Author: Shaun Williams

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…

BMW Motorrad has revealed its latest electric motorcycle concept, the Vision CE, offering a glimpse into the company’s vision for future urban mobility. The design emphasizes a modern, lightweight aesthetic, departing from traditional cruiser styles with low-slung frames and chrome detailing. The Vision CE features a structural canopy and four-point harness, designed to provide riders with enclosed protection. “The concept blends emotional tech with urban performance,” BMW Motorrad said, highlighting its focus on safety and advanced design. While eye protection remains necessary, the semi-enclosed architecture reduces reliance on a conventional helmet. Based on the CE 04 platform, the Vision CE…

Huawei will roll out a new partnership structure with automakers this year, giving carmakers more control while maintaining the tech group’s deep involvement in vehicle development, Chinese media outlet Caijing reported on Monday. The model differs from Huawei Inside, where the company mainly sells technology, and from brand co-creation ventures with automakers. Under the new structure, automakers will take the lead while Huawei contributes technologies such as its HarmonyOS operating system and Qiankun smart driving systems, the report said, citing sources close to Huawei’s intelligent automotive business unit. The approach has yet to receive an official name, but some pilot…

Vontier-owned Driivz, a global provider of software for electric vehicle (EV) charging, has partnered with Berlin-based ENAPI to expand roaming access across more than 350,000 charge points in Europe. The agreement is designed to simplify cross-network charging for operators, service providers and drivers. The integration connects Driivz’s smart charging and energy management platform with ENAPI’s OCPI-based roaming broker, allowing charge point operators and e-mobility service providers to extend coverage without managing multiple bilateral agreements. “Interoperability and flexibility are key to the future of e-mobility,” said Andy Bennett, chief executive of Driivz. ENAPI co-founder Jakob Kleihues said the company’s aim is…

Xpeng reported record vehicle deliveries in August, extending its recent sales momentum as the Mona M03 sedan drove demand in an expanding product lineup. The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer delivered 37,709 units last month, a 168.66% rise from the 14,036 vehicles delivered a year earlier and a 2.7% increase from July’s 36,717, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Deliveries of the Mona M03 exceeded 15,000 units in August, with cumulative sales of the sedan surpassing 160,000 since its launch in late August 2024. Se also: Next-Generation Xpeng P7 Electric Sedan: Specifications, Range and Price From January…

Denza, the premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under BYD, introduced four new variants of its D9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on Friday at the Chengdu auto show, cutting entry prices for the model. The updated lineup includes three plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions and one battery electric vehicle (BEV) version. Pricing for the new PHEV models begins at RMB 309,800 ($43,450), while the BEV variant starts at RMB 319,800. At launch in December 2024, the PHEV started at RMB 339,800 and the BEV at RMB 379,800. The new PHEV options are powered by BYD’s fifth-generation DM technology, pairing a…

Porsche has introduced its 2026 Macan electric vehicle (EV), featuring a range of updates aimed at enhancing both driver convenience and passenger entertainment. The German automaker opened orders for the refreshed SUV on Thursday, with prices starting at $78,000 and deliveries expected in spring 2026. The 2026 Macan EV builds on the previous model with several technology upgrades. A new Porsche Digital Key allows drivers to lock, unlock, and manage vehicle functions through compatible smartphones and smartwatches. In addition, the SUV now offers in-car gaming and entertainment via a system called AirConsole, which enables video games, streaming music, and video…

Alef Aeronautics has begun test operations of its Model A flying electric car at airports in the United States, moving closer to bringing road-to-air mobility into practice. The California-based company has reached agreements with Half Moon Bay and Hollister airports to conduct trials, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted a Special Airworthiness Certification in 2023. The Model A, unveiled last year, is designed to operate both on public roads and in the air with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, eliminating the need for a runway. The vehicle has an estimated range of 320 km (200 miles) on land and…

Bare-bones electric vehicle (EV) startup Slate said on Thursday it will build its first production facility in Indiana, marking a significant milestone in its plan to bring a low-cost pickup and SUV to market by late 2026. The young automaker, which first gained attention earlier this year with its “Blank Slate” design, officially opened the doors to its planned manufacturing site in Warsaw, Indiana, where it intends to retool a former printing plant. The facility will serve as the production hub for Slate’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV), a simplified pickup with over 100 accessory options and an SUV conversion…

Porsche has disclosed further technical details of its upcoming all-electric Cayenne, positioning the model as the second SUV based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) after the Macan. The electric Cayenne, internally designated “E4,” will launch with a 113 kWh battery (108 kWh usable), larger than the 100 kWh unit used in the Macan and Audi’s PPE models. Porsche has equipped the battery with a dual cooling-plate system, which it says will support peak charging power of up to 400 kW, enabling a 10-80% charge in 15 minutes where compatible infrastructure is available. Reports from prototype drives suggest the SUV…

ADASTEC has introduced a fully autonomous electric bus service at Michigan State University (MSU), aiming to enhance campus mobility while supporting research on automated vehicle systems. The bus, named SpartanXpress, is a full-size SAE Level-4 vehicle that meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Operating along a 5.12-mile loop through the central campus, it connects commuter lots, academic buildings, and cultural venues. The service runs Monday through Friday between 10:05 a.m. and 2:35 p.m. and is free for students, staff, and visitors. “The SpartanXpress is more than a transit service—it’s a platform…

Luxeed, the electric vehicle brand co-developed by Huawei and Chery, launched updated versions of its S7 sedan and R7 coupe SUV on Friday as it seeks to expand market share with lower pricing and advanced driver-assistance features. The updated Luxeed S7 is priced from 229,800 yuan ($32,130), while the R7 starts at 249,800 yuan, both below earlier pre-sale prices. Each model is available in three trims — Max, Max+, and Max Ultra — with prices ranging from 229,800 to 289,800 yuan for the S7 and from 249,800 to 309,800 yuan for the R7. Both vehicles are equipped with Huawei’s ADS…

Nio said on Monday it will hold Nio Day 2025 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in late September, when the company will officially launch the third-generation ES8 sport utility vehicle. The event, traditionally held at the end of the year, is being moved to the fall for the first time, with the host city chosen without the company’s usual community vote. https://twitter.com/NIOGlobal/status/1959819235481514460 Hangzhou, home to automakers Geely Auto and Leapmotor as well as technology giant Alibaba, will also serve as the backdrop for potential new product announcements, including a possible special edition of the Firefly EV, according to local media reports.…

Alphabet-owned Waymo has received authorization to test its self-driving cars on public roads in New York City, the first time the city has granted such approval. The permit allows the company to deploy up to eight Jaguar I-Pace SUVs in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn through late September, according to the mayor’s office. Each vehicle must have a trained safety operator in the driver’s seat with at least one hand on the wheel. Waymo is not permitted to carry passengers without additional licensing from the Taxi and Limousine Commission and must report data regularly to the city’s Department of Transportation. https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1958914347310489791…

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi reported a 30.5% increase in second-quarter revenue on Tuesday, helped by strong demand for its YU7 electric SUV and steady smartphone sales. Revenue for the three months ended June 30 rose to 116 billion yuan ($16.16 billion), above the 114.7 billion yuan forecast by analysts polled by LSEG. Adjusted net profit climbed 75.4% year-on-year to 10.8 billion yuan, also topping the average estimate of 10.1 billion yuan. The company’s smartphone and AIoT businesses generated revenue of 94.7 billion yuan, up 14.8% from a year earlier. Its smart electric vehicle, AI and new initiatives segment contributed 21.3…

Alphabet’s autonomous ride-hailing unit Waymo has begun testing its new Robotaxi equipped with sixth-generation self-driving hardware, featuring a wider range of sensors designed to improve safety and reliability. The new hardware integrates more than 13 cameras, six radar systems, and four LiDAR sensors, according to a video posted on social media platform X by technology influencer Sawyer Merritt. “The new Waymo Robotaxi will also have ‘heaters, wipers and sprayers’ to keep the self-driving tech clean,” Merritt wrote in his post. A safety driver remains on board during testing, the footage showed. https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1957655074865377293 The trial comes as self-driving vehicles gain traction…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng on Tuesday reported record second-quarter revenue and its narrowest quarterly net loss in five years, as robust deliveries and cost efficiencies helped strengthen margins. The company’s net loss for the three months ended June 30 was 480 million yuan ($70 million), the lowest since the third quarter of 2020, compared with a 1.28 billion yuan loss a year earlier. On a non-GAAP basis, net loss came in at 390 million yuan. Revenue rose 125.3% year-on-year to 18.27 billion yuan ($2.55 billion), driven by higher deliveries of its latest models. Vehicle sales accounted for 16.88 billion…