Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Altilium, a UK-based clean technology firm, has announced a £30 million investment to build an electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility in Plymouth, marking a major step toward strengthening the country’s domestic supply of critical minerals and advancing net-zero goals. The new ACT 3 facility, expected to begin commissioning in late 2026, will process battery materials from approximately 24,000 end-of-life EVs per year. The recovered lithium, nickel, and cobalt will be reused in UK battery production, supporting national energy security and industrial resilience. The facility is projected to generate more than 50 high-skilled jobs across engineering, R&D, and operations. Altilium…

Verizon has unveiled its Edge Transportation Exchange, a new vehicle-to-everything (V2X) platform designed to enhance road safety by enabling real-time communication between vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure. The platform uses Verizon’s 5G and LTE networks combined with low-latency edge computing and precise geolocation technology. The system has already been tested successfully in a Department of Transportation and 5G Automotive Association demonstration, showing its ability to alert drivers to vulnerable road users, hazardous weather, dangerous road conditions, and traffic signal timing. The platform encourages collaboration between automakers, software developers, and municipal governments through Verizon’s ThingSpace IoT platform, allowing stakeholders to scale connected…

Cadillac has launched its Vistiq electric SUV in Europe, marking the next step in the brand’s all-electric expansion across the continent. The luxury vehicle is now available in Germany, France, Sweden, and Switzerland, with prices in Germany starting at €99,640 for the base Luxury trim and €110,503 for the Premium Luxury version. Unveiled in November 2024, the Vistiq is positioned between Cadillac’s larger Escalade IQ and the smaller Lyriq SUV. Measuring 5.2 metres in length, the Vistiq is powered by a dual-motor setup delivering 452 kW and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 3.7 seconds. It features a…

The New South Wales government has announced a significant investment to expand fast electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the state, with public funding of AUD 16.1 million supplemented by AUD 41.2 million in private sector investment. The initiative aims to deliver rapid charging hubs powered entirely by renewable energy, enabling EVs to recharge from 10% to 80% in under 15 minutes. While detailed technical specifications for the chargers have not yet been disclosed, the government revealed key recipients of the funding, including BP, Energy Australia, Plus ES, Tesla, and NRMA. The new fast chargers will be installed in multiple…

Brazilian labor prosecutors have filed a civil lawsuit against Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and two subcontractors over alleged labor violations during the construction of a new EV plant in Camacari, Bahia. Authorities say 220 Chinese workers were subjected to conditions “analogous to slavery,” including overcrowded housing, unsanitary living conditions, and contract irregularities. The lawsuit, brought by the Public Labour Prosecutor’s Office (MPT), follows an anonymous tip that led to an investigation and subsequent discovery of multiple labor law violations. Prosecutors allege that workers were forced to sleep without mattresses, had their passports confiscated, and were made to work long…

Renault’s performance brand Alpine has unveiled the A390, its second electric production vehicle and the first all-electric crossover from the French marque. The vehicle, built on Renault’s AmpR Medium platform, features a distinctive three-motor, all-wheel-drive layout and promises high-performance capabilities with a range of up to 555 kilometres. At launch, the A390 will be offered exclusively with all-wheel drive, powered by three electric motors—one on the front axle and two on the rear. This configuration enables the Alpine Active Torque Vectoring System, allowing precise distribution of torque between the rear wheels during cornering. “The handling of the A390 should resemble…

Lexus has revealed specifications for its updated 2026 RZ electric SUV in North America, highlighting a longer driving range, increased power output, and Tesla-compatible charging. However, the automaker has left out the steer-by-wire system available in the European market. The new model will come in three trims — the RZ 350e, 450e, and a new performance-focused 550e F Sport — with improvements across the board, including faster AC charging and a simulated gear-shifting feature designed to enhance the driving experience. The base RZ 350e, equipped with a front-wheel-drive powertrain and a 74.69 kWh battery, offers the highest range of the…

New York City is expanding the Fire Department’s electric vehicle fleet with 30 new units, including the city’s first fully electric paramedic response vehicles, in a move aimed at reducing emissions and improving emergency response performance. The newly deployed vehicles include 11 Ford Mustang Mach-E crossovers, 13 Ford F-150 Lightning pickups, five Chevrolet Blazer EVs, and one Ford E-Transit van. Among them are four high-priority paramedic response units (PRUs) now active at three Bronx EMS stations. Officials say the all-electric PRUs are expected to cut emissions while enhancing real-time medical response in densely populated areas. “This investment is a key…

German fleet services company DKV Mobility has expanded its electric vehicle charging network in the United Kingdom by partnering with Fuuse, a prominent UK-based EV charge point management platform. The collaboration will allow DKV Mobility customers to access thousands of additional charging stations across the UK, reinforcing the company’s presence in the British market. Fuuse enables charge point operators (CPOs) to open their infrastructure to both businesses and the public, with its network encompassing a wide range of institutions including local councils, hotels, universities, healthcare facilities, and retail locations. The agreement grants DKV customers access to a broad set of…

Zeek plans to introduce a new mid-size hybrid SUV, the Zeekr 8X, later this year as it continues to broaden its range of hybrid vehicles. The launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter, CEO Andy An announced during Geely Auto’s first-quarter earnings call. This year, Zeekr and its sister brand Lynk & Co aim to launch a total of five new models. Alongside the already released Lynk & Co 900 and Zeekr 007 GT, Lynk & Co will debut a hybrid version of its Z10 sedan in the current quarter. Zeekr will follow with the Zeekr 9X and the Zeekr…

The ATLAS-L4 project, a German research initiative involving twelve industry and academic partners, has completed a three-year effort to develop and test a Level 4 autonomous electric truck for hub-to-hub transport on motorways. This marks a milestone for autonomous logistics in Germany, where such operations became legally permissible under defined conditions in 2021. The consortium, led by commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus, includes Knorr-Bremse, Bosch, Leoni, Fernride, and several technical and regulatory partners such as TÜV SÜD and the Technical Universities of Munich and Braunschweig. The project aimed to deploy driverless trucks on designated highway routes under technical…

Citroen has unveiled the second generation of its C5 Aircross, now available as a fully electric ë-C5 Aircross. The new model is based on Stellantis’ STLA-Medium platform and offers two distinct battery variants for customers, both aimed at delivering longer electric ranges. The ë-C5 Aircross will be offered in two versions. The ‘Standard Range’ model features 157 kW of drive power, paired with a 73 kWh usable battery for a WLTP range of up to 520 km. See also: Stellantis to Expand Citroën ë-C3 Production to Serbia Meanwhile, the ‘Long Range’ variant offers 170 kW drive power and a larger…