Author: David Wilson

Maserati is reportedly offering substantial discounts on its Folgore electric vehicle lineup in the United States, with price reductions of up to $85,000 on select models as the brand seeks to move unsold 2025 inventory. According to a report by CarsDirect, the automaker issued guidance to dealerships outlining incentives under a “Folgore EV Assistance Cash” programme. Maserati has not publicly announced the discounts. See also: Maserati Upgrades Grecale Folgore With Front Motor Decoupling and Battery Preconditioning Credit: MaseratiThe largest reductions apply to the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore and Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, whose list prices typically range from about $200,000 to $208,000.…

BYD’s European division has partnered with financial services provider DLL to broaden financing options for its electric trucks and buses, aiming to accelerate adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles across the region. The initiative will initially cover nine markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, and the United Kingdom. The collaboration builds on an existing relationship that began in 2025, when DLL started financing BYD commercial vehicles. Under the expanded agreement, customers will gain access to a wider suite of funding solutions, including operating leases, finance leases, and traditional loans. DLL, headquartered in Eindhoven, said the programme…

UK-based electric motor specialist Helix has partnered with McMurtry Automotive to provide a bespoke twin-motor propulsion system for the McMurtry Spéirling electric fan hypercar, with production deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. The rear-wheel-drive setup uses two Helix SPX242-94 electric motors delivering a combined output of up to 1,000 horsepower. Each motor produces around 500 Nm of torque while weighing just 33 kilograms, enabling a compact packaging layout suited to the Spéirling’s single-seat design. The propulsion system integrates with McMurtry’s gearbox and operates alongside the vehicle’s proprietary Downforce-on-Demand fan system, which generates aerodynamic grip independent of speed. Performance targets for…

Ford Motor has upgraded its compact electric van models, the Ford E-Transit Courier and Ford E-Tourneo Courier, with improved battery capacity, extended driving range, and faster charging capabilities, the automaker said. The enhancements follow similar powertrain updates recently introduced on the European Ford Explorer EV and Ford Capri EV. Both Courier models now feature an increase in usable battery capacity from 43 kWh to 46 kWh. The change delivers an approximately 11% improvement in range, raising the E-Tourneo Courier’s maximum driving distance to about 320 kilometres on a single charge and the E-Transit Courier’s to around 334 kilometres. See also:…

Mahle has unveiled a new heat recovery system designed to improve cabin heating efficiency in electric vehicles, saying the technology can reduce energy demand for climate control by about 20% compared with conventional exhaust air systems. Heating remains one of the main factors affecting driving range in battery-electric vehicles during winter. Unlike combustion-engine cars, which use engine waste heat to warm the cabin, EVs must rely largely on electric heating elements powered by the traction battery due to the high efficiency of their drivetrains. Mahle’s HeatX Range+ system seeks to address this limitation by recovering thermal energy from cabin exhaust…

Warsaw’s public transport operator Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe (MZA) has exercised an option to expand its electric bus procurement contract with Solaris Bus & Coach, doubling the size of an order signed in September 2025. Under the contract extension, MZA has ordered an additional 79 battery-electric buses, comprising 50 articulated Urbino 18 electric vehicles and 29 standard-length Urbino 12 electric buses. The expanded order brings the total number of zero-emission buses under the agreement to 158 units. See also: Swiss Operator PostAuto Orders Up to 115 Electric Buses From Solaris The newly ordered vehicles will match the specifications of the earlier…

The Nissan LEAF has been ranked the UK’s most reliable used electric vehicle, according to a study by Warranty Solutions Group (WSG) based on real-world warranty repair claims. The analysis reviewed 1,000 EV warranty claims filed between January and December 2025 and found the Nissan LEAF recorded the lowest claim rate in the sample at 1.52%, outperforming all other electric models included in the study. See also: 2026 Nissan LEAF Wins Car and Driver Editors’ Choice Award WSG said the results underline the importance of long-term durability as the used EV market expands, offering reassurance to consumers weighing total ownership…

Poland is preparing potential restrictions on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) near sensitive military locations, reflecting growing European concern that advanced automotive technologies could pose data security risks, according to officials and local media reports. Polish authorities are drafting rules that could prohibit such vehicles from entering military installations and adjacent parking areas, a move that would follow similar steps taken by the United Kingdom to limit access by Chinese EVs to defense-related zones. The focus is on modern cars’ use of cameras, sensors and radar systems that can collect detailed environmental and geolocation data. See also: Poland Offers €290 Million…

Chinese startup Tianjin Gongjiangpai Auto Technology is preparing to bring a lightweight electric sports car to Europe, with plans that could include limited production in Italy, according to media reports and company disclosures. The model, known as the SC01 in Europe and marketed in China as the JMEV 01, is designed as a compact, high-performance electric sports car inspired by classic lightweight designs associated with brands such as Lotus. The vehicle was first unveiled in September 2022 but only entered production in China in April 2025 after a prolonged development pause. European market entry is currently planned for 2026. See…

New registrations of battery-electric cars in the European Union rose sharply in 2025, far outpacing growth in the broader auto market and lifting electrified drivetrains to more than half of all new vehicle sales, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). A total of 1,880,370 electric cars were newly registered across the EU last year, an increase of 29.9% compared with 2024, ACEA said. Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 17.4% of all new registrations, up from 13.6% a year earlier. By comparison, the overall EU passenger car market grew by just 1.8% in 2025 and remains below pre-pandemic…

The Volvo EX60 Cross Country brings Volvo’s familiar Cross Country formula into the brand’s next-generation electric lineup, adding rugged character and greater versatility to the EX60. While the standard EX60 was deliberately styled with a clean, estate-like appearance, the Cross Country introduces the off-road-inspired elements that many buyers traditionally associate with the Volvo SUV identity. Built on the electric-only SPA3 platform, the EX60 Cross Country features a suspension raised by two centimetres compared with the regular EX60, increasing ground clearance and improving approach and departure angles. Visually, it is differentiated by brushed aluminium underbody protection at the front and rear,…

Renault reported higher global vehicle sales in 2025, reflecting continued recovery and growth across its Renault, Dacia and Alpine brands, supported by rising demand for electrified models and a broader product lineup. The group sold 2,336,807 vehicles worldwide during the year, up from 2024 levels. Sales under the Renault brand accounted for around 1.6 million units in Europe, a 3.2% year-on-year increase. Budget brand Dacia sold close to 700,000 vehicles globally, up 3.1%, with Europe remaining its largest market. Alpine recorded the strongest percentage growth, with global sales up 139.2%. Renault said the increase reflected a full year of sales…

Mazda is phasing out sales of its MX-30 R-EV range-extender model in Europe, ending the compact crossover’s availability in the region after limited demand, according to Autocar. A Mazda spokesperson told Autocar that the decision was driven by a “combination of reasons,” including changing consumer trends and production priorities, adding that the MX-30 R-EV had “sold relatively poorly in Europe.” Production of the model for the Japanese market has been temporarily suspended but is expected to resume later this summer, the spokesperson said. See also: Mazda Pushes Back Launch of In-House EV Platform to at Least 2028 The move follows…

Skoda Auto has confirmed that its upcoming all-electric seven-seater flagship will be called Peaq, with a global debut scheduled for summer 2026, bringing the Vision 7S concept into series production. The Peaq will become the Czech automaker’s largest and most premium electric model to date, positioned at the top of Skoda’s portfolio as it expands its battery-electric offering beyond the Enyaq range. The model is intended to translate the Vision 7S concept, first unveiled in 2022, into a production-ready vehicle. See also: Skoda Reaches 100,000 Production Milestone for Elroq Electric SUV “With the Vision 7S, we entered new territory for…

Fiat has announced the return of the Qubo nameplate with the introduction of the Qubo L, repositioning the model as a family-oriented multi-purpose vehicle and expanding its presence in the compact van-based passenger segment. The Qubo L is closely related to the Fiat Doblo and appears to share much of its underlying design and configuration. Fiat has framed the Qubo L as a more lifestyle- and family-focused alternative to the Doblo, which is primarily marketed toward commercial users. The vehicle will be available in five- and seven-seat layouts, with body lengths of 4,400 mm and 4,750 mm respectively. See also:…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand under China’s Geely Holding Group, has expanded its European lineup with the 7GT, a wagon-style electric vehicle derived from the 007 sedan. Positioned as a more practical alternative with added cargo capability, the Zeekr 7GT combines high-performance specifications, ultra-fast charging, and a design tailored specifically for European consumers. At the core of the Zeekr 7GT is an advanced 800-volt electrical architecture, enabling charging power of up to 480 kW. This makes it the fastest-charging electric vehicle currently offered in Europe. With the 75 kWh battery, the 7GT can recharge from 10% to 80% in…

The Mercedes-Benz CLA has been named European Car of the Year 2026, following a vote by an international jury of automotive journalists at the Brussels Motor Show 2026, underscoring the German automaker’s push to expand its next generation of electric vehicles. The all-electric version of the redesigned compact sedan won the title with 320 points, outperforming 34 rival models and emerging ahead of six finalists. Voting was conducted by 60 automotive journalists from 23 European countries, according to the European Car of the Year jury. See also: Everything You Should Know About Mercedes-Benz MB.Drive Assist Pro Mercedes-Benz said the award…

The public transport operator Libertas in the Croatian port city of Dubrovnik has agreed to procure 14 electric low-floor buses as part of a broader push to modernise and decarbonise its fleet, the company said. The buses will be supplied by local dealer Auto Hrvatska and are expected to be delivered by August 20, 2026. The purchase is being financed through a grant from Croatia’s Ministry of Transport under a European Union economic stimulus programme. Libertas said two additional electric buses will be funded separately through the EU’s Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) programme. See also: Five Croatian Cities to Receive…

Hyundai Motor on Thursday unveiled the fully electric version of its Staria van for the first time, presenting the model at the Brussels Motor Show as it prepares for market launches in Europe and South Korea in the first half of 2026. The Staria Electric will be produced at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea and initially offered as a seven- or nine-seat vehicle, with additional markets to follow. The model marks Hyundai’s first battery-electric entry in the Staria lineup, which has been on sale since 2021 and is currently available in Europe only with petrol or full-hybrid powertrains. See…

Volkswagen has agreed a long-term supply cooperation with Qualcomm Technologies starting in 2027, selecting the U.S. chipmaker as a key technology provider for next-generation infotainment, connectivity and software-defined vehicle (SDV) functions across its brands. The agreement, formalised through a letter of intent, positions Qualcomm as a core supplier of system-on-chips and connectivity solutions for Volkswagen Group’s future zonal electronic architecture. While financial terms, volumes and duration were not disclosed, the partnership is intended to have a Group-wide impact, driven initially by Audi and Volkswagen Passenger Cars. See also: ZF and Qualcomm Team Up on Turnkey ADAS Platform for Level 3…