Author: Derick Munoz

China’s national financial regulator unveiled the country’s first-ever insurance guidelines for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) on Friday, aimed at addressing the unique challenges posed by the rapid rise of new energy vehicles (NEVs). The guidelines focus on reducing maintenance costs for these vehicles and exploring the establishment of a risk classification system for insurance models. As China’s NEV market continues to grow, the guidelines also seek to tackle the evolving risks associated with smart driving technologies and the swift pace of model iterations. See also: Chinese EV Makers Challenge EU Import Tariffs at Top Court The rapid…

LG Energy Solution , a leading South Korean battery manufacturer, announced on Friday it will reduce its capital expenditure by up to 30% this year, citing slower growth in electric vehicle (EV) demand. The announcement comes after the company posted an operating loss of 226 billion won ($158 million) in the fourth quarter, marking its first quarterly loss in three years. This compares with a profit of 338 billion won during the same period a year earlier. See also: LG Energy Solution Introduces Advanced SoC-Based Battery Management System “The changes in U.S. tariffs and subsidies could slow the pace of…

Indian mobile tower operator Indus Towers has initiated its entry into the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure market by launching pilot charging stations in two key locations. The pilot facilities have been set up in Gurugram, a major business hub, and Bengaluru, known for its technology-driven ecosystem, the company announced on Thursday. India is witnessing a gradual increase in EV adoption, although battery-powered vehicles currently represent only 2.5% of the country’s annual vehicle sales. See also: Hyundai Plans 600 Fast EV Charging Stations in India to Boost Adoption One of the primary challenges has been the limited availability of charging…

French electric bike startup Angell has filed for insolvency and plans to pursue judicial liquidation, marking the end of its operations after facing persistent technical issues with its products. Co-founder and CEO Marc Simoncini announced the decision on Instagram, saying, “It’s over for Angell. A hardware problem has put an end to the adventure, despite all our efforts and the incredible work of all our employees.” See also: Bosch Unveils New Theft Prevention and AI-Driven Features for E-Bike Batteries Founded in 2019, Angell aimed to redefine urban mobility with its smart electric bikes, which featured integrated GPS, a Bluetooth-enabled touchscreen,…

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…