Author: Shaun Williams

Nissan said it will launch a new, lower-priced LEAF B5 electric vehicle in Japan in early 2026 as part of its efforts to compete with more affordable models from BYD, Hyundai, and other automakers in the domestic market. The LEAF B5, set to debut in February 2026, will feature a smaller 55 kWh battery and be “priced more affordably for a wider range of customers,” Nissan said in a statement. The new model follows the company’s introduction of the LEAF B7, which goes on sale in Japan later this month, with deliveries scheduled to begin in January 2026. See also:…

Formula E’s co-founder and chief championship officer Alberto Longo has called on motorsport to focus on closing decades of missed opportunities for women rather than creating separate female-only championships, as the racing world grapples with persistent gender inequality. “I firmly believe that if women are competitive, they should race against men, not have their own championship,” Longo told Reuters on Wednesday, contrasting Formula E’s approach with Formula One’s F1 Academy — a support series dedicated to female drivers. Instead, Longo said the solution lies in nurturing talent from an early age through Formula E’s FIA Girls on Track programme. “Fifty…

General Motors has unveiled a new version of its affordable electric vehicle, the Chevy Bolt, featuring an upgraded lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery built on the company’s Ultium platform, faster charging capabilities and a refreshed interior, the U.S. automaker said on Tuesday. The new Bolt, revealed at an event for owners at Universal Studios Hollywood, marks the return of one of GM’s most popular EVs after production ended in 2023. The company had previously said the model would be reintroduced using its next-generation Ultium technology, which also underpins other GM EVs such as the Equinox and Blazer. See also: Chevrolet…

Honda’s dominant position in Vietnam’s motorbike market is coming under pressure as the government accelerates a transition to electric vehicles, a move that is expected to benefit domestic manufacturer VinFast, according to industry data and consumer surveys. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in July issued a directive banning fossil-fuel-powered motorbikes from central Hanoi within 12 months, with the restrictions set to expand citywide by 2028. The measure is part of efforts to curb severe air pollution in the capital, which frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities. See also: VinFast Plans 150,000 Battery-Swapping Stations For Electric Two-Wheelers In…

Qnovo, a California-based battery software company, announced on Monday a strategic partnership with Sonatus, a provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) and AI solutions, to enhance the speed and flexibility of deploying battery intelligence systems in electric vehicles. The collaboration was unveiled at The Battery Show North America and is designed to cut integration timelines for automotive manufacturers from months to days. Under the partnership, Qnovo’s Health & Safety Diagnostics (HSD) platform will be integrated with Sonatus AI Director, creating a combined solution capable of predicting battery faults with 98.7% accuracy. The companies said the integration allows deployment of advanced battery…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand under Geely Holding, unveiled the interior of its refreshed Zeekr 001 on Friday, showcasing a luxurious “Starry Sky Concert Hall” cabin concept that emphasizes digital innovation and premium comfort. The updated model will be officially launched on October 11, with deliveries commencing the same day. The 2025 Zeekr 001 introduces major upgrades to its powertrain and interior configurations, while retaining much of its exterior design. The centerpiece of the cabin is a 16-inch 3.5K rotating central screen, up from 15.05 inches, complemented by a 13.02-inch digital instrument cluster, 8-inch rear control display, and a…

Tesla has extended the driving range of several Model 3 variants in Europe following the adoption of new, higher-density battery cells supplied by South Korea’s LG Energy. The update follows a similar enhancement in China last month, where Tesla introduced LG’s new 5M battery cell in locally produced Model 3 vehicles. See also: Tesla Q3 Deliveries Hit Record 497,099 Units, Driven by U.S. Demand Ahead of Tax Credit Expiration The improved cells offer higher energy density, allowing the vehicles to achieve longer driving ranges without major design changes to the battery pack. According to Tesla’s website, the European-market Model 3…

Rivian said its upcoming R2 SUV, due in 2026, will feature a redesigned emergency door release system following concerns that its current approach could make passenger exits more difficult during emergencies. The decision comes after safety advocates criticized the 2024 redesign of Rivian’s R1 lineup, where the rear manual release was relocated behind an unlabeled panel, requiring passengers to remove a cover and pull a cord. Critics said the placement risked trapping occupants, particularly children or older passengers, if a crash or power failure occurred. See also: Rivian R2 Battery Pack Uses Fewer, Larger Cells Than R1 Models The company…

South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom has rolled out its first fleet of electric vehicles, deploying 20 light delivery vehicles and trucks across its Distribution and Generation divisions. The initiative forms part of Eskom’s plan to electrify its entire fleet by 2035. The company said it intends to purchase an additional 100 EVs in the “near future” but did not disclose which manufacturer supplied the initial batch. Eskom recently signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with BYD South Africa, supporting the launch of the BYD Dolphin Surf in the country. See also: South Africa Allocates 1 Billion Rand to Boost New…

Norway set two new milestones in September as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) made up 98.3% of all new passenger car sales, the highest monthly share ever recorded in the country, while BEVs also accounted for 95% of sales in the first nine months of the year. Figures from the Norwegian Road Administration (OFV) showed 14,084 new BEV registrations in September out of a total of 14,329 new passenger cars. Only 245 cars registered during the month had a combustion engine or hybrid drive. Diesel cars made up just 105 units, or 0.7% of sales, while petrol hybrids and plug-in hybrids combined…

South Korea’s Ministry of Environment is considering a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, a move that would align the country with the European Union’s planned phaseout of combustion-engine cars. The proposal is part of discussions to meet South Korea’s national greenhouse gas reduction target for 2035, under its commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement. The ministry outlined four emissions reduction scenarios at a recent public forum, targeting cuts of between 48% and 65% in the transportation sector compared to 2018 levels. See also: South Korea’s EV Market Reaches Record 18.4% Share in August…

Pioneer Power Solution said it has secured a $725,000 order from the City of Long Beach, California, for its e-Boost® mobile electric vehicle charging system. The city will deploy a 250kW e-Boost Mobile “Stretch” unit to support its Battle Motors electric sanitation trucks and other medium- and heavy-duty public works vehicles. Delivery is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025, the company said. The ‘Stretch’ model integrates ChargePoint chargers and modular power units, designed to provide the performance of a permanent installation with the flexibility of mobile deployment. Pioneer Power said the system enables municipalities to expand EV fleets without…