Author: Shaun Williams

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has partnered with U.S.-based sensing technology company Aeva to develop next-generation collision mitigation systems for commercial vehicles, with an initial focus on Class 8 trucks in North America. The collaboration will combine Aeva’s 4D LiDAR technology with Bendix’s Fusion advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) to deliver SAE Level 2+ active safety capabilities. The system is intended to improve performance in challenging scenarios such as nighttime operation, low-visibility conditions, and pedestrian detection. Bendix, a subsidiary of Germany’s Knorr-Bremse, supplies ADAS platforms for most major Class 8 truck manufacturers. Aeva’s 4D LiDAR, which measures both 3D position and…

A major ultra-fast charging park has opened in Madrid’s Nuevos Ministerios car park, offering 40 high-capacity electric vehicle (EV) charging bays. The upgraded facility includes chargers ranging from 175kW to 350kW and marks a significant expansion of Spain’s EV infrastructure. Of the 40 charging bays, 22 are operated by Iberdrola and BP Pulse, while the remaining 18 are Tesla Superchargers. The site features two 3200kW-capacity transformers to support the high power demands of the new infrastructure, which began installation in May 2024. Originally initiated in 2020 by Porsche Ibérica and Melfosur with just two 50kW public chargers, the project has…

Yangwang, the ultra-luxury sub-brand of BYD, opened pre-sales on Thursday for its latest model, the U8L SUV, as it expands its footprint in China’s high-end automotive segment. The pre-sale features a single configuration—the Dingshi Edition—priced at RMB 1.3 million ($180,700). Chinese customers can reserve the model with a deposit of RMB 20,000 and receive a RMB 30,000 optional feature fund as part of the pre-sale offer. The U8L is a longer and more luxurious version of the Yangwang U8 off-road SUV, boasting dimensions of 5,400 mm in length, 2,049 mm in width, and 1,921 mm in height, with a 3,250…

Xiaomi’s electric vehicle division reported deliveries of more than 30,000 units in July, marking a new monthly record as the company expands its lineup and accelerates production to meet rising demand. The performance was largely driven by the YU7, Xiaomi’s first electric SUV, which officially launched on June 26. The model, positioned as a competitor to Tesla’s Model Y, attracted significant consumer interest, with hundreds of thousands of orders placed within hours of launch. Deliveries of the YU7 began on July 6. See also: High-Performance Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Spotted at Ferrari Grounds in Italy In response to the strong reception,…

California-based startup Morelle plans to launch an electric bicycle in early 2026 featuring a silicon anode battery that can charge in under 15 minutes, the company said, highlighting rapid-charging capability and high energy efficiency as its key innovations. The e-bike, which is expected to retail from around $3,000, is equipped with a high-power battery system compatible with Level 2 EV chargers and capable of charging at 1000 to over 1500 watts. Morelle attributes the fast-charging performance to its use of a silicon-based anode, diverging from traditional graphite cell architecture, and advanced machine learning algorithms to optimize battery longevity. “Our technology…

Leapmotor will introduce a new flagship model under its upcoming D-series lineup, marking a strategic move into the higher-priced segment of China’s competitive EV market. Two senior executives confirmed on social media platform Weibo that the first model in the D-series will be a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV). It will become Leapmotor’s most expensive product to date, priced around RMB 300,000 ($41,840), and is expected to offer both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) options. The announcement follows a post by automotive blogger @拉面师傅Design, who shared renderings of the new model, calling it “the largest full-size…

Audi, the premium brand of German automaker Volkswagen, lowered its full-year revenue and margin forecasts on Monday, citing increased U.S. import tariffs and the financial burden of ongoing restructuring. The Ingolstadt-based company now anticipates annual revenue between 65 billion and 70 billion euros ($76 billion–$82 billion), down from its earlier projection of 67.5 billion to 72.5 billion euros. Audi also trimmed its operating margin guidance to a range of 5% to 7%, compared with the previous estimate of 7% to 9%. The revised outlook follows the trade agreement reached between the United States and the European Union on Sunday, which…

Researchers at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) have developed a novel battery housing for electric vehicles that replaces conventional aluminium with sustainable materials such as wood, thin sheet steel, and cork. Despite initial skepticism over the use of wood in high-temperature environments, the prototype surpassed a standard Tesla battery housing in fire safety tests. The innovation is part of the Bio!Lib project, led by TU Graz’s Institute of Vehicle Safety. The new battery housing completely eliminates aluminium, a material widely used for its strength but known for its high energy-intensive production. Instead, the housing relies on a steel shell…

Chinese battery giant CATL has initiated its first external financing round for its skateboard chassis subsidiary, Contemporary Amperex Intelligence Technology (Shanghai) Limited (CAIT-SH), according to a report by Chinese media outlet Yiou. CAIT-SH, a wholly-owned CATL unit established in 2021, recently opened a targeted RMB 2 billion ($280 million) financing round, with a reported pre-investment valuation of approximately RMB 9 billion. The fundraising aims to support CATL’s ambitions to expand its footprint beyond power batteries into battery-integrated chassis solutions. See also: Mazda to Co-Develop EVs with CATL and Changan Using CIIC Skateboard Platform Unlike a public offering, CATL reportedly restricted…

The U.S. Congress is moving forward with legislation designed to support the deployment of autonomous driving systems in commercial vehicles, seeking to establish a unified regulatory framework across state lines. The proposed bill, titled the AMERICA DRIVES Act, would preempt state requirements mandating human drivers in vehicles equipped with high-level automation and direct the federal government to update existing rules. Formally known as the Autonomous Mobility Ensuring Regulation, Innovation, Commerce, and Advancement Driving Reliability in Vehicle Efficiency and Safety Act, the legislation targets key regulatory gaps that currently complicate interstate operations for vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADS). It would…

DHL Group will add 2,400 additional electric vans from Ford Pro to its delivery fleet in Germany by the end of this year, the companies announced, expanding a partnership that supports DHL’s e-mobility strategy. With many of the vehicles already in operation, DHL released an interim review citing favorable performance and user satisfaction. “In our Post & Parcel Germany division, we are receiving very positive feedback from our delivery personnel regarding Ford’s electric vehicles,” said Nikola Hagleitner, Board Member for Post & Parcel Germany at DHL Group. “Together, we are making a significant contribution to making parcel and postal delivery…

Kia has revealed the PV5, its first dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV), developed to offer flexible electric mobility solutions for both commercial and individual users. The vehicle is based on a modular platform aimed at improving efficiency, usability, and adaptability across a range of operational needs. The PV5 is built on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), which standardizes components such as batteries, motors, and suspension to help streamline production and reduce development time. The model offers three battery options—43.3 kWh LFP, 51.5 kWh NCM, and 71.2 kWh NCM—each paired with a 120 kW motor. Kia said…

BYD has introduced the Sealion 06 SUV, the latest model in its Ocean lineup, as the Chinese new energy vehicle maker continues to grow its presence in the hybrid and all-electric vehicle segments. The launch brings both the Sealion 06 DM-i plug-in hybrid and the Sealion 06 EV to market, each available in three variants. The hybrid Sealion 06 DM-i is priced from RMB 139,800 ($19,540), while the all-electric Sealion 06 EV starts at RMB 149,800. The SUV measures 4,810 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm—slightly larger than…

Mobileye Global raised its full-year revenue forecast for fiscal 2025 on Thursday, citing improved order visibility for its autonomous driving chips as automakers begin replenishing inventories following a prolonged slowdown. The self-driving technology firm now expects annual revenue between $1.77 billion and $1.89 billion, up from its prior guidance of $1.69 billion to $1.81 billion. The outlook upgrade comes as automakers, having previously held off on new orders due to stockpiles built during pandemic-related supply disruptions, resume procurement of driver-assistance hardware. “Stronger visibility on industry supply-demand alignment since late-April supports our decision to raise the full-year outlook, while we continue…

General Motors said it has surpassed 500,000 vehicles equipped with its Super Cruise hands-free driving assistance system, more than doubling the number on the road compared to the same period a year earlier, as the automaker continues to scale its advanced driver-assistance technologies. Despite the rapid deployment, usage levels have not kept pace. GM reported that around 200,000 drivers actively used the feature on a monthly basis in the second quarter, representing approximately 60% of equipped vehicles. Super Cruise, classified as a Level 2 driving assistance system under the SAE framework, allows hands-free driving on over 750,000 miles of compatible…

Isuzu is entering the electric pickup segment with its first-ever battery-powered truck, the D-MAX EV, targeting markets in Europe and the UK. Marking a shift from its diesel roots, the new electric D-MAX offers robust capabilities including a full-time four-wheel-drive system, a towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs), and specialized off-road features such as a dedicated Terrain Mode. Built for durability and utility, the D-MAX EV retains the rugged design of its combustion-engine counterpart. It features 210 mm (8.3 inches) of ground clearance and can navigate water depths up to 600 mm (nearly 24 inches). Powered by…

Waabi, a startup specializing in AI-driven self-driving technology, has introduced a new testing method called Mixed Reality Testing (MRT), aiming to transform how autonomous vehicles are validated for safety. The system merges real-world closed-course tracks with real-time virtual simulations, allowing autonomous systems to interact with both physical and digitally rendered elements in a single, seamless environment. Traditional AV testing relies heavily on closed-course setups, which are often resource-intensive, lack repeatability, and limit exposure to diverse driving scenarios. MRT addresses these issues by using a neural simulation system, Waabi World, that alters sensor data in real time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peg0HtB72m4 This creates a…

Autonomous driving technology company Pony.ai has completed over two million kilometers of on-road testing with its Level 4 automotive-grade domain controller, a key component of its seventh-generation Robotaxi fleet. The milestone highlights the system’s performance, reliability, and readiness for commercial-scale deployment. The domain controller, unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, is built entirely with automotive-grade components and integrates four NVIDIA OrinX chips delivering a combined 1,016 TOPS of computing power. Three of the chips are used in the main unit while the fourth serves as a backup for redundancy. Designed for a 10-year lifecycle or 600,000 kilometers, the controller supports…

Farasis Energy, a battery manufacturer backed by Mercedes-Benz, has begun pilot production and deliveries of its sulfide-based solid-state batteries, according to a report by Chinese tech outlet IT-Home. The announcement marks a new phase in Farasis’ push to commercialize advanced battery technologies for electric vehicles. Farasis said it aims to complete a pilot production line with a planned annual capacity of 0.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) by the end of 2025. The company is currently delivering 60Ah battery samples to strategic partners and intends to expand sample deliveries to additional clients based on market feedback. The company’s current solid-state battery design uses…

Volkswagen is promoting sharply discounted lease offers for its all-electric ID.4 SUV, with some dealerships advertising rates as low as $99 per month. The promotional pricing is notably rare in today’s market, particularly for a vehicle with a starting MSRP over $45,000. The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4, which recently returned to dealerships, has gained traction as one of the top-selling EVs in the U.S. this year. The base Pro RWD model is priced at $45,095 and offers an EPA-estimated range of 291 miles. It features a 12.9-inch infotainment display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, heated front seats, and Volkswagen’s latest…