Author: Christopher Harrison

British automotive design firm ECD Automotive Design has unveiled Project Powder Keg, a custom all-electric version of the Land Rover Defender 110, blending the model’s traditional overlanding heritage with modern electric vehicle (EV) technology. The vehicle is powered by ECD’s in-house Electric Direct EV drivetrain, producing over 300 horsepower and 368 lb.-ft. of torque, and is equipped with an 84 kWh battery capable of up to 200 miles of range. Fast charging allows the battery to recharge from 10% to 80% in under an hour. Project Powder Keg retains the Defender’s rugged character while incorporating several enhancements for performance and…

Beijing Hyundai will introduce its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) for the Chinese market in September 2025, unveiling the production model of its electric SUV under the new name “EO.” The launch marks a significant step for the joint venture, which currently has no all-electric models on sale in China and plans to introduce more than five BEVs priced between 100,000 and 300,000 yuan over the next three years. The EO, previously announced under the name Elexio, will feature a driving range of 700 km under China’s CLTC testing cycle, enabled by an LFP battery supplied by BYD subsidiary FinDreams.…

German logistics provider Dachser has begun integrating the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric truck into its long-distance transport operations, with the first seven vehicles handed over at Daimler Truck’s Wörth am Rhein plant. The trucks will be deployed from Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Dortmund, and Freiburg as part of Dachser’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize its logistics network. The delivery is part of a 15-unit order placed with Mercedes-Benz Trucks, with the remaining eight trucks scheduled for deployment across additional Dachser locations and service partners in the coming months. The move marks a significant expansion in Dachser’s use of heavy-duty electric vehicles beyond pilot…

Stellantis may be excluded from the UK’s newly announced Electric Car Grant (ECG) due to concerns about the carbon intensity of its electric vehicle production in Poland, as the government moves to tie EV subsidies to environmental standards across the entire manufacturing chain. The ECG scheme, launched earlier this month, offers up to £3,750 toward eligible battery-electric vehicles priced under £37,000. However, in a shift from previous subsidies, vehicles must now meet stringent environmental and performance criteria. These include not only zero tailpipe emissions, a minimum 100-mile (WLTP) range, and a top speed of at least 60 mph (96 kph),…

China’s Ministry of Science and Technology released a set of ethical guidelines for autonomous driving technology on Wednesday, underscoring the government’s efforts to tighten oversight of the rapidly developing sector. The new framework emphasizes user safety, transparency, and responsible data practices as essential components in the development and deployment of self-driving systems. The guidelines require developers to “prioritize user safety” and “refrain from disseminating false or misleading information” when publishing research results, according to the ministry. They also mandate that algorithms and models related to autonomous driving be documented and made accessible, while data collection must be limited strictly to…

Europcar Switzerland has become the first major car rental provider to offer the compact electric Microlino to customers, targeting urban travelers in Zurich and Bern with an all-inclusive daily rental plan. The Swiss-designed two-seater electric vehicle (EV), known for its retro-inspired style and small footprint, is being offered at a daily rate of CHF 39.90 (€42.80), which includes electricity and unlimited mileage. The initiative is intended to provide a sustainable, low-cost transportation option suited to short trips and narrow city streets. “With the Microlino, we’re offering our customers in urban areas a new, attractive and sustainable mobility option,” said Hendrik…

German car subscription service Finn said it will receive 5,000 additional vehicles from MG Motor in 2025 under an expanded partnership, deepening ties that began in 2021 and strengthening its offering of electric and hybrid vehicles. The deal will allow Finn to offer “almost the entire MG Motor model range,” according to MG Motor Germany. This includes the MG4 Electric compact car and the new MGS5 EV SUV, along with petrol and hybrid models such as the MG HS, MG ZS, and MG3. The companies did not disclose how many of the 5,000 vehicles will be fully electric. “The collaboration…

Peugeot has begun accepting UK orders for the Dual Motor Launch Edition variants of its E-3008 and E-5008 electric SUVs, with prices starting at £56,290 and first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. The new all-wheel-drive models offer a combined system output of 239 kW and are equipped with a 73kWh usable NMC battery. The E-3008 Dual Motor Launch Edition is priced from £56,290, while the larger E-5008 Launch Edition starts at £58,990. Both models incorporate a standard 156 kW front motor and an additional 82 kW rear motor, delivering 509Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 62…

GreenFlux, a provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging management software, has expanded its roaming network to include one million charge points across Europe and Turkey. The company says the development supports broader access to charging infrastructure amid growing EV adoption. The network now spans 37 European countries and Turkey, covering more than 80% of the continent, including all EU member states. The Netherlands, Germany, France, and Belgium each have over 100,000 charge points. According to GreenFlux, the number of connected charge points has grown from 100,000 in 2019 to one million by mid-2025. “Reaching 1 million charge points is a…

Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar reported a 38% increase in second-quarter sales on Thursday, supported by promotions and renewed focus on its European market. The company sold an estimated 18,049 vehicles during the quarter, up from the same period in 2023, despite inflationary pressures and growing competition from hybrid and gasoline vehicles. “We’ve delivered another strong quarter of growth, in increasingly challenging market and geopolitical conditions,” Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller said in a statement. The company has begun shifting its strategy to emphasize Europe, where demand has remained resilient even as the broader industry faces high interest rates and economic…

Alpine has revealed the A290 Rallye, its first all-electric rally car designed for customer racing, as part of its 70th-anniversary celebrations. The new model is set to debut at the Rallye Rouergue Rodez Aveyron Occitanie and represents the French brand’s latest step toward carbon-neutral motorsport. Built on the chassis of the recently launched A290 road car, the rally-spec variant was developed by Alpine’s Viry-Châtillon technical teams and assembled at the brand’s competition facility in Dieppe. Upgrades for rally use include specific suspension tuning, ALP Racing Suspension shock absorbers, and 8 x 18-inch EVO Corse wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport…

Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley has issued a stark warning about the future of American carmakers, stating that legacy automakers like Ford risk falling behind—and potentially becoming obsolete—if they cannot keep pace with China’s rapid dominance in electric vehicle (EV) production and innovation. “We’re in a global competition with China, and it’s not just EVs,” Farley said at the Aspen Ideas Festival on Friday. “If we lose this, we do not have a future Ford.” His remarks reflect growing concern within the U.S. auto industry over China’s increasingly competitive position in the global EV landscape. Farley, who said he has…