Author: Shaun Williams

African electric mobility company Spiro has completed its latest funding round at $270 million following a $55 million investment from growth-stage investment firm NewTrails Capital. The company said the financing will support the expansion of its battery-swapping network, manufacturing operations and electric vehicle infrastructure across several African markets. New Investment Finalizes Funding Round The latest investment was provided by NewTrails Capital, a growth-focused fund with operations in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Nigeria that invests in emerging markets. The funding closes Spiro’s most recent capital raise, which also received backing from several institutional and impact investors, including the Fund for Export Development…

Lucid Group is cutting approximately 18% of its U.S. workforce and eliminating a production shift at its Arizona manufacturing facility as the electric vehicle maker seeks to reduce costs and better align production with demand, CNBC reported. The latest round of layoffs comes just four months after the company reduced its workforce by 12%, underscoring ongoing challenges facing the luxury EV manufacturer despite positive reviews for its vehicles. Restructuring Under New Leadership The workforce reduction was announced alongside the departure of former interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Marc Winterhoff. Lucid also confirmed it is eliminating the Chief…

Bosch eBike Systems has unveiled its first hub motor for electric bicycles, marking a significant expansion beyond the mid-drive motors that have long defined the company’s product lineup. The new drive unit, called Hub Line, is designed specifically for urban e-bikes and is accompanied by the launch of the PowerTube 360, the most compact battery in Bosch’s portfolio to date. The company also introduced new connectivity, display, and security features aimed at city riders. Bosch Expands Beyond Mid-Drive Motors Bosch eBike Systems has traditionally focused on mid-drive motor technology, which dominates much of the premium e-bike market. With the launch…

Audi has started series production of its new MEBeco electric drive system, also known as the APP290, at its manufacturing facility in Győr, Hungary, marking a significant step in Volkswagen Group’s plans to expand electric vehicle production in Europe. The new powertrain will first be installed in the all-electric Cupra Raval before being deployed across several upcoming compact electric models developed under Volkswagen Group’s small EV program. €350 Million Investment Supports Production Launch Audi Hungaria has been preparing the Győr facility for production of the new electric drive system since 2022. The project involved investments totaling approximately €350 million, with…

Stellantis plans to offer its upcoming family of small vehicles exclusively with battery-electric powertrains, marking a notable departure from the group’s long-standing strategy of providing multiple propulsion options across most of its model lineup. The move applies to the company’s new E-Car project, a range of compact vehicles being developed for the European market and inspired by the revival of Citroën’s iconic 2CV. Shift Away From Multi-Energy Strategy Stellantis has traditionally pursued a multi-energy approach, offering customers a choice of battery-electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine powertrains depending on the model and market. Earlier this year, when announcing significant write-downs…

Mahle chargeBIG has introduced a new AC charging solution capable of supplying up to four electric vehicles simultaneously, expanding its charging infrastructure portfolio ahead of Power2Drive Europe 2026 in Munich. Developed in partnership with infrastructure specialist Langmatz Energy, the new charging terminal is designed for public parking facilities, municipalities, fleet operators and commercial sites seeking compact and scalable charging infrastructure. Four charging points in a compact design The new charging system, marketed as the smallBOX Public, can deliver up to 22 kW of AC charging power to each of four connected vehicles simultaneously. According to Mahle chargeBIG, the charger has…

Poland has officially confirmed plans to establish a major electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Jaworzno through a partnership between ElectroMobility Poland (EMP) and Taiwanese technology giant Foxconn. The announcement was made by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who said the project will become a key component of the country’s future industrial and technology strategy. Factory planned for 2029 launch According to Tusk, the new facility will be developed in southern Poland and integrated into the broader industrial ecosystem of Jaworzno and the surrounding region. “Together with the Taiwanese, we will establish a major centre via ElectroMobility Poland in Jaworzno, which…

Porsche has unveiled updates for the 2027 Taycan, introducing a new optional virtual gearbox system called E-Shift alongside a series of efficiency and infotainment improvements. The refreshed electric sports car is now available to order, with one of the headline additions being a simulated gear-shifting experience designed to recreate the sensations of a traditional combustion-engine sports car. Virtual Gearbox Arrives in the Taycan The new E-Shift mode allows drivers to simulate gear changes using steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. The system features eight virtual gears, complete with artificial shift interruptions, a revised electric sports sound, and a digital rev counter intended to…

Global electric vehicle sales are expected to reach another record level in 2026, with BloombergNEF forecasting that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) will account for more than one-quarter of all new passenger car sales worldwide. According to BloombergNEF’s newly released Electric Vehicle Outlook 2026, global EV sales are projected to rise to approximately 23 million units this year, representing an 11% increase compared with 2025. The research firm expects electric vehicles to account for 27% of global new passenger vehicle registrations in 2026, up from just 9% five years ago. Falling Battery Costs Continue to Drive Adoption…

Continental has developed a new ultra-low rolling resistance tire for Renault that could extend the driving range of electric vehicles by up to 30 kilometers on a single charge. The project is part of a strategic collaboration between the German tire manufacturer and Renault Group aimed at improving vehicle efficiency and reducing energy consumption in future electric models. According to Continental, the specially developed tire delivers rolling resistance up to 35% lower than the threshold required to achieve the European Union’s highest tire efficiency rating, Grade A. Based on EcoContact 7 Technology The new tire builds on Continental’s EcoContact 7,…

The Mobility House has agreed to sell its commercial charging infrastructure and energy management business, The Mobility House Solutions, to mobility services provider Edenred as part of a strategic shift toward vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, energy trading and flexibility market services. The companies expect the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2026, although financial terms were not disclosed. The move marks a significant milestone in The Mobility House’s ongoing restructuring efforts, which began in 2024 with the creation of four specialized business units aimed at improving responsiveness to evolving market conditions. Strategic Refocus on Energy Markets The Munich-based company…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Bontu has officially entered the European market, unveiling a lineup of compact battery-electric vehicles at a launch event in Milan, Italy. Founded in 2020 in Xintai, Shandong Province, Bontu specializes in small electric vehicles, particularly urban commercial transport solutions. The company is now seeking to expand beyond China by introducing a range of microcars and mini commercial vehicles designed to comply with European L6e and L7e vehicle classifications. The debut lineup includes the BTE03 mini transporter, the BTE05 compact passenger vehicle, and the BT09 microcar. BTE03 Targets Urban Delivery Services The Bontu BTE03 is a compact…

Portuguese energy company Galp has completed a nationwide fast-charging corridor connecting Porto in northern Portugal with the Algarve in the south, marking a significant milestone in the country’s electric vehicle infrastructure expansion. The project was finalized with the opening of a new fast-charging hub in Pombal, located near the A1 motorway. The completed corridor now spans approximately 550 kilometres along the A1 and A2 motorways and features eight charging hubs equipped with a total of 96 high-speed charging points. Galp said the network is designed to support medium- and long-distance electric vehicle travel while helping address the growing demand for…

Chilean state-owned mining company Codelco has signed a one-year cooperation agreement with French energy research institute CEA-Liten to advance the electrification of underground mining equipment as part of broader efforts to reduce emissions and improve operational safety. The agreement was formally signed at Codelco’s headquarters in Santiago and brings together industrial, academic and government partners to explore the deployment of battery-electric technologies in underground mining environments. The initiative will focus on evaluating electrification solutions through advanced simulations, laboratory testing of lithium batteries and techno-economic assessments aimed at supporting the mining sector’s energy transition. Jointly Funded by Chilean and French Partners…

General Motors is reassessing its battery technology roadmap for future electric vehicles, with the company now signalling a stronger focus on lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries instead of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. The shift marks another evolution in GM’s battery strategy as the automaker seeks to balance affordability, performance, and supply chain security across its expanding electric vehicle portfolio. GM Shifts Focus Toward LMR Batteries General Motors initially built its EV battery strategy around nickel-rich NMCA (nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminium) cells before announcing plans to introduce lower-cost LFP battery production at its Spring Hill facility in Tennessee. However, according to comments from GM…

Stellantis has integrated solid-state battery cells into a Dodge Charger Daytona development vehicle and has begun a real-world testing programme aimed at evaluating the technology’s performance, safety and reliability under everyday operating conditions. According to Stellantis and battery developer Factorial Energy, the project represents the first integration of solid-state battery cells into a Stellantis vehicle, marking a significant milestone in the automaker’s next-generation battery development efforts. Moving From Laboratory Testing to Road Trials The development vehicle is equipped with Factorial Energy’s FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) solid-state battery cells, which combine a lithium-metal anode with a proprietary polymer separator. The…

BYD has revealed the technical specifications of its highly anticipated Denza Z electric sports car, confirming that the high-performance model will deliver up to 1,180 kW of peak power and achieve a top speed of up to 350 km/h in its most powerful configuration. The all-electric supercar, which made its global debut at Auto China in April, is scheduled to launch in China in July under BYD’s premium Denza brand. Available as both a convertible with a retractable soft top and a roadster featuring a removable hardtop, the Denza Z represents one of the most powerful production vehicles ever developed…

BYD is reassessing its European manufacturing strategy, with the company placing greater emphasis on its Hungarian operations while temporarily pausing plans for a new electric vehicle production facility in Turkey. The update was provided by BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li, who said the company’s immediate focus is on ramping up production at its new passenger vehicle plant in Hungary before pursuing a second manufacturing base in Europe. The comments suggest a shift in BYD’s expansion plans, as the Chinese automaker had previously identified Turkey as the location for its second major European passenger vehicle production facility. Hungary Becomes BYD’s…

LiveWire, the electric motorcycle subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, has started production of its new S4 Honcho electric motorcycle platform, marking the company’s entry into the lightweight and more affordable electric two-wheeler segment. The new platform consists of two models, the S4 Honcho Street and S4 Honcho Trail, which were first unveiled in Europe at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan in November. The launch broadens LiveWire’s product lineup beyond its larger premium electric motorcycles and targets a wider range of riders. “S4 Honcho is about opening up electric riding to a much broader audience,” said Karim Donnez, Chief Executive Officer of…

Mobility services provider Keolis has secured two contracts to operate fully electric bus networks in southern Denmark, awarded by regional transport authority Sydtrafik, in a move that will see 30 battery-electric buses enter service over the coming years. The two agreements are expected to generate combined revenue of approximately €146 million and further expand Keolis’ presence in Denmark’s growing zero-emission public transport sector. First Contract to Launch in 2026 The first agreement, known as Sydtrafik-21, is scheduled to begin operations in June 2026. The contract carries an initial term of 10 years, with an option for a two-year extension. Under…