Author: Shaun Williams

Renault has opened UK order books for the Renault 4 E-Tech electric ‘Plein Sud’, a new version of its compact electric vehicle featuring an electrically operated canvas roof inspired by the original Renault 4. The automaker said prices for the new variant begin at £27,445 on-the-road after application of the UK government’s £3,750 Electric Car Grant. First customer deliveries are scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. Renault said the retractable ‘Plein Sud’ roof draws inspiration from the fabric roof design used on the classic Renault 4 while adapting the concept for modern electric mobility. The company described the model…

The EU-funded MAXIMA project has announced the completion of its first development milestones as it works to create a cost-effective axial flux motor for electric vehicles with reduced reliance on permanent magnets. The project, formally known as Modular AXIal flux Motor for Automotive, was launched in 2023 with funding of 5.5 million euros from the European Union. MAXIMA aims to develop compact, high-performance electric motors while improving recyclability and reducing dependence on critical raw materials used in conventional motor designs. See also: Mercedes-Owned Yasa Develops Prototype In-Wheel Drive for High-Performance EVs Axial flux motors differ from traditional radial flux motors…

A research team at Fraunhofer IZM has developed a compact high-efficiency inverter for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries that delivers 500 kilowatts of output while occupying a volume of just one litre. According to the researchers, the inverter achieves an efficiency of 99% and was designed to reduce both size and production costs compared with existing high-performance systems used in electric drivetrains. The project was led by Wiljan Vermeer and the Power Electronic Systems group at Fraunhofer IZM, which focuses on power electronics and microintegration technologies. See also: Fraunhofer-Led Difference Project Targets Improved Recycling of Cell-To-Pack Batteries Inverters are critical components in…

Lexus has revealed the new Lexus TZ, a fully electric three-row SUV based on the upcoming Toyota Highlander BEV platform that is expected to reach European markets next year. The Lexus TZ becomes the latest addition to a growing family of large electric SUVs developed by Toyota and its affiliates. The model follows the recently introduced Toyota Highlander BEV and the Subaru Getaway from Subaru, both of which share much of the same underlying technology. While the Highlander BEV is initially intended for North America, Lexus plans to offer the TZ in Europe beginning in 2027. See also: Lexus Introduces…

Ford Motor has reportedly reached an agreement with Geely involving the use of the “Body 3” assembly hall at Ford’s Almussafes plant in Valencia, according to Spanish automotive publication La Tribuna de Automoción. Neither Ford nor Geely has officially confirmed the reported agreement. Citing industry sources, the report said Geely is considering producing an electrified vehicle for the European market at the Spanish facility using its Global Intelligent Electric Architecture (GEA) platform. The platform supports multiple powertrain types, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric systems. See also: Geely Auto April Sales Rise 0.45% to 235,164 Vehicles as Overseas Exports Surge…

Germany’s automotive industry may be further advanced in its transition toward electric mobility than public debate often suggests, according to a new strategy paper published by Fraunhofer ISI, although the study also revealed divisions within the sector over emissions policy and the speed of change. The survey, completed at the end of 2025, gathered responses from automotive executives shortly after the European Commission introduced its draft Automotive Package, which is expected to include some easing of CO2 regulations. Fraunhofer ISI said the subsequent political debate surrounding the proposals was not reflected in the survey results. See also: Fraunhofer-Led Difference Project…

Greenlane Infrastructure is expanding its public charging network for battery-electric commercial vehicles beyond California with new charging sites planned in Dallas and Houston. The two facilities will be located along the Interstate 45 corridor, one of the busiest freight routes in the United States. According to Greenlane, each Texas site will include between six and eight pull-through charging lanes designed for heavy-duty electric trucks, along with tractor parking and charging facilities. The charging infrastructure will support both CCS connectors for current-generation battery-electric trucks and Megawatt Charging System (MCS) connectors intended for next-generation heavy-duty vehicles. Greenlane said the dual charging capability…

Lucid Motors has withdrawn its annual production guidance for 2026 after supplier issues disrupted deliveries and revenue during the first quarter, prompting the company to reassess its outlook under newly appointed chief executive Silvio Napoli. The California-based electric vehicle maker said problems involving seats for its second model, the Lucid Gravity, significantly affected deliveries during the quarter. Lucid produced 5,500 vehicles during the first three months of 2026, representing a 149% increase compared with the same period a year earlier. However, deliveries totaled 3,093 vehicles, slightly below the 3,109 units delivered in the first quarter of 2025. The company said…

Hungarian bus manufacturer Ikarus has secured a contract to supply 150 battery-electric buses to North Macedonia, marking the largest single electric bus order in the company’s history. The contract was awarded through a tender issued by North Macedonia’s Ministry of Transport earlier this year for battery-electric solo buses and associated charging infrastructure. The tender required buses with a minimum driving range of 325 kilometres and battery capacity of at least 360 kilowatt-hours. It also included the supply of 75 charging stations, each with minimum charging output of 120 kilowatts. The package additionally requires a four-year warranty covering the buses and…

Hamburger Hochbahn plans to procure up to 240 additional battery-electric buses by 2031 as the German transit operator continues expanding its zero-emission fleet, although its earlier goal of operating a fully emission-free bus fleet by 2032 has been pushed further into the future. The company also intends to add up to 150 additional buses powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), reflecting a broader strategy focused on both fleet electrification and operational resilience. See also: EUROGATE and Embotech Launch Autonomous Terminal Tractor Pilot in Hamburg Hamburger Hochbahn has long been regarded as one of Germany’s leading public transport operators in electric…

Xpeng reported a fourth consecutive month of year-on-year delivery declines in April, although the pace of contraction slowed as the company expanded its smart driving technology and premium vehicle offerings. The company delivered 31,011 vehicles in April, down 11.51% from a year earlier but up 13.12% from March, according to figures released Friday. For the first four months of 2026, Xpeng delivered 93,693 vehicles, representing a 27.40% decline from the same period last year. The automaker said advanced driver-assistance technology is becoming an increasingly important factor in vehicle sales. Xpeng launched its second-generation Vision-Language-Action autonomous driving platform, known as VLA…

Rivian is considering developing and manufacturing its own LiDAR sensors and may work with a Chinese technology partner as part of the effort, according to comments by chief executive RJ Scaringe reported by Reuters. Scaringe said in an interview that future versions of Rivian’s upcoming Rivian R2 vehicles, expected later this year, will incorporate LiDAR sensors to support advanced driver-assistance and autonomous driving functions. LiDAR systems help vehicles generate three-dimensional environmental maps by using laser-based sensing technology. See also: EPA Filings Detail 2027 Rivian R2 Battery and Range Specifications The California-based electric vehicle company has been expanding its in-house technology…