Author: Christopher Harrison

The new “Acceleration Boost” option, first shared by Tesla owner and investor Matthew Donegan-Ryan on social media platform X, enhances the Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variant’s power output by an estimated 100 horsepower. The upgrade reduces the vehicle’s 0–60 mph time from 4.6 seconds to 4.2 seconds—a significant performance gain for an SUV in its class. Tesla had previously offered similar acceleration upgrades for earlier Model Y versions. However, this marks the first appearance of a paid performance enhancement for the refreshed 2026 model, which debuted under the “Juniper” internal codename. See also: Tesla Offers 1.99% APR…

A Waymo robotaxi was photographed being pulled over by Tokyo traffic police, drawing social media attention as the U.S. firm expands its operations into Japan. Although the vehicle is part of Waymo’s autonomous fleet, it was being manually operated by a driver from Tokyo-based Nihon Kotsu. The company began on-road trials last month to collect real-world driving data across seven Tokyo wards, including Shinjuku and Minato. See also: Waymo Begins Tokyo Testing with Driver-Operated EVs, Eyes Future Self-Driving Expansion https://twitter.com/YukkuriMasa1225/status/1918532072077181197 The stop, which appeared to involve a standard traffic violation, was not attributed to the vehicle’s self-driving software. Waymo’s presence…

California-based battery manufacturer Amprius Technologies has introduced a new high-performance variant of its SiCore battery cell, reaching a gravimetric energy density of 450 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), aimed at electric mobility and aerospace applications. The new SiCore cell also delivers a volumetric energy density of 950 watt-hours per litre (Wh/L), leveraging Amprius’ proprietary silicon anode technology. The company claims the silicon-based system provides up to 80% more energy than conventional lithium-ion cells using graphite anodes, translating into extended vehicle ranges and longer flight times for aircraft, while maintaining a compact form factor. See also: Amprius Secures $15 Million Battery Order…

Octopus Energy has launched what it calls the UK’s first ‘unlimited’ electric vehicle charging subscription, offering EV owners the ability to charge their cars for £30 per month during scheduled hours. The new plan, named the Intelligent Drive Pack, is designed for home customers with standard Fixed or Flexible tariffs, and will rely on smart charging to optimize costs and energy use. Available as a bolt-on service, the subscription requires a smart meter and compatible hardware — from among 280 supported EV models and home chargers. Customers will be able to select a desired “ready by” time between 4am and…

STRADVISION and Axera have entered into a partnership aimed at developing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies. The collaboration combines STRADVISION’s SVNet, an AI-based vision software, with Axera’s AI System on Chip (SoC) platforms to support future mobility solutions. The companies plan to optimize SVNet for use on Axera’s existing and upcoming chip platforms, with the goal of providing adaptable and high-performance solutions for a range of vehicle types. The technology was first presented at Shanghai Auto 2025, with further demonstrations scheduled for CES 2026. According to a joint announcement, the partnership is intended to enhance system…

Kia said it has enabled owners of its EV6, EV9, and Niro electric vehicles in the United States to access more than 21,500 Tesla Superchargers through its Kia Access app, expanding total DC fast charger availability to approximately 40,000 across the country. The expansion follows Kia’s adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and represents an 80% increase in the number of fast chargers available to its customers. The automaker has begun offering NACS adapters at dealerships, allowing older Kia EVs to connect to Tesla’s charging infrastructure. See also: 2025 Kia EV6 Starts at $42,900, Adds Native NACS Charging…

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a long-wheelbase version of its all-electric CLA saloon tailored specifically for the Chinese market, just weeks after the global debut of the standard model. The CLA L made its premiere at the 2025 Auto Shanghai, marking the first time the automaker has applied the long-wheelbase format to this vehicle class. The CLA L extends both the wheelbase and overall length by four centimetres compared to the version intended for Europe, reaching a wheelbase of 2.83 metres and a total length of 4.76 metres. The additional space is directed toward rear passenger comfort, in line with consumer preferences…

U.S. electric vehicle maker Rivian is facing mounting supply chain and cost pressures following the announcement of new tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts set to take effect later this year. The measures, introduced last month by former President Donald Trump, include a 25% tariff on imported vehicles starting April 3, 2025, and additional levies on auto parts beginning in May. Rivian, which produces its R1T pickup, R1S SUV, and commercial vans at its plant in Normal, Illinois, said the global complexity of the automotive supply chain poses compliance challenges, despite efforts to rely on domestic sourcing. See also:…

Genesis revealed its latest design study, the X Gran Equator Concept, at the New York Auto Show, signaling the brand’s ambition to expand into more adventurous, lifestyle-oriented vehicles. The off-road SUV concept follows recent unveilings of the X Gran Coupe and Convertible concepts at the Seoul Mobility Show and showcases a distinct approach to luxury off-roading. See also: Hyundai, Genesis Pledge No US Price Hikes Through June Despite Tariff Uncertainty Combining the brand’s “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy with the “rugged spirit of overlanding,” the X Gran Equator rides on 24-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in aggressive all-terrain tires, with pronounced ground…

Archer Aviation and United Airlines have revealed a detailed air taxi route network for the New York City metropolitan area, offering travelers a faster and more sustainable alternative to navigating congested airport commutes. The new routes, designed around Archer’s all-electric Midnight aircraft, aim to connect Manhattan to JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports in under 15 minutes. Santa Clara-based Archer Aviation is among the frontrunners in developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. Its flagship model, the Midnight, is engineered to transport four passengers and a pilot over short distances with minimal noise and zero tailpipe…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio said it will exhibit models from all three of its brands — Nio, Onvo and Firefly — at the 2025 Shanghai auto show, marking the first public showing for its newly introduced sub-brands. The event, officially titled Auto Shanghai 2025, is scheduled to run from April 23 to May 2 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. The first two days are designated for media previews. Nio’s participation will include the return of its flagship two-story showroom concept, Nio House, with vehicle displays on the first floor and a lounge and user interaction space on…

Scania has introduced a new 6×2*4 electric bus chassis designed to support higher passenger capacity and greater flexibility for urban and regional routes, the Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer said on Wednesday. The new three-axle variant, which builds on Scania’s electric bus platform first launched in 2023, targets medium- and heavy-duty operations in city, suburban, and shorter intercity segments. It complements the company’s existing 4×2 low-entry battery electric vehicle (LE BEV) configuration by offering additional rear-axle capacity and enhanced component flexibility. See also: Scania Acquires Northvolt Division for Industrial Battery Systems After Bankruptcy “With a completely new e-machine, this three-axle electric…

Tesla has reached a new production milestone at its Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, announcing on Friday that the facility has produced its 400,000th vehicle. The figure includes both the Model Y and Cybertruck, with the Model Y making up the majority of output since production began in 2021. “Congrats to the Giga Texas team on producing their 400,000th vehicle,” the company said in a post on social media platform X, accompanied by celebratory photos taken at the factory. Aerial footage captured earlier in the week by drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer also showed Tesla preparing for the milestone announcement. See also:…

MAN Truck & Bus has initiated a tender process to deploy battery-electric trucks across nearly 40 logistics routes by 2026, as part of a broader effort to decarbonize its own transportation network. The move comes amid test operations involving MAN’s eTGX truck on selected routes in Bavaria, with full rollout expected next year. The pilot project, conducted in partnership with DB Schenker, is currently operating two daily round trips between Bamberg, Munich and Nuremberg. MAN estimates that once the electric fleet is fully deployed across the selected routes, it could cover up to 165 million kilometres annually within its inbound…

Tesla has stopped accepting new orders for its Model S and Model X vehicles in China, a move that comes amid heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and China and growing tariffs on American-made imports. The automaker has replaced the “Order Now” button on the Chinese-language web pages for both models with a “View Now” option. Until recently, Chinese customers could place orders for imported versions of the Model S and Model X, with delivery wait times ranging from three to eight months, according to CnEVPost’s monitoring. See also: Tesla China Sells 74,127 Vehicles in March, Up 18.8% Year-on-Year and…

Volvo Energy has introduced a new battery energy storage system (BESS) aimed at providing reliable off-grid electricity in response to increasing global demand for portable power, particularly in the face of more frequent extreme weather events. The PU500 BESS offers around 500 kWh of usable battery capacity, with a total storage potential of up to 540 kWh. Designed for rapid deployment in a variety of settings, it can be used to supply electricity to remote construction sites, disaster response efforts, or off-grid public events such as festivals. The system is positioned to serve areas lacking consistent access to the power…

The UK government has extended its plug-in truck and van grant schemes through April 2026, aiming to reduce the cost of adopting electric commercial vehicles and support the transition to zero-emission transport. The grants form part of a broader initiative that includes funding for EV charging infrastructure and support for private and commercial vehicle buyers. The plug-in truck grant provides discounts of up to £25,000 for large electric trucks over 12 tonnes (N3 category) and up to £16,000 for smaller electric trucks weighing between 4.25 and 12 tonnes (N2 category). The vehicles must be capable of travelling at least 96…

BMW EVs had a great 2024, selling more globally than Mercedes-Benz and Audi combined, suggesting that having electric and combustion versions of the same car is the winning strategy. Its EV sales growth continued in the year’s first quarter in the U.S., where the manufacturer has announced delivering 26.4% more pure electric cars compared to Q1 2024. The most popular model was the i4, the electric version of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, which sold 7,125 units in Q1 2025, up from 4,537 in 2024, marking an impressive 57% increase. Second came the iX, the only current BMW EV that…

The Onvo L90, the second model from Nio’s sub-brand Onvo, has completed winter testing as the mid-to-large-size SUV approaches its official debut at the Shanghai auto show later this month. Onvo released a video and images on its social media accounts on Tuesday, showcasing the L90’s cold-weather trials in Heihe, Heilongjiang province, northeastern China. See also: Nio Appoints New Onvo President as Alan Ai Steps Down The company highlighted the SUV’s spacious design, emphasizing its suitability for large families. The footage also revealed the vehicle’s body height adjustment feature, indicating the presence of an air suspension system. Eric Yu, Onvo’s…

Xiaomi EV, the electric vehicle unit of Xiaomi, delivered more than 29,000 vehicles in March, continuing its steady growth as it ramps up production, the company announced on Weibo on Saturday. This marks the sixth consecutive month Xiaomi EV has exceeded 20,000 monthly deliveries. While the company has not provided exact figures, it expressed confidence in achieving its annual target of 350,000 deliveries. See also: Xiaomi Cooperates with Authorities Following Fatal Accident Involving SU7 EV Xiaomi EV officially launched the SU7 electric sedan on March 28, 2024, positioning it as a competitor to Tesla’s Model 3. The SU7 is available…