Author: David Smith

Bulgaria plans to install a network of ultra-fast charging stations for electric cars and buses at railway stations across the country as part of a national initiative to expand its e-mobility infrastructure. According to the Bulgarian government, the project’s first phase will see 35 charging stations of up to 600 kW each installed at major railway stations by the end of 2026. The plan aims to eventually equip all 249 railway stations in Bulgaria with EV charging infrastructure. See also: Zeekr Expands into Southeast Europe with New Markets in Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bulgaria The initiative was formalised through an…

Voters in Hamburg approved a referendum on Sunday to amend the city’s climate protection law, moving the target for climate neutrality from 2045 to 2040. The decision, backed by 53.2% of participants, may require sweeping measures, including a potential ban on combustion engine vehicles by 2040. The ‘Hamburg Future Decision’ initiative, launched by the Fridays for Future movement and supported by environmental groups such as NABU and BUND, as well as unions and local businesses, proposed the amendment. Mayor Peter Tschentscher said the city would implement the changes, while allowing a two-year transition period. See also: Germany Plans €3 Billion…

TotalEnergies and Banque des Territoires have announced the creation of a new investment platform to accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across France. The initiative will focus on supporting municipalities and local authorities in developing and expanding public charging networks. See also: TotalEnergies, XING Mobility Sign MOU To Advance Immersion Cooling Battery Technology Under the agreement, TotalEnergies will hold a 51% stake in the platform, while Banque des Territoires will own the remaining 49%. The partners said the platform will build upon existing charging concessions already developed by TotalEnergies in major French cities and extend to new…

Kia plans to discontinue production of its long-running Soul hatchback at the end of October 2025, bringing an end to one of its most recognizable models as the South Korean automaker shifts focus toward its expanding electric and hybrid lineup. The Soul, known for its distinctive boxy design and playful marketing campaigns, will not return for the 2026 model year. The compact car has been part of Kia’s U.S. lineup for over a decade and was among the brand’s most affordable offerings. The 2025 model starts at $21,935. See also: Kia EV3 Global Sales Surpass 75,000 in First Nine Months…

Prestone will display its Prestone EVX™ thermal management fluids for electric and hybrid vehicles at The Battery Show North America in Detroit. The fluids are designed to improve charging times, driving range, and safety while meeting evolving industry standards. The EVX™ portfolio includes formulations tailored for light-duty, heavy-duty, and fuel cell applications. The fluids meet the GB29743.2 standard in China, aimed at enhancing safety by reducing coolant electrical conductivity, and the ASTM D8566 standard, which focuses on minimizing risks if coolant contacts batteries. Prestone said its fluids offer low conductivity, extended corrosion protection, and strong chemical stability. Prestone has also…

German startup Jakob Mining Vehicles (JMV) has teamed up with engineering services provider EDAG and Swedish contract manufacturer T-Engineering to produce its first purpose-built electric pickup truck for the mining sector. The model, named the JMV TerraCharge, will be built at part of the former Saab plant in Trollhättan, Sweden, with an annual production target of 750 units. JMV was founded by Fulda-based car dealer Benjamin Jakob, who has 15 years of experience converting off-road vehicles for mining and other industries. “The mining company K+S approached us in 2010 to try out a Jeep Wrangler, and that’s how it all…

Li Auto said its new Li i6 electric SUV has attracted more than 20,000 firm orders within hours of launch, according to local media outlet LatePost, underscoring strong demand for the company’s expanding battery electric lineup. The Li i6, unveiled on Friday as Li Auto’s second pure-electric SUV after the larger Li i8, is offered in a single trim priced from 249,800 yuan ($35,010). Buyers are allowed to adjust configurations or cancel within seven days, after which deposits become non-refundable. Deliveries are set to begin immediately, with display and test-drive models already available in stores. The launch sparked heavy traffic…

Volvo Cars said on Tuesday it will begin producing a new hybrid model in the United States by the end of the decade as it adjusts to U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles. The model, details of which have not been released, will be designed specifically for the U.S. market and increase capacity utilization at Volvo’s South Carolina plant. “It will take time until America is electric everywhere,” Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson said. He described the new hybrid as “more an electric car, but with a Plan B. When the battery is flat, you have a combustion engine kicking in,…

Xiaomi said on Thursday it will recall 116,887 units of its SU7 Standard Edition electric vehicles in China due to potential safety risks linked to the cars’ L2 highway autopilot assistance feature. The recall was filed with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). The affected vehicles were produced between Feb. 6, 2024, and Aug. 30, 2025. Regulators said that under certain conditions, the autopilot system may fail to adequately identify, warn of, or respond to unusual road scenarios, which could raise the risk of collisions if drivers do not intervene in time. The recall involves two filings: number S2025M0149I,…

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said it has awarded the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV an overall rating of “Good” in its updated crash testing, but the electric crossover did not qualify for the Top Safety Pick award. The midsize EV performed well in the IIHS’s updated moderate overlap front crash test at 40 mph, earning the highest possible “Good” rating. It also received “Good” marks in the updated side crash test, while scoring “Acceptable” in the small overlap front test, the second-highest rating available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmKGMhQ3NxA The IIHS said the Blazer EV did not meet the requirements for a…

Shell has unveiled a high-performance thermal fluid designed for electric vehicles (EVs) that enables a 34 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack to charge from 10% to 80% in under ten minutes, the company said on Monday. The EV-Plus Thermal Fluid, developed by Shell Lubricants in partnership with UK automotive innovation firm RML Group, is electrically non-conductive and designed to improve heat transfer while reducing thermal stress and enhancing battery safety. Immersion cooling allows more compact and lightweight designs, which Shell says can deliver up to five times more range per minute of charging compared with current battery electric vehicles on today’s…

Stellantis is reshaping its motorsport portfolio, with Citroen Racing set to replace Maserati MSG in Formula E from next season. The move marks Citroen’s return to top-level circuit competition and signals a broader reorganization of Stellantis’ approach to electrified racing. Citroen described its Formula E entry as “an electric, innovative and passionate adventure that embodies our values and our vision for the mobility of tomorrow,” in a social media statement accompanied by a teaser video of its upcoming electric single-seater, scheduled for unveiling on October 20. The shift could coincide with Citroen stepping back from rallying, where its C3 Rally2…