Author: Shaun Williams

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.…

Zoox said it has entered into a partnership with Sphere Las Vegas, becoming the venue’s official autonomous ride-hailing partner as part of the company’s ongoing expansion in the city. The collaboration will feature a dedicated pickup and drop-off zone at Sphere, complete with Zoox branding, and will be available to riders starting in early 2026. See also: Zoox Begins Offering Select Robotaxi Rides in San Francisco The partnership links two technology-driven innovators — one redefining urban mobility, the other reshaping live entertainment. “Sphere has quickly become an iconic destination and landmark in Las Vegas, drawing millions of visitors annually with…

Tesla is recalling 6,197 Cybertrucks in the United States after determining that an offroad light bar installed on certain 2024 models could loosen and detach, creating a potential road hazard for other vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Thursday. According to NHTSA documents, the recall covers vehicles equipped with a service-installed offroad light bar accessory that may have been attached using an incorrect surface primer. The improper primer could prevent the light bar from adhering properly to the windshield, increasing the risk of it detaching while the vehicle is in motion. Regulators warned that a falling…

Edge Energy has introduced a 100kW single-phase DC fast charging system developed in partnership with Lincoln Electric and DC America, designed to bring high-speed electric vehicle (EV) charging to areas lacking three-phase grid connections. The system, which integrates Edge Energy’s proprietary solid-state digital phase conversion technology, enables cost-efficient installation and operation in both urban and rural locations. See also: UKSOL and Rolec Partner to Deliver Integrated Solar and EV Charging Solutions Across the UK The platform combines Lincoln Electric’s Velion® 50kW DC fast chargers within DC America’s modular infrastructure, creating a scalable solution for commercial, industrial, and public applications. By…

Arcfox, the electric vehicle (EV) brand under Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), has officially launched the updated Alpha T5 SUV, marking its entry into the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) segment alongside its existing battery electric vehicle (BEV) models. The updated Alpha T5, a midsize SUV, was unveiled on Tuesday with a discounted starting price of RMB 109,800 ($15,460). Its official starting price is RMB 113,800, reflecting an 8.79 percent reduction from the RMB 123,800 pre-sale price announced two weeks earlier. Arcfox is offering three EREV variants priced at RMB 113,800, RMB 119,800, and RMB 131,800, while the BEV lineup includes…

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…