Author: Alexander Reed

Mazda has inaugurated a new research and development center in Tokyo’s Azabudai Hills district, aimed at bolstering its capabilities in software development for intelligent vehicles. The new facility, dubbed the Mazda R&D Center Tokyo (MRT), consolidates several of the automaker’s existing business functions under one roof, signaling a strategic shift towards integrated, software-focused development. The new 3,000-square-meter center is designed to serve as a hub for both innovation and talent acquisition, with a layout that promotes collaboration while maintaining dedicated spaces for software developers and business staff. Mazda’s previous Tokyo office, which handled functions such as sales, marketing, procurement, and…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio has reached a new infrastructure milestone with the launch of its 1,000th battery swap station along the country’s highways, the company said on Wednesday. The latest facility was unveiled at the Fushan service area on the G5011 Wuhu-Hefei Highway. Nio now operates a total of 3,399 battery swap stations across China, of which nearly 30% are located along major highways. The company said the network now connects 550 cities, creating a nationwide corridor that aims to reduce range anxiety for drivers of both its mainline Nio models and the Onvo sub-brand. “As of now, we’ve…

V-Green, the electric vehicle charging subsidiary of Vietnam’s Vingroup, has inaugurated the largest EV fast-charging station in Hanoi. Located at the Minh Khai parking lot on Cau Dien street in Nam Tu Liem district, the facility is part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at improving access for EV drivers throughout the capital and beyond. Strategically positioned near one of Hanoi’s key entry points, the new fast-charging station is equipped with 42 DC fast chargers, each rated at 120 kW and fitted with two CCS 2 connectors. The dual-gun setup enables simultaneous charging of up to 84 electric vehicles. All…

Slate Auto, the electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has removed claims that its all-electric pickup truck will start at “under $20,000” following the passage of a tax bill expected to end the federal EV tax credit. The $7,500 incentive, which had been central to the company’s affordability promise, is set to expire in September under legislation awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature on July 4. The startup had prominently advertised the sub-$20,000 price point when it launched in April, attributing the figure to a combination of its lean vehicle design and the existing federal tax credit. That language remained…

Mercedes-Benz has announced a production ramp-up of electric drive units and axles for its electric CLA model at its Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant, signaling a further step in the company’s transition toward electrification. Although drive units for the 800-volt electric sedan have been in preparation for some time, the company now describes the current phase as a “successful ramp-up.” The newly expanded production focuses primarily on rear-axle drive units for the rear-wheel-drive CLA 250+ and the all-wheel-drive CLA 350 4MATIC. While the rear unit is an in-house development, the front-axle drive for the all-wheel-drive variant continues to be sourced externally. The drive…

Leapmotor reported vehicle deliveries of 48,006 units in June, achieving a second consecutive month of record-breaking performance, according to figures released on Monday. The figure represents a 138.65% increase year-on-year and a 6.52% rise compared to the 45,067 units delivered in May. Cumulative deliveries for the first half of 2025 reached 221,664 vehicles, marking a 155.68% increase from the same period a year earlier. Since its founding, Leapmotor has delivered a total of 821,212 vehicles. See also: Everything You Should Know About Leapmotor B01 Specifications The company aims to deliver between 500,000 and 600,000 vehicles in 2025, according to a…

German automotive supplier ZF has started mass production of its asynchronous electric motor at its Hangzhou facility in China. The motors are designed for integration into Chinese electric vehicles under the company’s newly launched SELECT modular drive platform. The asynchronous motor, or ASM, is part of ZF’s broader em:SELECT system — a modular architecture that includes multiple types of electric motors such as permanently excited synchronous machines (PSM), asynchronous machines (ASM), and a future variant based on externally excited synchronous machines (I2SM). The platform targets power outputs ranging from 100 to 300 kW and is built on an 800-volt architecture.…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor has launched pre-sales for its new B01 mid-size electric sedan, positioning it as a cost-effective option in China’s increasingly competitive smart EV market. The B01 starts at RMB 105,800 ($14,770), undercutting rivals like Xpeng’s Mona M03 and offering several configurations with up to 650 km of range. The B01 is available in five variants during the pre-sale period. Three versions equipped with a 56.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery offer a CLTC range of 550 km, while two higher-range variants use a 67.1 kWh LFP battery for up to 650 km. Prices range from…

Austrian oil company OMV and Czech energy utility Prazska Energetika have announced plans to deploy 113 new fast-charging stations at 48 OMV fuel stations across the Czech Republic by 2030. The companies will also expand infrastructure at select Billa supermarkets, aiming to support the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market. The project will be developed under the Pre Point brand, a charging initiative of Prazska Energetika. Each station will feature high-power chargers ranging between 300 and 400 kW and offer a total of 168 CCS charging points. In Prague, four dedicated charging hubs are planned, each equipped with six chargers…

U.S. Senate Republicans on Friday released an updated tax and budget bill proposing the early termination of key federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, including the $7,500 incentive for new EVs and the $4,000 credit for used ones. Under the revised legislation, both incentives would end on September 30, potentially reshaping the EV market ahead of the 2024 election. The bill marks a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s EV-focused climate policy. A previous version of the Senate proposal allowed the credits to expire at later intervals—180 days after enactment for new vehicles and 90 days for used ones—while immediately…

Europe-based consultancy BearingPoint has partnered with SAP to launch a modular, cloud-based fleet and charging infrastructure management platform designed to streamline operations for businesses transitioning to electric mobility. The new solution is built on ETM.next and integrated into SAP E-Mobility, allowing fleet managers and charge point operators (CPOs) to consolidate their workflows in a single system. The platform supports everything from vehicle and charge card management to EVSE monitoring and charging operation tracking, including compliance with ESG reporting standards. “With this solution, we are addressing a crucial need for businesses transitioning to electromobility in a rapidly evolving and currently fragmented…

Audi is considering establishing its own manufacturing facility in the United States as a direct response to renewed import tariffs imposed under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The German luxury brand, part of the Volkswagen Group, has been disproportionately affected by the tariffs due to its lack of domestic production in the U.S. Unlike fellow German automakers BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, which already operate U.S. production sites, Audi relies heavily on imports from its main plants in Germany and Mexico. With the Trump administration imposing a 25% tariff on vehicles from Germany and maintaining a 15% tariff on cars imported…

Solid-state battery developer QuantumScape (QS.N) has integrated its proprietary “Cobra” separator manufacturing process into baseline production, marking a major advancement in its efforts to scale up commercial battery production for electric vehicles. The “Cobra” process is designed to streamline the production of QuantumScape’s solid-state ceramic separators—key components that enable the company’s lithium-metal batteries to deliver improved energy density, charging speed, safety, and lifespan over traditional lithium-ion technology. According to the company, Cobra significantly reduces both the footprint and processing time of separator manufacturing, supporting mass production at gigawatt-hour scale. “This innovation is expected to support higher-volume B1 sample production and…

Switzerland’s upper house of parliament, the Council of States, has approved a motion mandating legal guarantees for tenants to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in residential buildings, marking a significant step toward broadening access to sustainable mobility infrastructure. The motion, initiated by National Councillor Jürg Grossen (Green Liberal Party, Bern), passed despite some opposition, and now compels the Swiss Federal Council to prepare a legislative amendment or ordinance securing tenants’ rights to install slow (AC) charging stations. The measure aims to remove a key barrier to EV adoption in a country where over three-quarters of residents live in rented…

PowerGo, the Danish EV charging provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with hotel group Essendi to install electric vehicle charging points at several hotels across the Netherlands. The rollout will include a mix of AC and DC fast chargers, aiming to enhance sustainable travel options for hotel guests and nearby communities. Initial installations are taking place at key hotel sites in North and South Holland, including the Ibis and Ibis Budget Amsterdam Airport hotels near Schiphol and the Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark. PowerGo has confirmed that chargers are already operational at Mercure Amsterdam City, where six 22kW AC chargers have…

Iveco Bus has inaugurated a new prototype and testing centre at its Vysoké Mýto facility in the Czech Republic, designed to support the development of battery-electric, hydrogen, and conventional powertrain buses. The two-storey facility spans 4,100 square metres—double the previous capacity—and will play a key role in the company’s future vehicle development strategy. The centre is equipped with twelve workstations, each featuring overhead platforms to provide access to bus rooftops where battery and hydrogen systems are typically housed. According to Iveco Bus, the upgraded facility can accommodate vehicles up to 18 metres in length. It includes specialized infrastructure such as…

Kia has opened orders for its first electric van, the PV5, in South Korea. Built on Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP.S platform, the PV5 is offered in two main variants: Passenger and Cargo. The Passenger model comes with either a five-seater or a 2-3-0 seating layout, while the Cargo model is available in three configurations tailored for varying load capacities. Dimensions and Interior Space The PV5 Passenger model features a wheelbase of 2,995 millimeters, comparable to the European-spec Volkswagen ID.Buzz’s 2,998 millimeters. The five-seater version introduces a “fold & dive” rear seat function, which expands cargo capacity to 2,310 liters, enhancing…

French multi-technology provider SPIE is accelerating the rollout of its e-Vadea electric vehicle charging network, expanding beyond motorway rest stops to city centres and public hubs across the country. The company, which launched e-Vadea in 2022, has now opened its first fast-charging stations off motorways in Perros-Guirec and Châteauroux. SPIE’s subsidiary, SPIE CityNetworks, aims to install over 100 fast-charging points by the end of the year in 14 municipalities nationwide. In Perros-Guirec, the new network includes 16 charging points across four coastal locations, combining 120 kW and 60 kW units positioned near beaches, shops, and restaurants. In Châteauroux, four 180…

Nio reported a 13.08% year-on-year increase in vehicle deliveries for May, driven by strong performance from its sub-brands Onvo and Firefly, although deliveries fell slightly from April. The Chinese electric vehicle maker delivered 23,231 vehicles in May, up from 20,544 units a year earlier, but down 2.80% from 23,900 units in April. The Nio main brand delivered 13,270 units last month, marking a 35.41% decline from the same month last year and down 31.13% month-on-month. Firefly, Nio’s newest sub-brand, delivered 3,680 vehicles in its first full month of operation. Onvo contributed 6,281 deliveries in May, helping to offset declines from…

Geely Automobile Holdings  is facing mounting pressure from early investors in its premium electric vehicle unit Zeekr, who argue the company’s $2.2 billion privatization proposal significantly undervalues the fast-growing EV brand, according to sources cited by Reuters. Five cornerstone investors—battery giant CATL, Intel Capital, Boyu Capital and two others—have submitted joint letters to Zeekr’s board and its newly formed special committee, expressing dissatisfaction with the proposed buyout. The investors, who participated in Zeekr’s initial $500 million external fundraising round in 2021, said the $6.5 billion valuation implied by Geely’s offer falls short of fair value when compared with peers such…