Author: Shaun Williams

BYD reclaimed the global battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales lead in the second quarter of 2026, outperforming Tesla despite the U.S. electric vehicle maker posting its strongest quarterly delivery performance of the year. Tesla reported global deliveries of 480,126 battery electric vehicles during the second quarter, while BYD sold 557,090 passenger BEVs over the same period. BYD Reclaims Quarterly Lead BYD’s second-quarter BEV sales exceeded Tesla’s deliveries by 76,964 vehicles, giving the Chinese automaker a lead of approximately 16%. The result marks a reversal from the first quarter, when Tesla delivered around 48,000 more battery electric vehicles than BYD. Although…

Sensata Technologies has introduced the STPS500P Series Active + Passive PyroFuse, a high-voltage protection device designed to improve safety and simplify electrical system architecture in electric vehicles. The new PyroFuse combines system-triggered and current-driven circuit interruption within a single unit, enabling rapid fault isolation while reducing the need for multiple protection components. Dual Protection Improves Fault Response Conventional high-voltage protection systems typically rely on either active devices that require signals from vehicle electronics or passive solutions that respond to thermal or current conditions. Sensata’s Active + Passive PyroFuse integrates both approaches into one device. Its passive mechanism is activated directly…

Canadian electric motorcycle manufacturer Beachman has unveiled the Aviator, a new electric café racer that will launch across North America this summer in three configurations, with prices starting at $5,499. The lineup includes a Class 2 electric bike, a light motorcycle, and a premium 125cc-equivalent model scheduled to arrive later this fall. Beachman said it is currently fulfilling more than 150 customer preorders before moving into full-scale production. Three Versions for Different Riders The entry-level Aviator E-Bike is classified as a Class 2 electric bicycle, offering a top speed of 20 mph for on-road use and up to 35 mph…

Ferrari’s first all-electric model, the Luce, remains available to order in China despite online claims that the initial allocation had sold out, according to Chinese media outlet Lanjinger. Authorized Ferrari dealers said customers can still place orders by paying a deposit to secure production slots. Orders Still Open The Luce made its Asian debut in Shanghai on June 26 and is priced from 3.988 million yuan (approximately US$587,700) in China. Shortly after the launch, several social media accounts claimed that the first batch of 88 vehicles allocated to the Chinese market had sold out. However, the reports cited no official…

Austrian bus operator Ledermair has opened what it says is the largest electric bus depot in the state of Tyrol, adding high-capacity charging infrastructure to support the expansion of its battery-electric fleet. Located in Thaur near Innsbruck, the depot features 28 charging points with a combined charging capacity of 2.4 megawatts (MW). The installation was developed in partnership with charging technology provider Kempower and energy company vlotte vkw. Charging System Designed for Fleet Growth The charging network is powered by four Kempower Power Units and managed through the company’s ChargEye software, which schedules charging sessions based on vehicle operations. According…

Waymo has established a new German subsidiary as part of its preparations for future robotaxi operations in Europe, marking the latest step in the company’s international expansion strategy. Waymo Germany GmbH was incorporated on May 13 and officially registered on June 15 in Munich, according to commercial registry filings. The company lists Google’s Munich office as its business address and has already advertised job openings for test drivers and vehicle trainers in both Munich and Berlin. No timetable has been announced for launching commercial services in Germany, and the company has not identified its initial operating cities. Early Stage of…

Waymo has ended its robotaxi partnership with Uber in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing to a close nearly three years of joint operations in the city where the companies first tested their commercial collaboration. The companies confirmed that Waymo vehicles are no longer available through the Uber app in Phoenix after reports on social media noted their disappearance. Passenger ride services through Uber concluded in May 2026, while the partnership’s food delivery operations ended in May 2025. Uber confirmed the wind-down in a statement to TechCrunch. Phoenix had been the only market where Waymo simultaneously offered autonomous rides through both its own…

A faster transition to zero-emission vehicles in the United States could prevent more than 100,000 premature deaths and substantially reduce respiratory illnesses over the coming decades, according to a new report released by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The analysis found that pollution generated from producing and consuming fuel for road transportation contributed to more than 41,800 premature deaths and 23,100 new pediatric asthma cases across the United States in 2024. According to the report, the United States records more new childhood asthma cases linked to vehicle pollution each year than any other country, with American children accounting…

São Paulo has added 500 battery-electric buses to its public transport fleet, increasing the city’s total number of zero-emission buses to 1,759 vehicles, including trolleybuses, as it continues to accelerate the decarbonisation of urban transport. The city also confirmed that it will no longer procure buses powered exclusively by diesel, reinforcing its commitment to transitioning to cleaner public transportation. BYD Delivers Majority of New Fleet Chinese manufacturer BYD supplied 265 of the newly deployed electric buses, representing more than half of the latest delivery and marking what the company described as the largest single handover of heavy-duty electric buses in…

iCAUR has introduced the V27, a range-extended electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) developed for the European market, combining full-time electric propulsion with a dedicated gasoline-powered range extender to deliver extended driving range and improved versatility. The company said the V27 is built around its Ultra EV powertrain, designed to support both daily urban commuting and outdoor adventures. Ultra EV Powertrain The V27 uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine exclusively as a generator, while the vehicle’s wheels are driven entirely by electric motors. According to iCAUR, the range extender achieves a thermal efficiency of 44.5% and generates approximately 14 kWh of electricity…

Xpeng is undertaking a major restructuring of its robotics business as the Chinese electric vehicle maker seeks to accelerate the commercialization and mass production of humanoid robots. According to a report by 21jingji, the company’s robotics center has established nine new second-tier departments, while Xpeng chairman and chief executive officer He Xiaopeng has assumed direct responsibility for the product department after taking personal charge of the robotics division. Expanded Robotics Organization The newly created departments include embodied systems engineering, general foundation models, embodied intelligence, control and safety development, data closed-loop operations, product matrix, project management, and brand marketing. Earlier this…

CATL plans to establish approximately 36 battery swap stations across Hong Kong by the end of 2030 as the Chinese battery manufacturer expands its Choco battery swapping network beyond mainland China. The company said two Choco battery swap stations are already operational in Hong Kong, with the first batch of battery swap-enabled taxis entering service, marking the start of commercial operations for the technology in the city. Commercial Vehicle Network The Choco swap stations will primarily support high-frequency commercial vehicles, including taxis, logistics vehicles and light commercial fleets. CATL said it intends to gradually build a battery swap network covering…

Bosch has announced that Chief Executive Officer Stefan Hartung will step down on June 30, despite receiving a contract extension through 2031 last year. The company said the leadership change comes at Hartung’s own request and was agreed in consultation with the company’s shareholders. Christian Fischer, currently Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management, will succeed him as CEO. Leadership Transition Hartung joined Bosch in 2003 after beginning his career at McKinsey and has served as chief executive for the past four and a half years. In a company statement, Hartung said he plans to pursue activities outside the Bosch…

Smart has indicated that its upcoming #2 electric city car could launch in Europe with a starting price below €22,500, as the company prepares to reintroduce its two-seat urban vehicle concept. The Smart #2 is expected to arrive next year as the battery-electric successor to the Fortwo, with production initially planned in China. Affordable Electric City Car Speaking about the upcoming model, Smart Europe CEO Wolfgang Ufer said the entry-level version is expected to be priced below the midpoint of the €20,000 to €25,000 range. While the final price has yet to be confirmed, Smart plans to announce full pricing…

Mazda has begun exporting the right-hand-drive version of its all-electric 6e sedan, with the first overseas shipment arriving in Thailand as the automaker expands the model into international markets. The initial shipment of 500 vehicles recently reached Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi Province, where deliveries to Thai customers are expected to begin after import procedures are completed, potentially in early July. First Right-Hand-Drive Market The Mazda 6e is produced by Changan Mazda at its manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China. The model debuted in the Chinese market in 2024 as the Mazda EZ-6, where it is available in both battery-electric and…

General Motors is reportedly developing a next-generation electric vehicle platform, internally known as BEV-N, that is expected to replace its current BEV3 architecture later this decade. According to GM Authority, citing sources familiar with the matter, the new platform could enter production in late 2028 or early 2029, forming the foundation for the automaker’s future battery-electric vehicle lineup. Successor to BEV3 Platform The BEV3 architecture has served as General Motors’ primary electric vehicle platform since 2022, underpinning a broad range of models across several brands. The Cadillac Lyriq was the first production vehicle built on the platform, followed by models…

Legacy automakers in the United States, Japan and Europe are at risk of falling further behind competitors that are accelerating their electric vehicle strategies, according to the latest Global Automaker Rating published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The report found that global electric vehicle (EV) sales continued to grow in 2025, accounting for one in four new vehicles sold worldwide, compared with one in five in 2024. While most manufacturers increased the share of EVs in their sales mix, the ranking points to an increasing divide between companies expanding their electric portfolios and those slowing their transition.…

The government of New South Wales (NSW) has committed A$6.5 billion over the next decade to expand its electric bus fleet, with funding allocated for 1,700 battery-electric buses and the construction of 17 charging depots. The investment forms part of the state’s latest budget and is intended to accelerate the transition of public transport away from diesel-powered buses while supporting local manufacturing and charging infrastructure. Expanding the Electric Bus Fleet The funding builds on NSW’s Zero Emission Buses programme, which aims to replace more than 8,000 internal combustion engine (ICE) buses operating across the state’s public transport network. According to…

Nissan has reportedly halted development of a battery-electric version of its Qashqai SUV, casting uncertainty over one of the three electric vehicle programs previously planned for the company’s Sunderland manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom. According to a Reuters report citing six sources familiar with the matter, development of the all-electric Qashqai was suspended in early 2025 as Nissan reassessed its electrification strategy amid changing market conditions in Europe. Nissan declined to comment specifically on the reported cancellation but reiterated its commitment to expanding its electrified vehicle lineup, including both battery-electric and hybrid models. Best-Selling Model Affected The Qashqai is…

NEXEN TIRE has secured its first original equipment (OE) supply agreement with Chinese automaker BYD, marking a new partnership between the two companies as BYD continues expanding its presence in international markets. Under the agreement, NEXEN TIRE will supply tires for the BYD SEAL 6 and Dolphin Surf models destined for export markets in Australia and Europe. The deal represents NEXEN’s first OE supply program with BYD and expands the tire manufacturer’s involvement in the growing electric vehicle segment. Tires Selected for Export Models For the BYD SEAL 6, NEXEN will provide its N’FERA Sport ultra-high-performance summer tire. The tire…