Author: Derick Munoz

Toyota’s electric SUV, the bZ4X, continued its strong performance into 2025, with first-quarter sales climbing 195.7% year-over-year, driven by recent upgrades and price adjustments. The automaker sold 5,610 units of the bZ4X in the U.S. between January and March, up from 1,897 vehicles in the same period last year. March sales alone more than doubled, rising from 827 units in 2024 to 1,678 units in 2025. The increase comes after Toyota introduced new battery technology with an extended range, a more powerful dual-motor configuration, and standard battery preconditioning—a feature that optimizes charging performance in colder temperatures. Additionally, the bZ4X received…

Polestar has removed the Polestar 2 from the header of its U.S. website, a move that reflects the broader impact of tariffs on vehicle availability and competition in the American market. The Polestar 2, the company’s first fully electric vehicle, was initially produced in 2020 in Luqiao, Zhejiang, China, a key factor contributing to its removal. See also: Polestar 2 Receives 2026 Model Year Update with Tech Upgrades and Premium Audio While Polestar’s newer EV, the Polestar 3, is produced in South Carolina, the Polestar 2’s production location means it faces tariffs that affect its competitiveness and pricing in the…

Abarth has launched its new 600e series in the UK, introducing the brand’s most powerful electric vehicle (EV) to date. The performance-focused model is available in two trims—the standard 600e and the limited-run Scorpionissima— with prices starting at £36,975 (~€44,000). The 600e features a 54kWh battery pack, offering a range of up to 207 miles (WLTP), and is powered by a 176kW electric motor capable of accelerating from 0 to 100kph in 6.24 seconds. Meanwhile, the Scorpionissima model is equipped with a 207kW motor borrowed from the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce, enabling a quicker 0 to 100kph time of…

Tesla showrooms across the globe were the focal point of coordinated protests on Saturday, March 29, as activists took to the streets to voice opposition to CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in the US government’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). The protests, which took place in the US, Europe, New Zealand, and other regions, aimed to pressure consumers into boycotting Tesla by selling stock and avoiding the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs). The demonstrations were sparked by Musk’s controversial actions as head of DOGE, a role that has seen him slash federal budgets and oversee significant layoffs of government workers. The…

Avatr Technology, the electric vehicle brand backed by Changan Automobile, CATL, and Huawei, has begun pre-sales for its latest model, the Avatr 06 sedan, ahead of its official launch next month. The mid-size sedan will be available in five variants—three battery electric vehicle (BEV) options and two extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) options—with pre-sale prices starting at RMB 215,900 ($29,720). The Avatr 06, measuring 4,855 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and 1,450 mm in height, features a wheelbase of 2,940 mm. See also: Avatr Unveils New Avatr 06 Mid-Size Sedan: A Hybrid and Electric Offering The BEV variant is…

A European Union-funded initiative is advancing the development of a next-generation 1,200-volt electric powertrain, aiming to improve performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability in electric vehicles. The ‘nExt geNeration 1200V eLectric hIGH volTage powErtraiN’ (ENLIGHTEN) project, which will run until 2028, seeks to integrate and test a powertrain that maintains compatibility with existing charging infrastructure, researchers said. The project introduces a dual-voltage battery system capable of adjusting dynamically while driving, alongside gallium nitride (GaN)-based DC/DC converters and an integrated motor-inverter powertrain. “Our work on a 1200-volt powertrain will reduce energy losses and ensure higher power delivery for demanding applications,” said Shane…

Polish electric bus manufacturer Solaris has secured a contract to supply ten Trollino 18 trolleybuses to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by mid-2025. The deal was signed with the Ministry of Transport of the Sarajevo Canton after Solaris won a tender partially financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The company did not disclose the contract’s value. The Trollino 18 is an 18-meter-long articulated trolleybus that operates on an overhead catenary system for fully electric travel. It can also cover distances of up to 20 kilometers without a direct connection to the wires, according to Solaris. See also:…

BYD posted record earnings in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by surging new energy vehicle (NEV) sales, though its gross margin declined due to rising operating costs. The company reported a net income of RMB 15.02 billion ($2.07 billion) for the quarter, up 73.1% from a year earlier and 29.4% higher than the previous quarter, according to its annual report released Today. Revenue reached a record RMB 274.85 billion ($37.89 billion), marking a 52.7% increase year-on-year and a 36.7% rise quarter-on-quarter. See also: China Delays BYD’s Mexico Plant Approval Over U.S. Tech Concerns BYD’s performance was bolstered by strong…

Bentley has officially begun construction of its new electric vehicle assembly line at its headquarters in Crewe, UK, as part of a £2.5 billion investment in electrification. However, the launch of the luxury brand’s first battery-electric vehicle has been postponed to 2027. The model, expected to be a high-end SUV, was initially slated for release in 2026. See also: Bentley Begins Construction on Logistics Centre to Support EV Transition The Volkswagen Group-owned marque reaffirmed its strategy to transition into an all-electric brand by 2035, revising its previous target of 2030. Despite the delay, preparations for the brand’s EV lineup remain…

British car dealer Arnold Clark has announced a €35 million (£30 million) investment in expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging network, with plans to install 500 ultra-rapid chargers at over 100 locations across England and Scotland. The company has already installed 240 charge points and aims to equip its UK dealerships with charging stations featuring up to eight fast chargers per site, each capable of delivering 150 kW of power. The Arnold Clark Charge network will be accessible through the company’s app, with a charging rate of 55p/kWh, and most sites will operate 24/7. See also: Kempower Enhances DC Station…

Renault is set to bring back the iconic R5 Turbo as an electric sports car, unveiling further details about the limited-edition R5 Turbo 3E. The French automaker will produce only 1,980 units in a nod to the original Renault 5 Turbo’s launch year, with orders opening in the coming weeks and deliveries slated for the first half of 2027. See also: Renault Group Expands Autonomous Vehicle Trials Across Europe Revealed as a concept at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, the R5 Turbo 3E blends retro styling with modern technology. The vehicle features a lightweight carbon structure and an 800-volt system…

UK charge point operator Trojan Energy has secured a contract from Camden Council to install 570 electric vehicle charge points across the London borough by the end of 2026. The infrastructure will utilize Trojan Energy’s ‘flat & flush’ technology, which keeps chargers close to the ground rather than using traditional charging columns. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Camden Council. Trojan Energy’s mission has always been to ensure everyone benefits from the energy transition,” said Ian Mackenzie, CEO of Trojan Energy. “After the huge success of our trials in 2022, we are delighted to now be able to…

The Hamburg Fire Department has received an electric rescue fire engine from Rosenbauer, the Austrian firefighting equipment manufacturer, marking a step toward more sustainable emergency response operations. The vehicle, known as the eHLF 20, features an electric drivetrain with a range extender and is designed to handle a variety of firefighting and rescue scenarios. “With the procurement of our all-electric emergency vehicles, we are breaking new ground in firefighting and rescue services and are thus setting an example for an even more powerful and sustainable Hamburg Fire Department,” said Jörg Sauermann, Head of the Hamburg Fire Department. See also: Epiroc…

Tesla is recalling more than 46,000 Cybertrucks in the United States due to a potential issue with an exterior panel that could detach while driving, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday. The recall covers vehicles manufactured between November 2023 and February 27, 2024, and represents the majority of Cybertrucks currently on the road, based on analyst estimates. See also: Tesla to Roll Out Two Massive New Full Self-Driving Updates for Cybertruck Tesla said the issue involves a stainless-steel exterior trim panel that may loosen or detach, creating a possible road hazard. The…

Renault Group is advancing its autonomous vehicle strategy with new trials in several European cities following a recent test deployment at the Roland-Garros tennis tournament in May 2024. In partnership with WeRide, the initiative involved autonomous minibuses operating on public roads, covering 1,000 kilometers and transporting nearly 700 passengers. The trial demonstrated the potential of self-driving public transport, leading to interest from local authorities, transport operators, and private site managers. As a result, additional tests are now underway in Barcelona, Valence, and Zurich, with further locations expected to follow. See also: WeRide and Renault Group Introduce Autonomous Shuttle Service at…

AI development platform Hugging Face has partnered with startup Yaak to expand its open-source robotics initiative, LeRobot, with a large-scale dataset aimed at training autonomous vehicles and robots, the companies said on Tuesday. The dataset, named Learning to Drive (L2D), consists of more than a petabyte of data collected from sensors installed in German driving school vehicles. It includes camera footage, GPS information, and vehicle dynamics data from both instructors and students navigating a range of real-world conditions, such as construction zones, intersections, and highways. See also: Everything You Should Know About Geely G-Pilot Assistance System Hugging Face and Yaak…

Toyota  announced on Wednesday that it plans to launch nine fully electric models in Europe between 2025 and 2026 across its Toyota and Lexus brands, as the automaker moves to strengthen its presence in the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. The Japanese automaker, which has historically been more cautious in its EV strategy compared to some competitors, said it remains committed to a “multi-pathway approach” in reducing carbon emissions by offering a mix of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles across different markets. See also: Toyota Retains Global Sales Crown, but EVs at Just 1% Threaten Its Lead “Providing choice…

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor plans to build a hydrogen fuel cell production facility at its existing plant in Ulsan, with construction set to begin this year and production expected to commence in 2028, according to local media reports. The plant, which follows Hyundai’s restructuring of its hydrogen business under the HTWO brand, will be the automaker’s second-largest fuel cell production site after its Guangzhou facility in China, which has an annual capacity of 6,500 fuel cell systems. See also: Hyundai Motor Group Launches Energy Hydrogen Business Division to Strengthen Hydrogen Ecosystem Hyundai previously relied on production in China but now…

Tesla is preparing to roll out new Full Self-Driving (FSD) features for the Cybertruck in the coming weeks, bringing the vehicle’s semi-autonomous capabilities in line with the company’s other models. The update will introduce enhancements such as FSD Supervised starting from park, improved traffic control, and the addition of Actually Smart Summon. See also: Tesla Introduces Discounted Financing to Boost Cybertruck Sales The start-from-park function, first introduced in November 2024 with FSD v13.2, allows vehicles to transition from a stationary position to full operation through a button press. Tesla is now extending this capability to the Cybertruck, enabling drivers to…

Swedish truckmaker Scania said on Monday it has secured an additional battery cell supply beyond its existing deal with Northvolt, as it warned that delays in battery deliveries will cause it to miss its 2025 emissions reduction target. Scania, which had relied solely on Northvolt for battery cells, has faced challenges as the Swedish battery maker struggles to scale up production. See also: Northvolt Sells Industrial Battery Unit to Scania as Restructuring Continues Northvolt, once seen as Europe’s leading electric vehicle battery hope, filed for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last November and is currently seeking to restructure its debt.…