Author: Clara Weiss

The Government of Canada has announced C$10.6 million in funding to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide, as part of its broader push to accelerate adoption of zero-emission transport. Natural Resources Canada said the investment will support 14 projects expected to deliver more than 1,600 new EV chargers across the country. The announcement was made in Toronto during the EV & Charging Expo. While specific deployment locations and charger types were not disclosed, the funding level suggests most installations will likely be Level 2 chargers, with a smaller portion allocated to DC fast-charging units. The initiative forms part of Canada’s…

Volvo Cars has opened order books in Canada for its all-electric EX60, marking the brand’s entry into the mid-size electric SUV segment in the market. The automaker said customer deliveries of the P10 all-wheel-drive variant are scheduled to begin in late 2026, with a starting price of 77,500 Canadian dollars. The model was first unveiled in January and is produced at Volvo’s main plant in Torslanda, alongside combustion-engine and hybrid models such as the Volvo XC60 and Volvo V60. Volvo has positioned the EX60 as a key step in its electrification strategy, describing it as a “game changer.” It is…

Rivian Automotive reported first-quarter vehicle deliveries above analysts’ expectations, suggesting stabilizing demand for its electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles following a slowdown last year. The company delivered 10,365 vehicles between January and March, exceeding estimates of 9,678 units compiled by Visible Alpha. Rivian also reiterated its full-year delivery forecast of between 62,000 and 67,000 vehicles. Production in the first quarter reached 10,236 vehicles, also above analyst expectations of 9,852 units. Rivian’s performance follows a decline in deliveries in the fourth quarter of last year, when the expiration of a $7,500 U.S. federal electric vehicle tax credit reduced incentives…

US electric vehicle maker Lucid Group reported a decline in first-quarter deliveries for 2026, citing a supplier-related issue that temporarily disrupted shipments of its Gravity SUV. The company said it delivered 3,093 vehicles during the January–March period, down 42% from the previous quarter and slightly below the same period last year. Production, however, remained higher at around 5,500 units, reflecting a gap between output and deliveries. Lucid attributed the decline to a quality issue involving second-row seats in the Lucid Gravity, which halted deliveries for 29 days. The issue also led to a recall of more than 4,000 vehicles after…

Honda Motor said seven of its manufacturing plants in the United States have received the 2025 ENERGY STAR certification for Outstanding Energy Efficiency from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The recognition highlights energy efficiency improvements across Honda’s manufacturing operations as the company works to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as part of its broader decarbonization strategy. See also: Honda, DriveOhio Pilot Shows AI Can Detect Road Defects With High Accuracy Facilities receiving the certification for 2025 include the Marysville and East Liberty auto plants in Ohio, which earned the designation for the 20th consecutive year. The Indiana Auto…

Rivian appears set to discontinue the Dual Standard variants of its R1 lineup as the company prepares for the debut of its next-generation model, the Rivian R2. The automaker recently sent customers an email stating that the “Dual Standard is ending,” indicating that the entry-level battery configurations of both the Rivian R1S and Rivian R1T will soon be phased out. Seee also: Rivian Targets Rapid U.S. Launch for R2 Electric SUV The R1S Dual Standard currently starts at $76,990 and offers an estimated 270 miles (435 km) of range. The higher-spec R1S Dual begins at $83,990, featuring a larger battery…

Lawmakers in Washington State are moving forward with legislation that could allow electric vehicle manufacturers Rivian and Lucid Motors to sell vehicles directly to customers, following a similar exemption previously granted to Tesla. The proposal, known as Senate Bill 6354, would modify existing state law that generally requires automakers to sell vehicles through franchised dealerships. Tesla remains the only manufacturer currently exempt from the rule in Washington. Under the proposed legislation, Rivian and Lucid—which already operate showrooms in the state—would be allowed to complete vehicle sales directly to consumers. The bill advanced quickly after being introduced on Feb. 19 and…

The Canadian government has begun issuing permits allowing a limited number of electric vehicles from China to enter the domestic market at a sharply reduced tariff, marking a partial easing of restrictions introduced during recent trade tensions. Between March 1 and August 31, Canada will permit up to 24,500 electric vehicles imported from China to be sold with a tariff of 6.1%, instead of the previously imposed 106.1% duty. The permits are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis by Global Affairs Canada. The policy forms part of a broader agreement reached earlier this year between Canada and China that…

Rivian said it is accelerating the expansion of its service infrastructure, planning to open more than 50 new Service Centers by next year as it prepares for higher vehicle volumes tied to the upcoming launch of its R2 electric SUV platform. The U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer expects its global service network to exceed 150 locations by the end of 2027. Larger facilities will be built in regions with high concentrations of Rivian owners, while customers in less populated areas will increasingly be supported through mobile service operations. Mobile Service has become the company’s most widely used maintenance channel, prompting Rivian…

Nissan has decided not to introduce a lower-cost entry-level version of its redesigned LEAF electric vehicle for the 2026 model year in the United States, abandoning plans for a smaller-battery trim intended to reduce the starting price. The updated LEAF, featuring a taller crossover-like design, extended driving range and a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for access to Tesla Superchargers, will instead launch with a single battery configuration. See also: Nissan Starts Production of Third-Generation LEAF at Sunderland Plant The 2026 LEAF S+ is priced from $29,990 before destination charges, or about $31,485 including fees, positioning it among…

Toyota has unveiled the all-electric 2026 bZ Woodland sport utility vehicle as the newest addition to its battery-electric lineup in the United States, featuring a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with a combined output of 276 kW (375 horsepower). The vehicle is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealerships in March 2026 with a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $45,300, excluding fees. It is powered by a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery and offers an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 281 miles. Toyota estimates the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds. Models equipped with optional all-terrain…

Toyota will expand its electric vehicle lineup in North America with a battery-electric version of the Toyota Highlander, with sales expected to begin in late 2026. The three-row Highlander BEV will be assembled at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, making it the first battery-electric Toyota model produced in the United States. Production had initially been scheduled for 2025 but was postponed by one year. Since the Highlander’s U.S. debut in 2001, more than 3.6 million units have been sold. “With the addition of this BEV model, Toyota aims to further evolve the Highlander in its pursuit of a carbon-neutral society,”…

Lucid has appointed former Rolls-Royce executive Neil Marsons as senior vice president of supply chain, tasking him with strengthening the company’s global supplier network as it scales production in the United States and Saudi Arabia. Lucid said Marsons, who brings more than 20 years of experience, will oversee supply chain operations supporting manufacturing at its facilities in Arizona and Saudi Arabia. He will report to Interim Chief Executive Marc Winterhoff. Marsons had spent the past six months advising Lucid on supply chain strategy before joining the company in a full-time role. See also: Lucid Air Grand Touring Tops Norway Winter…

Rivian is expanding its vehicle software ecosystem with the introduction of an Apple Watch companion app for its R1 lineup, enabling owners to control key vehicle functions directly from their wrist, the company said. The Apple Watch app will be available to both first- and second-generation R1 vehicles through software version 2026.03, alongside Rivian mobile app version 3.9. See also: Rivian Struggles to Fully Fix Battery Calibration Issue in Some R1 Vehicles The update allows drivers to lock or unlock doors, vent windows, sound the alarm, adjust cabin temperature and set a target state of charge using the watch’s digital…

Chinese automaker BYD has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, challenging the legality of tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump and seeking a refund of levies it says it has paid since April last year, according to court documents. The case, lodged on Jan. 26 at the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, marks the first legal challenge by a Chinese carmaker to the Trump administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. Thousands of other global companies with U.S. operations have filed similar suits contesting the same authority. See also:…

Ford Motor Company has promised its U.S. dealer network that it will introduce five all-new vehicle models priced below $40,000 before the end of the decade, as the automaker seeks to address growing concerns over affordability in its lineup, Automotive News reported. Ford executives outlined the plan during meetings with dealers at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) show in Las Vegas, according to the report. The strategy follows years of rising transaction prices and the company’s withdrawal from several lower-priced passenger vehicles, including the recent discontinuation of the Escape crossover. See also: Ford Says New Universal EV Platform Built…

Canada is exploring a deeper automotive cooperation agreement with South Korea that could pave the way for more vehicle and electric vehicle component production on Canadian soil, just weeks after Ottawa struck a deal with China to sharply cut tariffs on EV imports. The two countries, which have had a free trade agreement in place since 2015, are now discussing a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding industrial collaboration, particularly in the automotive and battery sectors. The talks come as both countries seek to diversify trade ties amid uncertainty over U.S. trade policy. See also: Canada–China EV Tariff…

Rivian has issued a recall covering 869 electric vehicles in the United States after identifying a potential issue with the installation of second-row seat belt components that could increase the risk of injury in a crash. According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects certain 2022–2025 R1T electric pickup trucks and 2022–2026 R1S electric sport utility vehicles. Rivian said the bolts securing the second-row driver- and passenger-side seat belt retractor assemblies may not have been properly tightened during manufacturing. See also: Rivian Backs Washington Ballot Push to Allow Direct EV Sales, Pledges $4.6 Million If…

Lucid Motors has assembled the first prototypes of its upcoming mid-size electric SUV at its Arizona facility, marking a key step as the company looks to expand beyond its current premium offerings, company executives said. Nick Twork, Lucid’s head of communications, said the prototypes were built at the company’s Casa Grande plant, where the manufacturer currently produces its Air sedan and Gravity SUV. “Spent time in our prototype build area today watching the first full Lucid midsize vehicles come together,” Twork wrote in a post on social media platform X. “Same Lucid DNA as Air and Gravity – space, efficiency,…

The U.S. state of Michigan has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against several of the world’s largest oil companies, accusing them of colluding to stifle competition from electric vehicles and renewable energy while keeping energy prices artificially high. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Friday brought the lawsuit against BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell Oil, and the American Petroleum Institute, alleging the companies engaged in unlawful coordination to limit innovation and output in Michigan’s transportation and primary energy markets. See also: Michigan Allocates $1.84 Million to Expand EV Charging Across Multifamily Housing Sites According to the 126-page complaint, the defendants…