Author: David Wilson

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…

Stellantis and Chinese state-owned automaker Dongfeng are expanding their long-standing partnership in China, with plans to manufacture new Peugeot and Jeep new energy vehicles (NEVs) at their joint venture facility in Wuhan from 2027, the companies said. The move confirms part of earlier reports that the two companies were seeking to broaden cooperation, although the latest agreement does not involve producing Dongfeng-branded vehicles at Stellantis plants in Europe, as previously speculated. Instead, the focus will be on strengthening production operations in China through Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile (DPCA), the joint venture established more than three decades ago. Under the plan,…

Scania, together with Unicon and Liebherr-Mischtechnik GmbH, has developed a battery-electric truck equipped with a fully integrated electric concrete mixing system, targeting one of the construction industry’s most energy-intensive transport applications. The companies said the project is intended as a scalable commercial solution rather than a demonstration pilot, highlighting growing efforts within the heavy transport sector to reduce emissions from construction logistics. See also: Scania-Backed Juna Plans Rapid Expansion of Electric Truck Fleet in Europe The electric concrete transport system uses Scania’s integrated electric power take-off (ePTO), which enables the concrete mixing drum to operate directly from the truck’s battery…

Two initiatives in Switzerland are launching shared charging networks for electric trucks as logistics operators seek to improve charging infrastructure utilisation and reduce operating costs. The projects, named Utopia and ASTAG Charge, both rely on the DepotCharge system developed by Munich-based Evolve Energy. The platforms are designed to allow logistics companies to share access to depot charging stations with other fleet operators. Under the Utopia initiative, Swiss energy and grid operator Repower is working together with DPD Switzerland and G. Leclerc Transport to create an open shared charging network for heavy-duty electric vehicles. At the same time, the ASTAG is…

Zeekr has introduced an updated version of its Zeekr X for the European market, adding faster charging capabilities and upgraded performance for the 2026 model year. The revised compact electric SUV arrives only months after the model’s launch in Germany, where Zeekr entered the market in late 2025. The automaker, owned by Geely, said the latest version of the Zeekr X integrates the company’s proprietary Golden Battery technology into the vehicle’s 400-volt platform. The updated long-range rear-wheel-drive variant uses a new 61 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack capable of DC fast charging at up to 230 kilowatts. According…

Volkswagen Group is working on a new production strategy dubbed “Gamechanger,” aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs as the company accelerates its shift to electric mobility, according to a report by Automobilwoche. The initiative is being developed at the carmaker’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, where Volkswagen is already restructuring its European production network, reducing excess capacity, and preparing for the rollout of its next-generation SSP electric platform. The changes also coincide with plans to relocate Golf production to Mexico. See also: Volkswagen ID.3 Becomes Germany’s Top-Selling EV as Market Growth Accelerates Sources cited by Automobilwoche said the “Gamechanger” project is designed…

Battery-electric vehicle registrations in the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association surged sharply in March, rising 48.9% year-on-year to 234,532 units, as electric mobility gained momentum across the European Union. For the first quarter of 2026, total battery-electric passenger car registrations reached 546,937 units, up 32.5% compared to the same period last year. BEVs accounted for 19.4% of all new car registrations between January and March—roughly one in five vehicles sold. The strong March performance played a decisive role in lifting quarterly figures, following more moderate growth earlier in the year. Overall, new car registrations across all powertrains rose 12.5% in March,…

SAIC Motor’s MG Motor brand is considering building an electric vehicle factory in Spain, according to a report by Bloomberg, as the company evaluates options to expand local production in Europe. The move would form part of a broader strategy to mitigate the impact of European Union tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, said planning has recently shifted focus toward the Iberian Peninsula after Hungary had previously been viewed as the leading candidate. The report noted that the project remains under consideration, with key aspects such as investment scale, production capacity and timeline still…

Coke Canada Bottling is expanding its electric vehicle fleet with the addition of new battery-electric trucks from Volvo Trucks North America, bringing the total number of electric units in operation to 40. The move builds on a pilot programme launched in 2023 in Montreal, where the company began integrating electric vans, on-road trucks and yard tractors into its logistics operations. The newly added Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be deployed on local and regional delivery routes, which the company said are well suited for electrification due to their predictable duty cycles. The vehicles are equipped with a six-battery configuration, enabling…

Serbia’s state-owned postal operator Pošta Srbije has added 100 electric delivery vehicles to its fleet as part of its ongoing fleet electrification program, the company said. The vehicles were supplied by U.S. manufacturer Cenntro and include models from both the Cenntro and Avantier brands. They will be deployed in Belgrade and other cities across the country. Pošta Srbije said the new vehicles include the Cenntro Logistar 210V electric van and the Avantier Commuter X compact electric vehicle. According to Cenntro, the Logistar 210V has a payload capacity of 1,020 kilograms, cargo volume of 6.7 cubic meters and a driving range…

Stellantis is in advanced discussions with Leapmotor to jointly develop a new electric SUV under the Opel marque, according to a Reuters report citing sources familiar with the matter. The model is expected to be produced at Stellantis’ plant in Zaragoza and will be based on Leapmotor’s technology, enabling the automaker to shorten development timelines and reduce costs, the report said. The planned vehicle will reportedly share its platform with Leapmotor’s B10 compact SUV, which is also scheduled to be assembled at the Zaragoza facility later this year for the European market. Production of the Opel-branded model is targeted to…