Author: Derick Munoz

Porsche is preparing to introduce simulated gearshift functionality in its future electric vehicles, with the next-generation Taycan expected to debut the so-called “virtual transmission” when the model launches toward the end of 2026, automotive outlet The Drive reported. According to the report, Porsche briefed dealer managers on the upcoming feature during a conference in Atlanta in November, with sales teams instructed to prepare for the arrival of new electric models featuring the virtual gearbox in the second half of 2026. August was cited as a tentative start for order intake. See also: Porsche Launches Cayenne Electric With Up to 850…

Researchers at Purdue University have successfully wirelessly charged a heavy-duty electric truck while it was traveling at highway speeds, marking a first-of-its-kind test for the United States and a potential step toward reshaping long-haul electric freight transport. The demonstration took place on a quarter-mile stretch of Highway 231/52 in West Lafayette, Indiana, where engineers embedded magnetic transmitter coils beneath the road surface. A battery-electric semi-truck supplied by engine maker Cummins was equipped with receiver coils, allowing it to draw power without physical contact while traveling at about 65 miles per hour (105 km/h). See also: Purdue University Engineers Working on…

U.S. fast-charging network operator EVgo Inc. said its Autocharge+ plug-and-charge feature has surpassed five million charging sessions, with customer enrollments rising more than sixfold since 2023 to over 300,000 users. The company said Autocharge+ now accounts for nearly 30% of total charging activity across its nationwide network, reflecting growing demand for frictionless charging as electric vehicle adoption accelerates. The feature allows drivers to begin charging automatically when plugging in, without using mobile apps, RFID cards or on-screen payment systems. See also: EVgo Named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Companies 2025 EVgo said Autocharge+ is currently compatible with about 80 electric vehicle…

ADS-TEC Energy’s ChargePost fast-charging system has received technical prequalification to participate in Austria’s ancillary services market, clearing the way for its use in both ultra-fast electric vehicle charging and grid stabilisation services, the company said. Utility operator Salzburg AG has already integrated the battery-based system into its virtual power plant to support frequency regulation while serving EV users. The prequalification confirms that the ChargePost system can deliver short-term power adjustments required for stabilising grid frequency, enabling it to function as both charging infrastructure and a grid asset. Salzburg AG said the integration allows the system to buffer electricity from the…

Tesla is facing a lawsuit in the United States from Perrone Robotics, a Virginia-based technology company that alleges its patented software is being used without authorisation in Tesla vehicles equipped with Autopilot over the past six years. The case was filed in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, according to court records. Perrone Robotics, founded by Paul Perrone, develops a robotics operating system designed to allow a single software base to control multiple types of automated machines. See also: Tesla Faces Lawsuit Over Missing LED Light Bars on Cybertruck Foundation Series The lawsuit argues that the company’s patented approach addressed a…

Stellantis has begun production of the Fiat 500 Hybrid at its historic Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, as the group moves to expand its hybrid lineup and reinforce manufacturing activity at the site. The automaker is targeting output of more than 6,000 vehicles by the end of 2025, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in January 2026. Orders for the new model opened on Nov. 21, with showroom launch events held at Italian dealerships shortly afterward. See also: Fiat Launches Battery-Swapping EV Fleet Pilot in Madrid with Ample and Free2move To support higher volumes, Stellantis plans to introduce a second…

A new global survey suggests that politics is becoming a significant factor in electric vehicle (EV) purchasing decisions, with Tesla emerging as the most-avoided brand among drivers worldwide. The Global EV Alliance surveyed over 26,000 EV owners across 30 countries and found that many respondents actively avoid certain brands or countries due to political considerations. Of those who reported avoiding specific brands, 41 percent cited Tesla, while 12 percent said they avoid vehicles produced in China. A smaller proportion, five percent, said they avoid US-built EVs altogether. What brands/countries would you avoid for political reasons? The survey did not specify…

Automotive supplier Magna is expanding its manufacturing presence in China with a new plant in the Jiujiang Economic Development Zone in Wuhu, aiming to meet accelerating demand for electric drive systems as the country’s new energy vehicle sector continues to grow. Magna said the facility, which covers more than 14,800 square metres and is expected to support around 200 jobs once fully operational, will initially supply eDrive systems to Chery, with additional automakers to be added over time. See also: Magna Names Philip D. Fracassa as Chief Financial Officer, Replacing Patrick McCann The company described the systems as providing “smooth,…

Inceptio Technology has provided an updated outlook on the development of its autonomous trucking systems, projecting that cumulative real-world mileage collected from its commercial fleet will exceed 5 billion kilometers by mid-2028. The company presented the figures at the Next Truck 2025 conference in Berlin, noting its current fleet of more than 4,000 L2+/L3 trucks has accumulated over 400 million kilometers in operation across China. Founder and CEO Julian Ma described the company’s long-term pathway toward higher automation levels, saying, “We see L4 autonomy not as a sudden revolution, but as an accelerating evolution.” See also: Inceptio Technology Joins Autoware…

Shares of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng climbed sharply in Hong Kong trading following the company’s recent announcements on artificial intelligence and robotics, pushing its market capitalization above HK$200 billion. Xpeng’s stock rose 15.1 % to HK$105.90 per share, reaching its highest intraday level since March. In U.S. markets, its American depositary shares closed at $26.04, up 16.2 % overnight. See also: Xpeng Unveils Next-Generation Iron Humanoid Robot at 2025 AI Day The surge followed Xpeng’s AI Day event on November 5, 2025, where it unveiled its next-generation humanoid robot, “IRON,” and announced plans to launch three robotaxi models in 2026. Each robotaxi…

Tesla has rolled out an update to its iOS app introducing a redesigned Charging tab and new energy-management features, offering users greater control over how their vehicles consume power while parked. The latest version, 4.50.5, was brings a revamped Charging tab that consolidates all charging-related settings and data into one interface. From the new page, users can set charging limits, schedule charge times, view recent session history, and manage payment options. The update also includes enhanced session summaries showing key data such as kilowatt-hours delivered, charging duration, and any applied charging credits. See also: Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Software Expected to…

BYD has revealed pricing and specifications for the SEAL 6 DM-i in Saloon and Touring body styles for the UK market, featuring the brand’s Super Hybrid DM-i powertrain and its first estate model for Europe. Orders are now open, with first customer deliveries expected to begin in December 2025. The SEAL 6 DM-i Saloon starts at £33,990 for the Boost trim and £36,990 for the Comfort trim, while the Touring version is priced from £34,990 and £37,990 respectively. Both variants combine electric-only driving capability with hybrid efficiency, offering up to 87 miles of electric range in city conditions and up…

Porsche inaugurated its first major research and development facility outside Europe on Tuesday in Shanghai, aiming to tailor software and vehicle features to local customer preferences and accelerate development cycles. The 10,000-square-metre centre employs more than 300 engineers and specialists across research, development, procurement, and quality management. It forms part of Porsche’s “In China for China” strategy, which seeks to adapt vehicles directly to the Chinese market rather than managing operations solely from Stuttgart. See also: Porsche Faces Deep Profit Slump in 2025 Amid EV Slowdown and Market Headwinds “China is leading the way in future mobility, combining electrification, digitalization,…

Toyota has introduced the Tacoma H2-Overlander Concept at the 2025 SEMA Show, presenting a hydrogen fuel cell and battery-electric hybrid truck designed for zero-emission overlanding. The concept, developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD-USA), produces 547 horsepower while offering off-grid energy generation and advanced sustainability features. Built on Toyota’s TNGA-F platform, the Tacoma H2-Overlander integrates a Mirai-derived hydrogen fuel cell stack with a 24.9-kWh lithium-ion battery and three hydrogen tanks, combining to deliver efficient, all-electric propulsion. See also: Toyota Adds Crown Fuel Cell Taxis to Tokyo’s Hydrogen Project Dual motors generate a combined 547 hp and deliver power to all four…

Hyundai and custom vehicle creators BigTime have revealed the IONIQ 9 Off-Road Concept at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, introducing a rugged, lifted version of the all-electric SUV that merges vintage styling with modern electric performance. Co-developed with BigTime founders Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe, the concept was showcased in SEMA’s Future Tech Studio — a section dedicated to electric mobility and advanced vehicle innovation. Based on the IONIQ 9 Calligraphy AWD, the BigTime Off-Road Concept delivers up to 422 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, maintaining the vehicle’s refined performance while incorporating new off-road capability. The SUV…

BMW reported a higher core profit margin in the third quarter, benefiting from peak research and development spending on its all-electric range, even as high U.S. tariffs and Chinese competition weigh on European automakers. The company’s automotive operating margin rose to 5.2%, up from 2.3% a year earlier when brake issues affected sales. Group earnings before interest and tax reached 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion), while revenues totaled 32.3 billion euros, slightly below expectations. “In the third quarter, we once again proved that our business model is robust and resilient,” said CEO Oliver Zipse. BMW maintained its full-year car margin…

Beijing Electric Vehicle Co (BJEV), the electric vehicle unit of Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), recorded a significant increase in sales in October, driven by strong demand for its Arcfox and Stelato brands. The company sold 30,542 vehicles during the month, up 112 percent from a year earlier and 48.7 percent higher than September’s total of 20,539 units, according to data released on Sunday. From January to October, BJEV’s cumulative sales reached 142,043 units, representing a 73 percent year-on-year increase. See also: Huawei-Backed Stelato Launches S9T Wagon, Secures 5,000 Firm Orders in First Hour Arcfox, BJEV’s core brand targeting the…

Xiaomi’s electric vehicle unit, Xiaomi EV, delivered more than 40,000 cars in October, marking its second straight month above the milestone as the company continues to expand its presence in China’s competitive EV market. The company announced the figure on Weibo on Sunday without disclosing the exact number, following its usual practice. In September, Xiaomi EV delivered 41,948 vehicles — its first time crossing the 40,000 mark — representing a 209.37 percent year-on-year surge from 13,559 units a year earlier and a 15.25 percent rise from August’s 36,396 units. See also: Xiaomi EV Forms New Architecture Department to Drive Next-Generation…

Purem by Eberspächer has unveiled a new steel-based concept for electric vehicle battery housings, promoting it as a more economical and sustainable alternative to aluminium, which remains the dominant material in most electric and hybrid vehicles. The company argues that its design reverses the traditional preference for aluminium by leveraging the strength and recyclability of steel. “Compared to aluminium, steel offers greater strength and makes lighter battery housings possible thanks to the use of thinner walls,” Purem by Eberspächer said in a statement. “Every gram counts, especially for high-performance batteries with a long operating scope — and is therefore an…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD reported robust sales growth in Europe in September, with its expanding model lineup gaining traction among consumers. The company registered 24,963 new vehicles across Europe last month, a 398 percent increase from the 5,013 units recorded in September 2024, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The figures cover the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Within the EU, BYD achieved 13,221 registrations, up 272 percent from 3,553 units in the same month last year. See also: BYD to Launch Plug-in Hybrid Atto 2 DM-i in…