Author: David Smith

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…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has unveiled the eArocs 400, a battery-electric version of its construction-focused Arocs truck, marking its latest step toward electrification in the commercial vehicle sector. The model is expected to enter production in 2026, though initial output will be limited to 150 units annually for select European markets. The eArocs 400, which will be available in 32- and 41-tonne 8×4 axle configurations, is aimed at construction transport applications such as concrete mixing and tipping. The electric truck will be assembled alongside its diesel counterpart at the Wörth plant in Germany, with electrification work carried out by specialist vehicle converter…

Hyundai Motor and its luxury arm Genesis said Friday they will not raise vehicle prices in the United States over the next two months, despite new tariff announcements from former President Donald Trump, including a proposed 25% levy on South Korean imports. The decision follows Hyundai’s strongest March sales performance in the U.S. to date. In response to what it called “dynamic market conditions,” the company unveiled its Customer Assurance program, which guarantees pricing stability for U.S. buyers until June 2, 2025. See also: Hyundai Unveils Facelifted Ioniq 6 and Teases High-Performance Ioniq 6 N “We know consumers are uncertain…

Tesla has quietly removed the range extender option for its Cybertruck from the online configurator, raising questions about whether the long-promised accessory will still reach customers. The range extender, a removable battery pack designed to sit in the truck bed and extend driving range, was originally presented as a solution to address criticism over the Cybertruck’s lower-than-expected range. See also: Tesla Enhances Cybertruck’s Steer-by-Wire System with Realistic Road Feedback When the production version of the vehicle was unveiled in late 2023, the tri-motor variant offered 320 miles of range—far short of the originally promised 500 miles—while the dual-motor version offered…