Author: Derick Munoz

Maextro, a premium brand born from the joint venture between Huawei and JAC, is set to debut with its first electric sedan, the Maextro S800. Designed to rival luxury giants like the Mercedes-Benz Maybach and Nio ET9, the S800 impresses with its commanding size and powerful performance. Stretching 5,480 mm in length, it surpasses the Maybach S-Class (5,469 mm) and Nio ET9 (5,325 mm), making it the largest EV sedan in China and one of the most imposing mass-produced sedans globally. Pre-orders for the Maextro S800 opened in November 2024, allowing customers to reserve the vehicle for a deposit of…

Swedish public transport operator Svealandstrafiken has commissioned Volvo Buses to deliver 73 electric buses, including 13 articulated buses for urban transport in Örebro and 60 regional buses for Örebro and Västmanland counties. The new order comes as Svealandstrafiken replaces two of three previous contracts with Dutch manufacturer Ebusco, which were canceled by mutual agreement. Jonas Berg, Head of Purchasing and Sustainability at Svealandstrafiken, expressed satisfaction with the resolution: “We are pleased with how our contingency plans turned out and that we can secure our deliveries of sustainable vehicles for the future.” The articulated buses are scheduled for delivery in early…

Kia’s fastest vehicle, the EV6 GT, is set to redefine electric sports cars with a series of major upgrades. Spotted in the U.S. for the first time, the refreshed model boasts a striking matte blue finish and revamped performance features, further advancing its appeal in the high-performance EV segment. The EV6 GT, which starts at just over $60,000 in the U.S., offers an electric powerhouse with 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds. A standout among both electric and gas-powered sports cars, Kia’s top-performing EV has…

Tesla appears poised to introduce the refreshed Model Y to the North American market as significant price reductions on existing Model Y inventory units have surfaced across the U.S. and Canada. The move follows Tesla’s recent rollout of the redesigned Model Y in Asia-Pacific and European markets, fueling speculation about its imminent debut in Tesla’s home market. This week, Tesla slashed prices on legacy Model Y units, with discounts reaching up to $4,120 on select trims, according to the company’s website. Long Range AWD configurations have seen reductions ranging from $960 to $2,500, while upgraded Performance trims feature the steepest…

Renault’s mobility brand, Mobilize, and French energy company NW have signed an agreement to create a joint venture focused on electric vehicle (EV) charging combined with energy storage. The partnership aims to reduce charging costs for EV users while maximizing the use of decarbonized electricity. The joint venture will leverage the expertise of both companies: Mobilize will contribute its knowledge of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, while NW will bring its expertise in electricity storage and charging technology. Gianluca De Ficchy, CEO of Mobilize, stated, “At Mobilize, we are committed to playing a key role in the energy transition. This…

Dacia, Renault’s low-cost automotive brand, is gearing up to expand its electric vehicle lineup, with a fully electric version of the Sandero expected by the end of 2027, according to CEO Denis Le Vot. Currently, the Spring is the sole all-electric model in Dacia’s portfolio, but the company aims to leverage its affordability to compete against an influx of Chinese EV manufacturers in Europe. The Sandero, a compact supermini, has been a standout success, becoming Europe’s best-selling car in 2024 with 309,392 units sold, a 14.5% increase from the previous year. This achievement also marks the Sandero’s consistent popularity among…

Toyota has announced it will move away from its “bZ” naming system for electric vehicles, with plans to use more familiar names for future EV models. The bZ4X, launched in 2022, will likely be the only vehicle sold globally under the old naming convention. The bZ4X was Toyota’s first global electric vehicle and was initially expected to mark the beginning of a new series of electric cars under the bZ (Beyond Zero) branding. The automaker had planned to introduce 15 dedicated EVs globally, with seven of them bearing the bZ name. However, following a recall of all bZ4X models in…

General Motors and its subsidiary OnStar have reached an agreement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to halt the disclosure of consumers’ sensitive geolocation and driver behavior data to consumer reporting agencies for the next five years, the FTC said on Thursday. The settlement follows allegations that General Motors collected, used, and sold precise geolocation data and driving behavior information from millions of vehicles without adequately notifying customers or obtaining their consent. Such data could potentially influence insurance rates, according to the FTC. See also: Texas Sues Allstate Over Alleged Unauthorized Driver Data Collection In response, General Motors noted…

Renault, through its mobility division Mobilize, has taken a significant stake in Free To X, a subsidiary of Italian motorway operator Autostrade per l’Italia, to accelerate the expansion of fast-charging infrastructure across Italy. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, Renault confirmed that the transaction awaits regulatory approval. Free To X currently operates 110 fast-charging locations primarily along Italy’s motorway network. Mobilize’s investment will focus on extending this network to urban and suburban areas, making electric mobility more accessible beyond major highways. Gianluca De Ficchy, CEO of Mobilize, highlighted the partnership’s strategic importance in advancing sustainable mobility in…

BYD is advancing its SUV lineup with the Tang L, as revealed in a regulatory filing included in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) catalog, which details high-performance powertrains and cutting-edge technology. The Tang L features three battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions and five plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions listed in the MIIT catalog. Among these, the dual-motor BEV (BYD6500AJBEV4) mirrors the powertrain of the Han L sedan, delivering 230 kW from the front motor and 580 kW from the rear. This configuration enables the SUV, weighing 2,882 kg, to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in…

Mazda has announced plans to bring its EZ-6 electric saloon, already available in China, to European markets under the name Mazda6e. The Japanese automaker unveiled the vehicle at the Brussels Motor Show, marking a significant step in its European electric vehicle (EV) strategy. The model will debut in Germany in the summer of 2025, with prices starting at approximately €45,000. This move coincides with the phasing out of the aging MX-30 electric SUV in Germany and other regions. The Mazda6e is a product of Mazda’s partnership with Chinese automaker Changan and is based on the EPA1 architecture developed by Changan.…

Tesla will enable Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle (EV) owners in the United States to access its extensive Supercharger network starting in February, the automaker announced today. This move marks Mercedes-Benz as the latest in a growing list of manufacturers leveraging Tesla’s charging infrastructure, which was first opened to non-Tesla vehicles last year. U.S.-based Mercedes-Benz EV drivers will gain immediate access to Tesla Superchargers next month. Canadian owners, however, will need to wait until later this year before gaining the same privilege. In a statement, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Dimitris Psillakis said, “Adopting the NACS standard in our electric vehicles and opening the…

Aptera Motors, the solar electric vehicle (sEV) startup, has revealed its production-ready vehicle at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, though it remains unclear when the first units will reach customers. The company first introduced its Launch Edition of the solar electric vehicle in January 2023, promising production would begin later that year. However, financial challenges delayed the timeline. In 2024, Aptera secured $33 million in funding and announced it was preparing for production, but the solar-powered trike from California has yet to be delivered. Since then, Aptera has raised a total of $135 million through equity funding, which the company…

Stockholm-based electric vehicle battery maker Northvolt announced on Wednesday that its shareholders voted to continue operations, providing the company with critical backing as it seeks new funding and navigates Chapter 11 restructuring. The Swedish firm, once seen as Europe’s leading contender in the EV battery sector, faced significant challenges last year, including production setbacks, reduced funding, and intensified competition from Chinese manufacturers. These difficulties culminated in a bankruptcy protection filing under U.S. Chapter 11 laws in November. In a statement, Northvolt expressed optimism, saying the shareholder vote demonstrates confidence in its ongoing transformation. “Northvolt continues to make progress in the…

British roadside assistance company AA has introduced 15 battery-electric Ford Transit Customs and 15 plug-in hybrid variants into its fleet as part of a trial to assess their performance in real-world scenarios. These vehicles will operate in cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Nottingham, Liverpool, and London, undergoing structured tests to evaluate their suitability for the company’s needs. The trial focuses on key operational factors, including the practicality of home and strategic charging solutions. According to AA, all participating patrols will have home chargers installed to support low-carbon operations, complemented by charging solutions from its partner, Rightcharge. The towing capacity…

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) made up 19.6% of the UK’s new car market in 2024, registering a total of 381,970 units sold. This represented an impressive increase of 21.4% from the previous year, as BEVs gained a stronger foothold in the market. However, despite this growth, the segment still fell short of the 22% target set by the government’s mandate for electric vehicle sales. This marks the second consecutive year of growth for the UK EV market, as sales of BEVs and hybrid vehicles continue to rise, while traditional combustion engine vehicles, such as petrol and diesel cars, experienced significant declines.…

Bosch introduced a new theft prevention feature for its e-bike batteries at CES 2025, allowing owners to digitally lock their batteries through the company’s Flow+ app. This enhancement aims to bolster security by automatically locking the battery when the e-bike is turned off. If a stolen battery is used on another Bosch e-bike, it will render the bike’s motor support inoperable, making the bike unusable. The new locking feature will be available later this summer through an over-the-air update for Bosch e-bikes equipped with the company’s smart system. In addition to this digital lock, Bosch is also enabling owners to…

Norwegian retail chain Coop has commissioned Mer to install at least 215 new electric vehicle charging points across 37 locations in Norway by the end of 2025. In addition to the new installations, Mer will upgrade existing charging stations with faster chargers, bolstering Coop’s charging network by more than 50%. Mer has ambitious plans to add over 6,000 charging points across Europe in the next four years, including 1,800 in 2025 alone. Nearly half of these developments are backed by partner agreements with companies like IKEA, Tesco, Dennree, and MPREIS. “We know that EV drivers appreciate being able to run…

Voyah, Dongfeng Motor’s premium electric vehicle (EV) arm, achieved its third consecutive record month in December 2024, delivering 12,136 vehicles. This represents a 21.15 percent increase compared to 10,017 vehicles delivered in December 2023 and an 11.79 percent rise over November 2024. For the full year of 2024, Voyah delivered a total of 85,697 vehicles, marking a significant 69.52 percent year-on-year growth. However, the company fell short of its full-year target of 100,000 vehicles, which was set earlier in the year. Despite this, Voyah remains optimistic about its growth trajectory and has set a target of selling 200,000 vehicles in…

Shell Recharge has announced that it will cease offering its ‘Shell Sky’ software for third-party charging stations in the US and Canada by April 30, 2025. The cloud-based software, developed by Greenlots before its acquisition by Shell in 2019, was used by third-party providers to manage commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Shell Recharge will remove its branding and discontinue support for the software as it shifts its focus toward expanding its own public charging network in North America. The company emphasized that existing customers using the Shell Sky software will have until the end of April to migrate their…