Author: David Smith

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has filed a new battery-electric sedan, the B01, for regulatory approval as part of its effort to expand its B-series lineup, according to a recent filing by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The B01 appears in MIIT’s latest draft catalog for new vehicles, which is open for public comment through April 23. Inclusion in the catalog is the final major regulatory step before a vehicle can be sold in China. See also: Leapmotor Launches B10 Crossover in China, Undercutting BYD Atto 3 with 800V Tech and 600 km Range The B01 will…

China has imposed a sweeping export ban on six rare earth elements and specialist magnets made from them, escalating tensions with the United States following the latter’s recent tariff hikes. The move threatens to disrupt global supply chains for electric motors, microchips, and other technologies dependent on these critical materials. The export restrictions, effective from April 4, extend beyond the U.S. and apply to all countries, according to The New York Times, which cited unnamed industry sources and officials. The halt affects neodymium-based magnets and six rare earth elements exclusively refined in China, which together account for roughly 90% of…

HelloFresh has added 70 all-electric delivery vans from Rivian to its U.S. fleet, becoming the first major commercial customer to adopt the vehicles since the electric vehicle maker ended its exclusivity agreement with Amazon. The new Rivian vans now make up nearly a quarter of HelloFresh’s delivery fleet and have contributed to an estimated savings of 20,000 gallons of gasoline, the company said in a blog post published Wednesday. HelloFresh added that the switch to electric vehicles has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 200 metric tonnes. See also: Rivian Releases Software Update to Improve Low-Speed Ride Comfort “We’re proud…

The U.S. administration is considering temporary exemptions to its recently imposed tariffs on imported vehicles, as mounting pressure from automakers prompts a reassessment of the policy’s broader impact on domestic manufacturing. The 25% tariff on imported passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, introduced in early April, is set to be followed by additional duties on auto parts next month. See also: Global EV Sales Rise 29% in Q1 2025 Amid Tariffs and Shifting Subsidies While certain vehicles from Mexico and Canada are already exempt under existing North American trade agreements, officials are now reviewing further exemptions that could provide short-term…

Lotus Robotics, the intelligent driving division of Lotus Technology, has teamed up with HERE Technologies to introduce the Highway Navigation Pilot, a system designed to offer Level 2+ (L2+) automated driving capabilities. The system utilizes HERE’s HD Live Map to provide high-precision location data, enhancing safety and convenience for drivers. The Highway Navigation Pilot is slated for European homologation in 2025 and will debut in upcoming Lotus vehicles, with availability for integration by other automakers in the European market. The collaboration between the two companies builds on their previous successful partnership, combining Lotus Robotics’ advanced engineering expertise with HERE’s cutting-edge…

Tesla has begun rolling out its 2025 Spring Update, adding a range of new features and improvements via over-the-air software, although many of the updates will only be available on the company’s more recent vehicle models. A key highlight of the update is the introduction of adaptive headlights for vehicles equipped with matrix LED headlamps. This feature, now available in Canada and the United States, enables dynamic dimming of specific pixels to improve nighttime visibility while reducing glare for other drivers. The update does not apply to the Cybertruck, which lacks the required hardware. See also: Tesla Average Prices Rise…

EV infrastructure provider Believ plans to install 6,000 public electric vehicle charge points across Suffolk, marking one of the UK’s most extensive on-street charging initiatives. The phased installation is scheduled to begin this summer, with the first units expected to go live in early 2025. The rollout will target residential streets, community hubs, and other public spaces, with a focus on areas lacking off-street parking – a significant barrier to EV adoption in many parts of the UK. Believ will handle the installation, operation, and maintenance of the charge points under a fully funded model. Asset ownership will remain with…

A comprehensive study commissioned by Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) has concluded that electric vehicles (EVs) do not pose a greater health risk from magnetic fields compared to conventional combustion engine cars. Measurements and computer simulations across 14 vehicles—including battery-electric, hybrid, and combustion models—found all vehicles complied with recommended limits for electromagnetic field exposure. According to the BfS, this is the most extensive investigation of its kind to date. See also: Chinese Scientists Develop Method to Extend Lithium-Ion Battery Life with Lithium Injection “Comparatively strong magnetic fields were detected in…

Tesla has launched a new rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant of its Cybertruck in the United States, offering the longest driving range in the all-electric pickup lineup at a lower starting price of $69,990. The company announced the new model on social media platform X late Thursday. The Cybertruck Long Range RWD becomes the most affordable model in the lineup, undercutting the Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version priced at $79,990 and the tri-motor Cyberbeast at $99,990. Buyers may also be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, bringing the effective price of the RWD version down to $62,490 before options. See…

Kia has revised its long-term electric vehicle strategy, cutting its 2030 annual battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales target from 1.6 million to 1.26 million units, citing a more measured outlook for global EV demand. However, the South Korean automaker will retain its plan to launch 15 BEV models by the end of the decade. The adjusted forecast, outlined in Kia’s latest strategic roadmap, represents a reduction of 340,000 units from the goal set in 2023. The company also reaffirmed its goal of selling 250,000 purpose-built electric vehicles (PBVs) annually by 2030. Combined with projected sales of 1.07 million hybrids and plug-in…

Lucid Motors is preparing to roll out Android Auto in its Gravity SUV by September, with plans to extend the feature to its Air sedan around the same timeframe. The move signals the company’s continued focus on enhancing in-car digital experiences without relying solely on proprietary systems. The company has submitted the Gravity platform to Google for certification, a process that typically spans at least six months and may take longer due to the relative newness of Lucid’s system. Rather than building a fully native infotainment suite, Lucid has opted to support projection-based platforms like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay…

Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio rose sharply in Hong Kong trading on Tuesday, following reports that battery manufacturer CATL is in talks to acquire a controlling stake in Nio’s battery-swapping unit, Nio Power. The stock climbed 8.6% to HK$26.60 after sources told Reuters that CATL, the world’s largest EV battery producer, has pledged up to 2.5 billion yuan ($342 million) to support Nio Power. The unit, which operates more than 3,200 battery-swapping stations in China, was recently valued at over 10 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) following a fundraising round earlier this year. The financial terms of CATL’s proposed…