Author: Alexander Reed

Audi of America has launched a major incentive on its high-performance electric sedan, the S e-tron GT Quattro, offering a $20,000 bonus on both lease and purchase options. The time-limited deal is available through participating U.S. dealerships until September 30, excluding Puerto Rico. “Audi is offering a time-limited $20,000 bonus on the S e-tron GT Quattro for both lease and purchase. The deal runs till the end of September,” the company said. The promotion applies to new, unused 2025 models and cannot be redeemed for cash. The S e-tron GT Quattro stands out as one of Audi’s flagship performance EVs,…

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new battery electrolyte that can dissolve into its molecular components within minutes, allowing lithium-ion cells to be dismantled and recycled more easily. The advance, published in Nature Chemistry, could help reduce waste and strengthen a circular supply chain for electric vehicle batteries. The team created a solid-state electrolyte based on aramid amphiphiles (AAs), molecules that mimic the chemical stability of Kevlar. Modified with polyethylene glycol to conduct lithium ions, the AAs self-assemble in water into nanoribbons with robust backbones and ion-conducting surfaces. When hot-pressed, the nanoribbons form a solid…

Toyota is preparing to introduce its bZ7 electric sedan in China, with development led by its local team, as the automaker accelerates its presence in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market. GAC Toyota, the company’s joint venture with GAC Group, this week released official images of the bZ7, underlining the mid-to-large sedan’s imminent launch. The model also appeared in a regulatory filing, listing its dimensions at 5,130 mm in length, 1,965 mm in width and 1,500 mm in height, with a 3,020 mm wheelbase. The bZ7 will be powered by a motor supplied by Huawei, producing up to 207…

Joby Aviation on Wednesday announced that helicopters operated by Blade Air Mobility will be available on the Uber app starting “as soon as next year,” offering a new travel option for users in areas such as New York City and parts of Southern Europe. While Joby did not specify which locations would be included initially, the company indicated to TechCrunch that the helicopters are expected to operate along the “most popular routes,” including airport transfers. The announcement follows Joby’s recent acquisition of Blade’s passenger business for up to $125 million. Blade’s medical division, which specializes in transporting live organs, remains…

European car parts supplier Valeo called on Wednesday for minimum requirements for European content in vehicles sold in the EU, saying such rules are crucial to maintain the region’s competitiveness as the industry transitions to electric vehicles. Christophe Perillat, Valeo’s chief executive, spoke at the IAA auto show in Munich, noting that the European Commission is engaged in discussions with automakers and suppliers on policies to safeguard the sector’s future amid rising competition from China and uncertainties over tariffs. “Such a mechanism would strengthen European sovereignty while at the same time protecting competitiveness,” Perillat said, pointing to similar measures in…

Renault will introduce lower-cost batteries and accelerate vehicle development cycles as part of efforts to make its electric vehicles more competitive against Chinese automakers, Chief Executive Francois Provost said on Monday. Provost, speaking publicly for the first time since his appointment in July, said the French automaker has benchmarked itself against Chinese rivals and is targeting a 40% reduction in EV costs between 2023 and 2028. “Next year, we’ll have a second, LFP, battery across all existing Renault vehicles,” Provost said at the Munich auto show, referring to lithium iron phosphate technology, which is less expensive than cobalt-based batteries. “I…

U.S.-based Windrose said on Saturday it has partnered with Xos, a provider of mobile charging systems, to deploy scalable charging solutions for Class 8 electric trucks, aiming to cut infrastructure delays that have slowed the shift to zero-emission freight. The partnership will give Windrose customers access to the Xos Hub, a mobile charging platform designed to be deployed within hours, bypassing traditional permitting and construction requirements. The system, which includes a 630 kilowatt-hour onboard battery and integrated DC fast chargers, is capable of delivering up to 150 kilowatts per port, or 300 kilowatts in series, enabling dual-shift truck operations. “Together…

Türkiye’s domestic electric vehicle maker Togg entered the European market on Monday, unveiling its T10X sport utility vehicle and new T10F fastback sedan at the IAA Mobility 2025 fair in Munich. Germany, home to nearly 1.5 million Turkish residents, will be the company’s first export destination with its long-awaited T10F sedan. Both the T10X and T10F have received the highest five-star rating from Euro NCAP, meeting Europe’s most stringent safety standards, Togg said. The T10X, already adopted by more than 70,000 users in Türkiye, will be joined by the T10F, which is ready for mass production. Pre-orders for the T10F…

Polestar is offering a $17,000 incentive on its 2025 Polestar 3 in the United States, reducing the monthly lease rate to $399. The promotion runs through September 30. The offer applies to the Long Range Single Motor variant and is structured around a 27-month lease. It combines a $15,000 Clean Vehicle Incentive, double the standard federal EV tax credit, with a $2,000 “Long Range Single Motor Noncash Promotion.” Customers must provide a $5,000 down payment, excluding the first month’s installment, and meet Polestar Financial Services’ credit requirements. No security deposit is necessary. Priced from $67,500 before destination and delivery fees,…

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL expects its new factory in Hungary to begin operations as early as the end of this year or the beginning of 2025, its top European executive said, accelerating its timeline for what will become the company’s largest overseas facility. The 7.3 billion euro ($8.55 billion) plant, located in the eastern city of Debrecen, will supply automakers including BMW, Stellantis and Volkswagen as they expand electric vehicle production in Europe. Designed with an annual capacity of 100 gigawatt-hours and a workforce of up to 9,000, it will significantly surpass CATL’s existing European production site in Thuringia, Germany.…

Geely Automobile’s new energy vehicle (NEV) brand Galaxy has unveiled the Xingyao 6, a compact plug-in hybrid sedan that draws on the design of the automaker’s fifth-generation Emgrand model. The Xingyao 6 features a traditional three-box sedan profile with a chrome-detailed grille, five-spoke alloy wheels and a small rear spoiler. Inside, the model combines a 14.6-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument panel with physical buttons and air vents, alongside a flat-bottom steering wheel. The vehicle measures 4,806 mm in length, 1,886 mm in width and 1,490 mm in height, with a 2,756 mm wheelbase. Power comes from an EM-i plug-in…

Japanese equipment maker Komatsu said it will begin series production in October of its new PC20E-6 electric mini excavator, designed to operate for up to four hours on a single charge. The compact excavator is powered by a 23.2 kWh battery paired with an 11 kW high-torque electric motor, giving it an operating weight of 2,190 kg. The company said the runtime covers the needs of most customers, citing data gathered from more than 40,000 workdays of diesel-powered machines. “This defined the target for the required, reliable working time with the excavator,” Komatsu noted in its product statement. “This result…