Author: Shaun Williams

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team will deploy a battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 truck across all nine European races on the 2026 Formula One calendar, a move the team says makes it the first F1 team to use an electric truck throughout an entire European race season. The eActros 600 will transport one of the team’s race trailers between events, covering approximately 15,000 kilometres over the next three months as the championship travels between venues including Monaco and Madrid. The truck arrived in Monaco from the team’s headquarters in Brackley, England, on June 1 ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix,…

Murata Manufacturing has introduced a new soft-termination chip multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) designed for automotive applications, claiming it is the first product in the industry to achieve a capacitance of 2.2μF at 100Vdc in the compact 0805-inch package size. The new component, designated GCJ21BD72A225KE02, is aimed at automotive powertrain and safety systems as vehicle manufacturers increasingly adopt 48V electrical architectures and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), creating demand for higher-performance passive components within limited circuit board space. Automotive Electrification Driving Demand The shift toward 48V systems is prompting automakers to use components capable of handling higher voltages while maintaining compact dimensions.…

Subaru’s new E-Outback and Uncharted battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have both received the maximum five-star rating in the 2026 Euro NCAP safety assessment, achieving strong results across all major crash-test categories. According to Subaru UK and Ireland, both models exceeded the minimum requirements in adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection and safety assistance systems. Strong Occupant Protection Scores The Subaru E-Outback achieved an adult occupant protection score of 89%, while the Uncharted scored 88%. Both vehicles received an identical score of 85% for child occupant protection. The results place the two electric models among the latest vehicles…

GAC has partnered with Sinopec to launch a new retail model that allows customers to view, purchase and service vehicles directly at the energy company’s gas stations. The initiative marks a new approach to automotive retailing in China as automakers seek alternative sales channels in an increasingly competitive market. First Integrated Energy and Auto Service Station Opens According to GAC, China’s first integrated “energy and auto” service station has opened in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. The facility combines vehicle display, sales, maintenance and fueling services within a single location. The companies said the model is designed to improve access to automotive…

Knorr-Bremse has secured a new series production order for its electric power steering (EPS) system from a commercial vehicle manufacturer in the Asia-Pacific region, further expanding its presence in the market for electrified and automated vehicle technologies. The company said production for the new program is scheduled to begin in 2028, adding to existing EPS contracts already secured in Europe and Asia. Growing Demand for Electric Steering Systems The latest order reflects increasing demand for steering technologies designed to support electric and automated commercial vehicles. Unlike conventional hydraulic steering systems, Knorr-Bremse’s EPS technology operates on a power-on-demand basis, consuming energy…

A new study from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has found that plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in Europe emit substantially more carbon dioxide in real-world driving than indicated by official certification figures, with the gap widening in recent years. According to the research, real-world emissions from plug-in hybrids were, on average, 400% higher than official values in 2023, equivalent to approximately five times the certified level. The discrepancy increased from 265% in 2021, which the ICCT attributed largely to an overestimation of how frequently drivers operate these vehicles in electric mode. Gap Between Official and Real-World Emissions Widens…

Setra has entered its MultiClass S 515 LE hybrid intercity bus in the Bus Euro Test 2026 in Hungary, showcasing a model that combines a conventional diesel powertrain with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. The entry highlights ongoing demand among European bus operators for hybrid solutions as fleets gradually transition toward fully electric transport. The S 515 LE is one of four new body variants introduced as part of Setra’s expanded MultiClass range. Mild Hybrid System Supports Efficiency The vehicle is powered by a 260 kW OM 936 six-cylinder diesel engine paired with a ZF Ecolife 2 six-speed automatic transmission.…

MG Motor is preparing to expand its premium electric vehicle offering in Europe with the launch of the IM5 sedan and IM6 sport utility vehicle in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The two battery-electric models, marketed under MG’s IM sub-brand, are scheduled to arrive in the four markets in July, following their initial European launch in the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland last year. Pricing and detailed market-specific specifications have not yet been announced. Premium EV Brand Expands European Presence IM Motors was established in 2020 through a partnership between SAIC Motor, Alibaba and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech. The company began…

BMW is reportedly reviewing plans to introduce electric Mini production at its Oxford plant in the United Kingdom, as concerns over post-Brexit trade rules and increasing manufacturing costs raise questions about the project’s long-term viability. The automaker announced in 2023 that the Oxford facility would begin producing two battery-electric Mini models from 2026, including the electric Mini Cooper three-door hatchback and the Mini Aceman compact crossover. BMW had also outlined plans for the plant to transition fully to electric vehicle production by 2030. However, German business publication WirtschaftsWoche reported that the company is reconsidering those plans due to regulatory and…

Karsan announced a series of product, battery and charging technology developments for its electric bus lineup at the Next Mobility Exhibition (NME) in Milan, while confirming that it has delivered more than 400 electric buses in Italy and has over 100 additional vehicles scheduled for delivery in 2026. Speaking at the event in May, Halit Özgür Altınsoy, International Sales Director at Karsan, outlined the company’s progress in the Italian market and detailed upcoming developments for its electric and hydrogen-powered vehicle portfolio. According to Karsan, the company has delivered 424 electric buses in Italy through its local organization, Karsan Europe, and…

Lightship has introduced PowerSled, a mobile electric power platform designed to provide energy storage and on-site electricity supply for construction, infrastructure, emergency response and off-grid operations. The company said the system offers up to 240 kWh of usable battery capacity and can deliver 38 kW of continuous vehicle-to-load (V2L) power output, while also serving as a transport platform for equipment and cargo. Based on Existing Electric Trailer Technology PowerSled builds on technology originally developed for Lightship’s AE.1 Aero-Electric travel trailer. The platform incorporates the company’s TrekDrive propulsion-assist system, which can provide active assistance while being towed, reducing towing-related energy losses.…

Ford is planning to bring back the Escape nameplate as an all-electric compact crossover later this decade, according to a report from Ford Authority. The vehicle, internally designated U833, is expected to enter production at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky in 2029. The electric crossover would revive the Escape model after production of the gasoline-powered version ended at the facility in December 2025. Escape Nameplate Expected to Return The Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair were discontinued at Louisville Assembly last year, leaving Ford without a compact crossover offering in a segment that continues to attract significant consumer demand. Reports…

Elektrobit and ETAS have introduced a pre-integrated software foundation for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), combining Elektrobit’s EB corbos Linux for Safety Applications with the ADAS profile of the ETAS Vehicle Software Platform Suite. The companies unveiled the joint software stack during the Automotive Engineering Exposition held in Yokohama, Japan, from 27 to 29 May 2026. Linux-Based Foundation for ADAS Development The new offering integrates Elektrobit’s safety-enabled Linux distribution with ETAS’s middleware platform designed for ADAS applications. According to the companies, the solution is intended to provide vehicle manufacturers and suppliers with a Linux-based alternative to proprietary operating systems while…

Rivian has confirmed that deliveries of its highly anticipated R2 electric SUV will begin on June 9, marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to expand beyond its premium R1 lineup and reach a broader customer base. The R2 is widely viewed as a pivotal product for Rivian, offering a more affordable entry point into the brand’s electric vehicle portfolio while targeting significantly higher production volumes than the existing R1T pickup and R1S SUV. Rivian’s Most Important Launch Yet Founder and Chief Executive Officer RJ Scaringe has previously described the R2 as a critical vehicle for the company’s future…

BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) has marked the production of its seven millionth vehicle at its Shenyang Production Base, underscoring the importance of the Chinese market as the company prepares to begin local production of its next-generation Neue Klasse models later in 2026. The milestone vehicle was a BMW 3 Series Horse Edition, produced at the joint venture’s manufacturing hub in Shenyang. BMW said the achievement reflects more than two decades of expansion since local vehicle production first began in China. Milestone highlights BMW’s manufacturing footprint in China BMW Brilliance started producing vehicles in Shenyang in 2003 and has since developed…

Hyundai and Kia are partnering with Vattenfall to launch a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot project in the Netherlands, as automakers and energy companies continue exploring how electric vehicles can support electricity networks through bidirectional charging. The six-month field trial, scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026, will involve up to 80 households using either a Kia EV9 or Hyundai Ioniq 9 equipped with bidirectional charging technology. The project aims to evaluate how electric vehicle batteries can act as flexible energy storage assets, helping balance electricity supply and demand by returning power to the grid during peak consumption periods. Under…

Seat and Cupra have appointed Joost Kessels as Chief Development Officer, a newly created position that will oversee research and development activities for the Spanish brands as they assume a larger role in the Volkswagen Group’s electric vehicle strategy. Kessels will take up the role on Aug. 1, 2026, succeeding Dr. Werner Tietz, who previously served as Seat’s Board Member for Research and Development. Tietz, who has also led Volkswagen Group-wide research and development since 2025, will now focus exclusively on his responsibilities at the group level. The appointment comes as Seat and Cupra prepare to take on additional technical…

Latin America and the Caribbean are approaching a milestone of 10,000 electric buses in operation, underscoring the rapid expansion of zero-emission public transport across the region, according to a new analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The study, titled Electric Bus Market in Latin America, 2025, found that the region had 9,115 electric buses in operation at the beginning of the year, a 40% increase compared with 2024 and ten times the number recorded in 2017. More recent data from February showed the fleet had already grown to 9,909 electric buses, suggesting the 10,000-unit threshold may have…

Electric vehicle charging network operators are increasingly prioritizing profitability, reliability and operational efficiency over rapid infrastructure expansion, according to Driivz’s 2026 State of EV Charging Network Operators Report. The report, released by Driivz, a subsidiary of Vontier, is based on responses from 300 senior EV charging professionals across North America and Europe. It found that the industry is moving beyond a phase focused primarily on deploying charging stations and toward what the company describes as “intelligent profitability” — maximizing charger uptime, utilization rates and operational performance. According to the survey, 59% of respondents identified charger reliability and stability as the…

Swedish public transport operator Bergkvarabuss has ordered 47 Volvo 8900 Electric buses from Volvo Buses for use on regional transport routes in Skåne and urban services in Helsingborg. The new buses will support commuter and city transport operations across southern Sweden as Bergkvarabuss continues expanding its zero-emission fleet. Bergkvarabuss previously invested in battery-electric buses through orders from BYD and Daimler Buses. In 2021, the company ordered 79 electric buses from BYD, while in 2019 it introduced five Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses into operation in Kalmar. The operator currently manages a fleet of around 1,350 buses across several Swedish regions. Martin Spjern,…