Author: David Smith

Nissan is aiming to launch its first electric vehicles powered by all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) by the end of fiscal year 2028, a senior executive said, as the Japanese automaker moves closer to commercializing next-generation battery technology. “That’s our ambition,” said Shunichi Inamijima, vice president of Nissan’s powertrain and EV engineering division, speaking through a translator during a technology preview event in Japan. He added that the company is in the “climax” of engineering the battery pack and will soon begin work on integrating the technology into vehicles. See also: The Nissan Leaf is Now a Crossover, Offering 373 Miles of…

U.S. automakers including Stellantis and Ford Motor Co are rolling out expanded incentives to attract buyers, as consumers rush to purchase vehicles ahead of expected price increases linked to new tariffs. Chrysler-parent Stellantis said on Friday it would extend employee-discount pricing to the general public on select 2024 models, including Jeep, Ram and Dodge vehicles, following a similar move by Ford earlier this week. The incentive program, dubbed “America’s Freedom of Choice,” gives consumers the option of receiving employee pricing or existing cash incentives and will run through April 30, the company said. See also: U.S. President Trump’s Auto Tariffs…

Chinese automakers Dongfeng Motor and Chongqing Changan Automobile are in advanced discussions to merge their operations, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The two state-controlled companies have reportedly engaged in detailed negotiations regarding the structure of a potential merger and have informed their foreign joint venture partners of the ongoing discussions. See also: Electric SUV Deepal S07 Marks Changan’s European Entry The move comes as Beijing encourages its state-owned automakers to reduce reliance on foreign partners and strengthen their technological capabilities, particularly in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. Market data from LSEG…

Nissan will no longer be required to invest in Renault’s electric vehicle subsidiary, Ampere, as part of an amendment to the New Alliance Agreement between the two automakers. The companies announced the change as part of a broader restructuring of their partnership. The amendment effectively nullifies a July 2023 agreement in which Nissan had committed up to €600 million to Ampere. Neither Renault nor Nissan disclosed whether any portion of this investment had been made. Renault expects the revised agreement to take effect by May 2025, pending unspecified conditions. Renault stated that the amendment would not affect its Nissan shareholding,…

At the 2025 Airbus Summit, Airbus provided an update on its plans for hydrogen-powered aviation, announcing a revised roadmap for its ZEROe project and unveiling key technological advancements toward fuel-cell propulsion. The company confirmed that the first test flight of a hydrogen-powered aircraft has been postponed to the latter half of the 2030s. Airbus introduced a refined concept for a hydrogen-powered aircraft utilizing four 2-megawatt electric engines. Each engine will be powered by a dedicated fuel cell system, drawing liquid hydrogen from two storage tanks. This approach, the company said, will be further developed in the coming years. See also:…

Italian bus manufacturer Rampini has unveiled its new H2EU Power division, which will develop and supply hydrogen fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles, off-highway applications, and stationary energy solutions across Europe. The division will operate independently but benefit from Rampini as an anchor customer. The hydrogen fuel cell systems will cover a power range from 30 to 140 kilowatts, aiming to accelerate the development and market entry for commercial vehicle manufacturers. The technology is designed for a wide array of applications, including midi-buses, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and stationary energy storage. See also: Hyundai Motor Group Launches Energy Hydrogen Business…

US-based battery swap startup Ample announced plans to deploy a network of battery swapping stations in Tokyo, partnering with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to support the city’s push for commercial fleet electrification. The initiative aims to enhance logistics efficiency while contributing to Tokyo’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The project is backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Public Corporation. See also: Ample Secures $25 Million to Scale EV Battery Swapping Technology for Fleets “Tokyo is one of the world’s most advanced cities in sustainable urban development and one…

Leapmotor has opened orders for its T03 and C10 electric vehicles in the UK, with prices starting at £15,995 and £36,500, respectively. The Chinese automaker, supported by Stellantis, has already established 44 dealerships across the country, with plans to expand to more than 80 locations by the end of 2025. The T03, a compact five-door hatchback in the A-segment, features a 37.3 kWh battery offering a 165-mile range under WLTP standards. Leapmotor describes it as a “compact hatchback that delivers B-segment space and practicality at an A-segment price.” The C10, a D-segment SUV, is equipped with a 69.9 kWh battery…

Tesla stated on Monday that it will launch its Full Self-Driving (FSD) trial in China after completing regulatory approval, following reports that the limited-time free trial had been temporarily paused. “All parties are actively advancing the relevant process and we will push it to you as soon as it is ready. We are also looking forward to it, please wait patiently,” Tesla’s customer support said in a statement on Weibo, responding to concerns about the delay. See also: Tesla China Developing Lower-Priced Model Y to Address Market Competition  The comment appeared under a post from Tesla Vice President Grace Tao’s…

Japanese automaker Nissan has entered a strategic partnership with Stena Recycling to repurpose used electric vehicle batteries for stationary energy storage in Norway. With over 80,000 Nissan Leafs on Norwegian roads, the collaboration presents a significant opportunity to give retired EV batteries a second life. See also: Next-Gen Nissan LEAF Spied in Europe, Inspired by Ariya’s Design Under the agreement, Stena Recycling will receive a steady supply of used batteries from decommissioned or insurance-written-off vehicles. These batteries will be evaluated at the company’s facility in Ausenfjellet, near Oslo, to determine whether they can be repurposed for energy storage or require…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) , the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer, announced a net profit of RMB 14.74 billion ($2.04 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a 13.62% increase compared to the same period the previous year . This quarterly performance contributed to a total annual net income of RMB 50.75 billion, reflecting a 15.01% year-on-year growth. Despite the rise in net income, CATL’s annual revenue decreased by 9.7% to RMB 362.01 billion . The company attributed this decline to adjustments in product pricing in response to lower raw material costs, particularly lithium carbonate .…

Stellantis and its Chinese partner Leapmotor plan to invest $200 million in a Spanish factory, Reuters reported, citing China’s embassy in Spain, as the automakers prepare to produce the Leapmotor B10 electric crossover for the European market from 2026. A person with direct knowledge of the matter said Spain is the leading candidate for the production site, with Stellantis’ factories in Germany and Slovakia also previously considered. The planned investment would be in a facility in Zaragoza, in northeast Spain, though further details were not disclosed. See also: Leapmotor International Considers Spanish Plant for B10 Production Amid Political Uncertainty Both…

KG Mobility has introduced its first hybrid vehicle, the Torres Hybrid, marking its entry into the hybrid market with a focus on fuel efficiency and affordability. The Torres Hybrid features KG Mobility’s Dual-Tech Hybrid System, incorporating a parallel dual motor and an e-DHT transmission. See also: KG Mobility and Chery Automobile Partner to Co-Develop Plug-In Hybrids This setup enables multiple driving modes, including an Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, a parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) mode, and an Engine Drive mode. The company states that the vehicle can operate in EV mode for up to 94% of urban driving. With a…

Toyota’s bZ3X is an electric SUV that shares much of its foundation with the GAC Aion V, offering similar dimensions, drivetrain, and electric motors but differing in battery configurations. The bZ3X is a five-door, five-seater vehicle measuring 4,600 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,600 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. It features a front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout and is powered by a single electric motor that delivers either 150 kW or 165 kW of maximum power, allowing it to reach a top speed of 160 km/h. See also: Toyota’s Cheapest EV Yet? bZ3X SUV Launches…

Turkish manufacturer Karsan has secured new orders for its electric buses in Italy and Romania, further expanding its footprint in European public transport networks. Karsan will supply 42 units of its e-ATAK model to Italy’s Campania region by the end of the year. The latest deal will increase the company’s presence in the area to 50 units and bring the total number of Karsan buses in Italy to 300. See also: Karsan Launches Right-Hand Drive e-Jest Electric Minibus in the UK The e-ATAK, an 8-meter low-floor bus, accommodates up to 52 passengers and features a 230 kW electric motor with…

Luminar announced that its LiDAR technology will be integrated into Volvo’s forthcoming fully electric ES90 sedan, scheduled to commence production later this year. This development marks the second collaboration between Luminar and Volvo, following the integration of Luminar’s technology into the Volvo EX90 SUV, which is currently being delivered to customers. See also: Volvo Unveils ES90 Electric Saloon with 800V Charging and Up to 700 km Range LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, utilizes laser pulses to create precise three-dimensional mappings of a vehicle’s surroundings. This technology enhances safety by detecting pedestrians at distances up to 250 meters…

Porsche has taken over Varta’s battery subsidiary V4Drive, renaming it V4Smart, as the German sports car maker consolidates its position in high-performance battery technology. The acquisition, effective March 4, gives Porsche a majority stake, while Varta AG retains a minority share without operational influence. Varta launched V4Drive in 2022 to produce specialized cylindrical battery cells designed as “booster cells” for high-power applications rather than primary traction batteries in electric vehicles. The cells, which can quickly absorb and release energy, are used in Porsche’s 911 GTS T-Hybrid system to enhance short-term power output. See also: Porsche Appoints New CFO and Sales…

The high cost of DC fast chargers remains a significant barrier to widespread electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure expansion, with a single 300-kilowatt Level 3 charging stall costing over $100,000. A substantial portion of this expense—nearly 60%—is attributed to critical safety mechanisms, particularly isolation links designed to prevent electric shocks, industry experts say. See also: Apple Maps to Add NACS Adapter Warnings in Future Update “The reality is that more than half the cost of an EV charger goes into keeping you alive,” IEEE Spectrum reported. The isolation link, a key component ensuring galvanic isolation between the power source and vehicle,…

Hyundai is preparing to launch its first three-row fully electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, aiming to strengthen its position in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. The new model, which builds on the design and technology of the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, is expected to offer an extended driving range and faster charging capabilities. See also: Hyundai, Kia Adjust U.S. EV Batteries to Qualify for $7,500 Tax Credit; SK On Scales Up Production The Ioniq 9 features a 110.3 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery, providing an estimated range of up to 335 miles on the U.S. EPA cycle and up…

Hyundai recorded its fifth straight month of record-breaking sales in the U.S. last month, with electrified models, including the upgraded 2025 Ioniq 5, playing a key role in its continued growth. The automaker reported over 62,000 vehicle sales in February, a 3% year-over-year increase, surpassing the industry’s estimated 1% growth. “This was the best ever February for Hyundai in total sales and the fifth consecutive month of total sales records,” said Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America. See also: Hyundai Plans U.S. EV Production Expansion Amid Potential Tariffs Hyundai’s electrified sales surged 25% compared to February 2024, with the…