Author: David Wilson

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has reportedly raided BYD’s offices in the Netherlands and seized digital records ahead of a court hearing over allegations that the Chinese automaker’s Ti7 SUV copies elements of the Land Rover Defender. According to The Times, court bailiffs acting on behalf of JLR collected documents and electronic records before a preliminary ruling scheduled for Wednesday. The hearing will consider whether the BYD Ti7 infringes on the intellectual property rights associated with the Defender. JLR reportedly suspects that BYD used elements of the British SUV to reverse engineer certain technologies. BYD has said it fully cooperated with…

Croatia has launched a €20 million subsidy programme to support private purchases of new electric vehicles, with applications opening on November 5 through the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (FZOEU). The latest funding round aims to increase the proportion of energy-efficient vehicles in new registrations and reduce emissions from road transport. The fund has allocated at least €20 million, with the possibility of increasing the budget if demand exceeds the available funding. According to Croatia Week, the electronic application system opened at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Funding Available for Electric Cars and Light Vehicles The programme is exclusively available…

Smart has sold out its limited Couture Edition of the upcoming Smart #2 across Europe within 14 days of opening pre-orders, signalling strong initial demand for the electric successor to the Fortwo. The 999-unit special edition went on sale on 13 October 2026, ahead of the model’s planned market launch in the second quarter of 2027. The Smart #2 marks a return to the brand’s original focus on compact urban mobility after recent years of expansion into larger electric SUVs. Developed by the Geely-Mercedes-Benz joint venture, the new two-seater is designed to revive the concept of a small electric city…

A German court has identified the EU Product Safety Regulation as a potential legal basis for electric vehicle buyers seeking to return cars affected by battery defects. The Offenburg Regional Court has indicated that the rules could support a refund claim in a case involving a recalled Cupra Born, although it has not yet issued a final judgment. The proceedings, registered under Case No. 2 O 356/25, concern a Cupra Born affected by Volkswagen Group’s battery recall campaign 93S4. The recall addresses potentially defective battery modules that may cause reduced driving range, trigger warning lights and create a fire risk.…

Mercedes-AMG is extending its performance-car philosophy into the full-size electric SUV segment with the 2028 Mercedes-AMG GT SUV. The all-electric model combines up to 1,153 horsepower, a claimed 0–60 mph acceleration time of 2.4 seconds and DC fast-charging capability of up to 710 kW. The GT SUV is the first full-size SUV developed entirely in-house by AMG and the second model built on the company’s new AMG.EA electric performance platform, following the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Three versions are planned for launch: the GT53 SUV, GT55 SUV and range-topping GT63 SUV. The model is expected to reach US dealerships in…

Stellantis reported higher battery-electric vehicle (BEV) shipments in Enlarged Europe during the third quarter of 2026, helping the automaker increase total regional shipments by 10% year over year. Across all markets, the company recorded an estimated 1.3 million vehicle shipments, down 1% from the same period in 2025. The European increase was driven by both Stellantis-branded vehicles and Leapmotor models, with BEV shipments contributing to growth. However, lower deliveries in North America and the Middle East and Africa offset the gains at group level. BEVs Support Growth in Enlarged Europe Stellantis shipments in Enlarged Europe increased by approximately 54,000 units…

Swiss retailer OTTO’S is converting its entire truck fleet to electric drive, deploying 22 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks to deliver goods to more than 140 branches across Switzerland. The company plans to power most of the vehicles’ charging requirements with solar electricity generated at its own facilities. The trucks are equipped with bodies supplied by Swiss vehicle manufacturer Lanz + Marti, which confirmed on LinkedIn that it had completed a series of 22 vehicles based on the eActros 600. The order also included two-axle trailers with plywood box bodies, allowing the trucks to operate as road trains. Electric Trucks to…

Citroen has unveiled the 2CV Concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, presenting an electric reinterpretation of its historic small car focused on simplicity, practicality and affordability. The concept measures 3.76 metres in length and previews a potential production model expected by 2028, with a targeted starting price of around €15,000. Rather than reproducing the original 2CV as a retro-styled vehicle, Citroen says the concept returns to the principles behind the model’s success: straightforward design, accessibility and features intended to address everyday needs. A Simpler Approach to Electric Mobility As electric vehicles gain more features and increasingly complex interfaces, the…

Volkswagen has given notice to terminate several collective agreements in Germany effective December 31, 2026, as the automaker seeks greater flexibility to reduce costs and implement measures agreed under its restructuring program. The company said the termination does not affect the separate Future Collective Bargaining Agreement or its job-security provisions through the end of 2030. The move follows Volkswagen and IG Metall invoking a revision clause that allows the parties to reopen their agreement when the economic conditions underlying the January 1, 2025 settlement have changed significantly. Volkswagen said it considers the current market environment sufficiently different to justify the…

The European Union has urged Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports and bring its trade policy closer to the bloc’s approach, as the UK seeks to avoid potential barriers affecting British products under the EU’s emerging “Made in Europe” industrial framework. The Financial Times reported on September 25 that Brussels had told London that joining the EU customs union would be the most comprehensive way to address the issue. The British government continues to rule out joining the customs union. UK Seeks Access to EU Industrial Framework Britain is seeking to have its automotive, chemical and energy…

Ubitricity and Deftpower are expanding their smart charging collaboration in the Netherlands to 1,500 public charging points, using the open OCPI 2.2.1 standard to shift EV charging sessions to periods of lower grid demand. The approach is designed to reduce peak loads while allowing charging point operators to retain control over their infrastructure. According to the companies, Ubitricity is the first charge point operator to deploy this functionality at this scale. Charging Profiles Enable Public Smart Charging The system uses OCPI 2.2.1 Charging Profiles to manage charging schedules. Instead of requiring a direct API connection between the vehicle and the…

Skoda Auto has begun series production of the Peaq, its largest battery-electric model to date, at its main manufacturing plant in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, as the Volkswagen-owned automaker increases capacity for electric vehicles. The new electric SUV is being produced on a shared assembly line with the Octavia Combi, Enyaq and Elroq. Skoda said the launch reflects upgrades at the plant designed to accommodate rising demand for battery-powered vehicles while retaining flexibility across its production operations. By the end of July, Skoda had received nearly 8,500 orders for the Peaq, indicating strong initial interest ahead of its market launch.…

Zurich’s City Council has approved funding of approximately CHF17 million to enable Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) to purchase 20 battery-electric buses from new suppliers, replacing plans to expand orders with its existing manufacturers. The new vehicles are scheduled to enter service from mid-2027 as the city continues the electrification of its public transport fleet. https://evmagz.com/zurich-public-transport-plans-tender-for-up-to-100-electric-buses-amid-supplier-issues/ Yutong and Daimler Secure New Bus Orders Under the approved procurement, VBZ will purchase eight standard battery-electric buses from Yutong and 12 articulated electric buses from Daimler Buses. The decision marks the first time a Chinese bus manufacturer has been selected to supply electric buses for…

Energiesysteme Groß (ESG-Solar) has commissioned a new megawatt charging park for electric trucks in Niestetal near Kassel, Germany, combining high-power charging with on-site solar generation and battery storage to support heavy-duty electric transport. Located near the A7 motorway, one of Europe’s busiest north-south freight corridors, the facility is designed to provide charging power of up to 1,000 kW, making it one of Germany’s first publicly accessible truck charging sites equipped with the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard. https://evmagz.com/cubos-acquires-totalenergies-commercial-ev-charging-business-in-germany/ Construction of the charging park began in December 2025. Solar Power and Battery Storage Support Charging To help supply the charging hub…

BMW has reduced prices for selected versions of its iX1 and iX2 electric SUVs in the United Kingdom, allowing the models to qualify for the government’s highest Electric Car Grant (ECG) funding tier. The move makes BMW the first premium German automotive brand to secure eligibility for the full £3,750 government incentive under the revised grant scheme. Price Cuts Unlock Government Incentives The Electric Car Grant applies to the BMW iX1 eDrive20 and iX2 eDrive20 variants, including the recently introduced iX2 eDrive20 Sport. Following the price adjustment, the BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport now has a recommended retail price of £37,065…

Greece has introduced stricter regulations governing the use of electric scooters, requiring riders to wear helmets, carry third-party liability insurance and meet a higher minimum age requirement following a rise in serious accidents. The new legislation, approved by the Greek parliament earlier this week, also increases penalties for a range of traffic offences involving e-scooters. New Age and Insurance Requirements Under the revised rules, only people aged 17 and older are permitted to ride electric scooters on public roads. Anyone found violating the age restriction faces a €150 fine, while rental companies that provide e-scooters to underage riders can be…

Skywell has suspended new vehicle sales in the United Kingdom after its local importer, Innovation Automotive, ceased trading at the end of June. The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer said it is now seeking a new distribution partner for the UK market, while arrangements for warranty support, servicing and spare parts continue to be finalised. Importer exits UK market Innovation Automotive ended operations at the close of June after serving as Skywell’s UK importer since the brand entered the market in 2024. According to the former importer, all remaining Skywell vehicles in stock were purchased and registered before the business closed.…

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…