Author: Shaun Williams

First Bus has expanded its electric bus fleet in Norfolk, England, to 100 vehicles following the introduction of 14 additional electric double-deckers in Norwich. Electric buses now account for more than 60% of the operator’s fleet in the county. The new vehicles will operate on routes 28, 37, 38 and 38A, connecting Thorpe Marriot, Drayton Road, Hellesdon and Mulbarton with Norwich city centre. They will be based at First Bus’s upgraded Vulcan Road depot, which has received new charging infrastructure. The manufacturer and specific models of the buses have not been disclosed. £13.8 Million Investment in Norfolk Bus Services The…

Subaru plans to phase out combustion-engine vehicles in Europe by 2028, ending the regional availability of models associated with its long-standing boxer-engine technology. The shift comes as the Japanese automaker responds to European emissions requirements and moves toward an electric-only lineup. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the Subaru Outback is scheduled to leave the European market in 2026, followed by the Impreza, Crosstrek and Forester in 2027. The changes apply to Europe and do not necessarily indicate a global withdrawal of combustion-engine models. Combustion Models to Leave European Lineup Subaru has built much of its brand identity around horizontally…

Spanish public transport operator Tuvisa has ordered five additional ie tram electric buses from Irizar e-mobility, marking the fourth time the Vitoria-Gasteiz operator has selected the Basque manufacturer. The new order will bring Tuvisa’s total ie tram fleet to 33 vehicles since the partnership began in 2019. The purchase comprises three 18-metre buses and two 12-metre models. Accessibility Features for Urban Transport The new buses will incorporate accessibility features designed to accommodate passengers with different mobility needs. These include designated spaces for wheelchair users and passengers with prams, access ramps, Braille elements and areas adapted for people with reduced mobility.…

VinFast reported an 85.5% year-on-year increase in second-quarter 2026 revenue to VND30.3 trillion (US$1.2 billion), supported by rising electric vehicle deliveries in Vietnam and growing contributions from India, Indonesia and the Philippines. The Vietnamese automaker delivered 70,085 electric vehicles during the quarter, up 96% from the same period in 2025 and 20% from the first quarter of 2026. Vehicle sales revenue increased 92.7% year on year to VND28.8 trillion (US$1.14 billion), according to the company’s unaudited results. Despite its overseas expansion, VinFast remains heavily dependent on its domestic market. Markets outside Vietnam accounted for approximately 11% of second-quarter vehicle deliveries.…

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe says autonomous driving technology could enable the company to develop vehicle designs that differ substantially from its current SUVs and pickup trucks. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, he described self-driving capabilities as an opportunity to rethink how privately owned vehicles are designed and used. Scaringe said the potential extends beyond Rivian’s upcoming R2 and R3 models, suggesting that future vehicles could be built around different passenger experiences once autonomous driving becomes more capable. “Where it gets really interesting is when you think beyond R2 and R3 and start to imagine the form factors that you want to…

Austrian charging technology developer Easelink has selected Chinese electronics manufacturer Luxshare as its first technology licensing partner in China. The companies will work together to industrialise and introduce Easelink’s Matrix Charging system in the Chinese automotive market. The agreement covers the development and market introduction of automated conductive charging technology. Easelink said the partners are already collaborating on initial projects with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in China to explore integration into future vehicle platforms. The partnership forms part of Easelink’s strategy to expand through regional licensing and manufacturing partners rather than relying solely on direct market entry. How Matrix Charging…

QCraft and HERE Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore integrating HERE’s mapping and location data with QCraft’s navigation-assisted driving technology. The agreement was signed on October 14 at HERE Directions 2026 in Munich, Germany. The companies plan to assess how their technologies could support the validation and deployment of intelligent driving systems in Europe and other international markets. The MOU establishes a framework for potential cooperation, but no specific vehicle programs or commercial deployment schedule have been announced. Exploring Mapping Integration The proposed collaboration will examine how HERE’s location data and mapping capabilities could be incorporated…

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says the global energy transition needs faster and more coordinated implementation, despite continued growth in renewable energy deployment, falling technology costs and increasing electrification across transport, buildings and industry. In its World Energy Transition Outlook 2026, IRENA identifies the expansion of renewable power, electrification, energy efficiency, electricity grids, storage and system flexibility as key requirements for aligning the global energy system with a 1.5°C climate pathway. https://twitter.com/IRENA/status/2112044444124111196 The report also highlights the need to maintain energy security and affordability while accounting for differences in countries’ economic conditions, energy resources and development priorities. Electricity and…

Commercial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services are operating in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Australia, according to an analysis published by engineering consultancy Versinetic. The report examines the development of bidirectional charging, which allows compatible electric vehicles to return electricity to the grid. In its report, Vehicle-to-Grid is Here, Finally: Where V2G Stands in 2026, EV analyst Julian Skidmore estimates that the UK’s 2.28 million battery-electric vehicles hold approximately 114 GWh of theoretical battery capacity. This compares with around 137 GWh of installed stationary battery storage, giving a combined theoretical capacity of approximately 251 GWh. Versinetic cautions that the figures represent…

Volvo has expanded its partnership with NVIDIA to develop safety technologies for future automated driving systems, building on a collaboration that began in 2017. The companies plan to combine Volvo’s vehicle engineering and safety expertise with NVIDIA’s artificial intelligence and accelerated computing technologies. The technology is intended to help future Volvo vehicles navigate complex driving environments, including highways, busy urban streets and parking areas. Volvo said the system will make its debut in a next-generation model as part of the automaker’s previously announced product expansion. Combining Vehicle Safety and AI Technology The expanded collaboration brings together Volvo’s safety systems and…

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) registered in Europe in 2024 emitted an average of around six times more CO₂ under real-world driving conditions than official figures indicated, according to a new analysis by environmental organisation Transport & Environment (T&E). The analysis uses data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) and highlights a widening gap between laboratory test results and emissions recorded during everyday driving. T&E reported that the difference was approximately fivefold for vehicles registered in 2023. The discrepancy also affects running costs. According to T&E, drivers of PHEVs sold in 2024 incurred an average of €680 in additional annual fuel…

Zero Motorcycles says its Zero DS has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by an electric motorcycle without recharging, covering 436.5 kilometres on a single battery charge. The ride exceeded the previous reported record of approximately 311 kilometres, achieved by a Verge TS Pro in 2025, by 125.8 kilometres. The company said the attempt involved three standard Zero electric motorcycles travelling through the French-Italian Alpine region towards the Mediterranean coast. Three Motorcycles Exceed Previous Record All three motorcycles surpassed the previous distance, according to Zero Motorcycles. Louis Renaud rode a Zero SR/S for 350 kilometres,…

Lancia has unveiled the new Gamma SUV at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, introducing a flagship model with a choice of mild-hybrid petrol and fully electric powertrains. The electric lineup includes three variants, topped by the all-wheel-drive Gamma HF Integrale. Despite the international launch, Lancia has not announced plans to sell the Gamma in Germany. The brand is focusing on markets including Italy, France, Spain and the Benelux countries. Design and Interior The new Gamma measures 4.67 metres long, 1.89 metres wide and 1.63 metres high. Its sloping rear, split roof spoiler and aerodynamic design contribute to a claimed drag…

The Kia EV2 has received a five-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), according to an assessment published on October 12, 2026. The electric small SUV was evaluated across four categories: safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection and post-crash safety. It scored 74% for safe driving, 66% for crash avoidance, 86% for crash protection and 89% for post-crash safety. The assessment covers the Kia EV2 Long Range Front-Wheel Drive variant, with the rating also listed as valid for the model range’s tested configurations. Crash Protection The Kia EV2 scored 86% in crash protection. Its frontal…

TomTom has expanded its E-Mobility Suite with Electric Vehicle Management, a self-service platform designed to help automakers integrate new electric vehicle variants into navigation, range calculation and charging planning within minutes rather than months. The Dutch navigation technology company said the platform allows manufacturers to register vehicle variants using basic specifications, including battery capacity, charging connectors, dimensions and weight. Each vehicle then receives a digital identity that can be used across TomTom’s services. The shared data foundation is intended to reduce the need to integrate the same vehicle separately across different applications. Automakers can use the information for in-car infotainment…

Lucid plans to open its first three retail and service locations in France in the first quarter of 2027, marking the start of a broader expansion of its sales and aftersales network in the country. The company aims to establish more than 16 partner locations across France by the end of 2027. The first three sites are in the final stages of planning, according to Lucid. Orders for its vehicles are expected to open in the first quarter of 2027, while customers can currently register reservations through the company’s French website. Retail and Service Network The initial three locations will…

China will reduce the export value-added tax (VAT) rebate rate for new energy vehicles (NEVs) from 13% to 9% starting April 1, 2027, under a policy announced by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on Monday. The four-percentage-point reduction will lower the tax refunds available to exporters, potentially putting pressure on Chinese automakers’ overseas profitability. The adjustment covers battery-electric and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles, electric buses and electric truck tractors. The applicable rebate rate will be determined by the export date recorded on the customs declaration. Existing export consumption tax rebate and exemption policies will remain unchanged…

Alpine has unveiled the A310 Vision, a one-off design study commemorating 55 years of the original A310 sports car. Presented at the Paris Motor Show 2026, the concept combines styling elements from the historic model with design ideas intended for the brand’s electric performance vehicles. Alpine introduced the original A310 in 1971 as a more comfort-oriented four-cylinder sports car alongside the rally-focused A110. The model later gained a V6 engine in 1976, while its wedge-shaped profile and distinctive front-end design became defining features of the nameplate. The A310 Vision revisits those characteristics without serving as a preview of a confirmed…

Stellantis and Wayve have demonstrated supervised hands-free driving on development versions of the Fiat 500e and Maserati Grecale, with both vehicles progressing from technology integration to road testing in less than four weeks. The vehicles use Wayve’s AI Driver software integrated with Stellantis’ STLA AutoDrive platform. The system is designed to support Level 2++ driving assistance, including supervised hands-free driving in urban and highway environments. A North American launch is planned for 2028. The two vehicles were presented at Wave by Vento in Turin, Italy. Their development follows an earlier integration of the technology into a Jeep Grand Cherokee in…

Unplugged Performance has introduced a $6,093 Range Booster Package for 2024 and newer Tesla Model 3 vehicles, combining four aerodynamic and chassis upgrades intended to improve driving efficiency. A 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive fitted with the package averaged 238.9 watt-hours per mile (Wh/mi) during a 2,871-mile journey from Southern California to New York City. The trip was completed using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, with all charging stops made at Tesla Superchargers, according to the company and the driving team. The same vehicle averaged 248.4 Wh/mi during an earlier cross-country trip before the upgrades were installed.…