Author: David Smith

Lucid Group has appointed Taoufiq Boussaid as its chief financial officer, the electric vehicle (EV) maker said on Tuesday, filling the role more than a year after Sherry House stepped down. Boussaid, previously group CFO at Belgium-listed steel and coatings company NV Bekaert SA, contributed to reducing the company’s debt load from July 2019 to October 2024, Lucid said. He will assume his new role on Feb. 25. See also: Lucid Unveils New AI Assistant, Enhancing Vehicle Interactions for Drivers “Taoufiq is joining Lucid at a pivotal time as we ramp up production of the Lucid Gravity SUV and accelerate…

Cadillac’s electrification journey has taken a bold leap with the introduction of the 2026 Lyriq-V, marking the brand’s first fully electric V-Series model. Designed to blend luxury with adrenaline, this high-performance crossover claims the title of the quickest road-going Cadillac ever created. Here’s a comprehensive look at what sets the Lyriq-V apart in the evolving electric vehicle landscape. Under the hood—or rather, beneath its sleek exterior—the Lyriq-V packs a formidable punch. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, powered by a 102 kWh lithium-ion battery, generates an estimated 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. While these figures mirror those of Cadillac’s three-row…

Tesla’s brand reputation in the United Kingdom may be under strain due to CEO Elon Musk’s actions, with a new survey revealing a shift in consumer preferences toward electric vehicles (EVs) from Chinese manufacturers. The study, conducted by EV advice platform Electrifying.com, surveyed 1,000 participants, including current EV owners and prospective buyers. See also: Tesla’s Updated Model Y Juniper Also Debuts in Europe, Starting at €60,990 It found that 59% of respondents were deterred from considering Tesla vehicles because of Musk’s influence. Furthermore, 61% of current EV owners and 56% of potential buyers expressed openness to purchasing EVs from Chinese…

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is currently testing a Volvo FM Electric semi-truck as part of its efforts to assess the viability of low- and zero-emission vehicles in its emergency vehicle fleet. The truck recently completed a 550-kilometer route from the RFS logistics headquarters in Glendenning, New South Wales, to Albury, towing a water tanker, and was displayed at the NSW RFS Championships in Thurgoona. The vehicle’s performance is being evaluated for potential future use in the agency’s operations. See also: Hypnos Beds Transitions to Electric Deliveries with Volvo FM Electric Trucks “This drive presented a…

Volkswagen (VW) is reportedly exploring a joint venture with a Chinese automaker to produce electric vehicles in Germany, potentially marking a significant shift in its operational strategy. The move could enable VW to utilize its underused plants for manufacturing Chinese-designed electric vehicles while benefiting from China’s advanced electric mobility expertise. According to Manager Magazin, discussions have taken place regarding joint production at VW’s Emden facility, where the company currently builds ID.4 and ID.7 electric models. However, cost concerns from Chinese partners have emerged as a hurdle. A VW executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that while taking over a…

Zeekr has announced that its 007 GT wagon will debut in Q2 2025, not only in China but also in select European markets, where it will be branded as the Zeekr 7 GT. This marks a significant step for the company, which has already established a foothold in Europe with sales in the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Although wagons have declined in popularity globally, they remain more favored in Europe than in China. The Zeekr 007 GT aims to cater to this niche market, offering electric vehicle (EV) buyers a premium wagon option with advanced features. Competitors in the European…

Nissan Motor plans to procure batteries for its electric vehicles (EVs) sold in the U.S. from South Korea’s SK On starting around 2028, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Thursday. The agreement involves a supply of 20 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) of ternary lithium batteries, sufficient for approximately 300,000 standard EVs, as the automaker seeks to strengthen its EV business amid a broader turnaround effort. See also: Nissan Delays EV Production at Ohio Plant, Cancels Smaller Electric SUV Plans Separately, Nissan executive vice president Hideyuki Sakamoto confirmed the company is considering producing compact EVs at its Kyushu plant in southern Japan, reaffirming a…

Huawei has unveiled official images of the Maextro S800, a massive electric sedan developed through its joint venture with JAC. Measuring 5,480 mm in length, the Maextro S800 is the largest EV sedan in China and among the largest mass-produced sedans globally, aiming to compete with luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz Maybach and Nio ET9. The Maextro S800 boasts an impressive 1,006 horsepower and will be available in two variants: a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). The BEV version features a tri-motor configuration with a 160 kW motor in the front and two 237.5 kW…

Polestar has expanded its ‘Polestar Energy’ service to eleven European markets, offering smarter, more efficient, and cheaper home charging for electric vehicle (EV) owners. Following a successful pilot phase in the UK and the Netherlands, the service is now available in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Italy, and Spain, with additional markets set to follow later this year. See also: Polestar 3 Wins Norwegian Winter Range Test, Covers 531 km with 5% Deviation from WLTP Rating The service allows users to control when and how much their car charges through the ‘Polestar Energy’ app,…

Chinese automaker BYD has unveiled two new flagship models, the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, aiming to expand its presence in China’s premium new energy vehicle (NEV) market. The vehicles, part of BYD’s Dynasty series, cater to the RMB 300,000 ($40,930) price range and mark a significant move toward upscale offerings. The Tang, first introduced in 2014 and a cornerstone in BYD’s mid-to-high-end market segment, has been revamped alongside the Han, originally launched in 2020 as the brand’s first premium sedan. These new models feature upgraded designs and enhanced performance, while current Han and Tang family models, priced…

SK On has announced significant breakthroughs in solid-state battery technology, highlighting its adoption of photonic sintering, a process leveraging intense light energy to create solid electrolytes. This method, commonly employed in printed circuit board production, has been successfully adapted for next-generation batteries, enabling faster, cost-effective manufacturing with improved cycle life. Collaborating with the Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, SK On developed hybrid electrolytes by combining oxide-based materials with gel polymers through photonic sintering. This innovative approach eliminates the need for high-temperature heat treatment—traditionally over 1,000°C for more than 10 hours—while addressing challenges like brittleness and scalability. Experimental results…

Daimler Truck and Volkswagen’s Traton reported declines in 2024 sales on Tuesday, citing subdued demand in Europe, particularly in Germany. The sluggish market conditions were compounded by challenges in Asia for Daimler Truck and regulatory hurdles for Traton. Daimler Truck, the world’s largest truckmaker, saw annual sales drop by 12% to 460,409 units, driven by weak demand across Europe and Asia. This aligns with the company’s previously lowered guidance. Despite the overall decline, the company reported a 17% rise in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales to 4,035 units, though BEVs still represent less than 1% of its total sales. Traton,…