Author: Christopher Harrison

LION Smart has been commissioned by an unnamed premium original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to conduct a feasibility study on a fast-charging battery system designed for electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The goal is to develop a battery capable of delivering a driving range of up to 450 kilometers after just 15 minutes of charging, supporting charging rates of up to 3 megawatts. Currently, most electric trucks require overnight charging, and such a high-capacity battery system could significantly reduce the need for multiple chargers at truck depots, facilitating faster turnaround times. The concept under development centers on an immersion-cooled high-performance battery…

Ford Motor’s performance division has revealed the vehicle it will campaign at the 2025 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb — an all-electric Super Mustang Mach-E, as it targets a third consecutive victory at the storied motorsports event. The electric demonstrator, designed specifically for the high-altitude race, was shown publicly for the first time following months of speculation about its identity. The Super Mustang Mach-E is based on Ford’s electric crossover but features significant aerodynamic and performance enhancements. “12 miles of mountain road. 156 turns. 14,115 feet of elevation. This is the @pikespeakhillclimb, and we’re bringing 6,125 lbs of downforce —…

Skoda Auto has unveiled its latest flagship electric vehicle, the Enyaq RS, marking a significant upgrade to its Enyaq family. The new RS variant is offered in both SUV and Coupé body styles, and becomes the brand’s fastest-accelerating and most powerful electric model to date, with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing 250 kW of system output. The Enyaq RS is part of Skoda’s broader EV strategy and follows the recent launch of the compact Elroq RS, which debuted in April with a starting price of just over €53,000. While pricing for the Enyaq RS has not yet been confirmed, it…

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc reported weak first-quarter results, delivering only two vehicles and generating $300,000 in revenue, while reiterating ambitious plans to expand its lineup under a new mainstream FX brand. The California-based electric vehicle maker said the upcoming FX range is expected to include several models, such as the Super One minivan, the FX 6 crossover, and an entry-level FX 5, projected to be priced between $20,000 and $30,000. Despite the modest performance in the first quarter, Faraday Future said it expanded its customer reach with a delivery on the U.S. East Coast. The company continues to face…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar reported a narrower first-quarter loss on Monday, as the company’s cost-cutting measures and a focus on selling higher-priced models began to show results amid a broader slowdown in the EV market. The Sweden-based automaker, backed by China’s Geely Holding, posted a net loss of $190 million for the three months ended March 31, down from $276 million a year earlier. The company’s gross margin improved to 6.8% from a negative 7.7% during the same period last year. See also: Polestar Introduces Battery Health Certificate for Used Polestar 2 Vehicles Revenue surged 84% to $608 million in…

At Power2Drive 2025, Phoenix Contact introduced the second generation of its CHARX connect professional, a high-power charging (HPC) connector designed for up to 1,000 kW charging power in boost mode, a significant leap from the current limits of the Combined Charging Standard (CCS). This new connector, while using the CCS standard, is capable of providing rapid charging performance for electric vehicles, including buses, trucks, and future passenger cars, positioning Phoenix Contact as a leader in the evolution of electric vehicle charging. The CHARX connect professional connector uses liquid cooling to achieve impressive performance, allowing for up to 800 kW of…

Avatr Technology, the electric vehicle brand backed by Changan Automobile, CATL and Huawei, launched the updated Avatr 12 sedan on Thursday, expanding its lineup to include both battery electric and extended-range variants, while also addressing online scrutiny over the model’s aerodynamic performance. The 2025 Avatr 12 comes in two extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants and four battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions, with prices ranging from RMB 269,900 to RMB 429,900 ($37,360–$59,500). The entry-level pricing is slightly higher than last year’s BEV-only model, which started at RMB 265,800. A temporary discount of RMB 10,000 is being offered on all variants until…

The West Midlands will install 10,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging connections over the coming years, as part of a major regional push to expand the UK’s charging infrastructure, local officials said on Monday. With over 4,000 public charging points already in place, the West Midlands ranks fifth among English regions outside London. The new investment, announced by Mayor Richard Parker, will include nine ultra-fast charging hubs providing more than 200 additional high-speed charging points. “The West Midlands is the beating heart of the UK car industry and I want us to lead the charge into a new era of…

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…