Author: Shaun Williams
Shaun Williams
Shaun studied journalism, is a keen driver who enjoys a good blast down a mountain road, he loves talking about cars for hours on end and desires to see more sporty EVs. For editorial inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ÆMotion has unveiled a four-wheeled micro electric vehicle prototype designed to blend the agility of motorcycles with the protective features of compact cars. Presented during Vivatech 2025 in Paris, the vehicle introduces a tilting body system that enables side-to-side motion in corners—similar to motorcycles—while maintaining the structural stability of a four-wheeled frame. The two-passenger prototype represents over a decade of development since the company’s initial research began in 2014. The core concept addresses a well-known vulnerability in motorcycle safety: the inability to stay upright during uncontrolled slips caused by wet surfaces, sharp turns, or poor road conditions. ÆMotion’s EV seeks…
Tesla’s 2026 Model S and Model X refreshes now include a new front bumper camera, marking a notable step in the electric carmaker’s ongoing expansion of autonomous driving capabilities. The camera, positioned just above the grille, is designed to support Tesla’s Autopilot and the company’s “Actually Smart Summon” feature, confirming it serves more than just parking assistance functions. The update aligns the S and X with the Cybertruck and Model Y, both of which already include this forward-facing sensor. This leaves the refreshed Model 3 as the only facelifted Tesla vehicle currently lacking the new camera, raising questions about potential…
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said autonomous vehicles, robotics, and autonomous machines will define the current decade, highlighting Nvidia’s expanding role in powering this next wave of innovation. “This is going to be the decade of AV, robotics, autonomous machines,” Huang told CNBC during an interview at the VivaTech conference in Paris. Nvidia provides key hardware and software solutions to the autonomous vehicle industry, including platforms used by companies developing robotaxis and self-driving technologies. Huang’s statement reflects growing momentum in the space, particularly in the U.S. and China, as firms like Waymo, Baidu, and Pony.ai scale up deployments. The U.K. also…
Advisory firm Hilco Streambank is seeking buyers for the intellectual property and related intangible assets of Nikola Corporation, as part of the electric vehicle maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. The sale, which includes international patents, software platforms, and the NIKOLA® brand, is subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Founded in 2015, Nikola developed battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks and delivered close to 330 units before filing for bankruptcy. The assets now available for acquisition comprise proprietary technologies used in zero-emission Class 8 trucks, including a vehicle-to-cloud software platform for diagnostics and fleet management, as well as over…
Tesla has lowered prices on its remaining inventory of pre-refresh Model S and Model X vehicles in the United States, with discounts reaching as much as $12,000 on demo units. The move follows the introduction of updated versions of both models that bring a range of new features and a price increase. The updated Model S and Model X, unveiled this week, include design enhancements, new paint options, improved suspension, and additional safety features such as a front bumper camera. These updates are accompanied by a $5,000 increase in the base price for each model. To make room for the…
Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania is seeking partners, including government and industry players, to rescue the Northvolt Labs research and development facility in Västerås following the insolvency of battery maker Northvolt, the company said. Scania CEO Christian Levin said the company cannot fund the recovery effort alone and is calling for a consortium of industrial players, the Swedish government and the European Commission to take over the site, which employs around 1,100 people and has been described as Northvolt’s “crown jewel.” “We are trying to form a consortium that would partly finance this, but we can’t do it alone, it’s…
Tesla’s planned launch of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in Europe remains on hold due to ongoing regulatory hurdles, according to CEO Elon Musk, who criticized the European Union and national authorities for prolonging the approval process. The electric carmaker had announced in late 2023 its intention to introduce FSD to the European market in 2025. However, Musk said progress has been hampered by slow responses from both the Dutch government, where Tesla’s European headquarters are located, and broader EU institutions. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1932830806596280570 In a statement posted on social media, Musk said Tesla is still awaiting official clearances, describing the situation…
Segway appears close to launching its new entry-level electric scooters, the Ninebot E3 and E3 Pro, in Europe, following their global debut at CES 2025 earlier this year. The Ninebot E3 Pro has already surfaced on websites for European retailers, including France’s Fastride and the Netherlands’ Moevs, suggesting an official launch is imminent. The listed price for the Pro version is €449, with pre-orders now open and availability expected by mid-June. The standard E3 model has yet to be priced for the region but is expected to be more affordable than the Pro. Designed for daily commuting, both models are…
Austria’s Resch Unveils Weld- and Adhesive-Free Battery Module with One-Third Cost Savings Potential
Austrian supplier Resch has developed a new battery module that eliminates the need for adhesives and welded connections, offering a potentially lower-cost and more sustainable alternative to conventional battery assembly methods. The company estimates up to 30% cost savings if the module enters large-scale production. The technology, developed by the family-run firm in St. Stefan, Styria, replaces traditional bonding and welding techniques with a fully mechanical assembly system. “Instead, the cells are assembled mechanically – allowing for targeted replacement of individual defective cells without needing to discard the entire module. Think of it like Lego,” said managing director Gerald Resch,…
Firefly, a sub-brand of Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio (NYSE: NIO), has launched a public road test across seven European countries as it gears up to introduce its first small EV model in the region later this year, the company announced on Tuesday. The 15-day road test began on June 9 from Berlin, with two product managers driving through Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, and Austria. The route will span more than 5,500 kilometers, underscoring Firefly’s strategy to build brand awareness and gather localized feedback ahead of its European debut. “Firefly is accelerating its global expansion and will…
British autonomous vehicle startup Wayve and ride-hailing giant Uber plan to launch a fully driverless robotaxi service in London, building on the U.K. government’s newly accelerated timeline for self-driving commercial pilots, the companies said on Tuesday. The announcement comes as the U.K. moves to advance autonomy trials, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirming the government will now fast-track deployment of commercial AV pilots to spring 2026, bringing the schedule forward by more than a year to spur private investment. Details of the upcoming Wayve–Uber collaboration remain sparse, including the fleet size, vehicle manufacturers, and pilot start date. However, Wayve previously…
BYD has appointed former Stellantis executive Gianluca Zampese to lead its light commercial vehicle (LCV) business in Europe, the company said on Monday, as it accelerates efforts to expand in the region’s commercial transport sector. Zampese, 56, brings over two decades of experience in the European LCV industry and will also serve as BYD’s country manager for Italy. His appointment is part of the Chinese electric vehicle maker’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Europe by bringing on board experienced industry leaders. The company, which became the world’s top EV seller in 2024, has been revamping its European operations…
Fang Cheng Bao, the sub-brand of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, teased a new SUV model in a recent Weibo post as the brand celebrated delivering its 100,000th vehicle. The teaser poster suggested that the new model’s name will include the number 7, sparking speculation among fans and industry watchers that it could be the Tai 7 — the anticipated second model in the Tai series, following the Tai 3 family SUV launched in April. Fang Cheng Bao officially debuted on August 16, 2023, alongside BYD’s DMO technology platform. The brand introduced its first model, the Bao 5 off-road SUV,…
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio is expected to supply battery packs for British automaker McLaren’s future hybrid models, local media outlet Yiou reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, Nio will develop battery packs based on its in-house 4680 large cylindrical cells, with small-scale production planned to begin in 2025. A sample battery pack is expected to be delivered to McLaren next month. The collaboration comes as both Nio and McLaren share a common investor, CYVN Holdings, an Abu Dhabi government fund. CYVN became Nio’s largest shareholder in 2023 after investing $3.3 billion…
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, the world’s largest NEV manufacturer by sales, expects strong overseas demand to bolster profitability this year as the company ramps up exports and accelerates its global footprint, its chairman said on Friday. At the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting, BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu said overseas sales are likely to remain on an upward trajectory, supported by stable pricing strategies and growing international market presence. “Overseas sales last month were about 90,000 units, and this year’s data is expected to be very robust,” Wang told shareholders. See also: BYD to Triple South African Dealerships by…
Finnish retail group Kesko, operator of K-Market and other grocery stores across Finland and Europe, has unveiled an ambitious plan to electrify up to 30% of its commercial vehicle fleet by 2030. The company plans to introduce 70 electric vans and trucks by 2026, growing to 300 electric vehicles (EVs) in total within four years. This fleet transformation will support deliveries to approximately 1,100 K Group grocery stores. Finnish national data forecasts that electric vehicles will constitute 11% of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations and 17% of medium-duty trucks by 2030, positioning Kesko ahead of broader market trends both domestically…
Rivian’s $5 billion software partnership with Volkswagen Group will go far beyond shared technology development, with the German automaker planning to base all future electric vehicles across its brands on Rivian’s upcoming R2 platform, a senior Rivian executive said. The platform underpinning Rivian’s forthcoming R2 SUV will serve as the foundation for Volkswagen’s future EV models, Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid said in an interview with Yahoo Finance. While the partnership was initially viewed as a way for Volkswagen to modernize its software offerings and close the gap created by delays at its Cariad unit, the scope of the…
India is in talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets and is drafting fiscal incentives to promote domestic production, in a bid to reduce its reliance on Chinese imports, sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters. The move comes in response to China’s April 4 decision to tighten export controls on rare earth materials, a development that has rattled global industries, especially automotive and clean energy sectors. China currently accounts for about 90% of global rare earth magnet processing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is exploring production-linked incentives and price-gap subsidies to attract investment, two sources…
Tesla’s vice president overseeing the Optimus humanoid robot program, Milan Kovac, is departing the company after nearly a decade, he announced Friday in a post on social media platform X. Kovac, who has led the development of the Optimus robot since 2022, cited personal reasons for his decision. “I’ve been far away from home for too long, and will need to spend more time with family abroad,” he wrote. “This is the only reason—I have nothing but ironclad support for Elon [Musk] and Tesla.” https://twitter.com/_milankovac_/status/1931097888995807554 The news was first reported by Bloomberg. Tesla has not publicly commented on the leadership…
Chinese sodium-ion battery startup Jiangsu Zoolnasm Energy Technology has completed its Series A2 financing round, raising nearly RMB 300 million ($42 million) in total Series A funding, the company announced on Thursday. The latest round attracted investment from Tiande Investment and existing shareholder Saize Capital. Zoolnasm said the funds will be primarily used for technology research and development, capacity expansion, and market development. Founded in January 2021 and based in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, Zoolnasm aims to expand its presence in the emerging sodium-ion battery market. The company broke ground on its first mass production facility in Guangde, Anhui province, in…