Author: Shaun Williams

Volvo Cars has appointed Alexander Petrofski as its new Chief Technology Officer, replacing Anders Bell as the Swedish automaker reshapes its leadership structure amid changes in the global automotive industry. Petrofski has worked at Volvo Cars since 2005 and most recently oversaw the company’s smaller vehicle portfolio, including the electric EX30 and EX40. Petrofski Takes Over Technology Leadership Petrofski joins Volvo Cars’ Executive Management Team as CTO after serving as Senior Vice President for Small Cars. In that position, he was responsible for product development, programmes, volumes, marketing, quality, investments, costs and profitability for the EX30, EX40, EC40 and XC40.…

Opel has delayed the launch of the next-generation Corsa from 2027 to 2028, with the new model set to become an exclusively battery-electric vehicle. CEO Florian Huettl confirmed the revised timeline and said the electric Corsa will start at around €25,000. Corsa Moves to Electric-Only Powertrain Huettl confirmed the 2028 launch in an interview with Welt am Sonntag, reiterating Opel’s plan to position the Corsa as an entry-level electric vehicle. https://evmagz.com/opel-confirms-next-generation-astra-production-in-germany-commits-over-e1-billion-to-local-operations/ “It will arrive in 2028, be fully electric, and cost around €25,000.” The next-generation Corsa will be based on Stellantis’ STLA Small platform, replacing the e-CMP architecture used by…

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved $95.2 million in new funding through the state’s Clean Transportation Program to expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. The largest allocation, $48 million, will support electric vehicle charging infrastructure, while additional funding will target medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, hydrogen refuelling and workforce development. EV Charging Receives Largest Allocation Of the total investment, $48 million will be directed toward infrastructure supporting electric passenger vehicles. https://evmagz.com/california-launches-3500-myfirstev-rebate-for-first-time-zero-emission-vehicle-buyers/ The funding is part of California’s broader effort to expand charging availability and support the transition from conventional vehicles to zero-emission transportation. The state has also allocated $30.2 million for infrastructure…

Canadian EV charging company Hypercharge has launched Home Club, a residential charging program that provides eligible drivers with a Hypercharge Home Level 2 charger in exchange for a refundable CA$299 deposit and participation in a charging rewards scheme. The program is aimed at EV drivers living in single-family homes across Canada and combines charging hardware, installation support and incentives linked to eligible home charging activity. Home Club Combines Charger and Rewards Members receive a Hypercharge Home Level 2 charger after paying the refundable CA$299 deposit. Hypercharge provides installation support through its network of partners. https://evmagz.com/xcharge-north-america-partners-with-hypercharge-to-expand-ev-charging-in-canada/ Participants earn CA$0.03 per kWh…

Wawa plans to deploy its own branded DC fast-charging stations at eight stores in Pennsylvania this year, expanding the convenience retailer’s direct involvement in electric vehicle charging. The company will use Electrify America’s white-label charging platform, which provides the charging equipment, software and network support while allowing Wawa to operate the stations under its own brand. Five Sites to Offer 400 kW Charging Five of the eight planned locations will feature chargers supporting both NACS and CCS connectors, with charging capacity of up to 400 kW. The remaining three sites will use CCS-only chargers capable of delivering up to 350…

Stelato, the electric vehicle brand jointly developed by Huawei and BAIC, has launched the G9 SUV in China, expanding the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance’s lineup into the off-road-oriented SUV segment. The model is available in battery-electric and extended-range electric versions, with prices starting at 429,800 yuan ($63,390). Stelato G9 Offered in BEV and EREV Versions The Stelato G9 is offered in 10 variants across BEV and EREV configurations. Its starting price is 429,800 yuan, below the previously announced pre-sale price of 439,800 yuan. The range-topping version is priced at 549,800 yuan. The SUV will make its public debut on August…

Bogotá has added 50 battery-electric articulated buses to its TransMilenio public transport system, introducing Colombia’s first electric articulated buses as the capital accelerates its transition to zero-emission public transportation. The city plans to add 900 new battery-electric buses between 2026 and 2029. First Electric Articulated Buses Enter Service The new buses can carry up to 160 passengers and are equipped with doors on both sides. This allows them to operate on TransMilenio’s dedicated bus corridors and at network stations while also serving conventional roads and stops. https://evmagz.com/colombia-launches-ruta-e-initiative-to-create-first-electric-truck-freight-corridor/ The deployment will take place gradually, with the rollout linked in part to…

Chery plans to enter the German passenger car market in the first half of 2027 with four hybrid SUVs, marking the Chinese automaker’s debut under its core brand in Germany. The company will initially offer the Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9, while its first battery-electric model for the German market, the Chery Q, is expected to follow shortly afterward. Chery Builds German Operations Ahead of Launch Chery is establishing its German headquarters at Gateway Gardens in Frankfurt, near Frankfurt Airport. The location will house the core Chery brand alongside the group’s Omoda and Jaecoo businesses. The…

Zenobē is extending its partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as the region moves toward publicly controlled bus services, continuing to provide and maintain infrastructure supporting 459 electric buses across West Midlands depots. The electric bus contracts and associated charging equipment will transfer to West Midlands Bus Company, which WMCA intends to acquire in the second half of 2026. Zenobē will remain responsible for supplying and maintaining the infrastructure during the transition, working with WMCA and future franchise operators. Electric Bus Infrastructure Remains Under Zenobē The transition is expected to take place in stages through the remainder of…

Einride plans to add 500 Tesla Semi electric trucks to its U.S. fleet under a new collaboration with Tesla, expanding its battery-electric truck fleet in the country to 750 vehicles. The trucks will operate through Einride’s Saga AI platform for customers including Amazon, with deployment planned across several major U.S. freight corridors. 500 Tesla Semi Trucks to Expand Einride Fleet Einride said the procurement of 500 Tesla Semi trucks will support freight operations for Amazon and other customers. The company described the planned deployment as the largest Tesla Semi deployment to date. https://evmagz.com/einride-and-daf-integrate-level-4-autonomy-with-electric-truck-platform/ The procurement is expected to begin in…

Troubled electric bus manufacturer Ebusco has secured a €6 million equity investment from existing shareholder Rhein Holding as the Dutch company works to address its tight liquidity position and secure additional financing. Ebusco is also negotiating a letter of credit facility of around €30 million with an Asian partner backed by a guarantee from Chinese battery maker and shareholder Gotion. Rhein Holding Raises Ebusco Stake Rhein Holding will provide the €6 million investment in two equal tranches of €3 million. The first payment is expected in the coming days, while the second is due before the end of August. https://evmagz.com/ebusco-cuts-h1-2026-losses-as-gross-margin-turns-positive-despite-weak-bus-deliveries/…

Voyah has launched the Passion S, a large battery-electric SUV in China combining an 800-volt electrical architecture, large-capacity LFP batteries and up to 475 kW of electric power. The model offers a claimed CLTC range of up to 740 kilometres and starts at 229,900 yuan. The Passion S is available in three configurations, with two rear-wheel-drive versions and one dual-motor all-wheel-drive model. Voyah Passion S Dimensions The Passion S is positioned as a large electric SUV with the following dimensions: Length: 5,050 mm Width: 1,998 mm Height: 1,656 mm Wheelbase: 3,000 mm Boot capacity: 584–1,744 litres Frunk capacity: 80 litres…

Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai has produced its 6 millionth battery pack, marking another production milestone at the electric vehicle maker’s largest manufacturing facility. Tesla announced the milestone on Weibo on Tuesday, about nine months after the Shanghai plant produced its 5 millionth battery pack in November 2025. The latest 1 million battery packs were therefore produced in roughly nine months. Shanghai Plant Produces Battery Packs at Scale Tesla said it continues to conduct in-house research and development and independent design work covering battery cell chemistry and pack structures. The company also said its battery packs undergo multiple testing processes focused on…

Lucid has expanded its European Gravity electric SUV lineup to four variants while reducing the starting price in Germany by €5,000 to €94,900. The revised range adds the Gravity Touring Plus and Gravity Grand Touring Ultimate, while standard equipment has also been expanded across the lineup. The new variants are available to order immediately, with the first European customer deliveries expected in autumn 2026. Lucid continues to offer two powertrain configurations across the range. Four Gravity Variants Now Available The entry-level Gravity Touring starts at €94,900 in Germany and produces 418 kW from an 89 kWh battery. Its combined WLTP…

SEG Automotive will present its aftermarket product portfolio at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, including remanufactured electric drive units, commercial vehicle components, 48V mild-hybrid systems and starter batteries. The company will exhibit at booth C20 in Hall 3.0 during the event, which is scheduled to take place in Frankfurt from September 8 to 12. Redrive Range to Add Hyundai and Kia Applications SEG Automotive will use the event to provide an update on its redrive range of remanufactured high-voltage drive components. https://evmagz.com/easelink-and-seg-automotive-partner-to-industrialise-matrix-charging-technology/ The company introduced a replacement solution for the Large Drive Unit used in the Tesla Model S under the redrive…

eTrucker has released a major update to its charging navigation app for electric trucks, adding break planning, charging card recommendations, pricing information and trailer-detachment times to its route planning functions. The app was developed by electromobility entrepreneur Tobias Wagner and his team after Wagner drove more than 200,000 kilometres across Europe in battery-electric heavy goods vehicles and identified difficulties in finding suitable charging locations for electric trucks. App Adds Break and Route Planning The updated eTrucker app allows drivers to incorporate breaks into their overall route plan, covering stops from 45 minutes to nine hours. Users can select a starting…

Volt Quads, a UK company producing quad bikes for farmers and landowners, has launched the Volt Quads VQ, an electric ATV that the company says was designed and manufactured in the UK. The VQ was designed by Fred Chugg, a farmer with decades of experience using quad bikes on his farm in southwest England. According to the company, that experience influenced the vehicle’s development, including its handling of uneven terrain and changing surface conditions. Volt Quads is initially targeting farmers and landowners, while also identifying potential applications in areas including forestry, conservation, estate management and public services. The company says…

General Motors is ending Chevrolet’s retail operations in China after nearly 21 years, while continuing to manufacture Chevrolet vehicles in the country for export markets. GM confirmed the change to National Business Daily on Aug. 10, saying its joint venture with SAIC will continue producing Chevrolet vehicles but will shift the brand’s focus toward international markets outside the United States. Existing Chevrolet customers in China will continue to receive after-sales support, with dealers remaining operational and parts and maintenance services continuing. https://evmagz.com/saic-gm-wuling-launches-fifth-generation-hongguang-mini-ev-to-defend-market-lead/ Chevrolet Shifts Focus to Export Markets GM said Chevrolet’s current product portfolio is better suited to international markets…

Pony AI and Uber plan to expand their robotaxi partnership across Europe with a target of more than 2,000 autonomous vehicles operating in five cities, including Zagreb. The companies have not yet identified the four additional cities or provided a timetable for reaching the planned fleet size. The expansion follows the launch of the partners’ first commercial robotaxi service in Europe in Zagreb in spring 2026, where they work with Croatian mobility company Verne. The service is also expected to become available for booking through Uber’s platform. Partnership Moves Beyond Initial Zagreb Deployment Pony AI and Uber began working together…

CATL, the world’s largest power battery maker, said its aviation battery system for passenger eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft has passed a verification test without thermal runaway propagation after two adjacent cells were intentionally triggered. The company said the result makes the system the world’s first aviation battery using prismatic cells with an energy density of up to 350 Wh/kg to pass such a test. During the verification, CATL simultaneously triggered two adjacent cells at different locations within the battery pack, including cells positioned in the middle and at the corners. The company said no thermal runaway propagation…