Author: Shaun Williams

Alphabet’s Waymo has secured a permit to begin testing autonomous vehicles at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a key step toward launching commercial ride-hailing services at the hub, city officials said Tuesday. The “Testing and Operations Pilot Permit” follows years of negotiations between SFO and Waymo, and comes just weeks after the company was cleared to test at San Jose Mineta International Airport. Waymo has operated service at Phoenix Sky Harbor since 2023 but has long targeted SFO, the main gateway for its Silicon Valley home base. https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1967984942761001026 The permit outlines a three-phase rollout: initial tests with a trained specialist…

Scottish public transport operator McGill’s said it has added 30 new Yutong E12 electric single-decker buses to its Midland Bluebird brand, part of a £14 million investment aimed at reducing emissions across its network. The new buses, each with capacity for up to 70 passengers, feature 422 kWh battery packs, air conditioning, USB charging ports and noise reduction systems. They will operate across several routes in the Forth Valley, including the Falkirk to Stirling service, which the company said will see increased frequency to every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday. The order takes McGill’s electric bus fleet to 151…

Tesla will expand warranty protection for buyers in the United States and Canada beginning with the 2026 model year, adding coverage for key propulsion-related components across its core lineup of vehicles. The new warranty offers protection for seven years or 110,000 km (70,000 miles) on costly systems beyond the high-voltage battery and drive units, which already carry separate eight-year warranties. Coverage applies to the Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y, though the Cybertruck is not included. https://twitter.com/minusYCore/status/1966288796615426492 According to updated warranty documents, the change brings Tesla in line with California regulations and reduces potential long-term ownership risks.…

Voyah, the premium electric vehicle unit of Dongfeng Motor, officially launched the 2026 Dream MPV, offering eight variants, including five plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and three battery electric (BEV) models. The seven-seater MPV retains a “2+2+3” seating configuration and maintains its previous dimensions of 5,315 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width, 1,820 mm in height, with a 3,200 mm wheelbase. The PHEV variants, priced from RMB 329,900 ($46,310) to RMB 429,900, include two Kunpeng editions featuring Voyah’s Xiaoyao Cockpit 2.0 and Kunpeng smart driving 2.0 systems, and three Qiankun editions with Huawei’s HarmonySpace 5 and Qiankun ADS 4 smart driving…

Lucid Motors is internally holding to its original target of producing 20,000 vehicles in 2025, even after it officially revised its production guidance last month to a range of 18,000 to 20,000 units. Interim Chief Executive Marc Winterhoff told investors at the Morgan Stanley Conference on Friday that the California-based electric vehicle maker’s workforce is committed to reaching the higher figure. See also: Lucid Reassesses Right-Hand Drive Version of Gravity SUV for Global Markets “We recently put out a range when it comes to this year’s production numbers, 18 to 20,000, and all of our internal plan actually still shoots…

Tesla shares rose as much as 6% in early trading on Monday after CEO Elon Musk disclosed he had purchased about $1 billion worth of the electric carmaker’s stock, his first open-market buy in more than four years. Musk acquired 2.57 million shares on Friday, paying between $372.37 and $396.54 per share, according to a regulatory filing. The move marks the billionaire’s first stock purchase since early 2020 and comes as Tesla seeks to advance its shift toward artificial intelligence and robotics while grappling with slowing vehicle sales and thinner margins. The purchase also reinforces Musk’s push for greater control…

Geely Auto has partnered with UK-based EV charge point company Andersen to provide a complimentary home charging solution for early buyers of its all-electric EX5 SUV in the United Kingdom. Customers who pre-order the vehicle during the pre-sale window will receive a co-branded Andersen A3 home EV charger, along with nationwide installation. The offer applies to pre-orders placed from September 1 to October 23, 2025, and features the award-winning 7kW Andersen A3 charger in a Cheltenham Graphite finish with Geely branding. The promotion aims to ensure that first EX5 owners have a seamless and high-quality charging experience from the start.…

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…