Author: Derick Munoz

Nio has officially introduced the ET9 Horizon Edition, a new variant of its executive-class sedan, showcasing a more refined exterior design highlighted by a two-tone paint finish and exclusive wheel options. The launch follows a regulatory filing earlier in the day that revealed Nio’s plans to enhance the ET9 with premium design elements. The automaker later confirmed the new edition via its official Weibo account, releasing a series of images and promotional materials emphasizing the Horizon Edition’s design language. The ET9 Horizon Edition adopts a blue-and-silver two-tone color scheme that reflects Nio’s signature styling. The company stated that the visual…

India and the United Kingdom are expected to formally sign a long-awaited free trade agreement next week, two Indian government sources said, unlocking mutual market access for key sectors such as electric vehicles, whisky, textiles, and automobiles. The deal, which follows three years of intermittent talks, will be signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to London, one of the officials said. The agreement will come into effect around a year after it gains approval from the British parliament and India’s federal cabinet. “The trade agreement offers a win-win for both countries,” one of the sources said, noting…

BMW Chief Executive Officer Oliver Zipse said on Friday he was optimistic the European Union and the United States could soon reach a “manageable” agreement on auto import tariffs, possibly including a system that offsets imports with exports. Speaking at a company event in Munich, Zipse said both sides were likely to settle on terms that would limit the impact of tariffs on automakers. His comments came as the EU awaited a potential letter from the U.S. administration under Donald Trump outlining a framework for a trade deal and clarifying possible tariff rates on European automotive exports. Trump said on…

The Serbian capital of Belgrade plans to acquire 100 electric buses from Chinese manufacturer Higer in preparation for Expo 2027, with the new fleet to be deployed ahead of the international event. The procurement includes a mix of battery-electric and supercapacitor-powered vehicles and forms part of the city’s efforts to modernize its public transport system and reduce emissions during the three-month exposition. According to local news outlet eKapija, the order comprises 50 battery-electric buses and 50 buses powered by supercapacitors. Among the 100 vehicles will be 15 double-articulated electric buses, each 25 metres long, which will serve two key routes…

Bentley has revealed the EXP15, a striking new design concept that offers a glimpse into the future of the luxury brand’s electric grand tourers. Drawing on the brand’s historical legacy while adopting a bold new direction, the EXP15 combines dramatic design cues, a futuristic aesthetic, and an unusual three-seat configuration. The concept, although not bound for production, signals how Bentley is reimagining its identity ahead of its transition to fully electric models by 2035. The EXP15 blends modern lighting technology and sharp, sculpted lines with nods to Bentley’s storied past, most notably the legendary “Blue Train” Speed Six. The design…

Formula E is poised to extend its exclusive agreement with motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, ensuring it remains the world’s only fully electric racing series sanctioned by the organization well into the future. Originally granted a 25-year license upon its launch in 2014, Formula E’s exclusivity is expected to be reaffirmed through a contract extension. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem indicated during last weekend’s British Grand Prix that the deal had been finalized and would be announced shortly. While Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds told Reuters there was “nothing official” yet, he hinted that significant announcements are expected during the…

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. has issued a recall for 969 units of its 2025 Polestar 3 SUV to address a potential issue involving water intrusion into electrical connectors. According to a filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), water exposure may cause corrosion in the connectors between the engine bay and front bumper harnesses, potentially resulting in a loss of power steering assist. The campaign, listed under NHTSA recall number 25V453000, relates to the vehicle’s electrical system. The manufacturer reported that under certain conditions, water ingress could disrupt electrical signals in the harness, which may lead to…

BYD has unveiled a new variant of its compact electric hatchback, the Seagull Free Edition (自在版), in China. Priced at 78,800 yuan (approximately $10,800 USD), this latest version of the entry-level EV offers extended range, upgraded comfort features, and enhanced safety. The launch coincides with a major milestone—BYD has now surpassed one million cumulative sales of the Seagull since its debut in April 2023. Built on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, the Seagull Free Edition retains the original model’s powertrain, which includes a front-mounted 55 kW electric motor producing 135 Nm of torque. Power comes from a 38.88 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, delivering…

Volvo Trucks has delivered its 5,000th electric truck, a milestone highlighting the Swedish manufacturer’s growing influence in the electric heavy-duty vehicle segment. The company first introduced its battery-electric truck in 2019 and now operates in over 50 countries, where its vehicles have collectively logged more than 100 million miles in commercial operations. Nearly half of those miles have been recorded within the past 14 months, underscoring the increasing pace of adoption and expansion of Volvo’s electric fleet. The achievement comes amid a rapidly evolving industry landscape, as automakers seek to meet decarbonization goals and respond to tightening emissions regulations globally.…

Tesla is preparing to test a virtual queuing system at select Supercharger locations in North America, designed to manage charging order and reduce conflicts among EV drivers at high-demand sites. The system will notify users of their position in line, helping to ensure a fair and orderly process during peak usage. The initiative comes as the Supercharger network sees increasing traffic, driven by both rising Tesla vehicle sales and the company’s move to open its charging infrastructure to electric vehicles from other manufacturers. https://twitter.com/MdeZegher/status/1938315278573834571 While Tesla continues to expand and upgrade its charging stations, certain high-traffic locations occasionally experience issues…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng is set to officially launch its new G7 electric SUV on July 3, positioning the vehicle between its existing G6 and flagship G9 models. The launch comes just days after tech giant Xiaomi introduced its first electric SUV, the YU7, to considerable consumer enthusiasm and high initial order volumes. Xpeng’s chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said the G7 combines “cutting-edge technologies and spacious comfort,” targeting a segment of the market looking for advanced features in a smart SUV. In a post on Weibo, Mr. He emphasized the G7’s onboard capabilities, highlighting its integration of three…

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Japan of engaging in “unfair” trade practices in the automobile sector and urged the country to increase imports of U.S. goods, including oil, to help reduce the American trade deficit. His remarks come as Japan seeks to avert a new round of auto tariffs set to take effect next month. In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Trump said that Japan continues to benefit disproportionately from auto trade with the United States, while limiting access for American vehicles. “They won’t take our cars, and yet we take millions and millions…

Chinese electronics firm Xiaomi said it received 240,000 locked-in orders for its newly launched YU7 electric SUV within 18 hours of the vehicle’s debut on June 26, signaling robust demand for its second entry into the competitive EV market. Buyers were able to secure a YU7 through two methods: a refundable deposit of 5,000 yuan ($700 USD) that becomes locked in after seven days, or a non-refundable 20,000 yuan ($2,800 USD) priority deposit for faster delivery. The company said the latter option had already sold out in the Xiaomi app. Locked-in order figures likely include both priority and manually confirmed…

Electric vehicle maker Rivian has laid off approximately 140 employees, representing about 1% of its global workforce, as part of a broader restructuring initiative aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency ahead of its upcoming R2 SUV. The latest round of job cuts, reported by TechCrunch and confirmed by the company, mainly affected salaried manufacturing staff. A Rivian spokesperson described the move as part of an “ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency for R2,” referencing the automaker’s mid-size electric SUV slated for release in 2026. Employees impacted by the layoffs are being encouraged to apply for other open positions within the company.…

Dutch battery system specialist EST-Floattech has launched new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery modules as part of its Octopus Series, targeting large-scale energy storage for the maritime sector. The addition aims to broaden the company’s offerings for hybrid and electric vessels amid rising interest in LFP technology. Each Octopus LFP module offers a nominal voltage of 52 V and a capacity of 233 Ah. The modules are designed for scalable integration into battery systems with capacities of several megawatt-hours. EST-Floattech says the system is fully compatible with its existing Octopus Series Battery Management System (BMS). “By introducing LFP to our…

Chevron announced its entry into lithium production by acquiring mining rights in the Smackover Formation across Arkansas and Texas, marking a strategic step into critical mineral sourcing for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The U.S.-based oil major has secured approximately 125,000 net acres, equivalent to 50,000 hectares, through agreements with TerraVolta Resources and East Texas Natural Resources. Chevron plans to deploy direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology at these sites to recover lithium from underground brine deposits. “This acquisition represents a strategic investment to support energy manufacturing and expand U.S.-based critical mineral supplies,” said Jeff Gustavson, President of Chevron New Energies. “Establishing…

COBCO, a joint venture between Morocco’s Al Mada investment fund and China’s CNGR Advanced Materials, has commenced production of lithium-ion battery components at its facility in Jorf Lasfar, 125 kilometres south of Casablanca, the company announced on Wednesday. The plant’s initial production phase includes nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and precursor cathode materials (pCAM), using nickel, cobalt, and manganese — all key ingredients for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and stationary energy storage systems. According to a source close to the project, the site aims to reach a total annual capacity equivalent to 70 gigawatt-hours, which could support battery production for approximately one million…

Uber Technologies said on Tuesday that electric vehicle (EV) prices are no longer the primary barrier for its drivers, with the number of EVs on its platform reaching 230,000 globally. However, the company warned that a lack of home charging infrastructure continues to hinder broader EV adoption among its ride-hailing operators. The findings come from Uber’s first large-scale EV survey in several years, reflecting significant momentum in EV deployment. Uber said that 60% of its total EV fleet growth occurred between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. “Drivers are telling us price is no longer…

Tesla’s new car registrations in Europe dropped by 27.9% in May compared to a year earlier, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline, even as overall battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales in the region jumped by 27.2%, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Tesla’s market share in Europe shrank to 1.2% in May from 1.8% a year ago, amid intensifying competition from lower-cost Chinese EV makers and growing consumer backlash tied to the political statements of CEO Elon Musk. The company’s revised Model Y, expected to boost flagging sales, has yet to show a meaningful impact. Meanwhile,…

Kia has announced UK pricing and opened order books for its updated 2026 EV6 GT and EV9 GT electric SUVs, with the EV6 GT receiving a notable price reduction and performance upgrades. The EV6 GT will now start at £59,985 on the road — a £2,690 decrease from the previous model year. Equipped with an 84kWh battery, the vehicle offers a WLTP range of up to 279 miles and features all-wheel drive, 641hp, and 770Nm of torque. Deliveries are expected in late Q3 2025. Standard color for the EV6 GT is White Pearl, with four premium paint options — Runway…