Author: Daniel Whitford

Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed AUD 100 million (around €60 million) to support electric vehicle adoption, partnering with Volkswagen Financial Services Australia to offer discounted loans for EV buyers. Under the programme, customers financing eligible electric vehicles through VWFS can receive interest rate reductions of up to 1.0 percentage point, with 0.5 percentage points contributed by the CEFC and 0.5 by VWFS. The scheme applies to consumer loans for passenger EVs priced below Australia’s Luxury Car Tax threshold, as well as commercial loans for light electric commercial vehicles such as vans and utility vehicles, which are not…

Volvo Bus Australia has delivered 22 battery-electric buses to Transport for NSW, with most of the vehicles scheduled to enter service in Western Sydney from July as part of new airport-linked routes. The buses are included in the state’s New Bus Services for Western Sydney programme and contribute to the broader Zero Emission Buses Program, which aims to deploy around 1,700 electric buses across Sydney by 2028. The vehicles are built on Volvo’s BZL Electric chassis and were bodied locally by Volgren. Under the latest rollout, 18 buses will operate across five new permanent routes connecting key areas—including Penrith, Liverpool…

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will provide up to $25.3 million to support the rollout of three open-access fast-charging hubs for electric trucks in Melbourne, as part of efforts to cut emissions from heavy freight and strengthen Australia’s energy security. The funding will underpin the development of the NewVolt Network, a shared fast-charging infrastructure initiative targeting heavy and medium-duty battery-electric trucks across Victoria. Construction has already begun on three purpose-built sites located in Melbourne’s key freight corridors in the west, south-east and northern suburbs. The first hub is expected to open in late 2026, with the remaining sites to…

The European Commission and Australia have reached a comprehensive free trade agreement after years of negotiations, aiming to remove tariffs across most sectors and strengthen cooperation in electric vehicles, batteries and critical raw materials. The deal will abolish more than 99% of tariffs on EU exports to Australia, while also reducing import duties on key raw materials. The European Commission estimates the agreement could save European companies around €1 billion annually in customs duties. For the automotive sector, the agreement removes the existing 5% tariff on vehicle exports from the EU to Australia, covering all drivetrains including battery-electric vehicles. At…

The New Zealand Government has announced a $52.7 million zero-interest loan programme to support the rollout of more than 2,500 new public electric vehicle charge points, as part of efforts to accelerate EV adoption and reduce emissions. The initiative will be complemented by $60 million in co-investment from ChargeNet and Meridian Energy, bringing combined funding to over $110 million. The programme will deliver 2,574 new charge points, including 1,374 DC fast chargers and 1,200 AC chargers. Fast chargers will primarily be installed along highways for shorter charging stops of 20 to 60 minutes, while AC chargers will be deployed in…

Solaris Bus & Coach is presenting its latest zero-emission bus, the Solaris Urbino 10.5 Electric, at Mobility Move 2026 currently taking place in Berlin. The three-day event, running from March 10 to 12, gathers public transport operators, manufacturers, and industry experts to discuss developments in sustainable mobility and public transport systems. At stand 39, Solaris is showcasing the Urbino 10.5 electric, a compact midibus designed for routes where conventional 12-metre buses may be less suitable. With a length of 10.5 metres, the vehicle aims to combine manoeuvrability with relatively high passenger capacity. The bus is built using Solaris’ modular drive…

Public transport operator Kinetic Group has secured all four units in the latest bus services tender issued by Auckland Transport, a contract valued at NZ$755 million (€384.6 million) that will expand electric bus operations in New Zealand’s largest city. Under the agreement, Kinetic will operate 201 zero-emission buses during the life of the contract, including 125 new electric vehicles scheduled to enter service in 2027. A total of 165 electric buses will be deployed from the start of operations, according to the company, marking its largest contract award in Auckland to date. The fleet will include lightweight electric double-decker buses,…

Hyundai has begun exporting its China-developed Elexio electric SUV to overseas markets, launching the model in Australia as it seeks to compete more directly with Tesla and Chinese EV makers such as BYD. The Elexio is the first dedicated electric vehicle tailored specifically for the Chinese market by Hyundai’s joint venture with BAIC Motor, Beijing-Hyundai. Its overseas rollout mirrors a strategy used by sister brand Kia with the China-focused EV5, reflecting growing pressure from fast-expanding Chinese competitors. In Australia, the midsize SUV is offered initially in a single “Elite” trim priced from AUD 59,990 driveaway under an introductory offer. Hyundai…

Tesla’s six-seat Model Y L has received regulatory approval for sale in Australia, marking another step in the electric vehicle maker’s plans to expand the variant beyond China. The Model Y L was first introduced in China last year as an alternative to the standard five-seat version, featuring a 2+2+2 seating configuration with captain’s chairs in the second row and a bench seat in the third. The design aims to offer more practical space than the optional seven-seat layout available on the regular Model Y. Approval documents published on Australia’s ROVER portal, which manages applications under the Road Vehicle Standards…

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) has placed a follow-up order with New Flyer of America for 100 forty-foot buses, including 75 hybrid-electric models and 25 battery-electric units, as part of efforts to modernize its fleet serving the U.S. capital region. The latest purchase mirrors an order placed last summer for the same mix of vehicles and falls within a broader agreement that included options for up to 400 additional buses. Financial support for the procurement comes from a combination of federal, state and local sources, including funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission grant program.…

Tesla has confirmed key performance specifications for its long-delayed all-electric Semi truck, including an 800-kilowatt powertrain and two range configurations, as the company prepares to begin mass production later this year. Tesla quietly updated its official Semi webpage with final production details, a change first reported by Electrek, without issuing a formal announcement. The update confirms that the Class 8 electric truck will be offered in Standard Range and Long Range variants, though Tesla has not disclosed battery capacity figures. See also: California EV Truck Incentives Reserve $165 Million for Tesla Semi, Drawing Industry Scrutiny For the Standard Range version,…

California’s flagship clean-truck incentive programme has set aside about $165 million for purchases of the Tesla Semi, despite the electric truck not yet entering full-scale production, prompting concerns among rival manufacturers over market concentration and access to public funding. The allocation comes through the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), a state-backed scheme designed to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Since its launch in 2009, HVIP has distributed more than $1.6 billion in incentives aimed at reducing emissions from freight and transit fleets. See also: Tesla Semi Production Delayed to 2026 as…

Kent County Council has awarded a 20-year contract to Urban Fox to install up to 10,000 on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging sockets across the county, as part of a programme aimed at expanding access for residents without off-street parking. The rollout, supported by more than £12 million in central government funding, is scheduled to begin in summer 2026. The chargers will be installed primarily in residential streets where access to private driveways is limited, with locations selected based on local demand and technical suitability. The funding is provided by the UK Department for Transport through its Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure…

Phoenix Contact has introduced a combined CCS vehicle charging inlet and charging control unit, aiming to simplify electric vehicle architectures and reduce installation space for commercial and heavy-duty applications. The new product, branded CHARX connect advanced, integrates charging communication and control directly into the vehicle-side CCS charging socket, functions that have traditionally required separate external control devices. Phoenix Contact said sample units are already available for original equipment manufacturers, with series production scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026. The company, headquartered in Blomberg, Lippe, described the system as the world’s first CCS vehicle charging inlet with integrated…

TotalEnergies has formed a joint investment platform with asset manager Tikehau Capital to accelerate the rollout of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Belgium and the Netherlands, the companies said. The platform, owned equally by TotalEnergies and Tikehau Capital, will focus on expanding and operating public charging concessions already developed by TotalEnergies in major cities across both countries, while also bidding for new municipal and regional tenders. See also: TotalEnergies and Banque des Territoires Form Joint Platform to Expand EV Charging in France The initiative is aimed at supporting local authorities as they scale urban charging networks and transition…

Sunswap has expanded into Australia through a partnership with Protran Solutions, marking the UK-based company’s sixth international market as it scales its battery- and solar-powered transport refrigeration technology. The move follows Sunswap’s growth across the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Chile, where its Endurance refrigeration units are already in operation with major retailers and logistics providers. The company positions its technology as a zero-emission alternative to diesel-powered transport refrigeration systems commonly used in cold-chain logistics. See also: ABB Installs First 400 kW A400 EV Chargers in Australia at Ampol Sydney Site Sunswap manufactures the Endurance unit, which is powered…

British electric drivetrain specialist Equipmake has received a further £2.4 million ($3.0 million) order from Brazilian bus manufacturer Agrale, extending an existing supply agreement for electric bus propulsion systems. The new order covers electric drivetrains for 23 Agrale buses of varying configurations and follows an earlier contract announced last September to supply systems for 50 vehicles. Those buses are currently being deployed in Buenos Aires, according to the company. See also: Equipmake Secures £5.45 Mln Order From Agrale For 50 Electric Bus Drivetrains Under the latest agreement, Equipmake will deliver fully integrated electric drivetrain systems, including electric motors, inverters, control…

Heliox, a charging technology subsidiary of Siemens, has introduced its VersiCharge Blue 80A charging system, aimed at fleet and commercial vehicle operators requiring high-power AC charging with minimal downtime. The VersiCharge Blue 80A delivers up to 80 amps of alternating current, equivalent to a maximum output of 19.2 kW, Heliox said. The system supports adjustable power delivery from 12A to 80A, allowing it to accommodate a range of fleet and facility charging needs. See also: Siemens Unveils Sicharge Flex Megawatt Charging System with Up to 1.68 MW Output Designed as a Level 2 charging solution, the system uses a J1772…

Public transport operator Kinetic, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, has opened a new purpose-built bus depot in Preston, Victoria, designed to support the rollout of zero-emission buses across Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The depot will accommodate up to 58 battery-electric buses and is the first in Victoria to feature an overhead gantry charging system, Kinetic said. The design allows charging infrastructure to be suspended above vehicles, reducing the need for ground-mounted equipment and enabling higher vehicle density and operational flexibility within the depot. See also: South Australia Orders 60 Electric Buses from Scania to Advance Zero-Emission…

ABB has installed its first A400 ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers in Australia, deploying 400 kilowatt units at an Ampol Foodary service station on Sydney’s M4 Motorway as part of a charging hub designed for heavy-duty and long-haul electric vehicles. The installation at the Eastern Creek Westbound site includes ten charging bays arranged in a drive-through layout to accommodate electric trucks and large vehicles, including those towing trailers. The companies said the configuration is aimed at reducing access constraints for commercial operators and supporting long-distance travel. See also: Australia Funds EV Charging Expansion and Vehicle-Grid Integration with A$21 Million ABB said…