Author: Alexander Reed

Coco Robotics has begun autonomous delivery operations for Shake Shack locations in Chicago through integration with Uber Eats, marking an expansion of sidewalk-based robotic last-mile services in major U.S. cities. The initial deployment covers two locations, with plans to expand citywide to improve order fulfillment during peak periods. The autonomous robots connect directly with Shake Shack’s Uber Eats ordering system, eliminating the need for restaurant staff to manually enter orders. The robots navigate sidewalks and urban pedestrian zones to deliver orders to customer-designated locations, operating without additional fees, tips, or customer interaction steps. “By integrating Coco’s autonomous delivery technology into…

Polestar said it will begin integrating Google’s new Gemini AI assistant into its vehicles from 2026, replacing the existing Google Assistant through an over-the-air update applied to models starting with the Polestar 2. The Swedish electric vehicle maker will preview the technology at the Slush conference in Helsinki on November 19–20, where visitors will be able to test the system in the Polestar 5 prototype. Gemini, which introduces generative AI capabilities, is designed to deliver more natural and adaptive interaction than traditional voice-command systems. The feature known as Gemini Live will allow conversational exchanges, follow-up questions and broader assistance functions.…

Swedish automaker Volvo has terminated a five-year contract with lidar developer Luminar, widening a dispute that has emerged during a period of acute financial pressure for the U.S. sensor company. Volvo said the move was directly related to Luminar’s inability to meet agreed terms. “Volvo Cars has made this decision to limit the company’s supply chain risk exposure and it is a direct result of Luminar’s failure to meet its contractual obligations to Volvo Cars,” the automaker told TechCrunch. The decision comes as Luminar works through loan defaults and warns it may need bankruptcy protection if lenders decline to restructure…

Rio Tinto has put its Jadar lithium project in Serbia on hold as the company redirects focus toward “short-term opportunities” under new CEO Simon Trott, according to an internal memo cited by Bloomberg. The decision reverses earlier progress made after Serbia reinstated approval for lithium mining in 2024. A Rio Tinto spokesperson confirmed the contents of the internal communication but declined to elaborate. The memo stated: “Given the lack of progress on approvals, we are unable to maintain the same level of investment and resource allocation,” signalling frustration over ongoing bureaucratic delays and persistent local resistance. The Jadar project remains…

Tesla has begun providing real-time occupancy data for its global Supercharger network to Google Maps, enabling users to check the availability of charging stalls directly through the widely used navigation service, the company said in a brief announcement on Friday. The update was revealed by the @TeslaCharging account on X, stating simply: “Live availability of Superchargers now in Google Maps.” Tesla also shared an accompanying graphic illustrating how charging locations now display available stalls and charging power within the app. The new integration allows drivers to see, for example, that a Supercharger site in Brussels has 15 of 16 stalls…

Monta’s charge point management software (CPMS) platform, Monta Hub, will be integrated into the Octopus Electroverse charging network, the companies announced. The partnership aims to simplify and optimize fleet and workplace electric vehicle (EV) charging operations across Europe. Monta Hub provides fleet managers with complete visibility and control over their charging infrastructure, integrating billing, analytics, diagnostics, and optimization tools into a single platform. The company says the platform offers “end-to-end operational control over every charge point, across any location,” allowing centralized management of all fleet operations. See also: Curo and Monta Partner to Tackle EV Charger Underuse Through Platform Integration…

UK charge point operator Zest has completed the installation of 142 EV charging spaces across 14 sites at the University of Warwick, establishing one of the largest campus-based charging networks in the United Kingdom. The £1.3 million project supports the university’s sustainability goals and long-term commitment to greener mobility. The new network features both fast and rapid EV chargers, providing flexibility for users and is expected to deliver a reduction of more than 15,000 tonnes of CO₂ over its lifetime. Zest will operate and maintain the chargers under a 15-year management agreement. See also: Portsmouth Partners with Zest to Launch…

Xpeng announced on November 10 that cumulative deliveries of its P7+ electric sedan have exceeded 85,000 units since its market debut on November 7, 2024. The P7+ is available in three variants — Long Range Max, Ultra Long Range Max, and Limited Edition Max — with prices ranging from 186,800 yuan to 218,800 yuan. The sedan retains Xpeng’s signature “Robot Face” design, featuring an integrated front light bar and ventilation channels beside the headlights to improve lighting durability. See also: Xpeng G6 EREV Revealed with 325 km Electric Range in MIIT Filing The Ultra Long Range Max variant comes equipped…

Xiaomi EV said its vehicle deliveries reached a record 48,654 units in October, marking the second consecutive month above 40,000 and moving closer to the 50,000 mark, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). From January through October, the company delivered a total of 315,376 vehicles, putting it within reach of its full-year target of 350,000 units. “October deliveries again exceeded 40,000 units,” Xiaomi EV said on November 1, without disclosing the exact figure at the time. See also: Xiaomi’s Lei Jun Surges to Fifth on Hurun China Rich List as EV Boom Drives Record Wealth…

Honda is holding back plans to launch new electric sports cars despite having several prototypes ready, as the automaker reassesses market timing amid slower-than-expected demand for battery-powered vehicles. “We do have research on EV-based sports cars and we have many prototypes already made internally,” Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe told MotorTrend. See also: Honda Unveils Next-Generation Hybrid and EV Platforms Ahead of Late-2020s Launch However, he added that “now is not the right time” to bring a production model to market, noting that engineers are still working to improve electric vehicle technology. “Eventually, at some point, we will provide you with…

Georgia has inaugurated the Hyundai Mobility Training Center, an 89,000-square-foot advanced facility designed to train workers for electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturing at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Bryan County. The center, operated by Georgia Quick Start, aims to support the development of a skilled workforce for the $7.6 billion project, which is expected to create 8,500 jobs by 2031. Located adjacent to HMGMA, the new center can train up to 824 individuals simultaneously and features advanced simulation and technical labs that mirror production environments. See also: Hyundai Motor Group Opens €150 Million Square Campus in Germany to…

Great Wall Motor’s Tank brand has introduced the refreshed Tank 400 SUV, expanding its lineup with new hybrid and internal combustion engine (ICE) variants as it seeks to strengthen its position in China’s competitive off-road SUV market. The updated Tank 400 retains its rugged design and offers gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. The ICE versions are priced from RMB 249,800 ($35,090) for the gasoline model and RMB 264,800 for the diesel variant. See also: Great Wall Motor Launches Updated Tank 500 SUV With Lower Starting Price The hybrid lineup includes two Hi4-T options and one Hi4-Z option, starting at RMB…

DeepRoute.ai, a leading Chinese autonomous driving developer backed by Alibaba and Great Wall Motor, said it will begin operating production-grade robotaxis by late 2025, marking a key milestone in its push to commercialize scalable and affordable autonomous mobility. The company plans to deploy consumer-market production vehicles equipped with its autonomous systems — already used in over 150,000 vehicles across China — eliminating the need for costly, custom-built test fleets. DeepRoute.ai expects the number of vehicles integrated with its systems to reach 200,000 units by year-end. See also: DeepRoute.ai Unveils DeepRoute IO 2.0 With Advanced VLA Technology for Mass-Produced Vehicles Unlike…

Seat has inaugurated a new PXL press line at its main manufacturing facility in Martorell, Spain, a significant milestone in the company’s preparations for producing its next generation of small electric vehicles. The press line, comprising six interconnected presses, will be capable of stamping up to four million body parts annually for Seat’s current models and, from 2026, for the Cupra Raval and Volkswagen ID. Polo. According to Seat, the €multi-million investment forms part of a broader strategy to modernize its Martorell operations, including new battery assembly facilities, advanced training for employees, and upgrades to production equipment. The PXL press,…

Hyundai Motor Group has announced a partnership with US technology company Nvidia to jointly advance artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across autonomous vehicles, robotics, and smart manufacturing. The collaboration will be part of a new AI cluster supported by the South Korean government to strengthen the nation’s position in advanced technology. The initiative is expected to attract around $3 billion in investment and will include the establishment of a Physical AI Application Centre operated by Hyundai Motor Group, an Nvidia AI Technology Centre, and multiple AI data centres in the region. South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and…

BYD’s off-road sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao has achieved a major milestone, surpassing 100,000 deliveries of its flagship Bao 5 SUV less than a year after the model’s debut. The 100,000th Bao 5 was delivered on October 30, with the average transaction price standing at RMB 271,400 ($38,160), according to a company statement on Thursday. The figure suggests that at least 3,395 units were delivered in October, based on cumulative sales data through September. See also: BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao Launches Smart Driving Edition Variants for Bao 5 SUV Launched on November 9, 2023, and delivered from November 23, the Bao…

Leapmotor, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer backed by Stellantis NV, reported record October deliveries of 70,289 vehicles, an 84.1% increase from a year earlier, marking its sixth consecutive month of record-breaking performance. The company said October deliveries also rose 5.5% from September’s 66,657 units. From January to October, Leapmotor delivered a total of 465,805 vehicles, representing a 120.7% year-on-year increase. See also: Leapmotor CEO Predicts China’s EV Dominance as Company Posts First Half-Year Profit Leapmotor aims to deliver between 580,000 and 650,000 vehicles in 2025 and said it plans to challenge the one-million-unit mark in the following year.…

Suzuki has officially launched its fully electric e Vitara in the United Kingdom, following the first customer deliveries earlier this month. The battery-electric SUV is offered in 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery variants, with an optional ALLGRIP-e all-wheel drive system available on higher trims. The e Vitara comes in Motion and Ultra grades, with three power configurations. The base model delivers 106 kW of power, while the mid-range version produces 128 kW. The top-spec dual-motor variant combines a 128 kW front motor and a 48 kW rear motor, producing up to 300 Nm of torque. The other two versions…

The United States and Abu Dhabi governments will jointly invest $1.8 billion with private equity firm Orion Resource Partners to develop mining and refining projects around the world, in a move designed to secure Western access to critical minerals such as lithium, rare earths, copper, and uranium. The investment comes as major economies seek to reduce reliance on China, which dominates global supply chains for critical minerals. The new Orion Critical Mineral Consortium, backed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corp (DFC), Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ, and Orion, will each contribute $600 million to the initiative. See also:…

Nissan will display the Ao-Solar Extender, an extendable roof-mounted solar system, on its Sakura electric vehicle (EV) at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. The system is capable of generating enough solar electricity to provide up to 3,000 km (1,864 miles) of driving annually, according to the automaker. The solar array operates while the vehicle is parked or in motion. A fixed panel collects sunlight during driving, while a second extendable panel increases surface area when the vehicle is stationary. See also: Nissan Forms CO₂ Pool with BYD to Meet 2025 EU Emission Targets The system can generate up to 500…