Author: Alexander Reed

Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) has started U.S. deliveries of its all-electric Ioniq 9, handing over one of the first units to customers in Georgia on Friday. The event marks the rollout of the company’s new three-row electric SUV, produced at its newly operational manufacturing facility in the state. Jennifer and Dwayne Maynard, who received one of the first vehicles, traded in their Hyundai Ioniq 5 for the larger Ioniq 9. “We loved our Ioniq 5, but the Ioniq 9 offers everything we need and more for our family and our adventures,” Jennifer Maynard said. The Ioniq 9, which seats up…

Zoox, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Amazon, has issued its second voluntary software recall in less than a month, following a collision involving one of its unoccupied robotaxis and an e-scooter rider in San Francisco on May 8. The incident occurred at low speed, with the Zoox vehicle reportedly yielding at an intersection when it was struck by the e-scooter. “The Zoox vehicle was stopped at the time of contact,” the company said in a statement. “The e-scooterist fell to the ground directly next to the vehicle. The robotaxi then began to move and stopped after completing the turn, but…

Fortum Battery Recycling has introduced its Battery Box service in Germany and Finland to simplify the collection and recycling of lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The solution is designed to ensure compliance with evolving EU regulations and promote circular material recovery. The Battery Box is a certified safety container that can be ordered through Fortum’s online platform, allowing customers to book delivery and collection, track status updates, and access all required documentation for regulatory compliance. The system targets efficient and safe battery waste management for companies. “From order to disposal, we offer a safe and transparent service as a specialist…

Nissan’s newly launched electric sedan, the N7, has received more than 10,000 orders within 18 days of its debut, according to a statement by its Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng-Nissan. The company described it as the fastest-selling electric vehicle among joint venture brands in the country. Unveiled on April 28, the N7 began customer deliveries on May 16. It is the first dedicated electric vehicle developed under the Dongfeng-Nissan partnership and shares its platform with Dongfeng’s 007 model, while incorporating Nissan’s design elements. See also: Mitsubishi Motors to Launch U.S.-Made Electric Vehicle Based on Next-Generation Nissan Leaf The N7 is priced…

Stellantis will relocate production of Maserati sports cars from its Mirafiori facility in Turin to the brand’s historic base in Modena by the end of 2025, as part of broader adjustments to its manufacturing operations in Italy. The move comes amid a strategic review of Maserati’s business plan, which had been paused last year, including the timing of future model launches. The Modena site, located in Italy’s Motor Valley near the headquarters of Ferrari and Lamborghini, is expected to benefit from the shift in production of Maserati’s GranTurismo and GranCabrio models. Meanwhile, Stellantis is preparing the Mirafiori plant for the…

Dutch EV charging network operator Allego has signed a strategic partnership with Austrian battery specialist Kreisel Electric to integrate the Chimero battery-buffered fast charger into its European charging infrastructure, with construction scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025. Under the agreement, Allego will deploy Kreisel’s Chimero 240 chargers, which include an integrated 115 kWh buffer battery, allowing ultra-fast charging with up to 240 kW of power even at locations with limited grid capacity. The system can deliver dual charging at 2×120 kW or dynamically adjust output in 60 kW increments. The initial installations will take place in Germany,…

Audi has reintroduced the A6 in two plug-in hybrid versions, now equipped with significantly larger batteries that extend the electric driving range to up to 106 kilometers, according to the WLTP. The new models, dubbed ‘e-hybrid,’ are available with two power outputs: 220 kW and 270 kW. The e-hybrid versions are powered by a combination of a two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor. The petrol engine produces 185 kW, while the electric motor contributes up to 105 kW in the higher-output variant, achieving a combined system output of 270 kW. This version can accelerate from 0 to 100…

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has rejected Tesla’s attempt to trademark the term “Robotaxi” in reference to its vehicles, TechCrunch reported on Wednesday, citing official filings. According to the report, the USPTO issued a “nonfinal office action” on Tuesday, which gives Tesla a three-month window to respond. If the company fails to address the agency’s concerns within that period, the application will be considered abandoned. See also: Uber CEO Confirms Tesla Declined Collaboration on Robotaxi Platform Tesla also filed a separate application to trademark “Robotaxi” for its planned ride-hailing service. That application is still under examination, the report…

Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide has launched its first paid Level-4 robobus service in the downtown area of Guangzhou, marking the city’s first fare-charging, fully driverless bus line in its urban core. The service, operating daily from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., runs on a 13.6-kilometre circular route starting from Meidong Road Terminal in Yuexiu District. The route includes key city landmarks such as Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Dongjun Plaza and Yuexiu Bridge. See also: WeRide Granted Guangzhou’s First Driverless Road Testing License for Robovan W5 Each vehicle can carry up to six passengers, with ticket prices set at…

The PV5 Cargo marks the debut model in Kia’s ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ (PBV) strategy, which focuses on purpose-built electric commercial vehicles. The PBV lineup is designed around a new, dedicated platform—E-GMP.S—separate from Kia’s passenger vehicle EV architecture, and tailored specifically to meet the needs of urban logistics, delivery services, and ride-hailing operations. Unveiled alongside three other concept models at the IAA Transportation 2024 event, the 4.7-metre-long PV5 is roughly the same length as the Volkswagen ID. Buzz with a standard wheelbase. Unlike many commercial EVs that are adapted from combustion-engine designs, the PV5 is built from the ground up as…

Less than two years after retiring the Ford Fiesta, the automaker may be considering a revival of the nameplate — this time as a fully electric vehicle developed in partnership with Volkswagen, according to a speculative report by Auto Express. While Ford has not confirmed any plans, growing collaboration with VW could pave the way for a new compact EV based on the German carmaker’s MEB Entry architecture. Volkswagen’s head of sales and marketing, Martin Sander — a former Ford executive in Europe — described the EV partnership with Ford as “very, very, very successful.” The two automakers have already…

Poland has launched a trio of large-scale funding initiatives totaling 6 billion zloty (€1.4 billion) aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to electric vehicles, with a specific focus on electrifying freight and commercial transport. The funding package, announced by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, includes two programs dedicated to high-power charging infrastructure and truck charging stations, as well as an expanded grant scheme for electric vehicle buyers. The largest component targets high-power charging (HPC) hubs with a total allocation of 2 billion zloty, half of which—1 billion zloty (€233 million)—will be available in the first round of funding open…

German DC technology company Schaltbau has broadened the product range of its subsidiary Eddicy by launching a new series of high-performance contactors, aimed at supporting stationary and mobile megawatt charging systems for electric vehicles. The move comes as the industry increasingly gears up for faster and more powerful EV charging capabilities. The new contactors include the C305 and C805 models, which support the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) Level 2 with current ratings of up to 1,500 amps. For higher capacity needs, Schaltbau has developed the C330 and C830, both of which are bidirectional contactors designed to handle MCS Level 3…

Auckland Transport (AT) has launched 44 new electric buses, including 26 double-deckers, as part of its push to reduce emissions from public transport. The fleet was introduced on Sunday and will operate on several high-frequency and local routes, including the WX1 Western Express service. The new vehicles are part of Auckland’s broader strategy to replace diesel buses with electric alternatives. AT said the deployment will support services on routes 11T, 11W and 12, as well as the WX1 line, which runs from Westgate to the city centre via Lincoln and Te Atatū interchanges. The move aligns with Auckland’s policy to…

Uber and Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta said on Friday they will begin offering robotaxi services outside the United States and China, with a planned launch in Europe in early 2026. The rollout will feature autonomous vehicles integrated into the Uber app and initially include safety operators onboard to monitor the rides. The move marks an expansion of Uber’s ongoing efforts to bring self-driving vehicles to its global platform. See also: Autonomous ID. Buzz Vans to Enter U.S. Market via Uber Partnership “This collaboration brings together Uber’s global ridesharing expertise and Momenta’s AI-first autonomous driving technology, paving the way for…

Land Rover has completed the second winter testing phase for its upcoming 2025 Range Rover Electric, confirming key technical specifications for the luxury SUV ahead of its planned launch later this year. The vehicle, which will be available to order by year-end, features an 800-volt electrical system and a 117-kWh battery using cell-to-pack architecture with 344 prismatic cells arranged in a double stack. It is built on Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) MLA Flex platform, which supports internal combustion, hybrid, and fully electric drivetrains. The Range Rover Electric endured 45,000 miles of testing in Arctic conditions to assess cold-weather performance, particularly…

Tesla has increased the prices of its entire model range in Canada, with hikes ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 Canadian dollars, depending on the model and variant. The adjustments are believed to be a response to tariffs imposed on the automotive industry following actions by U.S. President Donald Trump. The increase is reported to range between 13 and 22 percent. The Model 3 Performance, which saw the smallest price increase, now costs 89,990 CAD, up 10,000 CAD from its previous price of 79,990 CAD. This represents a 13 percent increase. In contrast, the two variants of the Cybertruck have experienced…

Tesla’s board of directors has reportedly taken early steps toward identifying a potential successor to CEO Elon Musk, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing unnamed sources familiar with the discussions. The board has reached out to multiple executive search firms as part of a formal process to consider new leadership options, the report said. This marks a shift in approach for Tesla’s board, which has long been seen as strongly supportive of Musk, including its endorsement of a $55 billion compensation package and its silence on recent controversies surrounding the CEO’s conduct and external commitments. See also: Tesla…

Automotive supplier Webasto is providing key components for the Kia EV3, including battery systems and opening roof systems, the company said on Friday. Both components are manufactured in South Korea, with roofs produced at Webasto’s Ulsan plant and batteries assembled in Dangjin. Webasto supplies two battery variants for the EV3, offering 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh gross capacities. Both versions use NMC811 chemistry and incorporate pouch cells from South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution. According to Webasto, it assembles the cells into battery packs before delivery. See also: Kia EV3 Named 2025 World Car of the Year at New…

Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) on Monday launched Naxtra, a new brand for its sodium-ion battery line, with mass production scheduled to begin in December. The company also introduced an upgraded version of its fast-charging Shenxing battery for electric vehicles. CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, was the first major automotive battery manufacturer to commercialize sodium-ion battery technology in 2021. Sodium-ion batteries use sodium instead of lithium, a more abundant and lower-cost material. Experts say the chemistry offers advantages in cost and safety, particularly in reducing fire risks in electric vehicles. See also: CATL Reports…