Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Xiaomi Auto has reached a major production milestone, delivering 300,000 vehicles in China just 15 months after entering the market, the company said. The figure marks a sharp rise in delivery pace as the company continues expanding its electric vehicle (EV) lineup and manufacturing capacity. The announcement comes as Xiaomi Auto, the automotive division of Chinese tech giant Xiaomi founded by chairman Lei Jun in 2021, pushes forward with its EV strategy. Its debut model, the SU7 electric sedan, launched in March 2024, quickly gained popularity, helping drive strong sales. In February 2025, the company added the SU7 Ultra sports…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD said on Wednesday it will assume full responsibility for any losses incurred by users of its Level 4 (L4) intelligent parking feature in China, marking a first-of-its-kind commitment in the country’s auto industry. The pledge applies to all BYD vehicles equipped with its “God’s Eye” intelligent driving system and reflects the company’s confidence in its autonomous parking technology. “In the Chinese market, we assume full responsibility for the safety and losses of all users of vehicles equipped with God’s Eye in intelligent parking scenarios,” BYD said in a post on Weibo. Level 4 autonomous driving,…

Dutch electric vehicle charging operator Allego has launched its “Summer Pass 2025” programme, offering a 30% discount on ad-hoc prices at more than 5,000 of its own DC fast-charging stations and selected partner locations across Europe. The seasonal promotion is available until Sept. 30 and requires a paid subscription through a dedicated web portal. The Summer Pass is open to EV users residing in 15 European countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and several Nordic and Baltic states. Customers must subscribe before Sept. 1 to benefit from the discount, which applies exclusively to Allego-operated direct current (DC) and high-power…

Octopus Energy and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD have introduced the UK’s first fully integrated vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bundle, offering customers a bidirectional BYD Dolphin electric car, smart charging hardware, and a dynamic energy tariff. The package, launched under the name ‘Power Pack Bundle’, is priced at just under £300 per month and aims to transform electric vehicles into flexible energy assets for the power grid. The bundle includes a leased BYD Dolphin, Zaptec Pro bidirectional charger installation, and access to Octopus Energy’s smart V2G tariff via its Kraken energy platform. When used as recommended — plugged in at least 20…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has sent Ford Motor Co a formal request for extensive information about its BlueCruise hands-free driver-assistance system, marking a significant step in an ongoing investigation into two fatal crashes. The letter, dated June 18, comes from the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and includes 25 detailed questions. These range from the identification of all Ford vehicles equipped with BlueCruise to documentation related to software changes, crash data, internal assessments, and technical details about the system’s ability to detect hazards, particularly stationary vehicles. The probe was initiated in April 2024 after two…

South Korea’s LG Energy Solution (LGES) and Japan’s Toyota Tsusho have launched a joint venture to bolster battery recycling infrastructure in the United States, as global automakers work to secure localized, circular supply chains for electric vehicles. The venture, named Green Metals Battery Innovations, will establish its first facility in North Carolina. Scheduled to begin operations in 2026, the plant will have the capacity to process up to 13,500 tons of battery scrap annually—equivalent to over 40,000 EV battery packs—by recovering black mass, a material rich in valuable elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. “This joint venture will…

VoltAero, a French aviation startup specializing in hybrid-electric aircraft, has introduced the series production version of its Cassio 330 regional plane at the 2025 Paris Air Show in Le Bourget. Unlike many next-generation air mobility projects that rely on vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) systems, the Cassio 330 is designed for conventional runways, offering a more practical and immediate low-emission solution for regional air traffic. Significant technical refinements have been made to the Cassio 330’s propulsion and airframe design. The aircraft now uses a series hybrid configuration, featuring two Safran ENGINeUS electric motors mounted as rear fuselage pushers, paired with…

Three major Plug & Charge network operators—Hubject, Gireve, and Irdeto—have announced a strategic partnership aimed at achieving interoperability between their platforms, enabling electric vehicle (EV) drivers to access a wider range of Plug & Charge stations without additional registrations. The agreement will allow the companies to integrate their platforms via application programming interfaces (APIs), granting approximately four million Plug & Charge-capable EVs immediate access to thousands of additional charging points worldwide. The move is expected to streamline the charging process for users by allowing them to plug in, initiate charging, and receive billing automatically—without the need for cards or RFID…

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…