Author: Daniel Whitford

Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation has committed A$30.7 million ($30.7 million) in equity to Applied Electric Vehicles, backing the Melbourne-based manufacturer’s autonomous Blanc Robot fleet for deployment across industrial and logistics applications. The investment marks the fund’s first allocation under its Transport priority area and represents more than half of AEV’s roughly $40 million Series B funding round. Other investors in the round include Barrenjoey and Japan Post Capital, while existing backers include Suzuki Motor Corporation and St Baker. See also: Benteler Unit Holon Expands Management Team to Support Autonomous Shuttle Rollout AEV develops cab-less, flat-chassis autonomous electric vehicles designed…

Thirty-seven new electric buses will be added to Dunedin’s public transport network under two long-term contracts awarded by the Otago Regional Council (ORC) to Australian-based bus operator Kinetic, as New Zealand accelerates the shift toward zero-emission public transport. The contracts, valued at a combined NZ$100 million, will run for nine years from October 2026 and will be delivered under Kinetic’s Go Bus brand. The additional vehicles will increase Dunedin’s Kinetic-operated electric bus fleet to 53 units, strengthening the city’s progress toward full fleet electrification. See also: Metlink Expands Electric Bus Fleet with Addition of 16 New Battery-Electric Vehicles Kinetic operates…

Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has officially entered the New Zealand market, unveiling three models at a brand launch ceremony in Auckland on Jan. 15 as it steps up its international expansion under a revamped global strategy. At the event, GAC introduced the AION V electric SUV, the Trumpchi M8 plug-in hybrid MPV and the Trumpchi GS3 Emzoom compact SUV, offering New Zealand consumers a mix of fully electric, plug-in hybrid and internal combustion options. The company said the lineup was selected to reflect local demand for greener mobility alongside practical family and lifestyle vehicles. The launch marks a milestone for…

Changan Mazda said it plans to introduce the Mazda CX-6e electric SUV to Australia and New Zealand later this year, extending the global rollout of the model beyond Europe as the automaker expands its electric vehicle portfolio. The CX-6e is the international version of Changan Mazda’s EZ-60, which made its global debut at the Brussels auto show in January. The model will enter the European market this summer before being launched in Australia and New Zealand, the joint venture said on Tuesday. See also: Mazda Brings China-Built CX-6e Electric SUV to Europe, Starting at €49,990 in Germany Changan Mazda, a…

Tesla has expanded its standard new-vehicle warranty in Australia and New Zealand, extending coverage to five years with unlimited kilometres for new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles delivered from Jan. 1, 2026. Under the revised policy, Tesla replaces its previous four-year or 80,000-kilometre basic warranty with a five-year term that removes kilometre limits for private owners. Vehicles used for commercial purposes will be covered for five years or 150,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. The update also includes five years of 24/7 roadside assistance across both countries. See also: Tesla Model Y Wins Gold at 2025 Australian Good Design Awards…

Nio said it plans to enter the Australian and New Zealand markets in the second half of this year, extending its overseas expansion as the Chinese electric vehicle maker steps up its focus on right-hand-drive markets through its Firefly sub-brand. The company is expected to launch its electric vehicles in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2026, Chris Chen, Nio’s head of global business, said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Thursday. Chen added that Nio will also enter Thailand in March with the launch of Firefly-branded vehicles, marking an early move into Southeast…

The government of New South Wales has opened the latest round of its electric vehicle fleet incentives programme, making more than A$5 million available to businesses seeking to electrify their vehicle fleets. The scheme is designed to support businesses purchasing or leasing up to 15 battery electric vehicles and installing associated charging infrastructure. Funding is available across a wide range of vehicle types, from passenger cars to heavy commercial vehicles, although the incentives do not cover the full cost of each purchase. Under the latest round, the New South Wales government said incentives include A$5,000 for passenger vehicles and SUVs…

Mining company Fortescue has received its second battery electric locomotive with an onboard energy capacity of 14.5 megawatt-hours, as part of efforts to reduce diesel consumption and emissions across its iron ore operations in Western Australia. The eight-axle locomotive was delivered to Port Hedland late last week before being transferred to the Pilbara region, following the arrival of the first unit in June. The locomotives were built by Progress Rail, a unit of Caterpillar, at its facility in Sete Lagoas, Brazil. See also: Fortescue to Buy 300–400 Zero-Emission Mining Trucks from China’s XCMG Fortescue said the two locomotives are powered…

MAN Truck & Bus has been selected as the main supplier under Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) largest bus procurement contract to date, with a framework agreement covering more than 3,000 buses to be delivered between 2027 and 2032, the companies said. A significant share of the vehicles under the agreement will be fully electric, reflecting Deutsche Bahn’s strategy to expand low-emission mobility in regional and urban public transport across Germany. The buses will be operated by DB Regio AG, Deutsche Bahn’s regional transport subsidiary. See also: MAN Truck & Bus Secures Record Electric Bus Order in South Africa “The new framework…

Adelaide’s public transport network has begun a new phase of bus electrification after operator Adelaide Metro took delivery of its first two battery-electric buses from Scania, marking the start of a rollout that will see 60 electric buses in service by mid-2026. The buses are expected to enter service next week and will progressively replace older diesel vehicles across the network, Adelaide Metro said. The move supports South Australia’s broader strategy to cut emissions from public transport operations. See also: South Australia Orders 60 Electric Buses from Scania to Advance Zero-Emission Transport The full order for 60 electric buses was…

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed A$21 million (approximately $13.8 million USD) to three new projects designed to expand the country’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network and accelerate grid-integration technology. The funding, allocated under the “Driving the Nation” programme, targets the rollout of ultrafast charging corridors in major metropolitan areas, increased rural charging access, and the establishment of a national vehicle-grid data-sharing network. The largest funding portion, A$18.1 million, has been granted to Flow Power. In partnership with Gridserve, the company will develop and manage a network of ultrafast charging stations connecting Australia’s eastern capital cities: Brisbane, Melbourne,…

JET Charge, an electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider, has completed a large-scale charging infrastructure project for IKEA Australia, installing a total of 59 chargers across seven locations nationwide. The network is designed to support more than 100 electric delivery vehicles, enabling the retailer’s strategy to transition to zero-emission delivery operations. The installation covers key IKEA sites in Tempe, Rhodes, Marsden Park, Sydney CDC, Canberra, Springvale, and North Lakes, with future installations planned for Richmond and Logan. The infrastructure integrates smart load management capabilities to handle grid constraints and ensure future-proof charging capacity. See also: Australian EV Startup MEVCO Collapses…