Author: David Wilson

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…

The Ministry of Economy of Croatia has approved €12.3 million in funding for electric bus charging infrastructure projects across 12 cities, as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s transition to low-emission public transport. The funding, sourced from Croatia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, will support the installation of 127 charging stations in cities including Split, Rijeka and Dubrovnik. The total investment for the projects is expected to reach €17.6 million, with the remaining costs to be covered by local authorities or transport operators. See also: Croatia Approves Seven More Electric Bus Projects Under €163 Million Subsidy Scheme The programme…

Genesis has entered the Dutch market with a fully electric lineup, marking its latest step in expanding across Europe and reinforcing its focus on battery-electric vehicles in new markets. The brand, part of Hyundai Motor, is launching three models in the Netherlands: the Genesis GV60, Electrified GV70 and Electrified G80. Unlike in some earlier European markets such as Germany, Genesis is not offering combustion engine vehicles in the Netherlands at this stage. Pricing in the Dutch market starts at €49,900 for the GV60, €65,400 for the Electrified GV70 and €74,200 for the Electrified G80, with the company highlighting competitive positioning,…

Geely has accelerated its European expansion by launching two SUV models—the all-electric Geely E5 and the plug-in hybrid Geely Starray EM-i—simultaneously in Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. The rollout marks Geely’s coordinated entry into key Western European markets, with a focus on the high-volume compact SUV segment. The company confirmed it will debut in Germany with new retail locations, including its first showroom in Aachen. Ahead of the launch, Geely announced starting prices for Germany, with the E5 available from €37,990 and the Starray EM-i from €32,990. Both models will form the brand’s initial lineup in the country from…

Volkswagen has announced that its upcoming compact electric SUV, the ID. Cross, will start at around €28,000 when it launches in Europe in autumn 2026, positioning it above the smaller ID. Polo in the brand’s growing electric lineup. The German automaker disclosed the pricing during a recent “Covered Drive” event near Amsterdam, where journalists were given early access to camouflaged prototypes. The ID. Cross is expected to serve as a more practical counterpart to the ID. Polo, which is set to start at around €25,000. See also: Volkswagen Anhui Begins Production of ID.UNYX 08 Developed With Xpeng “With its combination…

Stellantis is assessing its investment strategy in Europe and holding discussions with potential partners, including Chinese automakers, as part of a broader strategic realignment, according to a report by Bloomberg. The global automotive group has reportedly explored cooperation opportunities with companies such as Xiaomi and Xpeng, with talks focused on options to strengthen its European operations. These discussions could include potential stakes in certain brands or joint initiatives, though details remain limited. See also: Stellantis Invests £50 Million in UK Electric Van Production While Warning Over ZEV Mandate Bloomberg reported that the talks may involve “options for an overhaul of…

Brussels public transport operator MIVB/STIB has begun operating the first units from a new batch of electric buses supplied by Mercedes-Benz, marking another step in the city’s transition to zero-emission public transport. A total of 50 battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses are scheduled to enter service in Brussels this year, including 36 standard single-unit buses and 14 articulated buses. The first vehicles began carrying passengers at the end of January, with the remaining solo buses expected to be deployed across the network by the end of March. The initial buses will operate on routes 47, 56, 58 and 83, charging exclusively…

Polestar said it is expanding its Grid Rewards program to Germany and France, allowing electric vehicle owners to reduce electricity costs through smart home charging coordinated with the power grid. The program operates in partnership with Octopus Energy and builds on the company’s Polestar Energy app, which has been available in several European markets for over a year. The app allows drivers to set departure times and desired battery levels, after which charging is scheduled automatically to minimise costs while meeting usage needs. See also: Polestar Announces Major Product Expansion With Four New Electric Models by 2028 With Grid Rewards,…