Author: David Wilson

Austria registered 40,060 new battery-electric passenger cars during the first half of 2026, a 27% increase from the same period a year earlier, according to data released by Statistik Austria. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 24.3% of all new passenger car registrations between January and June, placing them just behind gasoline-powered cars in market share. EV Market Continues to Expand In June alone, Austria recorded 8,993 new battery-electric vehicle registrations, up 44% year-on-year. The increase lifted the monthly BEV market share to 26.3%, marking the first time fully electric cars accounted for more than one-quarter of monthly passenger car registrations…

Volkswagen Group delivered 438,500 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) worldwide during the first half of the year, a 5.8% decline from the same period a year earlier, as weaker demand in China and the United States outweighed continued growth in Europe. The German automaker said total global vehicle deliveries, including all powertrain types, fell 6% year over year to 4.13 million units during the January-to-June period. Europe remained Volkswagen’s strongest market for electric vehicles, with BEV deliveries rising 8.4% to 377,000 units, allowing the company to maintain its position as the region’s largest battery-electric vehicle manufacturer. China and U.S. Weigh on Global…

Renault is reportedly planning to transform its Palencia manufacturing plant in Spain into a production hub for three next-generation electric SUVs beginning in 2028, according to a report by La Tribuna de Automoción. The publication, citing industry sources, said the facility is expected to manufacture the next-generation Renault Rafale, Renault Scenic, and the battery-electric Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross as part of Renault’s long-term electrification strategy. Three Electric SUVs Planned for Palencia According to the report, production of the electric Renault Rafale is scheduled to begin in June 2028, followed by the next-generation Renault Scenic in April 2029. Production of the next-generation…

Meeting the European Union’s 2030 electric vehicle (EV) deployment targets could eliminate the need for 190 million barrels of imported oil each year, saving approximately €12 billion (US$13.92 billion) annually while strengthening the region’s energy security, according to a new analysis by E-Mobility Europe and Ember. The report argues that large-scale EV adoption should be viewed not only as a climate strategy but also as a way to reduce Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. EV Targets Could Deliver Major Oil Savings According to the analysis, achieving the EU’s 2030 targets would require approximately 35 million…

BMW Group has begun production of the updated 7 Series Sedan at its Dingolfing plant in Germany, introducing Neue Klasse technologies into an existing production model for the first time in the company’s history. The refreshed flagship sedan represents BMW’s most extensive model update to date and serves as the first step in a broader rollout of Neue Klasse technologies across approximately 40 models by the end of 2027. Neue Klasse Technologies Debut in Production The updated 7 Series incorporates BMW’s latest centralized software and electronics architecture, providing the foundation for new digital features and driver assistance capabilities. Among the…

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…