Author: David Smith

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,…

The BMW Group has launched a closed-loop battery recycling ecosystem in partnership with SK tes, a leader in innovative technology lifecycle solutions. This process aims to recover valuable metals, including cobalt, nickel, and lithium, from used batteries and reintroduce them into the production of new batteries. The initiative, set to begin in 2026, is part of the company’s broader strategy to promote sustainability and circular economy principles. The partnership follows a successful pilot project in 2022 by BMW Brilliance Automotive Joint Venture (BBA) in China, which established a closed-loop system for raw material reuse from high-voltage batteries. Building on this…

Yolo County, California, aiming for full carbon neutrality by 2030, is integrating zero-emission machinery like the Volvo DD25 Electric compactor into its operations. The electric tandem roller, praised for its vibration performance during Volvo Days, was chosen by fleet superintendent Ben Lee to support sustainable road and foundation projects. “The DD25 Electric reduces emissions, lowers noise levels, improves working conditions, and promotes environmentally friendly practices,” said Lee. The compactor’s adjustable drum frequency, ranging from 3500 to 4000 vpm, adapts to various materials and applications, making it versatile for tasks like soil and asphalt compaction. Powered by a 20 kWh 48V…

Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco announced the layoff of 102 employees, representing 16.5% of its workforce, as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at improving financial performance. The company, which has faced significant challenges in recent months, is also streamlining its management structure to align with its transition to an Original Equipment Designer (OED) model. The layoffs, affecting primarily production and warehouse roles, will take place during the first quarter of 2025. Ebusco has applied to the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) and informed trade unions, ensuring a social plan is in place for affected workers. CEO Christian Schreyer…

Tesla announced on Friday that it is recalling 694,304 vehicles in the United States due to a potential issue with the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The recall impacts certain Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck vehicles, the company confirmed. According to a recall acknowledgment notice, the TPMS warning light may fail to stay illuminated between drive cycles, potentially leaving drivers unaware of low tire pressure. This oversight could result in improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash. Tesla stated that the issue will be addressed through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, emphasizing the brand’s reliance on digital…

Nio has released new images of its highly anticipated ET9 executive sedan ahead of its official debut on December 21, 2024, during Nio Day. The images, showcasing a blue exterior, offer a glimpse into the sedan’s design and innovative features. Nio Day, taking place this Saturday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, will also focus on the launch of Nio’s sub-brand Firefly and its first model. The ET9, which was first unveiled at Nio Day 2023 with a starting price of RMB 800,000 ($109,810), marks Nio’s entry into the high-end electric sedan market. The sedan is set to begin deliveries in the…

European automakers are increasing prices of petrol-powered vehicles and preparing to discount electric models as they brace for tougher emissions regulations that could strain profits across the sector. Starting January 1, the European Union will significantly lower its carbon dioxide emissions cap, requiring at least 20% of vehicle sales to be electric to avoid heavy fines. So far, only 13% of vehicles sold this year in Europe have been electric, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), highlighting a significant shortfall. “The gap is really big,” said Marc Mortureux, director of French automotive lobby PFA. Automakers such as Volkswagen,…

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has officially approved a groundbreaking $1.4 billion investment plan aimed at accelerating the state’s transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). This plan, which will unfold over the next four years, is designed to expand California’s already extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, with a focus on light, medium, and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles. The investment will help cement California’s position as a leader in clean energy by creating what is expected to be the most comprehensive charging and refuelling network in the United States. Part of a larger initiative under the California Climate Commitment,…

Hyundai has teamed up with Amazon to bring its top-selling electric vehicles, including the Ioniq 5, to the e-commerce platform, making it easier than ever for customers to purchase EVs online. Starting today, shoppers can view, order, and arrange pickup for Hyundai’s electric models through the Amazon Auto program, eliminating traditional dealership hurdles. The partnership simplifies car buying with a user-friendly interface on Amazon.com. Customers can browse inventory by make, model, trim, color, and features, all while enjoying transparent, haggle-free pricing. Trade-ins are streamlined through third-party evaluations, with quotes applicable toward the new purchase. Once the vehicle is ready for…

Norway saw a record 10,940 new electric vehicles (EVs) registered in November, representing 93.6% of all new car registrations for the month. This marks a significant increase from November 2023, when 8,442 new EVs were registered, corresponding to 81.6% of the market. The surge in EV registrations remains consistent with the previous month’s figures (10,862), reflecting the continued shift toward electric mobility in the Nordic country. In total, 11,689 new cars were registered in November, a 13.0% year-over-year increase. Of these, only 749 vehicles had non-electric drivetrains, with 154 plug-in hybrids (1.3% market share), and the remaining 595 being either…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a new state-level electric vehicle (EV) rebate program to offset the potential repeal of the $7,500 federal tax credit for EV purchases, a measure that could be enacted by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. The rebate program, which would revive a previously expired incentive, aims to encourage broader EV adoption among automakers, particularly those with less popular models. In a statement released on Monday, Newsom’s office explained that the proposed rebate would be contingent on the federal tax credit’s removal. However, the Governor’s office clarified that Tesla, the largest U.S. EV manufacturer,…

BYD has introduced the Sealion 07 electric SUV in Norway, following its launch in other European markets earlier this month. Rebranded as the Sealion 7 in Norway and across Europe, the model joins BYD’s growing range of EVs in the region. The Sealion 07 EV is priced at NOK 469,900 ($42,150) in Norway and becomes the seventh BYD model available in the country, alongside the Seal U, Seal, Dolphin, Tang, Atto 3, and Han. Some of these models are sold under different names in BYD’s domestic market, such as the Seal U, which is marketed as the Song Plus EV…

A U.S. judge has ruled that a lawsuit against Tesla, accusing the electric vehicle maker of concealing a defect that causes automatic braking when there is no collision risk, can proceed. U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis in Chicago ruled on Friday that the class action could continue on the claim that Tesla failed to warn potential buyers about the “phantom braking” issue. The consumers involved in the lawsuit allege that Tesla’s forward collision monitoring system frequently triggers false crash warnings, leading to automatic braking even when there is no actual danger. The plaintiffs claim that Tesla knew about the defect…