging station, branded Marma, which it says is compatible with more than 85% of existing scooter and e-bike fleets. The solution resembles a reinforced bike stand with integrated charging and is also suitable for other light electric vehicles. Standab works with micromobility operators such as Dott and Tier, as well as municipalities and transit providers, through its Charging-as-a-Service model. Spintop Ventures and Almi Invest…

Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) is preparing to expand its electric vehicle lineup significantly in 2026, with the number of models under its umbrella expected to nearly double, according to a report by Chinese outlet 36kr on Thursday. The HIMA portfolio, which currently includes models such as Aito’s M5, M7, M8 and M9; Stelato’s S9T and S9; Maextro’s S800; Shangjie’s H5; and Luxeed’s S7 and R7, could exceed 17 models next year. The report said that all five brands are scheduled to roll out new vehicles, with additional launches potentially pushing the figure to 19. Maextro’s upcoming luxury SUV,…

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced a pilot program that will allow electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) startups to test limited operations before receiving full regulatory certification. The initiative marks a shift for companies that have so far been restricted to test flights while pursuing FAA approval. Under the program, applicants must partner with state, local, tribal or territorial governments to qualify, and the agency will select at least five projects that can run for up to three years. Envisioned operations include short-range air taxis, longer-range fixed-wing flights, cargo transport, logistics for emergency or medical services, and efforts…

Chinese tech company Dreame, known for robot vacuums and smart home devices, has released the first renders of its upcoming electric hypercar, promising what it calls “the world’s fastest” EV. The company aims to position the vehicle in direct competition with high-performance marques such as Bugatti. The debut images, shared by Dreame founder Yu Hao on September 10, reveal a design inspired by the Bugatti Chiron, with an aggressive front profile and aerodynamic silhouette, according to Chinese auto media outlet Dongchedi. Dreame describes the vehicle as an “ultra-luxury, pure-electric” model and benchmarks it against the Bugatti Veyron, which once held…

Los Angeles-based startup Arc Boats has secured a $160 million order from Curtin Maritime for eight hybrid-electric tugboats, the company announced on Wednesday. The vessels, priced at roughly $20 million each, are expected to enter service at the Port of Los Angeles in 2027. Arc will build the tugs in partnership with Snow & Co. shipyard. The tugboats are designed to assist large cargo ships in and out of major ports, a role traditionally performed by diesel-powered tugs that produce high levels of black carbon and sulfur oxides. Arc’s hybrid system replaces much of the diesel engine with electric motors…

Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) transition is progressing steadily, with battery electric cars gaining market share and production scaling rapidly, according to a new report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The assessment, released ahead of the European Commission’s review of the EU’s CO₂ standards, highlights the strides made since the Dieselgate scandal a decade ago. “Our report concludes that Europe’s electric vehicle transition is on track and accelerating,” said Dr. Peter Mock, ICCT Europe Director. “Carmakers are just 9 grams away from their next CO₂ target in 2027. The preferred strategy to hit this goal on schedule is…

Hybrid vehicles emit significantly more carbon dioxide in real-world driving than official European Union figures indicate and should not be considered low-emission vehicles, according to a report published on Wednesday by transport research and campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E). The report, citing data from the European Environmental Agency, found that plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models produce over 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre on average, comparable to a conventional mid-size petrol car and nearly five times higher than official test figures of under 30 grams per kilometre. “Plug-in hybrids are being marketed as low-emission vehicles, but actually if you compare…

U.S. electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors unveiled its Gravity SUV at the IAA Mobility show in Munich on Monday, marking the European debut of its second model as the company seeks to expand its footprint beyond the Lucid Air sedan. The Gravity Grand Touring, priced from €116,900 in Germany, is now available to order in select European markets, with first deliveries expected in early 2026. A lower-priced Touring variant, starting at €99,900, will follow later, with leasing options offered from €1,169 per month in Germany See also : Lucid Motors Launches Gravity Electric SUV in Europe With €116,900 Starting Price…

Rivian plans to temporarily halt production at its Normal, Illinois facility for three weeks to prepare for the launch of its entry-level R2 electric SUV, the company indicated in a recent filing. The pause is expected to begin on September 15, according to Rivian owner and enthusiast Chris Hilbe on X, and will last through October 6. The automaker told RivianTrackr that the shutdown will affect production of its existing R1T pickup, R1S SUV, and Commercial Delivery vans. In an August 10-Q filing, Rivian said the pause would allow the company to “integrate key elements of our manufacturing process in…

German machinery manufacturer Sennebogen is trialling its new all-electric 824 G Electro Battery material handler at a recycling facility in Munich’s Aubing district, highlighting the potential of battery-powered heavy equipment in industrial operations. The trial is being conducted at CRONIMET Alpha, which focuses on recycling stainless steel, ferroalloys, and superalloys. Operators praised the machine for its quiet operation and smooth performance compared to diesel models. “The battery-powered machine drives just like a diesel-powered one,” said equipment operator Zoran Alexsic. “You don’t notice any difference in power – only that everything runs much more smoothly and quietly … you don’t have…

QuantumScape and PowerCo, the battery subsidiary of Volkswagen, unveiled a Ducati motorcycle powered entirely by solid-state batteries at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, marking a milestone in the move from laboratory development to real-world applications. The modified Ducati V21L runs on QuantumScape’s QSE-5 anode-free solid-state cells, which were produced at the company’s San José pilot line using its proprietary Cobra process. It is the first time such cells have been integrated into a functional vehicle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEq32utDNEw “Today we’ve crossed the threshold from possibility to reality,” said QuantumScape president Siva Sivaram. Ducati was selected as a demonstration partner to…

German e-bike manufacturer Cube is entering the full-suspension trekking segment with the launch of its Kathmandu Hybrid ONE11 for 2026, marking the company’s first bike of this type. The move aims to meet growing demand for SUV-style e-bikes that combine touring capabilities with everyday practicality and rider comfort. “Completely new for 2026, the Kathmandu Hybrid ONE11 brings full suspension to CUBE’s popular e-bike tourer for the first time,” the company said in a statement. The bike features a C:62 carbon monocoque frame with an aluminum rear triangle, a Fox 34 Float AWL front fork with 100 mm of travel, and…

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled its new GLC with EQ Technology, a fully electric SUV that will go into production in the first half of 2026. Positioned as the successor to the struggling EQC, this next-generation GLC made its debut ahead of the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich, signaling a major shift in the brand’s EV strategy. Design That Defines the Future While the electric GLC retains the proportions of its combustion-engine sibling, Mercedes has given it a bold new identity. The front is highlighted by an illuminated grille featuring 942 backlit dots and star-shaped LED daytime running lights—elements Mercedes…

Honda said on Saturday it will reintroduce the Prelude sports coupe for the 2026 model year, reviving an iconic nameplate with a hybrid-electric powertrain and chassis elements from its high-performance Civic Type R. The carmaker said the new Prelude is designed to deliver a modern “grand touring” experience with an emphasis on driver engagement and day-to-day comfort. The 2026 Prelude will be powered by a two-motor hybrid system pairing a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with dual electric motors. Honda said the system produces 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, offering both responsive acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. The model…

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the interior of its upcoming all-electric GLC, highlighting a new 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen that spans the width of the dashboard, the largest display the company has fitted to a production car. The model will make its public debut at the IAA Mobility show in Munich on Sept. 7. The wide-format display builds on the Hyperscreen concept first introduced in the 2021 EQS but differs by being a true single-panel unit rather than three separate screens housed beneath a single pane of glass, as seen in the recently revealed electric CLA sedan. Mercedes said the new setup offers…

Mazda Motor Corporation has signed an agreement with Iwakuni City and Yamaguchi Prefecture to establish a new facility for producing cylindrical lithium-ion battery packs, supplied by Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. Construction of the Mazda Motor Corporation Iwakuni Plant is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with operations expected to start in fiscal year 2027. The Iwakuni Plant will be Mazda’s first new domestic production facility since the Hofu No.2 Plant began operations in 1992. It is part of Mazda’s multi-solution electrification strategy, which aims to address diverse customer needs while meeting increasingly stringent global emissions standards. https://twitter.com/MazdaNewsEU/status/1963501030257369447 The plant will…

Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has introduced 20 new electric vehicle (EV) charging bays, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) said, expanding public access to charging infrastructure at the busy airport. The chargers, installed on the ground floor of the airport’s International Parking Structure, are Level 2 AC units with standard Type 1 (J1772) connectors, designed for slower, long-duration charging. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Payment is managed via the OpConnect mobile app, while standard airport parking fees also apply. Rates vary by time of day, with charging priced at $0.44 per kilowatt-hour…

Ford Pro and Atlanta-based energy provider Southern Company said their six-month pilot program demonstrated that managed charging for electric commercial fleets can reduce energy costs, improve grid reliability, and maintain full operational readiness. The pilot leveraged Southern Company’s fleet of more than 200 Ford F-150® Lightning® trucks and over 150 Level 2 AC Ford Pro Chargers across multiple states. Data collected through Ford Pro Intelligence provided insights into fleet charging patterns, showing that energy use could be shifted into lower-cost periods and aligned with utility grid signals without disrupting fleet operations. Tom Canada, fleet electrification project manager for Southern Company…

Tesla said that its Robotaxi application is now available for download on Apple devices, signaling a potential expansion of its ride-hailing service beyond the current invitation-only pilot. An Android version of the app is expected to launch soon, the company added. The app allows Tesla owners and users to sign in with a Tesla account to call a vehicle, start and end rides, control climate and music, and request support. While the rollout expands access to the platform, rides are still not fully driverless. Tesla’s Robotaxi service launched in Austin, Texas, on June 22 and more recently expanded to the…