Author: David Wilson

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…

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…

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…