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,”…