Author: David Wilson

BMW is reportedly accelerating the launch of its all-electric i3 sedan after strong customer interest prompted the company to bring forward the opening of order books for the model. According to a report by German trade publication Automobilwoche, BMW dealerships will begin accepting orders for the i3 1st Edition on June 18, several months earlier than originally planned. The move comes after the electric sedan generated significant attention following its global debut in March, with demand reportedly exceeding internal expectations. Early Launch Driven by Strong Interest BMW had initially planned to begin taking orders for the new i3 in autumn.…

Austrian Post has completed the transition to fully emission-free deliveries in Vienna, making the Austrian capital the first major European city where packages, letters, newspapers, magazines and advertising materials are delivered entirely without direct CO2 emissions. The milestone marks the completion of a strategy that initially targeted full electrification by the end of 2025. Although achieved slightly later than planned, the company has now officially switched all last-mile deliveries in Vienna to electric vehicles and other emission-free transport methods. The launch was celebrated at Vienna’s Heldenplatz with actor and environmental advocate Arnold Schwarzenegger, who attended ahead of the Austrian World…

Arriva is set to introduce 14 new BYD BD11 battery-electric buses into service in Northumberland next week as part of a wider £37 million investment programme aimed at modernising its North East England operations. The new vehicles, funded in partnership with the North East Combined Authority, will operate from Arriva’s depot in Blyth and represent a £6.1 million investment in zero-emission public transport. The buses will serve Routes 43, 44 and 45, connecting Morpeth, Dinnington and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Expanding Zero-Emission Public Transport The deployment forms part of Arriva’s broader fleet renewal strategy in the North East, which includes replacing approximately one-third…

Peugeot has officially unveiled the production version of the E-208 GTi and opened order books across key European markets, bringing the iconic GTi badge into the electric era. The high-performance electric hatchback arrives one year after Peugeot first revealed the concept model and is designed to combine the practicality of a compact car with the performance expected from a modern hot hatch. Electric GTi Delivers 207 kW of Power At the heart of the E-208 GTi is Stellantis’ M4+ electric motor, producing 207 kW of power and 345 Nm of torque. The front-wheel-drive hatchback accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h…

BMW has announced that customers have collectively driven more than 200 million kilometres using its Highway Assistant hands-free driving system, underscoring growing adoption of the company’s advanced driver assistance technology across multiple vehicle lines. The Highway Assistant is currently available on several BMW models, including the 5 Series, 7 Series, iX, X5, X6, X7, XM, and the recently introduced BMW iX3. The system enables hands-free driving on approved highways at speeds of up to 130 km/h by managing both steering and speed control while continuing to monitor driver attention. Expanding Hands-Free Driving Across Europe BMW said the next generation of…

Peugeot has unveiled the production version of the E-208 GTi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the arrival of the first fully electric GTi model in the French automaker’s history. The launch revives one of Peugeot’s most celebrated performance nameplates, bringing the GTi badge into the electric era nearly four decades after the debut of the iconic Peugeot 205 GTi. The new E-208 GTi was revealed at Le Mans as part of celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Peugeot’s first appearance at the legendary endurance race. Three production vehicles finished in blue, white, and red are on display…

Vodafone Business and Geely Technology Europe (GTEU) have expanded their vehicle connectivity partnership to support a broader range of digital services across Geely’s growing European vehicle portfolio. The enhanced collaboration adds Internet in the Car, Mobile Private Networks and Cloud Connect services to an existing agreement that already provides Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity for vehicle diagnostics and over-the-air software updates. The companies said the expanded platform is designed to support connected vehicle functions, digital services and software-driven vehicle development across European markets. Expanding Connected Vehicle Capabilities Under the new arrangement, Vodafone Business will provide in-vehicle internet access across more…

Lotus has opened order books across mainland Europe for the Eletre X, a new hybrid SUV built on the company’s X-Hybrid powertrain architecture and positioned as an alternative to fully electric luxury performance vehicles. The model, which is marketed as the For Me in China, is the first Lotus vehicle to utilize the X-Hybrid system. Customer deliveries in Europe are expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2026, while right-hand-drive versions for the UK market are scheduled to follow in summer 2027, subject to regulatory approval. Pricing starts at €96,990 for the Eletre X H550 and rises to €119,990…

Audi has confirmed the new RS 5 as the first model from Audi Sport to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, marking a significant step in the brand’s performance electrification strategy. The new RS 5 combines a twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine with an electric motor in what Audi describes as a Power PHEV configuration. The vehicle is scheduled to go on sale across European markets from the end of June 2025, with customer orders and configuration already open. Audi Sport Introduces Its First Plug-In Hybrid RS Model The RS 5 represents a milestone for Audi Sport as the performance division begins…

The Netherlands will introduce a new tax surcharge on company cars powered by internal combustion engines and hybrid drivetrains from January 1, 2027, in a move aimed at accelerating the transition to battery-electric vehicles. Under the measure, employers leasing new non-electric company cars will be required to pay a monthly levy equivalent to 1% of the vehicle’s official list price. The surcharge will apply to newly signed lease contracts from the start of 2027 and will be paid directly by employers. For example, a petrol or hybrid vehicle with a list price of €35,000 would incur an additional monthly charge…

Stellantis has confirmed plans for new Alfa Romeo models across the B- and C-segments as part of its Fastlane 2030 strategy, including future vehicles offering both hybrid and electric powertrains. The company issued the clarification following presentations during Investor Day 2026, providing additional details on the future product roadmap for Alfa Romeo. Under the plan, Alfa Romeo will update the Junior B-SUV during its lifecycle and introduce a new C-segment SUV based on Stellantis’ STLA M platform. The vehicle will be manufactured in Italy and offered with multiple powertrain options, including hybrid and fully electric variants. Stellantis also confirmed plans…

Stellantis and Dongfeng Motor Corporation have announced plans to expand their long-running partnership through a new joint venture focused on the European market, with Dongfeng’s premium electric vehicle brand Voyah at the center of the initiative. The two companies said the venture will oversee the sales, distribution, production and engineering of Dongfeng’s new energy vehicles in Europe, including battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles. Under the agreement, Stellantis will hold a 51% stake in the joint venture, while Dongfeng will own the remaining 49%. The partnership comes shortly after the companies disclosed plans for Dongfeng to manufacture new…